‘If you do this, a bloodline will end. If you do this, the Empire will be saved.’
The Scorpion Clan Coup was a major event in Rokugan’s history and led
directly to the return of Fu Leng and the Second Day of Thunder, as well
as the end of the Hantei dynasty. But what if they hadn’t?
What if, instead of failing, the Coup had been a success? What if the
Crab hadn’t rejected the offer of alliance, but had pledged their
support for the Scorpion clan? What would Rokugan be like with a
Bayushi emperor?
Here’s the scenario:
The Coup began as it did in the more familiar Rokugan. Akodo Toturi
still managed to survive and flee Otosan Uchi, but when he arrived at
the camp of the forces opposing the Scorpion, they refused to follow
him, seeing his flight as dishonorable. The lack of leadership for the
alliance against the Scorpion wasn’t the only problem they faced,
though—they just hand a chance against the forces arrayed against them.
Hida Kisada allied with Bayushi Shoju. After holding onto Otosan Uchi, repelling advances from forces allianged against them, and then marching against the other Great Clans...the balance shifted entirely. The Unicorn, as thoroughly
infiltrated as they were by Kolat, saw an opportunity to place a mortal
man on the throne. The Mantis provided support in exchange for being
named a Great Clan. Shoju met secretly with the leaders of the Phoenix
to reveal to them the prophecy he had discovered, as he had done with
the kami Togashi, and they agreed not to interfere, at least.
Togashi—for the first time—took direct action and sent Dragon forces to
support the coup as well. The Emperor was slain, his heir was never
found, and the Crane and Lion clans, already at each other’s throats,
did not have the leadership or the numbers they needed to repel a combined Crab, Dragon, Scorpion, Mantis, and Unicorn assault. In the end, they too bowed to Emperor Shoju I.
It’s been eleven years now since the coup. The Empire is in a state of
peace, but a restless, paranoid peace, and beneath the surface there is
tension everywhere. The Emperor, under the influence of the bloodsword
Ambition, maintains control through fear and paranoia. Bandits and
ronin are becoming more and more common, and secret plots and hidden
alliances are forming at every turn. The ronin Toturi the Black is out
in the countryside somewhere, still fighting a guerrilla war against the
Scorpion, but he’s about the only one still in open defiance.
And this is the Rokugan you’ve grown to adulthood in. An Emerald Magistrate has been murdered in the Emperor's backyard. Ryoko Owari, the city of lies, is the largest Scorpion holding in the Emerald Empire. While the Emperor is no longer Scorpion it still is his 'home clan' so to speak and makes up his greatest ally among the Great Clans, next to the Otosan Uchi it should be the safest place for the Emperor's men. Tsuruchi Daisuke was a Emerald Magistrate, one of the highest, most honorable, and important appointments the Imperial Court could offer. One of the greatest signs of his presence and authority in the Empire. This insult can not be ignored. Why and who are unknown, that is why your being sent of course. A small army of experienced Magistrates hand selected by Shoju I, the Emerald Champion Bayushi Aramoro or Empress Shoju Kachiko. Still there are rumors, whispers, and gossip. Things that have not only been taken very seriously in the Emperor's courts since the beginning of Rokugan but are now beloved during Shoju's reign. Ryoko Owari has always been known as a hotbed of illicit, decadent, and downright dishonorable activities and businesses, Many rumor it has also the center of Rokugan's illegal opium ring among other criminal enterprises. Some even go on to joke it's also a pinpoint of ninja activity. Tsuruchi Daisuke was said to be investigating these rumors when he was found dead on the streets. Yet whispers abound that Toturi's Army is using the city to pass
information-- surely they could not be daring to do so in Scorpion lands
themselves, and yet who can be certain? Maybe Tsuruchi's investigations into the Ninja myth and the rumored criminal conspiracies lead to him to a truth much more fantastical and dangerous than he could have anticipated? Character Creation Guidelines Your character is an Emerald Magistrate or someone who could reasonably
be attached to a group of them. Whatever your character's political
viewpoint, so far as you know you are in good standing in the
organization and with the Inquisition. You are being explicitly
dispatched by the Emerald Champion himself, so you've got the title even
if you're not specced specifically for the job.. Ryoko Owari is a rough city. Mind, what you
guys end up doing will end up being shaped by the sorts of characters
you are, but that being said, this is a job that can call for both
busting heads and schmoozing with noble manchildren. 100xp (total, not 100+40), IR2. I will not be tracking cash expenditures on gear in chargen.
Consider the amount that you get in your outfit to be cash that you have
on hand at any given time. At this point, own what you want. This is a Munchkin test .For what little they're worth, you are Glory
3/Status 4.5. Once you get settled, you will have staff and dudes you
can hire and whatnot. You only need worry about Servant advantages if
they're someone important. Your living in a palace, I don't need a advantage for your butler or the guy how throws out your refuse in the mourning. I do not require the 20 to be answered, but I do need
background information for your character. Whatever format you please is
fine, so long as it's interesting. Your dudes should be able to work together with dudes they don't like. Note: the party liking each other is not mandatory. I'm a Central Time Person but I'm looking for people who can play Once a week on Mon-Wed Or Sunday afternoons. I have work (most) other times and College classes coming up soon. If I can't get people at those times maybe we can discuss something else but I prefer we stick to that.
