On 9/11/2021 at 11:01 PM, ColonelKuehl1 said:

Tianrui Zavar notes he was not invited...

Tianrui Ren sends an additional invite to Zavar and Kin on noticing he'd missed their invites.

Tianrui Ren looks across the missive as it comes across his desk, delivered to him by his cousins who still held the name Watanabe while he now retains his blood name. The man lingers on the memories of Ves and its time, and while he holds no current stake in what renewal of it may come to be- he still feels compelled by the past. He lifts his brush to rice paper, scribing a reply.

"The Patrician House Watanabe shall be in attendance of the Duma."

There is no signature save a crimson seal, the rising sun sigil emblazoned in gold.

You are hereby invited to the wedding vow renewals of Tianrui Ren and Tianrui Delphina!

[!] A portrait of Tianrui Ren and Tianrui Delphina.

Parade

The long-awaited and auspicious vow renewal will first begin with a parade as is traditional. The bride will be met at the Tianrui household, where she will be escorted into a palanquin and taken to the temple amidst great fanfare.

Ceremony

When the palanquin arrives at the temple, the bride will be escorted out and into the temple where a monk will begin the ceremony. Respect is offered to Heaven and the Land, Family and Ancestors, and then each other before a cup of wine is shared and the ceremony concludes.

Catering and Performance

With the conclusion of the wedding, the festivities will continue to the Tianrui teahouse where those will be invited to partake in a variety of food and drinks, alongside various entertainment organized for the prosperous event.

Invitations were extended to all of Yong Ping, with a handful of distinguished invitations. 

Tianrui Lina

Yehenara Jieru

Tianrui Leo

Tianrui Paraskevi

Tianrui Ryuji

Tianrui Kai

Tianrui Mei

Tianrui Rei

Tianrui Meixing

Tianrui Fumi

Tianrui Chesi

Tianrui Zhi Shan

Tianrui San

Tianrui Carla

Tianrui Ji

Tianrui Galilean

Tianrui Suihe

Retainer Maelstrom

Watanabe Shiro

Watanabe Akemi

Watanabe Tsukiya

Watanabe Goichi

Chancellor Nanako Hirano

Secretariat Chen Twilight

Minister of Interior Chen Yunya

Minister of Justice Chen Wenping

Minister of Foreign Affairs Atsuki Waythe

Minister of Rites Kamiyama Izanami

Minister of Education Cirice

And their respective families

Emir of the Fakhr Emirate, Hakim Bin Mutayr Al-Hattan
Nai'b al-Emir, Azzam Bin Hakim Al-Hattan
Elmirah and Sheikha, Esmae bint Saqr Al-Nabeel

Sheikh of the Haybah, Mishal Bin Faris Al-Haybah
Sheikh of the Hamad, Utayr Bin Amr Al-Hamad
Sheikh of the Haddad, Thamer "Al-Ahmar" Al-Haddad

And their respective families

Monarch of Vortice, Queen Lenora Jusmia

Doctor Sana Medii’la

Silas Astasel

Sylvain Sanguine

And their respective families

Lady Anna d’Arkent and her family

Aerilith Oakenarrow and his family

Li Xiuying and her family

Wen Zi Shu

Takai Eiji and his family

Masamune Musashi and his family

Signed,

Tianrui Ren, Patriarch and Zhu of Yong Ping

Zhu Tianrui Ren prepares his loot bags.

From the sturdy stone halls of the Long Keep, Tianrui Ren files report of his scouting mission with his niece when a far-off blast resounds down the peninsula coast. Knowing Toast had left the walls with blast potions, and the number of pirates within, Ren sighs and sets down his quill. Glancing down the ramparts, he ponders if not for the captives how he would raze the camp with a single ballistae volley. But no raging retribution will bring the brave Musin back, and there are yet lives that can be saved.

The grizzled elf sets up the main road, shedding his boots before stepping into the Yujin Monastery, the Temple of his people. Holding his head bowed to the statue of Hualian a moment before proceeding to the Ancestor wayshrine. A fine orange and bergamot candle is produced, set beside the countless others on the shrine and lit. Kneeling, Ren prays that the Musin finds safe passage to whichever afterlife Toast travels to.

Clouds clear of storm clouds

A terrible day for rain

Though no rain yet falls

"You fought well. Now rest well, Daimyo Toast."

Tianrui Ren reads over the second addressed invite that members of the Orenian State have issued to Yong Ping, chuckling and wondering some when they may update the information which their scribes no doubt diligently copy from outdated official documents. Regardless, he is pleased he and his people are invited, making ready to venture from the Jade State.

Tianrui Ren looks over the sheet, tallying his numbers from his office with Del watching over his shoulder. With a few corrections here and there from Del, they behold his final score. "Negative five hundred forty. That is impressive. Back to lowering my score!"

