In Thunder's Echo (Legend of the Five Rings Quest)

[Maugan Ra]

You smile, having expected something along these lines for a while. There is only so long that any samurai can remain in contact with a Scorpion before the topic of your Clan's rather infamous disregard for honour comes up in one form or another. As such, you have taken the time to devise a suitable response in advance.

"I have heard that honour protects like armour." You say smoothly. "What then is a mask, but armour for the face?"

Doji Mariko blinks for a moment, visibly puzzling that one out, before realizing what she is doing and controlling her own thoughts once more. She laughs softly, seemingly with genuine amusement. "Riddles, Soshi-san? I would have expected such things from the Dragon, or perhaps a monk, but not from you."

"Ah, but these are a valuable training tool." You admonish gently. "One must learn to think indirectly, to work through analogy and rumour in order to be a successful Scorpion. After all, the master plotter incapable of seeing past a simple riddle to the truth beneath can hardly hope to do... whatever it is that such beings do."

"Oh? Shall I try my hand at it, then?" Mariko responds, an intrigued gleam in her eyes. "Honour protects like armour, and a mask is armour for the face. Your honour, therefore, serves the same purpose as your mask, and I have heard the Scorpion claim to wear masks as a reminder that all samurai hide their true faces. So... your honourable conduct, so unexpected from a Scorpion, serves to remind us all that the face a samurai shows to the world is distinct from what lies within his heart?"

Well, that's certainly one potential answer. This is of course the best part about hailing from a Clan renowned for twisty thinking and complex plots. You can plausibly claim any given metaphor or greater truth behind your actions, and reasonably hope to get away with it. Still, it would ruin the fun if Mariko felt entirely in control here, quite possibly for both of you. With that in mind, you incline your head in slight acknowledgement.

"Well reasoned. You would have made a fine Scorpion." You lean forwards slightly and lower your voice, more for effect than for any real expectation of being overheard. "Who knows? You might yet."

Doji Mariko flushes the most delightful shade of pink, ducking her head in sudden embarrassment. You are courteous enough not to laugh, and fortunately the servant who brings you your food a few moments later is sufficiently polite as to not mention it either.

The Lion, it seems, are reasonably conservative in their choice of food - perhaps to be expected, given their strong adherence to tradition. Rice and noodles predominate, with a side helping of poultry, all flavored with a light blend of herbs. Still, the ryorishi is commendably skilled, and your food is both filling and absolutely delicious.

Mariko is as always a charming conversationalist, and you find yourself thoroughly enjoying the rest of your time at the restraunt. She focuses more on stories from her time at the dojo, when mischievous young Cranes attempted to outmaneuver their wily sensei and typically failed in some amusing and educational manner. It is unfortunate that your own dojo days are not nearly so light-hearted, since your education began while the Scorpion were officially disbanded, but to her credit Mariko realizes that the topic might be a sore one and does not press you on it.

By the time you have finished your meal and exited the restraunt again, the sun is beginning to dip towards the horizon. The days are short in winter, especially when some of your time is inevitably taken up by official duties, and it will soon be time for the official festivities to begin. When night falls, the River of Stars will be visible in the sky, and the Weaver and the Cowherd will be able to meet at last. This is the most romantic night in the Rokugani calendar, and most of the Empire's inhabitants will turn out to 'chaperone' the celestial lovers and ask for their blessings.

The real question is, where will you and Mariko be?

Choose one:
[ ] Somewhere public. Discreetly advertising your ongoing romance will bring glory to you both, and there are many fine entertainments available that you can both enjoy.
- [ ] The Temple of Benten
- [ ] The town's Main Street
- [ ] Write in
[ ] Somewhere private. This is the most romantic night in the year, after all, and if you want to make the most of it you should stay away from prying eyes.
- [ ] A mountain path, where you can look out over the entire city.
- [ ] A semi-public park, where the trees will shield you from view.
- [ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

Side by side, the two of you make your way through the streets of the town - come to think of it, you don't know if this place has a name of it's own, or if the Lion just think of it as an extension of Shiro Matsu proper. It might be worth finding out, but honestly you doubt that such things are more than interesting trivia at the moment, and you have more important things to worry about.

The walk does give you and Mariko endless fuel for friendly conversation, however. The peasantry are doing their best to celebrate the festival in true style, and there are works of art and more basic decorations to be found everywhere you look. The air is alight with the sound of music and joyful singing, and as you pass through one of the minor junctions you take note of an ongoing dance competition of some kind further down the street. The local samurai, by contrast, appear divided. Some are all but radiating discomfort and disapproval over such flagrant displays of emotion, while others are seizing the opportunity to celebrate in ways that the bounds of propriety would not normally permit.

You and Mariko slip through the confusion of the streets with relative ease, drawing only the minimal amount of attention as you navigate around knots of pedestrians and through minor side streets, smiling and trading remarks about some of the more blatant displays of joyous affection around you. By silent agreement, you begin to head towards the edge of town, where the tightly packed buildings give way to the slopes of the mountains. While venturing into the wilderness proper is unlikely to be viable, there are several minor foothills nearby that should offer an excellent view of the night sky, as well as providing a substantial amount of privacy.

