The Day of Thunder

[Doji Hikaru]

For questions about Lady Doji's faithful retainer! Hikaru's themes ended up playing out a bit differently than expected, with more emphasis on some than on others. I'd be happy to answer questions about anything, of course!

[Saru Ranmaru]

If only we did more together. It could have been glorious, great, superb...

Since you mentioned it in your opening, what parts of Hikaru do you feel didn't really come up?

[Otomo Akutou]

What Ranmaru said.

[Doji Hikaru]

If only we did more together. It could have been glorious, great, superb...

Since you mentioned it in your opening, what parts of Hikaru do you feel didn't really come up?

What Ranmaru said.

Hikaru's goal since before the start of Dawn 3 has been to cure Doji of her ailment. I don't like the Driven advantage (or is it a disadvantage? Whatever), but Hikaru would have absolutely qualified for it. In Dawn 3, he got to push an investigation that led to players figuring out some of the stuff about Doji a bit early. Unfortunately, in this game, while he talked a bit with Hadananzi about it, and trained a bit for it with Chuchu, he didn't really end up interacting with either Doji or her cure at all.

This actually led to me playing up a different theme. Hikaru was always meant to be a version of Kakita. However, in Dawn, there's... well, there's actual Kakita, who became known for other things, but also Nanzi, who was Kakita 25 years ago (30? I can't tell fictional time). What happens to someone who should have had a Great Destiny, but was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Hikaru believed in destiny, and in himself, but he also had reason to doubt. Resolving this doubt, and being satisfied with a simple destiny of service and helping others alongside his love, was part of his journey.

[Saru Ranmaru]

Hikaru's goal since before the start of Dawn 3 has been to cure Doji of her ailment. I don't like the Driven advantage (or is it a disadvantage? Whatever), but Hikaru would have absolutely qualified for it. In Dawn 3, he got to push an investigation that led to players figuring out some of the stuff about Doji a bit early. Unfortunately, in this game, while he talked a bit with Hadananzi about it, and trained a bit for it with Chuchu, he didn't really end up interacting with either Doji or her cure at all.

This actually led to me playing up a different theme. Hikaru was always meant to be a version of Kakita. However, in Dawn, there's... well, there's actual Kakita, who became known for other things, but also Nanzi, who was Kakita 25 years ago (30? I can't tell fictional time). What happens to someone who should have had a Great Destiny, but was just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Hikaru believed in destiny, and in himself, but he also had reason to doubt. Resolving this doubt, and being satisfied with a simple destiny of service and helping others alongside his love, was part of his journey.

A simpler destiny is endearing in its own way. I did always like the original conception for Hikaru!

[Nanzi Ai]

Hikaru is the best of us. I liked his devotion it was a nice aspect to be so focused.

[Jiyo Sora]

FORM QUESTIONS INBOUND! Especially since unlike last game, our guys barely spoke at all


1. Biggest curveball Hikaru threw you?
2. Biggest curveball the game threw you?
3. Favorite moment?
4. Biggest missed opportunity?
5. Any secrets Hikaru has that never came up?

[Anjing]

Hikaru really is the best of us, a questing knight who never wavers or falters no matter the opposition. Really enjoyed the scenes with him as discussed!

What do you think separates the Rokugani version of a questing knight from the western versions like Galahad? Or is it mostly the same?

[Hiruma Naraku]

I second the Galahad Hikaru.

I really enjoyed our interaction, and our explanation of Sincerity is something Naraku will take with him.

[Togashi Satsuki]

Thank you for returning with Hikaru for us to conclude the love story from Dawn 3.

Now I am super-curious about what sort of answers to the riddles you thought of that did *not* make it into play.

[Makime]

"Well, the boy isn't too bright but he's honorable and means well. And at least smart enough to marry someone who is more clever then he is."

Always great fun interacting with your characters.

Ayano has you and Satsuki a wedding present. She just has to dust it off first.

[Doji Hikaru]

FORM QUESTIONS INBOUND! Especially since unlike last game, our guys barely spoke at all


1. Biggest curveball Hikaru threw you?
2. Biggest curveball the game threw you?
3. Favorite moment?
4. Biggest missed opportunity?
5. Any secrets Hikaru has that never came up?

Indeed! I was a bit less active this game, and more stuck to my comfort zone players. Perhaps next game!

1) I am honestly struggling to think of a curveball thrown by Hikaru. Oh, wait, no. The mentioning of the Crane engagement tradition of asking for three tasks was entirely improvised. Satsuki and I discussed none of that before it happened! And that obviously shaped Hikaru's biggest moments this game.
2) I went into the last two games viewing Hikaru as Doji's most faithful, and most favored, retainer. However, here, Doji showed up a few times in visions, but not to Hikaru, and she didn't mention Hikaru in any of them. Some of that was probably limited GM time, but we have to react to what we are presented with in game. That sort of caused me to revise how I viewed the relationship between the two of them, and make it a bit more one-sided devotion from Hikaru to Doji.
3) Absolutely the climax of the quest Satsuki gave to Hikaru.
4) Biggest? Hard to say. I think I managed Hikaru's time poorly. The plot that he pursued fizzled out, and he failed to pursue any plots that went anywhere.
5) His dream had his biggest secret in it. I sorta wish it had come a day or two earlier, as Hikaru had just barely managed to resolve his personal dilemma by then. Otherwise, not really!

