EXALTED: Ep. 5: The Games of Court (repost)

[JanetT]

Based on EXALTED, an epic fantasy role-playing game by White Wolf Game Studio
Characters and story by Janet Trautvetter and Myranda Kalis Sarro

Note: This is the episode that Junkie was working on when she visited Tabletop Theater... she had a lot of fun doing it, and we had fun hosting her!

Previously:
Episode 1: The Shadow Road
Episode 2: Bad News Travels Furthest and Fast
Episode 3: Thicker than Water
Episode 4: Reflections on Summer Love

Exalted: Behind the Scenes -- Junkie's Visit
Exalted: About the Characters

Thank you all for your support, and for reading this! And now, please enjoy....

Nellens Genshaku:

"Ten of the eleven Dynastic Houses claim direct descent from the children of the Scarlet Empress. Some of those children are still living, centuries after their birth. Each by right of blood, political connections, wealth and military strength, has some claim upon her throne, now mysteriously empty. And so like dogs quarreling over a bone, they circle and growl at each other, the major claimants gathering their forces, making a show of civility while negotiating with potential allies for the strength to overcome all rivals.

"I was born into the eleventh house, descended from the Empress' last husband. There are some who question whether we should be counted among the Dynasty at all, save that the Empress favored us so. Our House has fewer Exalted than any of the others, and our influence and political power lies more with mortal patrician class than with the Dynasty. But for some reason—the gods alone know why, unrepentant little heretic that I was—one of the Dragons chose to bless me.

"To be perfectly honest, I haven't had much faith in their judgment since.

"And I admit I haven't done much to conform to anyone's expectations. It's hard work being a disgrace to the family name, but I suppose someone has to do it. At least it means I get invited to all the best parties…. "

House Mnemon's wing of the Imperial Palace is the grandest and most prestigious, and beautifully maintained, and its centuries-old matriarch, the Lady Mnemon herself, oversees the House and the lives of her numerous and well-bred descendents with an iron will and (it is said) all-consuming ambition for her mother's empty throne.


Tonight House Mnemon's halls host a dinner party, given the sorcerer Mnemon Katenan and his beloved wife, the Lady Ruia. The guest list is long and varied, including many of their noble House and its political allies, as well as Imperial officials, friends and acquaintances from Katenan's military years, and a handful of other interesting guests whose presence seems to have been requested primarily for their entertainment value....


Nellens Genshaku: "Now I remember why I so rarely come to House Mnemon parties — they're always so dull. I thought you said Ledaal Kes was coming?"



Mnemon Suvari: "No, I said he'd been invited. Besides, why are you so anxious to play him again? He's beaten you the last four times."

Genshaku: "Yes, but it was simply fascinating to watch how he did it. I've learned so much from him...."

Mnemon Suvari: "Why do I get the feeling you're talking about something more than game strategies here...?"



Genshaku: "Games have many levels. Kes plays them all, and so do I. But don't forget, I won the time before that. I think it's my turn to win again. Maybe that's why he hasn't shown up. Instead... no one will play with me, and I'm bored... "



Sesus Taran: "You're drunk, Nellens Genshaku, that's what you are."



Genshaku: "Why, if it isn't Sesus Taran — and you're out of uniform. Are you deserting? Or did the Legions give you time off for good behavior?"



Taran: "I'm home on leave for a while. Tchiat's home too — we should all get together—"



Genshaku: "Oh, no. I don't care what you promise me, I am not going to marry her."

Taran: "What the hell are you talking about?"



Genshaku: "Look, everyone knows there's only two reasons the Legion lets junior officers take leave — to get married or to spawn more little Dragons for the good of the Empire.

"Thing is, the last man your sister was betrothed to ended up taking vows as a monk to get out of it, so I have to wonder — what did Zihan know that we didn't—"



Taran: (inarticulate growl)



Genshaku: "Temper, temper, Taran — Do I smell something burning?"



Taran: (through gritted teeth) "Don't. Tempt. Me!"



Taran: "What an utter ass you've become, Genshaku."



Ayame: "Friend of yours?"

Taran: "Once, a long time ago. Not anymore."



Genshaku: (Chuckling) "Well, that was almost entertaining."

Suvari: (Pouting) "You didn't even introduce us. And you know Fire Aspects make the most passionate lovers.... is he single, this handsome friend of yours?"



Genshaku: "Who, Taran? Oh, he's passionate enough, I'm sure — not that I know this from personal experience, mind you! But he's also one of those traditional, virtuous, honorable types — you'd like him, but you'd be bored in a decade, my sweet. Don't do that to yourself."



Mnemon Tsukasa: (thinking) Yet another reason why the blessings of the Dragons are wasted on the descendants of House Nellens.... I would have thought cousin Katenan would have better taste in whom he invites to his parties....


