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 Post subject: Bet #5: Jama's Gunpowder Army
PostPosted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 8:54 am 
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Among all other things, Jama sailed for the Thranish arms that had once supposed to be used to instigate a civil war in Rokugan over which Hawthorne could have thrived, just when the wounds of Gozoku had not yet healed, just like Agasha Kasuga had speculated in his Journal. Now that he has got them, he carries them back to Rokugan for another multi-purpose exercise - to earn loyalty, foster modernisation in armaments, become a new savyor and be ready for a game of thrones with his brother. He left being an underdog, but with the discoveries and his victory against Hawthorne, the amount of armaments to create a modern army and to boost the Imperial Navy under his control he returns a peer competitor.

Thanks to Air Kami-borne messages exchanged between Ryuden and Yajinden he realises the Imperial Regent-ruled Empire is at war on two fronts now. From the north, the Yobanjin under the Isawa have attacked in a great killing wave, earning a big victory against the hastily nominated Shogun, the Lion Champion Akodo Ikuo, who fell in the battle for Michita Yasumi, called the Battle of Deep Graves for the amount of earth Isawa Higashiyama now calling himself Yi Dongshan collapsed on the Lion army supported by the Imperial Legions. From the south, Tsukuro, the new chief commander of the armies of the Ninth, has desolated most of the land between Shiro Hiruma and Kyuden Hida and has enveloped the former in a neat siege the Crab so far have failed to break. In the heart of the Empire, the hostilities between Great Clans have not truly abated. The Lion still choose to see the Isawa leading the Yobanjin as Phoenix even though the Phoenix Clan joined the fight against the invasion. The new acting Lion Champion Akodo Meikuko, still waiting for the Throne to recognise her as Champion and vying for the title of Shogun for herself, does not seem willing to give up on any front of Lion assertiveness and feuding, causing all Lion neighbours to seek ways to deter the military behemoth, now thirsting for a quick victory after an unexpected defeat.

There are many ways this can play out, and Jama looks forward to the opportunities that can open up to make the right call in consolidating his power base...


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This bet is only for players returning to Rokugan. The winner takes the first prize, the 2nd and 3rd places can take the second prize unless they refuse and prefer being reimbursed (then it passes onto the next in line; if there's none, it's added to the first prize), the losers ar reimbursed with half of their invested VIP. Same-Clan votes are pooled, and they all count collectively as winners in case they win a prize, and partake in the following decision-making together. Bets on other factions than yours are possible, but then every 2 VIP invested count as 1 VIP.

The main prize is that the forces of the chosen family are ones that form a c. 10k-strong fully gunpowder-equipped army at a cost of becoming staunchly loyal to Jama through its commander and his subordinate leaders, and supporting his bid for the throne; the family moves one step toward Progress on the Tradition/Progress scale.

The second prize is that the captains and a good portion of the crew of either Retribution and or Royal Bounty, two Thranish cannon-armed vessels being incorporated into the Imperial Navy, will be coming from that families, and the ships will be renamed after the personal icons of those families (after consulting prize-winners; the captains can be PCs). The cost is for those captains becoming or remaining staunchly loyal to Jama while their families extend or retain their support to the Imperial Navy and Imperial Explorers and at least not take action against Jama's bid for the throne; the family still moves one step toward Progress on the Tradition/Progress scale (unless it has already moved).

In either case, the families chosen are considered getting access to gunpowder technology (poluvora/firearms) and in second price case also modern sailing and shipbuilding that can be reverse-engineered in due time, giving them Tortoise-level Advantage discounts and access to those features, and the development of new schools and paths within that family. In case of first prize, every effective 10 VIP invested in the bet count as 1 xp for Skills, Emphases and Advantages related to such advancement for the winner; in case of second prize it is 20 VIP to 1 xp ratio.

In some cases below a choice of a family is possible. The deeper implications come about only in case of first-prize win for the family.

    1. Crab. Available families: Hiruma, Kaiu. The Crab are losing their war against Tsukuro's Army. While the Kaiu have ever been keen on embracing the technological advancements for the benefit of the Clan, now also the Hiruma are ready to do whatever it takes to save their ancestral home. If Jama's military assistance goes to the southern front, the siege of Shiro Hiruma will be broken even if the war shall not be immediately won. In the course of the conflict Jade-effective munitions will be developed.

