21 minutes ago, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

So this entire fiction is the Unicorn champion overturning a hard fought treaty, deciding to fight against the most powerful aspects of rokugani culture, damning possibly thousands to death, all over the life of a single courageous Asako who wanted to die just for love of all things.

Like Shinjo herself that compassion will bite them in the ***, but they certainly are the clan of Compassion.

Thus is the power the Phoenix hold, to control even a unicorn champ?

Desperate Housewives of Shiro Shinjo

welcome back, Ree!

All exposition and conversation. No combat whatsoever. And still, I will agree, this was one of -- if not THE -- best story thus far. Really hammered home the Clan's frustration with reintegrating back into Rokugan, and heck, Rokugan's frustration about having to accept the Unicorn back in!

2 minutes ago, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

No, the Lion are following honor and tradition to the letter. Sure it morally is a sinister move, but morality doesn't matter, tradition is. Only the Unicorn care about valuing love over duty.

To reveal that the Unicorn DIDNT know a thousand year tradition with the Ikoma would do nothing but weaken the Unicorn and lead to only slander.

"What? You DIDNT know this fact! What uncultured barbarians, they don't even do their research!"

I'm sure that's what the Lion will say or imply during the Scorpion fiction. The Scorpion are in the prime spot to choose whatever penalty the Unicorn will get because of the influence they have with the Emperor and that Kachiko as Imperial Advisor.

The point about the Unicorn being a possible ally for the Scorpion.

9 minutes ago, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

No, the Lion are following honor and tradition to the letter. Sure it morally is a sinister move, but morality doesn't matter, tradition is. Only the Unicorn care about valuing love over duty.

To reveal that the Unicorn DIDNT know a thousand year tradition with the Ikoma would do nothing but weaken the Unicorn and lead to only slander.

"What? You DIDNT know this fact! What uncultured barbarians, they don't even do their research!"

Perhaps, but what about Sincerity or Honesty? Whether the marriage was originally out of love or a political advantage, the two Ikoma gave their word and this new political arrangement would have made liars out of the both of them. Yeah, sacrificing honor for the greater good of the clan is a thing, of course. Just seems odd that this was the match that was chosen, even though the current Lion Clan Champion is unmarried as well.

Not that the two of them could have married, but its all just so... convenient for the story.

1 minute ago, Kubernes said:

I'm sure that's what the Lion will say or imply during the Scorpion fiction. The Scorpion are in the prime spot to choose whatever penalty the Unicorn will get because of the influence they have with the Emperor and that Kachiko as Imperial Advisor.

The point about the Unicorn being a possible ally for the Scorpion.

The Scorpion forging alliances with the Lion AND the Unicorn?

....well that's not frightening at all ??

2 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

The Scorpion forging alliances with the Lion AND the Unicorn?

....well that's not frightening at all ??

The question is though, are they mutually exclusive alliances? Seems like they'd almost have to be, especially if the Lion are likely to go to war over this. Then again, does Toturi REALLY want to have a war on two fronts?

I'm quite curious to see now if this ties into one of this year's story decisions to be awarded this year at Gen Con or Winter Court.

Disappointed. No Horiuchi Shoan. T_T

Happy. Utaku Kamoko-sama. orz

Shono, Haruko and Yasamura still exist despite no Yokatsu.

Seven days for Unicorn cards.

55 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Welcome back Ree.

I really enjoyed this one.

Long live Shinjo AlBundy (or whatever)!!

https://www.names.org/n/altansarnai/about

Hope this helps!

1 minute ago, Ide Yoshiya said:

https://www.names.org/n/altansarnai/about

Hope this helps!

Don't steal my fun ????

While I did enjoy the fiction a great deal it was my least favorite to date.

I'm having a hard time believing that the Unicorn returned to Rokugan 200 years ago and still don't know the marriage customs? Or that the Lion Clan, the right hand of the emperor, and a clan who's identity is tied to being the most honorable, would purposely divorce the Ikoma Daimyo and deceive the Unicorn?

Those couple things just didn't track for me and interefered with my enjoyment of the fiction that was, overall, really well done.

My main takeaways from this fiction are a confirmation of my strong conviction that Lions are awful and that I dig the Unicorn being hipsters looking for the next big thing for Rokugani culture. Might have a mon switch in my future...

10 minutes ago, Ishi Tonu said:

I'm having a hard time be living that the Unicorn returned to Rokugan 200 years and still don't know the marriage customs? Or that the Lion Clan, the right hand of the emperor, and a clan who's identity is tied to being the most honorable, would purposely divorce the Ikoma Daymio and deceive the Unicorn?

From what I get in the story, it seems to be an "Ikoma" tradition more than a Rokugani one (but I agree, I would have reduced Unicorn's entry date in the Empire to one generation, instead of 200 years); also, we don't know if this was really a trick from Lion's side: it may just be that the Ikoma daymio was the most suitable, and the divorce a normal practice with no additional meaning.