Tianrui Ren would file the odd event the many others of his shift that night, debating what form of infrastructure in the city could even support such obviously afflicted individuals. Perhaps the Temple will lift unfortunate souls like the yelping fisherman into more suitable circumstances.

Tianrui Ren prepares to both attend the festivities, and oversee the ceremony- gladly setting aside the day for the event.

Tianrui Ren makes ready the preparations to receive the Musin people in Yong Ping, first though stamping a copy of Toast's letter with the Yong Ping long dragon seal to signify state approval.

[!] Rice paper scrolls scribed in tight, swooping strokes are hung around Yong Ping and neighboring cities.

Dragon's Rebirth Celebration

(“Along the River During the Qingming Festival”)

It is my pleasure to extend an invitation to the friends of Yong Ping, who were steadfast through our most trying times. All are welcome to join in celebration of our newly constructed Yong Ping and the auspicious friends that helped us to achieve it. Festivities shall take place in the Tianrui Teahouse at Tianrui 28 in two Dragon’s Days of this missive’s posting. 

the river creek flows

bubbles, bright under summer

sun, bright too- my heart

Event Agenda

Reception

Reception shall take place to allow all to arrive and become settled in a timely manner, introduce themselves to new friends, and enjoy complimentary refreshments before the performance begins.

Performance

A lineup of local cultural performances shall grace the teahouse stage, featuring a dance of magical proportions to premier a range of traditional dance and music of the zither.

Feast

Once the performance has concluded, guests are invited to enjoy the rest of the evening in the teahouse in good company and good spirit. 

Direct invitations are sent out to the following.

Emir of the Fakhr Emirate, Hakim Bin Mutayr Al-Hattan
Nai'b al-Emir, Azzam Bin Hakim Al-Hattan
Elmirah and Sheikha, Esmae bint Saqr Al-Nabeel

Sheikh of the Haybah, Mishal Bin Faris Al-Haybah
Sheikh of the Hamad, Utayr Bin Amr Al-Hamad
Sheikh of the Haddad, Thamer "Al-Ahmar" Al-Haddad

HIM John VIII and his pedigree
HE Simon Pruiva-Provins
Lady Anna d'Arkent

HRM Heinrik Barbanov II and the Barbanov royal family

Ser Karl Amador and his knight squire

Monarch of Vortice, Princess Athri Onfroi-Belrose and her Council

Crown Prince of Ando Alur, Vulnir Syllar and his Council

Grandmaster Naffog Hennington and the Crimson Edict

Duke Eugeo de Astrea of  Elysium and his Council

Signed,

Tianrui Ren, Patriarch and Zhu of Yong Ping

Signed,

Yunya of the Chen Household, Minister of Interior and Revenue and Leading Lady of the Arts

Tianrui Ren stamps his seal on a slip of rice paper, the gold emblazoned rising sun crest of House Tianrui signifying their support for the business.

Another Yong Ping build video, and a really nice one at that! I enjoyed the touch at the end with the Five Remembrances.

based

Tianrui Ren would pen himself a note to visit the newly expanded Karosgrad branch of the auspicious Mareno Company.

“For without mud, we’d be without lotus.”

The Gratitude of a Healing Dragon

An old proverb and beloved saying of the military and citizenry alike describes our current situation perfectly, that being: “No mud, no lotus.”

For those not entirely versed in Li-Ren proverbs, mud must form first for the lovely lotus blossoms to grow and we apply that to now. The tsunami may have grown large and came down heavy, wrecking everything in its path but through the power of belief and faith, it’d split just before the temple and thus spared the lives of the citizenry.

Now, we rebuild. Akin to a Phoenix reborn from the ashes, bricks being laid and belongings salvaged. How disaster can reveal the true beauty of things is an interesting feat. Bringing people together in ways never imagined and allowing any previous concepts to wash away.

The Jade State of Yong Ping gratefully accepts the offered assistance as they heal and grow.

Our homes may have broken and washed away but when a bone breaks, it only comes back stronger and the Jade States backbone will be stronger than ever.

Let us usher in a prosperous time, of love and laughter, abundance and auspicious moments.

When the city comes to a point of reconstruction, we would like to extend an invite to the Duchy of Elysium to join us in celebrations within the teahouse. For then, we will have healed.

Signed,

Yunya of the Chen Household, Minister of Interior and Revenue and leading lady of the Arts of Yong Ping

Signed,

Tianrui Ren, Patriarch and Chancellor of Yong Ping

PRAISE THE ANCESTORS

PRAISE THE OMNISSIAH

And most importantly, high praise to Tech for working out the kinks in everything to get this out. It will be good to finally be free of Vortex, and have a new set of blocks at hand.

Nanako Hirano is both capable and holds only the best interests of Yong Ping at heart. She has proven such with her dedication to the people already- both in her own mentioned past actions as well as current monetary support, material donation, and personal service put forward to the community of Yong Ping. It is with full confidence that I endorse her campaign for run as Chancellor.

