Sapphire Ambassadors

Fun game! I'm glad Saibankan and Asano gave me a nudge about it. Pretty relaxing, which was welcome.

Yoshino was novel to play. A traditionalist Doji, yet emo and a black sheep. That and the Yasuki training gave her a different perspective on a lot of things. Then the gaki started to visit. I felt OOC a bit lost mid-way into that plotline as it seemed there was little that could be done to resolve it, so I'm happy the GMs throwed me a lifeline. Kojiro wasn't expected, and I am amazed he hasn't been killed in a duel yet, but he was fun to interact with. The sort of character you love to hate.

I had some great scenes and fun moments with many players' characters. Thank you.

Questions and comments here as is the routine. Still to find out what will happen to Yoshino post game...

What prompted the character concept?

Asano's character was a little based, personality wise, on Starfire. I didn't have a strong concept in mind for the game as I was focused on other things until the pregame, so having an established character tie with another character seemed a good way forward. Asano suggested a character like Raven that could act as the foil. I took some inspiration from that. I liked the idea of a Doji courtier trying her best to stick to honour and tradition while being repeatedly challenged in that by things outside of her control. She started much more impassive and cynical, but the fright of the gaki spurred her to action and, after that was resolved and she was doing well (and had some Doji acknowledgement) she became happier and more talkative. I think the town's peaceful atmosphere helped too.

Someone practical and thoughtful for a courtier was the plan. Not someone too gossipy or cheerfully friendly with everyone, or a show off. A humble side character that would go do her own thing whether others got her involved with things or not. Amusingly, because of the gaki, she ended up pulling others into what was happening to her.

I like art too, so an excuse to make up a few artistic pieces seemed fun. I definitely had wanted a character that had strong artistic tendencies. A Crane fit for that, but I didn't want to do anything too predictable. Adding in the Yasuki ties was a nice spice to make her feel different and perceive things differently. I hope that came across.

Two questions, if permitted:

- Did Yoshino ever have some sort of positive feeling towards Kojiro, or rather, how long did it take until she was annoyed and how long after that until she considered stabbing the Phoenix?

- How exactly does that Yasuki tie work (if you already explained it in character I'll also take a link to the thread )

Good questions!

Did Yoshino ever have some sort of positive feeling towards Kojiro, or rather, how long did it take until she was annoyed and how long after that until she considered stabbing the Phoenix?

If he hadn't said about wanting a beautiful Doji (and thereby implying Yoshino wasn't one) and especially a talented shugenja for a wife then she likely would have been quite smitten for him having saved her life. Seeing the banishing would have helped too. Instead he was rude, dismissive of her and she sat there naked with her eyes closed while he did the banishing. Then he was further rude afterwards and ran her name into the muck enough that peasants are mocking her. Yeah, no, that possible ship sailed far away... only to hit a mine, break apart, sink and get lost in a bottomless abyss.

She probably wanted to stab him that night, as a mild urge, but it was a full on urge by day 8. She has gotten him a mirror (hahahaha), but she hasn't had a chance to hand it over yet. He might get something else instead.

How exactly does that Yasuki tie work (if you already explained it in character I'll also take a link to the thread )

Her mother was a Doji courtier, who was owed favours by some Crab, and her father was a Daidoji who served on the wall. She benefitted from the favours owed to her parents after becoming the only surviving member of her immediate family. The Doji didn't want her continuing her studies with them while the Yasuki were repaying old debts. Amusing that.

So, Doji Yoshino...

1. Had Choudai gone through with some of his more evil schemes and had Mikan murdered, he probably would have mentioned Yoshino's name as a possible replacement "marry into the Scorpion" candidate. How would she have taken that (assuming, of course, she didn't know he was behind the tragic death by bandits on a roadside)?

2. Did she throw you any curveballs?

3. Not really a question, but the Gaki plot really showed its arc in her behavior, which I was seriously impressed by.

4. Which of her presentations was your favorite?

1. She'll do her duty, but she would question why the Doji have stooped so low as to not be marrying in anymore. She has pride in being a Doji and upholding tradition. That also meant she found Mikan's work quite offensive, so replacing her would have further stung. She wouldn't want any association.

