DSo, I was abou to read the unicorn story when I got another sneaky preview, probably the best at the moment!!
Enjoy that lovely talk between Ka chiko and Shoju
The world, a stage (scorpion story)
Woah. Didn't the Unicorn preview article even say this was supposed to arrive next week like usual? Where was this spoiled?
As far as I know, they just replace the link on the unicorn story post and that's it.
Dairu son of Satsume and Kachiko. You read it here first. 
Still hoping for a:
I like this Shoju fella. But Kachiko is going to be his doom.
11 minutes ago, Chuda Meh said:As far as I know, they just replace the link on the unicorn story post and that's it.
Another enjoyable story. Mr. Laderute hit hits stride this time.
......but I admit the 'coup' talk made me unhappy. I am, however, willing to wait and see. Especially since the circumstances are so much different.
5 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:......but I admit the 'coup' talk made me unhappy.
They could be just messing with the playerbase. 
They could take power from the Emperor without having a coup, you know. But as you say, wait and see. 
This story just seems to tell me that Shoju's card in the core set should have had the duelist trait.
it was good to see that Dairu is indeed in the setting, as well as other things. I'm a bit concerted with Kachiko suggesting the coup but also that they're not the equals as I've seen them in other renditions of the story.
Hmmm, that concubine talk though.
I really liked Shoju's descriptions of how he believes their clan should operate. I think I agree with him. When they are center stage that can actual limit their ability to act rather than help them. For example calling down the ire of the Crab clan seems like an unneeded complication.
Did Shoju always have an issue with his arm?
1 minute ago, phillos said:I really liked Shoju's descriptions of how he believes their clan should operate. I think I agree with him. When they are center stage that can actual limit their ability to act rather than help them. For example calling down the ire of the Crab clan seems like an unneeded complication.
Did Shoju always have an issue with his arm?
Yes
Edited by Kuni KatsuyoshiNice story. The only think I didn't like was the mention to the Yogo curse; it's exposition that makes absolutely no sense in a dialogue. If you must absolutely mention it for the newbies, then do it in the narration instead. Also, Yogo Junzo mention YESSS!
I did get the feeling that they were more or less equal. It sounds like they were trying to convince each other that their philosophy was correct. That was probably one of the more open and level conversations I think we've heard in the new fluff.
It did feel like they were checking some boxes to confirm that things are cannon in the new setting.
Edited by phillos1 minute ago, phillos said:I did get the feeling that they were more or less equal. It sounds like they were trying to convince each other that their philosophy was correct. That was probably one of the more open and level conversations I think we've heard in the new fluff.
As marriages in Rokugan are political, It highlighted an interesting irony, as two masters of words in love debate the future of their clan.
Wintersong might be right about how dangerous Kachiko is, to the Scorpion as well as their enemies.
It does feel like she's steering them in a very dangerous direction.
Freakin Sweet!
I really hope we can avoid a Scorpion Coup storyline this time around.
Shoju the heroic manipulator, willing to sacrifice his clan in service of the Empire, and Kachiko the villaneous manipulator, trying to further advance her own standing, from Clan Champion's wife to Empress.
Will we see her go full Cersei lannister and push for a coup, throw her husband under the bus and sit on the throne as Empress?
That would be a nice twist if they go that route. (I would still prefer something else than a coup though)
Also thos Dairu is mentioned as being Shoju's son, but not Kachiko's (she specifically says "your son"). Significant?
7 minutes ago, Mon no Oni said:Also thos Dairu is mentioned as being Shoju's son, but not Kachiko's (she specifically says "your son"). Significant?
Is that so weird/important for her not to say "Our son" instead of "Your son"?
It may be my inherent dislike of the Scorpion and/or Kachiko speaking, but I found myself thinking Yeah, And? at the end of this.
It felt like a recap episode while you wait for the real story to continue. Lots of words and little action. The only takeaway I get from this is the the Scorpion think they know what they are doing.
1 minute ago, Wintersong said:Is that so weird/important for her not to say "Our son" instead of "Your son"?
In the old canon Dairu was Kachiko and Hoturi's son and was merely adopted by Shoju. If there's anything similar going on here, this could be her reminding Shoju that he adopted Dairu. A subtle, brutal jab.
3 minutes ago, Wintersong said:Is that so weird/important for her not to say "Our son" instead of "Your son"?
Well, if he was supposed to be her son, too, she would have referred to him naturally as "our son". That she said "your son" may (or may not) be significant in as much is not the natural turn of phrase she would use otherwise.
Just now, Khift said:In the old canon Dairu was Kachiko and Hoturi's son and was merely adopted by Shoju. If there's anything similar going on here, this could be her reminding Shoju that he adopted Dairu. A subtle, brutal jab.
Possible, but it seems an unwise thing to do right before attempting to convince him of something.
1 minute ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:Possible, but it seems an unwise thing to do right before attempting to convince him of something.
Kachiko is a Scorpion; accusing her of being sensible is rather foolish I'd say.
2 minutes ago, Khift said:In the old canon Dairu was Kachiko and Hoturi's son and was merely adopted by Shoju. If there's anything similar going on here, this could be her reminding Shoju that he adopted Dairu. A subtle, brutal jab.
Or maybe Dairu is actually Shoju and not Kachiko's son in this "bizarro Rokugan" XD
Was Shoju unable to have children in the original story, on top of his other infirmities? I don't know it this was ever establshed.
5 minutes ago, Mon no Oni said:Also thos Dairu is mentioned as being Shoju's son, but not Kachiko's (she specifically says "your son"). Significant?
Not really, as the statement was directed towards him. There's also nothing noting that the child isn't his in this setting. Well, nothing yet.
From the fiction, it looks like Soshi Shiori is replacing Taoshi as the Soshi daimyo or maybe even Uidori, although Uidori had that triplet story.
1 minute ago, Khift said:In the old canon Dairu was Kachiko and Hoturi's son and was merely adopted by Shoju. If there's anything similar going on here, this could be her reminding Shoju that he adopted Dairu. A subtle, brutal jab.
We would have had a different reaction from Shoju if that was the case. It was more of a way to tell the audience who the son was, unlike the Crane fiction which decided to throw away Hotaru's husband.