LOG START
[19:14:45] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 24
Nathir has fallen.
Sword Prince Gensuji returns triumphant to the City of the Sword, boasting that Vaneha is once more complete from the Yellow River to the Maruto to the Great Palisade. Vaneha has bled for its prize, and harvest season has started, so it now licks its wounds, and repairs the prize it almost destroyed in winning it. Now is the time to rest and prepare, for much is yet to come.
Hardly a soul knows that the Imperial Daiklave was briefly stolen, but you have learned some of the workings of Heaven and those who steward Destiny. You’ve recovered old treasures and made allies. And while yours is the divine grace of the Sun, there are but three of you, and many matters worthy of attention.
Gensuji’s esteem for the Datei has grown, and the clan is likely to be involved in deliberations for the Sword’s next conquest. If you mean to expand your influence over the Prince and guide his Sword, this is a golden opportunity. Clan Maon’s gods have promised an audience when the situation has settled, and it is now just about settled. They may have answers to several questions, and any dealings with your new power bases in Nathir will necessarily involve them. The would-be meddlers from the far Realm have been quiet, perhaps figuring out how to navigate the aftermath of Gensuji’s victory themselves, but it’s not in the Dragons’ nature to keep their peace for long.
Late fall brings a flush of red to Jibei and the flanks of Ama-ni-Traya. Responses to Kagemori’s administrative missives have been trickling in at the Datei compound; Raizo’s troops are training and on standby in the outer city; and news from Nathir still arrives periodically. Datei ma Kuromi, Kagemori’s elder sister, insists that there should be tea every so often. It’s perfect for calm deliberation, and the cultured thing to do besides. A good time to take stock and consult: Where should the circle’s attention be focused?
[19:21:24] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori sits with his circlemates and Kuro, sipping a cup of tea. “We have a good opportunity to build our power bases. But where should we focus? The court is a powerful prize if it can be controlled, but eyes will always be on it. It might be a good time to seek allies among the other clans. The right deals with Maon and we could make Nathir into a powerful bastion. And there is, of course, options outside of polite society. Cleaning up the capital would be a virtuous option…By bringing its ner-do-wells under our many banners, of course.”
[19:23:50] River Snake
Snake also has tea and snacks. “Well, since I’ll be here for a while, and we have a city reconstruction in the area. I was planning on expanding my organization to the region. Both ends. Ripe for fresh business, and all”
[19:32:48] Master of Games
The Datei mansion’s inner garden is a striking spot for tea, to be certain. The central pond, entrance to the clan deity’s sanctum, always reflects a lightly clouded sky, even though today the sky is crisp and blue from horizon to horizon. A sharp bounder whose tip has partly turned to glass and other curiosities Kuromi had brought from Dead Laris dot an otherwise carefully orthodox pebble garden. The tea is green, strong, and of the highest grade the clan’s finances and station justify—which is to say, not the highest, but better than what commoners drink.
”Indeed, River Snake. You head a trading company, was it?” Kuromi looks at Snake. “Not with the Guild?”
[19:35:13] River Snake
Snake smirks a little “When I was starting out the Guild and I didn’t quite see eye to eye. So I started my own company, its mostly worked out.” He chuckles. “Just because they’re the biggest doesnt mean they get to be the only show in town”
[19:37:59] Raizo
With a larger force under his command requiring adding more levels of organization and the need to bring them all to a uniform level of training, Raizo has been busy. The Band of the Canopy has grown into two companies with a mild friendly rivalry brewing between them, with long-time companions and newer hires spread evenly to diffuse any notions of favoritism. He’s been thinking of what designs to put on their banners and names for them, since they’ll need them going forward. In short, he looks tired, and sips his tea a little deeper than might be considered polite. “Well, I was thinking I might use my little company to smack some heads and clean things up a bit, yeah. Without a war to fight, I prepare for the next one.”
[19:38:35] Raizo
”Oh, it occurs to me, there’s that brotherhood of dragon-blooded from the Realm still running around. We should stay informed on what they’re up to.”
