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S2E39: To Defy the Heavens

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 77:45

Chaos erupted in the Emperor's audience chamber. No one in attendance could believe the news they had just heard. Bayushi Kachiko and Doji Hoturi had been having a secret love affair— and she was pregnant with his child. Hantei 38th had heard all he could stomach. The order which he and his forebears had carefully crafted in this city of peace had slowly descended into pandemonium. The Forbidden Palace, the epicenter of prosperity within the Empire, had been made a mockery of. His heavenly rule reduced to a joke. And Kachiko, the Imperial Advisor, one of his closest friends: a traitor. The Son of Heaven could no longer deny what was happening. The evidence was overwhelming and Kachiko's reputation was destroyed, as well as the reputation of her staunchest defender. The Scorpion were planning a coup, and Kachiko was orchestrating it. But how deep did the treachery go? Was Hoturi in on the scheme? Was the Lion-Crane war just another smokescreen by the Scorpion? The emperor's head began to pound as he thought of all the possibilities, his body sweating profusely as the weight of duty took its toll on his body.For their treachery, their infidelity, their abandonment of Bushido, the shame they've brought to their families, and the embarrassment they've brought to the imperial court, Kachiko and Hoturi were ordered to commit seppuku. Kachiko, normally so eloquent and clever, was speechless. Wanting redemption, Buro appealed to the emperor, asking his permission to deliver Kachiko's final blow when she conducted her ritual. An unorthodox request, but Hantei granted him permission.As Kachiko's trial came to a close, the imperial court had to avert their focus onto an even bigger issue. Shoju was camped outside Otosan Uchi with an army and had sent an open invitation to the emperor and his court to parlay outside the city walls. The court deliberated on who to send and how to handle the situation. Representatives from the great clans as well as members of the imperial families volunteered to meet with Shoju alongside the emperor. As preparations were being made, a messenger from the Wasp clan delivered Tomo a small dose of poison. “A gift from Tsuruchi,” he called it. Tomo applied the poison to three arrows, wondering if he'd need to use them.The emperor's envoy traveled through the scared and confused streets of Otosan Uchi, passed beneath its crumbling exterior walls, and out onto the plain where Shoju and his advisors were waiting. The situation weighed heavily on Hantei 38th. His skin had become milk-white and clammy, and his robes were soaked through with sweat. Hantei, 38th of his name, the Son of Heaven, emperor of Rokugan—brought low by one of his own loyal subjects. How could he have been so naive? The situation was dire, and he knew it.As the sun was setting over the bay and a cold winter wind blew through the air, the emperor's envoy sat face to face with The Lord of Whispers and his retinue. “What is the meaning of this? What are you doing here?” The emperor asked.“I'm here to kill you, take your city, claim your throne, and take your court hostage,” Shoju said.He explained that he'd been having horrible nightmares, strange visions which he could not explain. He decided to investigate the caves beneath Kyuden Bayushi, believing this was the source of his dreams. There, he found something. Shoju then produced a scroll. “This is the last prophecy of Uikku,” he said.Uikku was a revered prophet from the first century. His writings are considered sacred by the religious leaders of Rokugan. Shoju explained that the scroll he had found foretold the Hantei line bringing about the end of Rokugan. At first, Shoju could not believe what he had discovered. How could it be possible?After deep meditation, the answers dawned on him. The imperial family keeps Rokugan weak, afraid, and ignorant of the outside world. Their order keeps the empire embroiled in endless petty squabbles between the clans while vast empires grow beyond their borders. Rokugan will be consumed by its own pride and traditions if it cannot adapt and be allowed to grow. The empire will forever be stuck looking to a detached, feeble old man who can't even keep order in his own court.Shoju knew he couldn't just share this revelation with the great clans of Rokugan. He would be ostracized for his heresy and no one would take him seriously. It was on him and his clan alone to do what was needed. He also knew that simply killing the emperor would not be good enough. All that would do would create a power vacuum. He needed to end the Hantei line, appoint himself emperor, and convince the clans of Rokugan to accept his wisdom.Shoju explained that the throne means nothing. The title means nothing. What matters is the faith people put into them. He implored the leaders of the clans to put their faith in him now. He promised to start a new age for Rokugan. An age of unity and expansion. No longer fated to be the hermit kingdom, Rokugan will grow beyond its borders and claim wealth and power beyond their comprehension. “And if I can't unite you under my banner,” he said, “I can at least unite you against my banner.” The Lord of Whispers admitted that if they were to unite, they could defeat him, but at what cost? As winter approaches, countless lives will be lost to the elements alone. While they are forced to make their encampments in the snow, he will be shoring up his provisions in the city. Accept his rule now, and they will be spared the needless suffering. “Even if I am defeated, I will at least unite the clans of Rokugan against a common enemy, and that's more than our useless emperor could ever do,” he added. “Surrender Kachiko, the city, and accept me as your ruler, and you will prevent needless bloodshed,” Shoju commanded.“We will not stand for your treachery,” Akodo Toturi said, “Rokugan will never accept you as our ruler. We will defend the emperor until the bitter end.”“That's because you're too blind to see that he's already dead,” Shoju retorted.At that moment all eyes turned to the emperor. His skin had turned white and his robes had become drenched in sweat as he shivered and choked on the words in his throat. Delirious, the emperor slouched over in his camp chair and fell to the ground. Hantei, 38th of his name, the Son of Heaven, emperor of Rokugan—dead before he even left his palace.CreditsArt by Dylon MunozMusic"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain"Sake House" by Podcast of the Five Rings"Gives You Anxiety" by Podcast of the Five Rings"Kachiko's Waltz" by Podcast of the Five Rings"The Staredown" by Podcast of the Five Rings"After the Court" by Podcast of the Five Rings"Veiled Contempt" by Podcast of the Five Rings"The Royal Baths" by Podcast of the Five Rings

