Shinjo's Agenda
Current Events
Waiting on books from Vneef Mahara's library, an invite from same to a gala, an invite to study foreign spirit lore from Ledaal Mercurio, the printing of a pillow book by Cynis Shungado, and a response to a letter from Vneef Kalla.
Future plans are finding an obscure play on Teran Woo to "fix", rehearsals for Mahara's gala, fielding the demands of the Untamed Flame for a role denied, avoiding Sorae, speaking with Vneef Thagada about Academy parties, and organizing a night of revelry with Jozan.
He has to deliver a letter for his father to Kalla, as well as obtaining her measurements for a suit of armor. Shinjo owes Kalla his arm for securing a gala invite and visiting a coastal retreat with her... which almost certainly is Arjuf.
List of Subplots
Infiltration of the Cathedral
The All-Seeing Eye wants Shinjo to exploit his connection with Ragara Thannak-Tyros to obtain further access and information. The Eye demands specific details of all connections and interactions between Thannak-Tyros/the Cathedral, Ragara Raman/the 6th Legion, and the Black Helms... times and dates of meetings, contents of conversations, supply/payment transfers, and production orders.
- Shinjo has spoken to Tyros at length about various aspects of his craft: his desire to create new wonders over repairing and maintaining old ones, the loss of various arts like the crafting of artifacts of permanent effect that do not require such maintenance, and the techniques required for utilizing materials like moonsilver.
- The Eye passed along a clue on asking Tyros about the Mnemon monks who staff his Cathedral, Shinjo has not found a good way to bring this up yet
- Tyros let slip that his betrothal to V'neef Pepaa is a also a business partnership of sorts. Combined with his utter focus on his work at the Cathedral and his professed lack of skill in her field of bureaucracy, the implication is that she is involved in the management of his business. Shinjo intends to cross her path to learn more about her.
- Shinjo commissioned a suit of light armor from Tyros for V'neef Kalla. Assuming pick up is done at Tyros' manse, Shinjo and the Eye might use it as an opportunity to investigate his private documents... seeing as the circle keeps records of the Okubo investigation there, this might need to be diverted in some way.
East 9th Ward: Printing The Pillow Book
Shinjo promised Sesus Nagat a story on the unexpressed romance between Sesus Zhoutai and Peleps Archova, as well as promising Sesus Kimiasha a pillow book. The two ideas are combined, and production begins with a visit to Cynis Shungado, master of shunga woodblock art, and to the Theatre of Enticing Display for inspiration.
- Once art is done Shinjo plans to have the pillow book printed in the East 9th 'Zhoutarn' printery as an excuse to visit in person and investigate.
- Shungado poisoned Shinjo and used him as a model for some of the artwork, causing Shinjo to wander the Palace halls in some sort of crazed manner. He appears to have run across Cynis Tiburon, Tepet Jozan, and Peleps Staemos... which bodes ill.
- Shinjo may have spoken at great length about the women in his life with Shungado, as the man appears aware of the liason with Miasa and has also drugged and painted pictures of Kimiasha and Sorae entangled in bed together. Wow.
The Play of Teran Woo
The Ledaal City Maidens Saturnia and Venosa, as well as Senator Yashiva, have requested a play written for the express purpose of convincing House Cathak to march the 2nd Legion south to defeat Saloy Hin. It will be performed at the Festival of Sextes Jylis. Cathak Baitai, General Meata's lover, has agreed to act in it, but Shinjo's attempt to recruit Cathak Vessala at the Spring Flowers gala failed.
- Shinjo decided to use the Battle of Teran Woo to stand as metaphor in place of Scorpion Ridge, where troops from both Ledaal and Cathak units bested a dragon of Hin's. He read about Teran Woo in Sesus Ketek's book, as well as getting the tale from Rekka, a fire elemental summoned to share his bed.
- The intent is to "correct" Ketek's history books and thereby please General Meata, who hates her husband. The play will also show that House Ledaal's scholars share the same values as the Cathak historians with relation to "truth", as Shinjo intends to use the stage to alter the history of events such that two Dragon-Blooded armies won the field at Teran Woo, and not an assemblage of gods and elementals absent DB commanders.
- Shinjo convinced Tyros to recruit a fang of dragon armor pilots to act as Shogunate-era officers in a bid to involve his House's other interests in sorcery and scavenging.
Maharra's Gala
STAEMOS
While drugged and wandering the Palace, Shinjo appears to have encountered Peleps Staemos.
- Cejanis received a crate of peach schnapps (I suspect it is rice-wine with peach flavor?) with a letter from Staemos asking for her to forward the gifts to Shinjo as "completion of his end of their contract". Cejanis has sent several letters to Shinjo that have progressively angrier. She also inquired with Senator Yashiva about Shinjo's dealings with Staemos, which caused the old man to snap a cookie in twain.
- Shinjo sent a letter to Peleps Staemos with an overly cryptic poem.
Avoiding Marriage
NOT GOING VERY WELL AT ALL
This is my favorite infiltration on the Citadel
The Eye also demands explicit details be gathered from the Citadel of Purifying Flame: exact troop numbers, unit identifications, contents of arsenals and deployment preparations, names of officers present, destinations of any deployments.
- Shinjo largely bailed on this objective, though hope remains that Cathak Caiji can be tapped as a resource on 1st Legion movements.
List of Realm Plot Hooks
CRUSH ALL SALT GODS QTIYD
- Corruption within the ranks of the salt gods is causing them to raise the rates they tax... which has a knock on effect on all moneylending (and insurance?) as the salt rate is used as the interest rate for many businesses. The northwest parts of the Isle are suffering the worst from this, though it is an issue across the Isle.