[19:39:19] Datei ma Kagemori
”A good point. Did we ever determine their true goals?”
[19:40:23] Master of Games
Kuromi grins. “You might have a golden opportunity on your hands, then. The Sword has always been skeptical of the Guild, but the Guild is a large part of Nathir’s value. Old man Heimonji will sit up and listen for sure if he thinks you could be a counterbalance.”
[19:42:46] Raizo
”I think one of them wanted me to kill the prince or steal the sword. They might be upset with me that I did neither.”
[19:43:17] Datei ma Kagemori
”There might be an issue in scale if you want to fight the Guild on too many fronts. But a powerful patron could help build it up.”
[19:44:05] Datei ma Kagemori
”Hmm. With the fall of Nathir they might go to ground for a bit. It would be wise to watch their movements though. Maybe we can get a better idea of their goals.”
[19:47:50] River Snake
”My company is sadly probably not large enough to fight the guild on its own, but we’ve gotten pretty good at being a thorn in their side. And with more patronage…perhaps taking their throne in a city of two isnt out of the question.” He sips his tea “I already sent messages for some of my people to come and start setting up shop…my specialty is more in procurement of rare inventory. We originated selling what relics we found in the ruins, and have been growing ever since.”
[19:50:59] Raizo
”I’m not particularly afraid of them, but a snake’s size belies its danger. Or… some other comparison that works better. Point being I think we can agree it’s better to know what they’re up to and working toward than not.”
[19:52:07] River Snake
”On the subject of the dragon-blooded, I would be surprised if they didnt intend to destabilize the region for one of their empires, or similar”
[19:52:31] Raizo
”I’d also like to know where our dear prince is looking next for conquest and what we can make out of that.”
[19:54:39] Raizo
”Probably,” Raizo says, looking to Snake. “It sure is annoying that the Realm and Lookshy can reach out to us like this but we can hardly return the favor. Maybe something to work on in the future.”
[19:55:44] Raizo
”Hard to do much about it now except make sure they don’t bend us over without at least paying for dinner and the theater first, though.”
[19:55:59] River Snake
”Long term, for now we keep them from causing trouble since we dont want to fight battles we can’t win”
[19:57:12] Raizo
”Yeah,” Raizo replies between stifling yawns.
[20:00:14] Master of Games
Kuromi, representative of a clan who deals closely with the deep corners of society yet largely confined to the quarters of the wealthy, laughs long and heartily at Raizo’s remark. “Well, from what you’ve told, I suspect they would have contact with those clans who opposed Gensuji’s war preparations. Those are quiet for the time being, as the Prince has been vindicated, albeit with a black eye. I imagine they’re watching to see just how Pyrrhic the victory will turn out to have been.”
[20:01:28] Datei ma Kagemori
”Do you have any particular suspects?”
[20:10:15] Master of Games
”I know for a fact the Saoto were and still are vocally against expansion; their representative, that is to say hostage, is a good friend. Their allies the Kanro were, but I’m not so sure if they might not be changing their minds. Both have their residences about halfway up the city, and I wouldn’t expect to find anti-war sentiment uphill of them. You’ll find more in the lower city because the poorer clans bear more of the cost and reap fewer of the rewards, but they’re also in a worse position to speak up now.”
[20:16:09] Datei ma Kagemori
”Of course. Those who have changed their minds might be looking for allies or patrons. What motivates the Saoto in this manner? They think their position will decline if it succeeds? Or that that the expansion will fail?”
[20:20:54] Datei ma Kagemori
”You also might want to establish some rapport with the Maon, Snake, if you want to make Nathir into a bastion of your organization. Which it would be well suited for. I am sure they’d like the help in restarting the trade flowing through it…But at the same time, it might be seen as competition.”
[20:26:41] Master of Games
”A mixture of factors. The Saoto provinces yield rich harvests, but the terrain apparently demands much labor. I’ve never been. The simple equation is that commoners being drafted to war hurts them directly. Kasuo, that’s the representative, was grousing just last week about the late return of the troops.” She takes a sip of tea and thinks. “But also, the clan’s leadership is old enough to remember the civil wars. This is my conjecture, but I think there’s an emotional reason as well. Not all veterans yearn to go back to war.”