I am Patriarch Tianrui Ren and I endorse this message.

Tianrui Ren is glad to be supported by his friends, especially ones who are willing to put action behind good intent. Truly, an auspicious era crests the horizon beyond this tragedy.

 [!] Rice paper scrolls scribed in tight, swooping strokes are hung around Yong Ping.

5th of Snow Maiden, SA 36

It is with heavy heart that we learn of Xiong Mei’s passing. 

Friends, family, and any who would wish to pay respects are invited to a funeral service held in the Tianrui Teahouse on the next Dragon’s Day.

A meditation shall be led by myself before any who wish to speak of her life may come forth, and offerings placed for the cremation.

Signed,

Tianrui Ren

[!] Rice paper scrolls scribed in tight, swooping strokes are hung around Yong Ping and neighboring cities.

The red wax seal emblazoned with the golden roaring maw of the Long Dragon.

13th of Amber Cold, SA 35

With the stepping down of Li Xiu-Ying as Zhu, the first era of Twin Dragons has come to end. In the next, I offer to continue the work I have done as Chancellor - to put myself forward in service to the people as Zhu. Through pirate slavers on our shore, through tsunami wreaking terrible destruction on our city, I promise we can see through to a new dawn on Yong Ping.

It is my prerogative to prioritise our people’s religion within Yong Ping. I know the importance of Huajiao’s presence in any Easterner’s life from my time, especially now as a student of the Yujin Monastery. With this, I would remove the separation of faith and state. As surely the soundness of mind and self afforded by Huajiao, Tsaoism, Shidoism, Kami worship, and their respective schools shall benefit us- so too shall the renewed community found within.

With community in mind, I shall also be seeking to better support those who hold citizenship in Yong Ping. Work in the Yong Ping People’s Army (hereafter referred to as the YPA) of course affords free housing, food, and medical care to those in active service- however the aspect of military life does not appeal to all. There are two major changes I would wish to put forward. The first of which being that service in the YPA shall also afford one free tutelage sponsored by the state. The second of which is to make more clear to those in service that not all duties of the YPA are martial in nature. We have need of smiths, carpenters, cooks, and lorekeepers in the Long Keep. If you wish to avail of state services, the YPA is here for you, so you may be here for your community. Especially in these times, we must stand together against all threats.

Citizenship shall no longer be mandatory to live within the walls of Yong Ping, however it shall afford the holder better opportunities. The first shall be priority granted to housing, allowing citizens proper and suitable accommodation, as well as access to higher districts. The second shall be of course eligibility to seek employment in the YPA, and further any government office. With an ever burgeoning populace, more are always needed to fill the offices of the Jade State. The third is already written but worth noting, that citizens are afforded full rights as written in The Official Laws of the City State of Yong Ping. 

We have all lost much, our homes, property, Ancestral Heirlooms for some even. What we still have though, is each other. The work to rebuild shall be hard, but worth the effort to grow to new heights. As it was with the founding of Tai Ping, then Yong Ping, we shall rebuild ever greater. After all; no mud, no lotus.

Signed,

Tianrui Ren, Patriarch and Chancellor of Yong Ping

Tianrui Ren looks up from the Ancestor Shrine in the Yong Ping Temple, a bird perching on the railing with a letter attached. Taking the letter and reading, a sigh passes his lips. He leans on the railing, letter still in hand. Another he had known dead in the same day. He had thought of Vivian of family, even if not by blood. The elf lights another candle at the shrine and tucks the letter away.

So the flower blooms

Leaving naught when winter comes

But I remember

There is much he has to do, but allowing oneself to mourn makes way for the rest. After all, nobody can pour from an empty cup. 

Tianrui Ren had just finished breakfast when he received word. A sigh passes his lips, the elf departing his usual schedule to pay visit to the Temple, lighting another candle beside the many that adorned the Ancestor Shrine. 

"Gone, but not forgotten. Rest well, Mei."

Tianrui Ren sips a cup of tea, looking over his itinerary for the day. With a hum, he makes note of the archery competition. A welcome distraction, one which he debates participating in- though he expects to be called in as a judge.

Tianrui Ren looks over his desk as a new missive is passed to his attention. One he had known to be coming for a while now, though it felt to Ren as if he had met the young Xiu-ying but yesterday for all the time the pair had spent building Yong Ping from that tower. They, and the many who had been with them along the way. None though who had done as much as the Lady Li in her tenure. 

"A well earned retirement." He'd hum, waving an overeager pigeon away from the letter. Folding it away, the Easterner elf looks to the window, taking a sip of his tea.

Summer turns autumn

Tended fields ripe for harvest

For the farmer, rest

There will be time yet to think of a gift to honor the occasion, but for now another matter passes his desk. He sighs, and returns to work. After all- no mud, no lotus.