    2. Crane. Available families: Daidoji. Daidoji Hira, the leader of the Harriers, is tired by his brother's leadership over the family ha considered failing. He believes that if he had been commanding the Crane troops in this year's wars neither Jukami Mura would have never been burned nor the war with the Lion would have been lost. He is proud of his action to hit where it hurts by bombing the Kitsu Tombs and craves for using new firepower on grander scale. He is ready to make a move and 'convince' Kamei to step down and let him take over. Empowering Hira will lead to Lion-Crane hostilities turning hot again as well as to the split within the Crane as the Daidoji will shift their support away from Hohiro, Tanaka's favourite.

    3. Dragon. Available families: Mirumoto, Agasha. Both Dragon families are uniquely predisposed to embrace the modern warfare, having been preparing for adoption of gunpowder in their military power for a time and in case of the Agasha way before it has become cool. Now, Mirumoto forces have joined the Phoenix in defending the Kintani Valley perimeter from allowing Yobanjin advance to continue into the capitol area, while Agasha Ryuden and his loyal Heichi are gathering an army in the south around their core from ronin replete in this part of Rokugan, having been granted hospitality by the Asahina in the ruins of Jukami Mura. If the Mirumoto are chosen, a significant pushback against the Yobanjin will strengthen Dragon chances to have Mirumoto Gyoten named Shogun. If the Agasha - Ryuden will have every argument to be lifted into the status of a new Heichi family daimyo in the Dragon Clan, with their exteritorial holdings allowing the Dragon access to rare resources and to the maritime domain.

    4. Lion. Available families: Ikoma, Kitsu. In their past encounters Ikoma Meiran has gained a healthy respect for Jama, bred from her disgust with Hohiro, and is one of the key drivers of aligning Lion interests with the younger Prince. Kitsu Fusenko has lost her husband and whatever pride has still been in her family to the gunpowder attack on the Kitsu Tombs and is willing to embrace the future in which the Kitsu will be given both a new purpose and pride and a chance of retribution on those who have wronged them. Now that their Clan is in dire straits after the defeat in the Battle of the Deep Graves both women are ready to do what it takes to turn the tide and restore Lion reputation and power as well as to grant the powers of Shogun to the ascendant Akodo Meikuko, even if it is by the ways her family or the Matsu would not readily approve of. If either is chosen, a significant pushback against the Yobanjin will occur and will greatly strengthen the chances for Meikuko to be named Shogun.

    5. Phoenix. Available families: Shiba. Last year, Shiba Sawayanagi trusted Akodo Itsuo to start developing a modern teppo ashigaru army in Toshi no Omidoso. Initially reluctant about the idea, after the year of witnessing their growing proficiency with Asako Hisau's kakiyari and the even direr pit the Phoenix Clan has been cast into because of the Yobanjin invasion, he now sees embracing modern military technology as the only feasible way to foster the Phoenix rebirth from the piling mound of ashes. If this option is chosen, the Phoenix Clan will deal a significant blow to the Yobanjin invasion, proving the associating the Phoenix Clan with them because of Isawa defectors a slander, and will greatly strengthen his chances to be named next Shogun.

    6. Scorpion. Available families: Shosuro. After the debacle of Aramoro's ninja the Scorpion have been secretly rebuilding them drawing less from the supernatural force that has thrust them into the shadow war within their own ranks, and more from the Crane military experience with the Harriers. Shosuro Nodage has long spearheaded the process, and is now willing to convey the message of support from his family, the host of this year's Imperial Winter Court, to Jama, offering him a devil's bargain for it. Officially receiving them for safekeeping, with these armaments at their disposal they will raise a clandestine army that will the ultimate wild card in Jama's hand in the military struggles to come, proficient in whatever guerilla tactics are needed to put conventional Rokugani forces at a significant disadvantage... or face any threat from the outside, true to their sacred mission of doing what it takes to save the Empire.