[20:34:30] Datei ma Kagemori
”This is fair. Maybe even the wiser response. Still, that seems like a problem that could be solved. Either allowing them to contribute to the Sword in a slightly different manner, less soldiers, or less drafted commoners at least, in exchange for other services. Or even altering the terrain. I wonder if the House of Thirty Seals could do something like that, once they are back on their feet.”
[20:37:26] Datei ma Kagemori
”Thank you for the insights. I will be seeing if either are who are hosting the Princes of the Earth.”
[20:48:42] Master of Games
”That’s what a big sister is for.” Kuromi looks smug, before clapping her hands. “That reminds me! A courier brought these crackers from the Saoto estate the other day. Let me see if my taster hasn’t eaten them all yet.” She has a box of puffy rice crackers brought in with a distinctive flavoring, spicy and sweet.
[20:49:43] Master of Games
”I agree talking to the Maon couldn’t hurt, if you have the audience regardless. Being on good terms with the lords of the river confluence is good for us moving our goods, as well.”
[20:51:09] River Snake
”Maybe we can work out some kind of business partnership so they won’t be overtly hostile.” He tries the new rice crackers. “These are pretty good.”
[20:52:14] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori accepts a cracker. “Their harvests are not just plentiful, but of good quality as well it seems. I wonder what gives it this flavor.”
[20:52:58] Datei ma Kagemori
”Raizo, so you need tests for your new men, it sounds. Is there anything else that can help build up the Company? Or…Companies, now?”
[20:58:09] Raizo
”Something like that. Well. In the annals of military organization, I think we’re around 50 now, which isn’t usually what a ‘company’ is, but about 50 men is also more than one person can really manage so I split them down the middle. I haven’t named them yet, and we’re not really the Band of the Canopy right now, so the whole naming thing has been in the back of my head.”
[20:58:34] Datei ma Kagemori
”Well, whatever name you go with.”
[20:58:56] River Snake
”Orchestra of the Canopy”
[21:00:06] Raizo
”That doesn’t answer your question, it’s just on my mind. I didn’t think this far ahead to be honest. Sorta figured stuff would present itself when I needed it to. We’ll have to come up with designs for our banners, too. A good banner is essential for camaraderie.”
[21:00:40] Raizo
”It’s not just useful for organizing your soldiers, it also gives them something they can touch and believe in and all that.”
[21:00:41] Master of Games
”Have you considered a bird theme?”
[21:00:47] Datei ma Kagemori
”Agreed. Symbols are powerful.”
[21:02:11] Raizo
”If you don’t have a war to fight, you have to give them something to do. I want to keep finding recruits but we need some kind of assignment, too. Honestly, if we were closer, contributing to the rebuilding in Nathir would be perfect, but alas.”
[21:03:39] Raizo
”I’ve read a few books about control and command, you may have figured, and infrastructure jobs are a time honored way of keeping idle hands busy. Shitty work, really, but it keeps the men in shape and keeps them too worn out to turn to banditry and all.”
[21:04:05] Datei ma Kagemori
”I am sure you can find some opportunities if that is your desire.”
[21:06:29] Raizo
”Actually, I can probably find stuff like that here, eh? The poorer sections of Jibei surely have some tidying up to do. Canals that need dredging or whatever. Let them know they have us to thank for it.”
[21:07:45] River Snake
”Cleaning up the poorer parts of the city will also help increase our influence there.”
[21:08:30] Master of Games
”Oh, certainly. It takes work to keep a city beautiful. And there’s been fewer hands available for routine maintenance the past season.”
[21:16:21] Datei ma Kagemori
”Earlier I was thinking of cleaning up in terms of street gangs but it turns out there are many opportunities in cleaning this city. Or Nathir, as noted.”
[21:21:28] Raizo
”Maybe not the sexiest assignment, but drill and drink and dice keep them entertained only so long, and I’d rather my merry band of bandits not become hellions on the locals just because they don’t have anything to do.”