LOG START
[17:28:15] Master of Games
All Creation, Beneath the Sword
Session 9
Your strange encounter on Agate Lake with the witch called Mother of Orphans has passed, answering some questions and raising others. She said she was empowered by one of the old gods overthrown by the Ninety-Nine Stars to bring about the Stars’ downfall in turn, but had little idea where to start on this Quixotic quest. After you referred her to aid in mending her apparently cracked essence, she should be out of your hair—for now, at least.
Things settle down into an uneasy lull. Everyone seems to be awaiting news out of Nathir. In the meantime, Kagemori seeks counsel from his clan’s deity regarding some of these questions, but the god of summer rains proves elusive for a time, busy with whatever it is that busies the gods.
Nazubi Gentle Shroud is able to make time for his spiritual child and co-conspirators shortly before the final harvest of the year is to start, and several more news arrive the same morning, as if they had been waiting their chance:
[17:28:25] Master of Games
A tastefully yet luxuriously wrapped package arrives with compliments from Clan Anori and no further justification, though the thanks for your Circle’s assistance in rescuing two of theirs is understood by those who need to know.
Reports of depredations along the river near Jibei increase, and the palace grows impatient, urging Datei to rein in their subjects as was discussed previously.
And Gensuji’s army has begun an assault on Nathir in earnest. Whether the Sword Prince has finally found his opening or this is merely a foolish rush hastened by the approach of harvest season is not clear from the first reports.
[17:40:47] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori sets down his calligraphy brush and opens the package. He has been hard at work refining his writing, as that is likely to be his main method of guiding Clan policy and directives. In person is more effective, of course, and building and reinforcing ties with notables will be key in the future, but outside of some sort of all-Clan gathering the only way for all of Datei to hear his voice as one will be through the brush. But at the same time, he wishes to be cautious. He must be aware of how his audience will react. And while he can trust the missives themselves will be destroyed safely, at least some of their contents will eventually get out to rivals and the crown. He must choose his words carefully. So for now, perhaps pausing and accepting a gift is best.
[17:54:11] Master of Games
There’s more than one way to write a message. The gift itself, for instance, is one, starting with the packaging: a lacquered box one would expect to see when a high-ranking noble graces one of lesser station.
Within are a letter and a mask. Or, more accurately, facial armor, intended to be clasped to a helmet and protecting the face while intimidating one’s enemies. The design is immediately familiar: It depicts a warrior in their final moments, snarling at death. Any Vanehan who’s ever been to the theater has seen Datei soldiers dying with such masks on their faces, and the armory has several examples of similar menpo from various periods in the clan’s younger history.
[17:58:13] Master of Games
The letter expresses thanks for the Datei’s aid in an unstated matter and describes this mask as an object found in a certain manse the Anori had cause to investigate recently, surely referring to the spot Mother of Orphans previously damaged in her seeking. The rest of the armor seems to be missing, but it is thought to be a genuine artifact linked to the Datei and thus judged an appropriate token of gratitude for the Datei’s discreet assistance.
Messages again: without saying it, the letter thanks Kagemori in advance for his silence, and frames the object as a gift rather than returning what’s clearly his.
[18:11:03] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori writes a quick reply, thanking the Anori for the gift of this item of his ancestors. His only other comment is that he did only what a loyal servant of Vaneha would do.
[18:11:26] Datei ma Kagemori
With the letter sent, he prepares for his visit to his family’s divine patron.
[18:12:37] Master of Games
The mask is old but exquisitely wrought and hardly worn. Its color reminds of yellowed ivory, but it’s cool to the touch, as if it were in fact made of stone. The warrior’s pointed eyebrows and mustache, swept fiercely outward, are made of many individual threads of shiny grey metal inlaid into the mask. They glitter like a prism as they catch the light and resonate with something at the touch. There is a magic, however faint, in this mask—a ransom for two geomancers.
[18:33:25] Master of Games
Nazubi Gentle Shroud’s sanctum is in the inner courtyard of the Datei estate—or perhaps more accurately, above and within it. When the Datei god keeps his own counsel, he steps into the pond, which always reflects a lightly cloudy sky regardless of the actual weather, but he prefers to entertain visitors in the garden with a human member of the family hosting a tea ceremony as they talk.
