The Burning of Kyuden Hantei – A Declaration of War

[PG]

The Burning of Kyuden Hantei – A Declaration of War

Sosuke was a diligent rice farmer to the lords of Hantei. He rose early for work and retired late in the day. His family was small but he loved them well. His dwelling was not much more than a hovel but he was content for his place in the karmic circle. Yet today was different from days past. Today he was not sure what to make of what he saw. What he saw was the grand place Kyuden Hantei….burning.

The fires of Kyuden Hantei could be felt for hundreds of feet away like the Fire Dragon itself was present. Shouts were muffled by the din of the roaring flames and the sight of the conflagration could be seen for miles away once dusk approached. Few times has there been such beautiful destruction of such a grand place. Peasants huddled around the area cowering out of fear that the gates of Jigoku had at last been breached and this was the end of all things.

All along the perimeter walls, statues of the prior Emperors melt into twisted mockeries of their grand splendor, their garments and other vestments having combusted hours ago. To the East, the Go Hall lies in embers, the grand tables of gold and silver used for Go having fueled the destruction that passes through now. To the West the Dueling Hall roars the loudest like specters of ancient students crying out in anguish. Monuments to the grand duelists ignite in anger and quickly add to the rage that burns all in its path. To the North the Kabuki Hall explodes in discordant colors of red, yellow and orange, as costumes and masks of the finest silk and ivory feed the hungry blaze. To the South the halls of the Phoenix smiths are eerily silent as the flames consume all in their path. Even the grand forges there seem unable to withstand the fiery destruction around them. The once majestic gardens of the inner courtyards are nothing but burnt husks and ash as the fires quickly passed through with little resistance. Shallow graves of earth where well tended koi ponds dot the area are adding smoke and steam to the pyre blazing around them. Lastly the central courts die a slow painful death as the fires rage on and the grand throne so painstakingly built joins the surrounding ash and embers. The fires burn so well that the Kami must be pleased that such a stain be removed from their sight.

Time seems at a standstill in the macabre dance of destruction of flames that seem to twist and dance in their kiss of death. The four great monuments of the elements die in unison as earth turns to scorched glass, air turns to acrid smoke, water turns to black oil and fire burns like a fissure of lava. Only the monument of Void is spared destruction but the monument of Void has been touched by the plague and that plague may never be fully cleansed. The clan estates surrounding the monuments look like any other dwelling set ablaze. Eight additional bonfires light up the night sky to add to the awesome majesty of the burning castle. Eight bonfires add their destruction to the whole in perfect unison so that their eradication may be complete.

The blaze rages on for hours, seemingly unending as night falls across the city. On a hill several figures can be seen as clearly as it was day and even though the noise of the dying castle is great, one voice can be heard clearly. The fires illuminate the face of Akodo Hideaki giving him a harsher appearance than usual.

“My brothers and sisters do not mourn the loss you see before you. This palace is a mockery of what we hold dear. Too long has this tainted monstrosity been allowed to sit on our Emperor’s lands. We would see it destroyed so that we may be healed. Do not despair for this not the end but rather a beginning. Too long have we allowed evil to walk in our midst and its time that something be done about it! This evil comes in many forms and those most recently are that of the Scorpion and the Phoenix. I fear the Scorpion are beyond our help and their destruction will come in due time. To the Phoenix I had hoped would be able to overcome their trials and tribulations but it seems that is not the case. Let us strike them down as we have this monument to their decadence and see if they are capable of living up to their namesake. Let us see if they are capable of rising from the ashes to become better than they were before.

To this end we are declaring war on the Phoenix. Let those who still love our Emperor stand with us and may the Kami guide our swords and keep our will unwavering. To our enemies we shall bring the destruction they deserve for standing against our Emperor. To the Gaijin I will say only this. You have aided our enemy the Scorpion, you harbor our enemy the Phoenix, and you mock our honor…stand apart from the Phoenix and you will be spared. Stand with the Phoenix and we will bring the wrath of Jigoku to your very doorstep. Consider this your only warning. Either let us pass or be prepared to die defending the enemies of our Emperor.”

With that Akodo Hideaki and the others on the hill conduct an open ceremony to the Kami inviting all those who want justice for the Empire to participate. It is a time of change for the Empire, a time for the enemies of the Empire to finally get a taste of the fear and hopelessness that they have seeded for so long.

A time for war….

[Juan Valdez]

OOG: Yoritomo Toyotomi sits atop the small rise gazing into the fires before him. He sits silently for several minutes, unmoving as he stares into the flames. Slowly he leans forward, takes his stick from the fire, puts the now roasted hot dog in a bun and checks on his marshmallows. "Hell of a barbecue you got going here Hideaki."

Resume IG discussion...
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What exactly do you mean by "You're dead"?

[Dr. Spank]

The Imperial Court is ablaze, not unlike the desicrated province of the first emperor, thought not in fire, but in rumors and speculation. They speak of Heideki as fallen to madness. They say that the Phoenix have already been reborn. That their Champion Mazumi has shown nothing but honor and grace in their midst, acting as a vioce of reason and control in these times. They ponder his request for mere moments, for it is plainly obvious that it is the just and honorable thing for the empire. They turn to the champion and nod.