    7. Imperials. Available families: Seppun. For various reasons, across the fifth century the Seppun have been struggling with their role in the service of the Throne, experimenting with new dedication every time an Imperial Decree in the era of progress has been casting them awash into unknown territory. The pathway paved by Seppun Hiraga, of remaking the Seppun into the most loyal military arm of the Throne that guards the Imperial reforms from meddling and obfuscation by the Great Clans may now come to the fore. If this option is chosen, the armaments will initially remain with Jama's current power base, the Explorers, but as Kentoshi would throw his support behind Hiraga a full Seppun army will emerge that will drive the Yobanjin invasion away from the capital. Soon after Hiraga will be given the title of Shogun by Otomo Oborozukiyo and the Regency will support the transfer of control of the Imperial Legions away from Shioden to the Seppun, while Jama will name Hiraga as his successor as the Imperial Admiral whenever he would step down. This chain of events would be known in the future as Imperial Restoration.

    8. Minor Clans. Available families: Gusai. Among the Minor Clans, only the Mantis have the viable manpower to be entrusted with the new armaments. In his call to power, Ryoshida is willing to play Jama's game in his own way, being his ally at this stage. Drawing his own conclusions from his observation of the Teppodoka earlier this year, he would create a marine expeditionary force of his own, and he might soon test it on the continent in the opening fires of a succession war, advancing his own claim to the Emerald Throne against Hohiro's. If given an opportunity, he first move would be to decisively seize all Tortoise assets on the continent in and around Golden Sun Bay what will deprive them of their foothold within Rokugan proper. Otherwise, he would seek ways to exploit Crane, Crab of Phoenix weaknesses if they throw support for Hohiro. He has been long preparing for this, and the gunpowder army would be his queen in the shogi set.

As this is an exercise in convincing Jama, for every 25 VIP invested in the bet 5 more are awarded per level of Devotion of Jama as Ally. Since Tsugiko is his assistant travelling back home and both oversee his interests, for every 50 VIP invested in the bet 5 more are awarded per level of Devotion of Tsugiko as Ally.


The bet is now open and will run until 30.12.2017. Please note that this is not the only bet for those travelling back home.



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 Post subject: Re: Bet #5: Jama's Gunpowder Army
PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 6:51 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:58 am
Posts: 3783
Results:

Tennoushugi no Isshin!

---

Seppun: 351 = 191 (Hinami) + 160 (Kaiya)
Kitsu: 260 (Keiji)
Mirumoto: 2 (Kenzo)

With Jama's Thranish arms, Seppun armies under Hiraga are turned into a modern gunpowder force and accomplish a first significant victory against the Yobanjin invasion; Hiraga is named Shogun and is on the path to consolidation of Imperially controlled military power of the Empire at the expense of the Emerald Champion. The Seppun become Progressive and align with Jama in his bid for the Throne.

Kitsu Keiji has an option to keep his investment, and if he chooses to be the captain: to stay loyal to Jama, receive one of the Thranish ships to command and name, and as he has a ship and a command record, also a story justification to rise to be Jama's military second-in-command (equivalent of rear admiral/shireikan); the Kitsu continue to support the Navy, won't act against Jama in his bid for the Throne and become Progressive. He can also withdraw his bid for a reimbursement of 130 VIP.

Mirumoto Kenzo has an option to keep his investment, and if he chooses to be the captain: to become loyal to Jama, receive one of the Thranish ships to command and name; the Mirumoto continue to support the Navy, won't act against Jama in his bid for the Throne and become Very Progressive. He can also withdraw his bid for a reimbursement of 1 VIP.

If either Kenzo or Keiji withdraw, the second ship goes to the other. If both withdraw, both ships go to the Seppun. In either case ships not claimed to command by PCs will remain unspecified with regard to captains, giving options to future players to make characters fitting those positions.

Keiji, then Kenzo should post their choices.



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 Post subject: Re: Bet #5: Jama's Gunpowder Army
PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 8:32 pm 
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Keiji is still in, and will become captain of one of the new ships. Will think about a good name.



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 Post subject: Re: Bet #5: Jama's Gunpowder Army
PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 8:51 pm 
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Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:06 pm
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Kenzo will have the ship, but we do not grant him the rank of captain.

Name tbd.



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 Post subject: Re: Bet #5: Jama's Gunpowder Army
PostPosted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 8:58 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:58 am
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Ok, Kitsu Keiji and unnamed Mirumoto take command of new vessels. Family preferences shift.



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 Post subject: Re: Bet #5: Jama's Gunpowder Army
PostPosted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 9:26 pm 
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Hinami has 19 xp, Kaiya 16 xp and Keiji 13 xp to spend on related features.



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