The Daimyo of Summer Rains and witness to secret contracts covers his face with a thin, damp shroud and wears the clothes of an ancient diviner, as if observing a period of ritual sequestration at all times, but his demeanor is affable as he welcomes his clan’s new head and his co-conspirators.
”Welcome home, child! I don’t believe we’ve met since your return. You’ve heard the news?” He doesn’t say what news—he never does. The question’s intent is to hear what news the other party thinks are worth discussing.
[18:36:36] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori bows. “It has been too long, my friend and lord. I have heard that our worldly sovereign’s troops are on the move. I suppose it is only time. It is no good for a lord to be away from the capital for too long, even if they are on campaign.”
[18:43:52] Master of Games
”Indeed. The Stars broadly favor his victory, but I’m not at liberty to tell you why. But you’ve brought guests, I see.”
[18:44:36] Raizo
Raizo mirrors the bow. Career iconoclast or not, best to try avoiding offending a god in their sanctum. “Thank you for receiving and sheltering my soldiers and me. This one is called Raizo.”
[18:45:25] Datei ma Kagemori
”I have. These two are my newest confidants, and I trust them. I hope you can come to trust them as well.”
[18:46:08] River Snake
Snake bows as well “Shadow’s Edge, at your service. Though some also call me the River Snake”
[18:51:26] Master of Games
”A pleasure. As the clan’s ancestor, my clan’s guests are mine, and mine my clan’s. You’ll find there’s much that’s not said in these halls, but silence can often be a kindness. But today, you weren’t looking for us to be silent at each other.”
[18:54:03] Datei ma Kagemori
”No. While I did want to introduce them, this is not the only matter at hand. I have recently visited the temple to Dai-Kiga, and what I saw there was…Disquieting. It has revealed that, while I have eyes on the ground, I need more eyes turned upward. Have you heard of A Mother of Orphans?”
[18:58:21] Master of Games
Nazubi’s shroud hides any raised eyebrows, but his brief silence conveys much the same. “I’m embarrassed to admit I have not. I don’t suppose you’d be bringing such a Mother up in the same breath as the old fish if this were about orphanages?”
[19:03:05] Datei ma Kagemori
”I trust that what we say here can remain amongst ourselves, not least because it is at least a tiny bit embarrassing for clan Anori. No. I have no idea if she even runs an orphanage - I certainly did not see any children with her, though a great centipede considered her its mother.” He pauses, considering his words. “I had heard that some Anori geomancers were visiting Dai-Kiga’s shrine to repair some damage to its manse, and had yet to return. On investigating, they were held captive by a witch of some power - who introduced herself as the Mother. She claims to be a champion of Old Hundred Hands. I could not confirm her claims, but that is a rather strange thing to lie about I think.”
[19:06:21] Raizo
”It seemed like she was another some kind of Chosen, but not one of the Sun or the Dragons or the Moon. Though I’m not exactly an expert on the matter. For all I know, the Stars and Underworld and everything else have them.”
[19:08:40] River Snake
”Why wouldnt they, I suppose?”
[19:12:58] Master of Games
The shroud moves slightly, shifted by a long exhalation. “I see how this fits together. There’s a story told in Heaven. I haven’t been asked not to, so I don’t mind sharing it, but it’s not a story that ought to be told to just anyone.”
[19:14:18] Datei ma Kagemori
”We will ensure it is not spread further than it should be. Would you prefer us tell no one, or only those in our closest confidence?”
[19:16:48] Raizo
”We’re already walking stories that shouldn’t be shared. What’s one more?”
[19:21:14] Master of Games
”I’ll leave it to your discretion. Long ago, the Sun shared of his light with a chosen few humans, and thus set for the first time, as he continues to do now. Part of that light is yours now. But he also set aside a lesser flame, not sunfire by itself, but a candle to light another’s fuel.”
[19:23:02] Master of Games
”A god who lacks power might petition for this flame, fuel it with their essence, and pass it to a champion of their own, when the cause was just and the need dire.”
[19:23:59] Master of Games
”Last I knew, no such petition had been granted in lifetimes, but I’ve heard rumors that this has changed.”