Mazumi bows to them. "Thank you honorable samurai and shugenja, coutiers and scribes, your desire for peace mirrors my own and we shall continue to work together with our noble regent to see to it that our land does not fall into anarchy."

Mazumi turns to Matsu Hatoru. "Hotaru-san, you clan has acted dishonorably. You have my sympathy. I went to you champion with open arms after he invaded our land. I spoke honestly, openly, and honorably to him before your court. I have shared everything I know, and divulged all knowledge that my clan holds so dear to anyone in the empire who would listen. And yet this is th erespect I am given? It is a travesty that this day you dishonor the emporer in such a way."

Mazumi turns back to face the court. "The imperial court has sided with my wisdom. The Right hand of the Emperor holds the dagger that it lodged in my back, as well as that of the Empire. By Imperial edict the Lion shall not use there war machine for as long as the Imperial court sees the wisdom of my words."

"Hotaru-san return to your lord tell him his war machine is useless as long as we the enlightened of the Rokugan desire peace. Tell him to convince the Unicorn to withdraw from Mori in peace and they will not be slaughtered. The Phoenix will be retaking our homeland from them without your help, for they too have spit on the pease branch we have offered them. When this is done tell your master that since his generally skills are useless, I would appreciate he jion me here. He has nothing else to do this month now, so a duel for is honor should not be imposing on his busy schedule. He will pay for his dishonor in the way that the kami desire, and we will see from this point forward that Kami have blessed the Phoenix as noble and enlightened not the corrupt vagabonds that he wishes us to be."

"Your lord is a samurai and a warrior he shall stand alone for his deeds. It is his duty to fight. It is mine to teach him a lesson as is my duty as champion of the Phoenix. I hope that the honorable Hoto-sama will jion me in denouncing your clan's act of treason and dishonor, and stay the peace that we all wish for."

(post script: Paul I hope you didn't put all your points in water. I think you'll find good use for those fire and air stats this turn)

[Dr. Spank]

Mazumi then speaks to Hotaru in private. "Hotaru-san, it seems that a major theft was commited against the Phoenix treasuries in Naka last month. With you recent declaration of war I assume it was the Lion, but have no proof to offer at this time. Hopefully as you lord goes wailing to meet his corrupt predecessor he will admit to this as well. But know this. Once he is gone and an honorable replacement leads your clan, I will jion you, as you seem wise and honorable, in moving against the evil in the south. I do not hold a grudge. For many have not held a grudge against me for the sins of my predessors."

[Scotty]

Your e-mail said you issued a challenge to a duel for this? Why? No individuals honor was slighted. It was a decleration of war, that doesn't warrant a duel.
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"...The Scorpion have purchased a large quantity of Gaijin black power..."

Chase:
"CRAP"

[Jer]

First, Good Story Paul. That was pretty cool.

Second, Jon is within his rights to issue the duel. His Clan honor has been insulted with the words of Hideki and as such as the Phoenix champion he has the right to defend it in a duel.


Jer
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This is not a fish! I was promised a FISH! - Jer

[Dr. Spank]

[Juan Valdez]

Does the Phoenix Champion get to have a champion take his place in a duel? And since the Phoenix did the challenging, don't the Lion get to set the terms of the duel (ie place, weapons, style, etc)?
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What exactly do you mean by "You're dead"?

[Michael]

I assume that Jon will be using the Imperial Favor he got last round to have an Imperial Edict issued against the (or one, if there is more than one) attacking force. The exact wording of the PBEM Constitution revision is:

[PG]

I would also like to know if the Phoenix are honorable enough to challenge Hideaki. He's got a fairly good honor trait.

[Michael]

Mazumi's honor is passable. It's not better than Hideaki, but it's enough. He'll lose a potential honor for the challenge, but his reputation and suaveness will let him brush over it.
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I like my coffee like I like my women. COVERED IN BEES! -Izzard

[PG]

Ok, I'll take that small bit of satisfaction that the Phoenix are challenging people above their station.

[Michael]

Heh. Mazumi is quite the courtier, but he was pretty much an unknown until an Imperial Proclamation last month. But Hideaki is widely regarded as a tactical genius and the honorable centerpoint of the revived Lion clan.
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I like my coffee like I like my women. COVERED IN BEES! -Izzard

[Jer]

If Paul somehow gets attacked then, the Imperial Favor doesn't prevent his army from defending. He just isn't allowed to take a province from another player, or engage in actions that would cause a battle. Defending from an attack isn't taking actions that cause a battle. Defending is the result of someone else's attack action.

If honor actually meant anything in this game, then everybody should have listened to Hoto, only one person has more honor then he does.

Jer
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This is not a fish! I was promised a FISH! - Jer

[Michael]

Well, disobeying Hoto is good for a -2 honor hit to those who do it. I must remind those wayward Clans who are disregarding the Voice of the Emperor!
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I like my coffee like I like my women. COVERED IN BEES! -Izzard