2. Yoshino? She ended up less moody day by day. She went quite scared and poorly to relieved and inspired. I was planning her to be more bitter and to tell some more dark humour, but the gaki pulled all her attention.

3. Thanks, I think? What aspect do you mean? Day 2 LN she was first feasted on and dropped to Awareness 3 for the next four days. I tried to make her seem more lethargic, anxious and such as a result. Roleplaying a drop of awareness is a bit of a challenge, as it's feeling less inspired and aware of your surroundings. I imagined that for Yoshino the world had become a painting that had bleached in the sun, losing its colour and shine. She was really pleased to get it back. Sort of that whole "you don't know what you have until it's gone" idea.

4. I put some thought into all of them, but especially the seppuku stages calligraphy and the bonsai. She did something different each day too. She enjoys all kinds of art and appreciates ideas and creativity. I wanted that to come across even though she might seem brooding and jaded. It's the light in her life that lets her keep going.

Doji Yoshino wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 04, 2022 9:24 pm

3. Thanks, I think? What aspect do you mean?

You more or less covered it, and I was impressed

By day 5 she'd also somewhat resigned herself to being killed by the gaki. Especially after what she heard from you. She was morbidly thinking that as long as she finished the competition then dying afterwards wouldn't be so bad. So, the prospect of hope from the Crane bringing in an ally to help perked her up nicely.

Then it was Kojiro

Doji Yoshino wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 04, 2022 9:39 pm

Then it was Kojiro

As a veteran of the Naishou Topaz game, I was delighted to see that asshole again

1. Did you have fun?
2. What thing from this game would you like to see in future games?
3. What thing from this game would you like to not see in future games?

Four things!

1. Not really a question, but a deep thanks for all the patience and pokes. I know I had a lot on my plate, but the patience of support of you is 100% what carried me through this game. So thank you.

2. Was there anything Yoshino wanted to say to Asano or teach her or etc that could never come out in character for one reason or another?

3. What was the moment you were most proud of Yoshino for?

4. If you could have changed any one thing about our brainstorming and building of Yoshino (other than me working with you sooner of course), is there anything that stands out to you as something you would have done differently?

1. Did you have fun?

Yes it was a good distraction. Thank you and Fukurokujin for running.

2. What thing from this game would you like to see in future games?

Allowing player events is a nice touch, having some side events and NPC plotlines to interact with. All good things. The range of skills allowed was also helpful for inspiring a diverse range of characters.

3. What thing from this game would you like to not see in future games?

I've done this too, but likely too many NPCs. Also, many similar locations. Finally, don't forget a premise post and more OOC info about the side events so players know where they'd stand IC about them. I.e. Do they know about they're taking place and how they could get involved IC.

1. Not really a question, but a deep thanks for all the patience and pokes. I know I had a lot on my plate, but the patience of support of you is 100% what carried me through this game. So thank you.

You're welcome thanks for all the tags.

2. Was there anything Yoshino wanted to say to Asano or teach her or etc that could never come out in character for one reason or another?

She had a gift prepared, but that likely won't happen now. She would have liked to teach her some poetry, singing and commerce, but there wasn't time for that. Words wise she would have liked to talk about what happened, her own personal experience, with her family when they died. So Asano knew and could better understand her. Again, there wasn't a good moment for that.

3. What was the moment you were most proud of Yoshino for?

I was grateful she spotted the gaki and woke up on Day 3! Proud... hmm. She worked hard throughout the competition. Can't say she wasn't dedicated. She took duty seriously. She also withheld saying anything off to Kojiro until he absolutely pushed things well past where regular decorum falls apart. I think it was good to see her trying to encourage others, such as Shizenko, even while she was going through stressful times herself. She had a good heart.

4. If you could have changed any one thing about our brainstorming and building of Yoshino (other than me working with you sooner of course), is there anything that stands out to you as something you would have done differently?

Perhaps less of a broad spread of skills and a little more archery. Perception 3 would have been good too, and showed more acceptable of Yasuki teachings. On the other hand, I'm pretty happy with how Yoshino turned out. She'll go back to her old gloomy self after day 10 though.