[19:24:10] Datei ma Kagemori
”Power comes with a price. It seems this is true for the heavens as it is with the earth.”
[19:24:59] Master of Games
”Indeed. I don’t speak of burning frivolously.”
[19:29:05] Raizo
”So any god could do this if they were, what, given the permission?”
[19:30:22] Datei ma Kagemori
”Something about her Choosing seems to have not gone as smoothly as it did for us. Her control of her powers is likely flawed, and she seems to not understand her situation much more than we do. I recommended she seek out spiritual healing in exchange for releasing the geomancers. So I do not believe her to be a threat at the moment, but that could change one day.”
[19:35:25] Master of Games
Nazubi nods to Raizo. “In theory. Perhaps Old Hundred Hands—not a name I expected to speak this century—petitioned the Most High and had his cause found just. Perhaps he somehow stole the flame… I didn’t know him very well. Flawed control, you say?”
[19:37:41] River Snake
”There was also a strange fog, and antlers. The centipede itself looked like an almagamtion of things I’d seen in ancient murals”
[19:38:19] Datei ma Kagemori
”She felt her soul was incomplete. I was not able to study her enough to make any definitive claims, but it seems a safe guess it was a problem with the investiture, rather than a problem that existed even before she was elevated in stature. Perhaps the process was expedited, or Old Hundred Hands simply did not know how to do it correctly.”
[19:42:23] Datei ma Kagemori
”She was also tasked with the casting down of our divine order. I do not believe her capable of this at the moment. I am not sure where she would even begin. This part I would particularly wish kept between us. Not that I hold an animosity for your colleagues, but because I swore under the heavens that I would not bring harm to her until Calibration. Even if it is not at my behest, if she is jumped on the road due to my words I think the heavens might consider that a violation of the oath.”
[19:42:46] Datei ma Kagemori
”Luckily, she also seemed to be at a loss of how to proceed with that quest.”
[19:49:09] Master of Games
”That sounds like something Hundred Hands would want.” Nazubi ponders on your description of the phenomena you saw. “Eight Clouds. Her, I knew better. A colleague, in a sense. And… the White Deer of the Mountain, perhaps. All were among the old members of the Court of Earthly spirits. These were also the sorts who might want revenge. But I’ve never heard of the flame, if that’s what we’re looking at, carrying the essence of more than one god. It’s practically a story even in the heavenly city.”
[19:49:20] Master of Games
”It’s not hard to imagine the results might be unpredictable.”
[19:50:15] Datei ma Kagemori
”A chosen of several gods? She only mentioned of speaking to Hundred Hands, but nothing she said would contradict with that.”
[19:51:59] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori had not considered the option it seems.
[19:53:22] Master of Games
”Perhaps the gods in exile meant to anoint a Chosen of the Old Court. Perhaps it didn’t go as planned.”
[19:54:51] Master of Games
”Hundred Hands always was known for allowing his reach to exceed his grasp.”
[19:55:39] Raizo
”I guess if I had a hundred hands I would think nothing beyond their grasp.”
[19:59:31] Datei ma Kagemori
”Well, I have said what I know. Perhaps you can fill in some of the gaps of this story in the coming days. Which brings me to the more interesting part of our discussion, I think. When there is chaos upon the earth, there is also opportunity. I seek to reorder our mortal system, as do my confidants. When it comes to the heavens, though, I believe we are more undecided. Do you think the Stars will continue to stand as one? Would you have me defend them as a whole, or are there wicked members in need of chastising?”
[20:11:11] Master of Games
”Mhm. I’ll have to consult some old acquaintances.” Nazubi chuckles and steeples his fingers at the change of topic. “If you were to ask Hundred Hands, he’d likely have told you we were all wicked. Every family has problem children. I think if Gensuji returns home victorious, that will be powerful incentive for the Stars to remain in constellation, if you will. If the earthly order were upset, though… The First and Hundredth might not be First or Hundredth if you reorder the numbers. If nothing else, they and the Sword Princes are an item, for better and worse.”
[20:13:25] Master of Games
”As to everyone else… I think they would make their own decisions, in a pinch. Many of us have grown fond of our clans over the centuries, and it wasn’t so long ago that those were at each other’s throat.”