Continued in next post.....

[JanetT]

Suvari: "Why, if it isn't cousin Tsukasa! Did you have to sneak out the window to be here tonight,
or did Great-Uncle Tatsumi actually let you off your leash for awhile?"

Tsukasa: "Cousin Suvari. How... pleasant... to see you again. I am here attending the honorable Lady Amiboshi. You?"



Suvari: "I'm not dancing attending on anyone — Katenan and Ruia actually sent me a personal invitation. Really, Tsukasa. Don't you ever get tired of jumping every time Lady Honorable rings that ridiculous little silver bell?"



Tsukasa: "I regard it an honor to serve the elders of our noble House. Alas, even in House Mnemon, there are those who appear to regard our ancient traditions as little more than a fine silk robe that they can wear or discard as it pleases them."



Cynis Tori: "Careful, Lord Tsukasa, how you invoke tradition — especially since you're
standing on the challenger's side of the board. Someone might take you up on it."

Tsukasa: "There's little risk of that, I see no master or champion here."



Suvari: "Perhaps you should look again. Nellens Genshaku has a master's ranking."

Tsukasa: "—Of course. Your pardon, Lord Nellens. I did not... see you."

Genshaku: "So, it's true what they say — following some traditions really does make you go blind."

Tsukasa: "It is far better to stand in defense of tradition than to allow my standards to be blown
about like dead leaves on any prevailing wind."



Genshaku: "But even the... stiffest... of oaks should learn when to bend before the wind,
lest its branches snap, or its entire trunk be.... uprooted by the power of the storm."

Tsukasa: "Not even the mightiest gale is strong enough to uproot the forest."



Genshaku: "A forest, no. But one tree, clinging desperately to the side of a mountain, stands in much greater peril... of losing its leaves and its dignity, at the very least."



Tsukasa: "From a true storm, perhaps—but not from a hot, listless summer breeze."



Genshaku: "Now that does sound like a challenge. The stubborn mountain oak or the
impertinent summer breeze — which shall prevail?"

Suvari: "Oooh—that has to be the most poetic challenge I've heard in a decade!
Tsukasa, I didn't know you had it in you!"

Tori: "Ah, but the stakes — what are the stakes? Come now, you cannot play for words alone —
not after such an auspicious beginning!"



Tsukasa: "The oak asks nothing of the wind — for what can it possibly carry of any worth
save a few stinging pellets of sand?"



Genshaku: "In other words, he thinks I'm too impoverished to put up any stakes of value? Well, compared to the pocket allowance granted a Senator's errand boy, that may well be true. On the other hand, according to tradition... it's not the challenger's right to set the stakes, is it?"

Tori: "That's true. Genshaku's the defending master, he sets the stakes."

Tsukasa: "What stakes do you propose, then?"



Genshaku: "The wind seeks only to prevail…. And the oak has nothing to lose but his very fine...
traditional... silk brocade, if I'm not mistaken... leaves…. every last one, down to his... bare trunk."

Tsukasa: "You're insane, Lord Nellens!"

Genshaku: "Yes, I know. I've been told so on multiple occasions. You can, of course… withdraw the challenge. I promise I won't think any less of you."

Tsukasa: "I will not withdraw it. What stakes do you offer, should the oak withstand your little gusts? I have no use for second-hand robes. Even the least of my servants is better clad than that."



Genshaku: "Well, I could offer to kiss your well-bred Mnemon ass, but even we of House Nellens
have SOME standards...."

Suvari: "Genshaku!"

Tsukasa: "Really. I never would have guessed..."



Tsukasa: "The oak can withstand the wind, even should its branches be bare as winter.... heedless of the foolish crow that squawks and preens in its branches. But if, in the crow's arrogance, it challenges an eagle and gets its fine plumage plucked for its troubles.... perhaps then it will learn some much needed humility."

Suvari: "His hair? Oh, that's nasty, Tsukasa—"



Genshaku: "If three years in the Cloister of Wisdom being taught by the monks didn't teach me humility, I rather doubt shaving my head will do the trick."

Tsukasa: "Of course, no one would fault the crow for declining to challenge the eagle."



Genshaku: "But the monks did assure me that false humility was a sin. And so the crow's honor won't permit it. Not when the eagle is so eager to be plucked.

"Challenge accepted — and so the first move is yours...."



Tsukasa seats himself regally, and moves his first piece.... And so the game begins...


Continued in next post....

[Hippolyta]

Eep! I'm torn ... really not sure who I want to win! I am loving the witty court dialogue - lots of barbs in there that I enjoyed! I'm really happy to come across these stories again and am eating them up with a spoon.

[JanetT]

Gateway—the strategy game favored by the Dragon-blooded—is as much a duel of wills as the intellect. Every child in the Dynasty learns to play it—but only a handful earn the title of master.