8 minutes ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

The question is though, are they mutually exclusive alliances? Seems like they'd almost have to be, especially if the Lion are likely to go to war over this. Then again, does Toturi REALLY want to have a war on two fronts?

I'm quite curious to see now if this ties into one of this year's story decisions to be awarded this year at Gen Con or Winter Court.

A two front war would certainly give the Lion ? a chance to live up to their reputation.

1 minute ago, franzvong said:

From what I get in the story, it seems to be an "Ikoma" tradition more than a Rokugan one (but I agree, I would have reduced Unicorn's entry date in the Empire to one generation, instead of 200 years); also, we don't know if this was really a trick from Lion's side: it may just be that the Ikoma daymio was the most suitable, and the divorce a normal practice with no additional meaning.

Offering anyone less then a Daimyo is a flat out insult. The champion is already marrying down in society, but having her marry a normal samurai and not a noble would be a complete scandal and a shame on the lion for even offering.

Ree Soesbee, **** YEAH!!

1 minute ago, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

Offering anyone less then a Daimyo is a flat out insult. The champion is already marrying down in society, but having her marry a normal samurai and not a noble would be a complete scandal and a shame on the lion for even offering.

A marriage to a divorced daimyo and your clan champ losing their family name doesn't seem much better.......at least for the Unicorn. Seems like a great deal for the Lion and somewhat of a slap in the face.....which seems a little out of character for the Lion to me.

Maybe the Scorpion played matchmaker for this?

Is it just me or is "Scorpion plot" kind of like Rokugan's equivalent of "account got hacked"

Shinjo, Shinjo, Shinjo

can't you see

just how mieshodo hypnotize me

and I just love your gaijin ways

guess that's why you rocked with curved blades

Just now, Ishi Tonu said:

A marriage to a divorced daimyo and your clan champ losing their family name doesn't seem much better.......at least for the Unicorn. Seems like a great deal for the Lion and somewhat of a slap in the face.....which seems a little out of character for the Lion to me.

Maybe the Scorpion played matchmaker for this?

Is it just me or is "Scorpion plot" kind of like Rokugan's equivalent of "account got hacked"

Lion can be scheming when they want to. They put the Unicorn in a situation where Tradition calls for the Unicorn to go along with it.
If they agree, the Lion get huge wins for little cost.
If they disagree the Lion get to point out how little the Unicorn care for tradition no matter what.

This all hinges on the respect and weigh the traditions of the empire holds on its people, its VERY in Lion's character.

Remember, scorpion does not have a monopoly on clever and sinister courtiers. They just wear the sign on their faces.

No cards? :\

1 minute ago, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

Offering anyone less then a Daimyo is a flat out insult. The champion is already marrying down in society, but having her marry a normal samurai and not a noble would be a complete scandal and a shame on the lion for even offering.

This is true, completely. However, it seems like there was an unmarried family daimyo in the Unicorn as well that might have allowed for a more distant connection to Lion leadership. I have no issue with the Unicorn being shown as the outsiders to Rokugani culture and the voice for our own western ideals. Rokugan isn't always a nice place, but the circumstances created here to show that could have been constructed a little better.

Is it just me or Lion are the bad guys of Rokugan?

Conflicts with Crane, Dragon, indirectly with Phoenix and now Unicorn too? And it looks like all of them are somehow Lion's fault

I didn't sign up for that :<

Various thoughts.

1) Maybe the Lion wanted a fight with the Unicorn If the Unicorn buy the peace, the Lion get a bunch of horses out of it and one less front while they go fight the Crane. If the Unicorn don't buy the peace, the Lion get to kill a bunch of barbarian Unicorn with a justified cause to do so that they can argue in court. If the Crane defend their allies, the Unicorn, the Lion get to use the Unicorn's failure to follow up on their treaties to attack the Crane politically. If the Crane don't defend their allies, the Crane have fewer allies to help them against the Lion. For the Lion, this is generally good either way....win win win.

2) Maybe the Scorpion arranged the marriage to play Otomo here. All the clans fighting each other means more power for the Scorpion. I'm sure they'll cheerfully claim to be behind the whole thing.

3 minutes ago, BordOne said:

Is it just me or Lion are the bad guys of Rokugan?

Conflicts with Crane, Dragon, indirectly with Phoenix and now Unicorn too? And it looks like all of them are somehow Lion's fault

I didn't sign up for that :<

On the upside, the Lion might win any or all of those conflicts ??

3 minutes ago, BordOne said:

Is it just me or Lion are the bad guys of Rokugan?

Conflicts with Crane, Dragon, indirectly with Phoenix and now Unicorn too? And it looks like all of them are somehow Lion's fault

I didn't sign up for that :<

Unfortunately, this is very true to Clan Wars. Toturi (the Lion 'good guy') was a ronin for most of it. The rest of the Lion were very honorable, but generally misguided...fighting on the bad guy side. To the point of allowing Shadowlands Hordes/Crab to pass through to attack Crane without interference (and attacking Crane on their own at the same time). They don't get redeemed until at least Matsu Tsuko's seppuku.