[20:15:48] Datei ma Kagemori
”I see. Similar to the Clans themselves, I think.” He smiles. “Appropriate, in a way. I imagine the influence flows both way, though neither is likely to admit it. Well. I would reccomend we all think about our futures. Some powerful cards have landed in our lap, and I would like your guidance in making sure they are played to their utmost.”
[20:18:19] Datei ma Kagemori
”What is your assessment of the current Sword Prince? One of my colleagues has some issues with the current regime, but I think he might be guided as to better allow justice flow throughout our lands. With Clan Datei close at hand, of course. But it is possible I am too generous in that judgment. I do not know him as intimately as many do.”
[20:22:35] Master of Games
Nazubi considers. “I must speak carefully here, because there are many things I’ve promised not to say. But pragmatically speaking: The Prince, the Sword, or the god. One of the three will likely have to go, if you want to change the direction of things. The boy, if you ask me, is an idealist, and his ideal, as far as I can tell, is to unite all Creation beneath the Sword.”
[20:23:31] Datei ma Kagemori
Kagemori glances at the others, trying to judge their opinion of that.
[20:23:34] Raizo
”A… lofty goal.”
[20:24:22] Raizo
”Does he hold other ideals dear, or is he a warmonger?”
[20:25:12] Datei ma Kagemori
”I think I will need to speak to him in confidence. I think he will be a great friend or great enemy, and perhaps not anything in between.”
[20:25:16] Master of Games
”I’m given to understand he cares quite deeply for his family.”
[20:27:20] Raizo
”Not exactly a rare sentiment, but possibly useful.”
[20:31:37] Master of Games
”I’ve seen men quite willing to stab their siblings in the back for an inheritance, but Heimonji apparently made a point of fostering good familial relations. All things in their proper place, he likes to say.”
[20:34:10] Raizo
”An audience or some convincing might be in order, yes. And if he can’t be swayed, I can always kill him, which had been my plan from the beginning anyway.”
[20:34:57] Datei ma Kagemori
”The sword, the prince, or the god. Perhaps we should also speak with the god, and ascertain their views as well.”
[20:35:38] Raizo
”Quite. Can’t exactly expect to win if you don’t know who the players are or where their pieces sit on the board.”
[20:37:49] Raizo
”Also, I should learn more about, well, a lot of things, really, but this notion that gods have petitions and all that sounds an awful lot like the bureaucracy of our land. If the gods have their own offices and officers and agents, that’s news to me, and that sounds like a dangerous blind spot.”
[20:38:25] Raizo
”And I am not in the business of ignoring dangerous blind spots.”
[20:39:38] Master of Games
Nazubi Gentle Shroud begins laughing quietly, perhaps at a joke only he gets.
[20:43:14] Datei ma Kagemori
”Most of my knowledge of our celestial order relates to, well, our corner of Creation. But there are lords and vassals among the gods, so it follows that there must be a method to petition one’s lord. The First and Hundredth might be numbered as such, but that carries with it several duties. Including, I would assume, settling disputes between the middling numbers.”
[20:43:39] Raizo
”In hindsight this should probably not surprise me considering the whole… clans and gods and all of that we have here. Hopefully no uppity godly magistrate takes the same issue with me that I’ve taken with the law here.”
[20:43:58] Raizo
”The irony would be painful if nothing else”
[20:47:58] Master of Games
”For what it’s worth, I doubt it. The gods are not meant to concern themselves with what mortals do. We obviously do so nevertheless, but most of us only when they want to.”
[20:49:47] Raizo
”Corruption wouldn’t be unique to mankind, I guess.”
[20:50:53] Datei ma Kagemori
”I think we have a good deal of work ahead of us, if we want justice to flow through Creation.”
[20:52:34] Raizo
”Well, an extra set of things to think about. I’m also working out expanding my forces beyond my small band. My men are my brothers but I’ll need more than a dozen to shake the pillars of earth. Or at least the clans of Vaneha.”
[20:54:01] Datei ma Kagemori
”I think you are building the core of what will one day be an imperial army. But we will need more recruits to get to that point, I agree.”
[20:57:38] Raizo
”Quite. And then maybe some day our Sword Prince, whoever they are, will be dictating terms on the Blessed Isle. But long journeys are made step by step.”