Each move opens up new possibilities, and a good player can plot his own moves and those of his opponent a dozen or more moves in advance..... Deception and feints and distractions can often mask deeper strategies... sometimes pieces are sacrificed in order to gain strategic advantage.



The political games of court are often likened to a Gateway board -- with young Dynasts merely the pieces playing out the strategies of their elders, and just as casually put at risk or sacrificed as pieces of ivory or jade....



Tsukasa takes first blood, capturing a piece Genshaku left in a vulnerable position.



Genshaku avails himself of House Mnemon's excellent hospitality as he watches Tsukasa's move, and calculates how to deal with his opponent's strategies.



The game has attracted an audience of fellow guests and visitors, who try to anticipate the players' strategies and predict the next most logical move. Some more experienced are simply amused by who Nellens Genshaku has suckered into a game this time...



To the casual observer, the greater number of captured pieces on Tsukasa's side of the board appears to indicate who has the upper hand. But merely winning has never been Genshaku's style....

Tsukasa: "The wind appears to have blown itself out…."



Genshaku: "Suvari, my dearest, could you do me a favor—pick a number between…" (he pauses and studies the board) "six and ten?"

Suvari: "Twelve won't do?"



Genshaku: "It would be cruel to prolong the suspense, don't you think? And he is your cousin."

Suvari: "Oh, alright. Seven, then."



Genshaku: "Seven it is, then." (he moves). "One."

Tsukasa: "What in the Dragons' names are you talking about?"

Tori: "He's saying he's going to win the game in seven moves. "



Tsukasa: "Not very good strategy to announce it so publicly…" (He moves).

Genshaku: (He moves). "Two."

Tsukasa: "It won't be that easy." (He studies the board, finally making his move.) "As you see…."



Genshaku: (he moves). "Three. "

Tsukasa: "Your arrogance is limitless, isn't it—" (he takes even longer this time, clearly thinking this through, finally making his own move.) "I think I see what you're trying to do…. It's not going to work."



Genshaku: "You think so?" (he moves). "Four."

Tsukasa: "You've left your flank exposed — do you really think I will fall for that?"

Genshaku: "Oh, absolutely."



Tsukasa: (Starts to move, then stops… hesitates… rethinks… then moves anyway, knowing now he's in trouble) "Dammit…."

Genshaku: "Five. Do you concede? Or shall we dance until the music ends?"

Tsukasa: "I never concede."

Genshaku: "If you insist. Six."

(Tsukasa stares at the board for a long moment.)



Genshaku: "You studied with a master, I presume. But based on your last thirty-two moves, I can tell you which strategy books he used, and which classic games you have memorized. You have the moves down letter perfect. All I had to do was play the same game… until it was time to play my own."

Tsukasa: "You're even more arrogant than Kes."

Genshaku: "I've beaten Kes, too. So you see, you have nothing to be ashamed of.... "



Genshaku: (watches as Tsukasa makes his last move, though both of them know now the game is over). "And… seven. The music ends, and the dance is over...."



Genshaku: "I think my crow's feathers are safe for today.... the oak's leaves, however...."

(Suvari giggles. )



Tsukasa: "Most well-bred Dynasts mature beyond such levels of humor before they graduate from primary school. But since you're so easily amused..." (He begins to disrobe)



Genshaku: "I'm sure our host won't let you be naked long.... unless, of course, you truly want to be."



Suvari: "Indeed, you might get lucky! I'm sure Lady Amiboshi will understand..."



Tsukasa makes as dignified an exit as possible, under the circumstances — pride and the honor of his House demand nothing less.



Genshaku's boredom temporarily abated.... the co-conspirators celebrate Genshaku's victory with more wine and more jokes at their victim's expense....

As predicted, their host has provided Tsukasa with a spare robe.... and because Mnemon Katenan is a wise man, he refrains from laughing in his cousin's presence. He also wisely declines to inform Tsukasa that providing entertaining little incidents like this is exactly why Nellens Genshaku gets invitations to parties to begin with.

But Mnemon Tsukasa will not forget....


Tsukasa: (thinking) The sooner my lady Mnemon takes the throne and eliminates such degenerate rabble from the Dynasty, the better.

...I cannot understand what my sweet Blossom ever saw in him....


TO BE CONTINUED....... in Episode 6: The Eyes Of The Dragon

[zirconmermaid]

That oak looks mighty nice without his leaves!! It's so nice to be able to enjoy these all over again!! Darn if you don't make me want to do more with my 1/6th kids!

[Eseme]

Oh my! This is just excellent. I do very much enjoy good witty banter.

Thank you!

[leopardessmoon]

ooooo....very intense plot, its like swimming with pirrannah!