[Doji Hikaru]

Hikaru really is the best of us, a questing knight who never wavers or falters no matter the opposition. Really enjoyed the scenes with him as discussed!

What do you think separates the Rokugani version of a questing knight from the western versions like Galahad? Or is it mostly the same?

Aww, thank you! Likewise.

Yes, good reminder that Galahad/Lancelot were also major inspirations for Hikaru, and I thought of him as a questing knight, or Lady Doji's knight.

I would say there were two big differences. The first was simply in the details, and I don't just mean that Galahad isn't usually portrayed as drinking tea. But the mannerisms, the thoughtbubbles, the attitudes, all made Hikaru a product of his culture rather than Arthurian Britain. Second is the religious angle. Galahad was a devout Christian knight, Hikaru was devoted to his Lady. Who was also, in a way, a religious figure. Confusing.

I second the Galahad Hikaru.

I really enjoyed our interaction, and our explanation of Sincerity is something Naraku will take with him.

Yes! That was a fun scene, and I enjoyed watching Naraku's journey.

[Doji Hikaru]

Thank you for returning with Hikaru for us to conclude the love story from Dawn 3.

Now I am super-curious about what sort of answers to the riddles you thought of that did *not* make it into play.

Likewise! That was definitely the highlight of the series for me. As you know, Hikaru was the first Dawn character that I managed to connect with, and I very much enjoyed this part of playing him. I very much enjoy romances, and this is the first of this particular type that I've done: fated, destined, and passionate, but conflicted because etiquette!

Hikaru was honest about his first few answers having to do with his flute, but I discarded these pretty quickly. The mirror answer came about incredibly quickly. The one that actually gave me the most trouble OOC was the first one, and one of my potential solutions there was pretty entertaining. I thought of bioluminescent creatures; maybe if he gave her a jar of fireflies? Queue some research on when you can find fireflies, learning it's not the end of winter, and I messaged Kitteh to ask if he could take me into Chikushido to get some glowing bugs. When he confirmed that he could not, I went in the direction that eventually led me to glittery paint. I'm glad that one surprised you a bit!

"Well, the boy isn't too bright but he's honorable and means well. And at least smart enough to marry someone who is more clever then he is."

Always great fun interacting with your characters.

Ayano has you and Satsuki a wedding present. She just has to dust it off first.

Oh, Makime. Hikaru really does want to give Ayano a hug the next time he sees her. However, being who he is, she'll have to settle for an understanding nod. But it was fun!

And I am also curious about the present! It's not... a Hadananzi original, is it?

[Saru Shang]

My jiggle partner!

On the topic of Kakita-inspired. You sometimes don't need to be the character to be the character. Or be the character and not be the character? I hope that makes sense. Inspirations are neat like that where you can take certain aspects, which could be based on what you think of the character than rather who the character was/is, diverging with opinions, POV, backgrounds, setting and in-game actions. Ultimately making it a very different character, even if the spirit of inspiration came from somewhere. At least, that's when inspirations are used right.

I'd like to think I played kinda-Shosuro once...even though she was so very obviously nothing like Shosuro in the slightest. Anyway, chirping at this thought! No questions, I think Hikaru is an interesting character!

[Shiba Kumori]

I’ve very much enjoyed your Kakita-inspired/True-Kakita approach and the consistent devotion! Hikaru and my Kakita are two different takes on a similar inspiration and I think yours has been excellently handled! Sorry none of our conversations really took off this game, but I enjoyed watching Hikaru and the story he has made for himself over the past couple of games!

[Doji Hikaru]

My jiggle partner!

On the topic of Kakita-inspired. You sometimes don't need to be the character to be the character. Or be the character and not be the character? I hope that makes sense. Inspirations are neat like that where you can take certain aspects, which could be based on what you think of the character than rather who the character was/is, diverging with opinions, POV, backgrounds, setting and in-game actions. Ultimately making it a very different character, even if the spirit of inspiration came from somewhere. At least, that's when inspirations are used right.

I'd like to think I played kinda-Shosuro once...even though she was so very obviously nothing like Shosuro in the slightest. Anyway, chirping at this thought! No questions, I think Hikaru is an interesting character!

Good points, and very much the case. "Kakita but wrong time and wrong place" led to a very different sort of Kakita, even before considering the other elements. And there were certainly other elements!

I’ve very much enjoyed your Kakita-inspired/True-Kakita approach and the consistent devotion! Hikaru and my Kakita are two different takes on a similar inspiration and I think yours has been excellently handled! Sorry none of our conversations really took off this game, but I enjoyed watching Hikaru and the story he has made for himself over the past couple of games!

Darn it, I went back and checked, and I really thought we were waiting on you, not me! Alas! I did do fewer open threads this game, especially once I got Covid. Do not recommend.