lord chaos drama japanese storytelling court empire accept dungeons and dragons rpg whispers emperor wasp samurai heavens scorpion roleplay defy waltz ttrpg tomo d&d bushido delirious five rings buro l5r rokugan legend of the five rings imperial advisor

40 - Imperial Japan pt. 10 / Spyclopedia #3 - the Many Identities of Nisshō Inoue, pt. 4, or, the Jailbird / Imperial Advisor / Kuromaku / Sukebe

Programmed to Chill

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2022 70:01

Today we wrap up the story of Nisshō Inoue, picking up with his time in prison, where he received uniquely lax/privileged treatment. Interestingly, Inoue was placed in charge of Tenko at Kosuge prison, and met several notable inmates. Then, like with Alfried Krupp, we trace Inoue's first day out of prison; I argue that a person's first day out of prison says quite a lot about that person. Then we cover Inoue's new role/identity as advisor to Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. After the war, Inoue was interrogated by SCAP upwards of 28 times, and met some very interesting SCAP figures. I sidetrack myself talking about the journalist Mark Gayn, who had some interesting interactions with Inoue. Then I cover the end of Inoue's life as a political fixer and old man perv. Finally, I reveal the hidden, occulted truth about prewar ultranationalist terrorism, including but not limited to Nisshō Inoue. Songs: Come Spy with Me by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles Battotai, the Imperial Japanese Army March

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Courtly Nets and Hidden Snares - Mari Murdock

The Table is Yours

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2020 27:31

Written By: Mari Murdock Read By: Houston Miller Edited By: Robert Croy Wherein Kakita Yoshi sets a trap for the regent, Bayushi Shoju, using several other clans as allies. After court he follows the Imperial Advisor, Bayushi Kachiko, our to the garden and learns something incredible. Follow at: Check out the site here Facebook Page Twitter Find it on Spotify, iTunes, GooglePlay Email at ttiycast@gmail.com Join us on the l5R Discord Shosuro Croy: Robert Croy Become a Patron and support the show! Find out more at https://the-table-is-yours.pinecast.co This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

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