Investigation/Perception 3k2 = 6

As the sun dips behind the horizon, you find your ideal spot. Halfway up the slopes of one of the minor hills adjacent to the town is a small copse of woodland, reached only by a narrow path that winds its way up the slope, and at the edge of that copse is a small clearing that offers a clear view out over the town. From here you can see everything, and the scene reminds you of a shallow river - streams of people flow back and forth through the streets, winding their way around and between buildings that jut up into the air like stones from a stream. You are too far away to hear the sounds of the people clearly, but the rise and fall of their ongoing celebrations washes over you in gentle waves. The whole scene is stained in red and gold, the winter sun slowly fading over the horizon and painting the mountains with intricate patterns of shadow and light.

"The natural world can be so beautiful." Mariko says softly, looking into the sunset. "We try so hard to capture it in our poems and songs, like children chasing sunbeams, that sometimes I think we are in danger of forgetting what it is we truly seek."

"Certainly, I should hate to forget the sight before me now." You comment, speaking with equally gentle words as the situation seems to demand, observing the beautiful Crane as she is illuminated by the setting sun. "To lose such a memory would be among the greatest of tragedies."

"Flatterer." Mariko says with a smile. She seems to be waiting for something, and after a moment you decide to take a chance, stepping slightly closer and extending one arm to rest lightly around her waist. There is a momentary pause, both of you watching the sunset rather than each other, then Mariko steps relaxes slightly and leans into the embrace.

Winter's touch lies upon the land and there is a light frosting of snow on the ground, but Mariko is warm against your side and you barely even feel the chill of the evening air. Standing together, you watch as the sunlight fades and the shadows gather. It might be a little frightening, to be all but alone in a land of darkness, but one by one the stars begin to shine in the dark sky above. They glitter silently, like diamonds wrapped in silk, hundreds or even thousands of them dancing in the nighttime sky. Looking up, you identify the gleaming lights of the Cowherd and the Weaver stars, separated by the glowing trail of Amaterasu's necklace but burning bright for all to see. It is truly a beautiful sight.

There is a faint scuff sound from behind you, as a sandled foot displaces the snow.

Slowly, you look around, the beauty and serenity of the moment giving way to a sinking feeling. Emerging from within the small copse of trees is a tall and slender man dressed in blue and white, his pale hair unsecured and waving slightly in the breeze. Whether he stumbled across you by accident or has been following you for some time you do not know, but while you have never spoken to him before there is no mistaking his identity.

Kakita Sekawa walks towards you, murder in his eyes and one hand upon his sword.

What do you do?
[ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

Your sensei said there would be moments like this. Times when all of your plans and scheming come to a head, and you find yourself dancing along the edge of life and death, where all you can do is act without thought and trust to your training and the favour of the Fortunes and your ancestors to carry you through.

Finding yourself all but alone on a gloomy hillside, facing down a trained Kakita duelist with murder in his eyes probably counts.

"Kakita-san." You say with some (entirely justified) alarm, stepping away from Doji Mariko. You can feel the courtier's body tense for that brief moment just before you pull away, and in that split-second make the choice to gamble upon her skill more than your own. "Is something wrong? Is Doji-sama in danger?"

He is her Yojimbo, after all. There is a faint chance that there really is an innocent explanation for this, and if there's not then it still forms a reasonable excuse for him to save face and back down honourably. To help sell the image, you draw your sword and make a deliberate, almost exaggerated scan of the nearby area for possible hostiles.

"It appears so, Soshi-san." Kakita Sekawa says in a hard tone of voice, and hearing it you feel your chances of escaping this confrontation slip away. "Mortal peril, no less. Because, you see, it turns out that she issued a challenge in response to a lethal insult... and chose you to act as her champion."

Ah. So that's what this is about. You wish you could say you were surprised, but truthfully you would be a fool to expect such a deed to pass without some form of comment. That it would come from this particular source is unfortunate, but potentially manageable.

"That was my decision, Kakita-san." Doji Mariko interjects in a voice as cold and clear as the mountain frost. "You are my retainer. If you take issue with one of my decisions, you may raise your concerns in the proper way. This is not it. As your superior, I order you to stand down."

For a moment, you dare to hope that Kakita Sekawa will take the sensible course of action and back down. It would take a few well chosen words and some invested effort to smooth over the loss of face and violation of etiquette, but it could be done. Alas...

"No." The duelist says simply, and out of the corner of your eye you see Mariko flinch as though slapped. "My sincerest apologies, Doji-sama, but I cannot obey that order. My daimyo commanded me to stand by your side and turn back all threats to your life and the interests of the Crane. Standing down would directly contradict that order."

"Don't take me for a fool, Sekawa." Mariko all but hisses, abandoning etiquette in her shock and anger. "We both know your heart makes this decision, not your duty."

"A man may be driven to act by more than one motive, Doji-sama." Kakita Sekawa says calmly. "In this case, I have many causes to step in before you commit a particularly inelegant form of suicide."

You really should stay out of this, but judging by the look on Sekawa's face you doubt that's actually an option, and you need to clarify things the situation before you know how to respond. "Kakita-san, you speak as if my defeat - and Doji-sama's resultant seppuku - are inevitable."

You're not one for excessive pride, but the assumption there still rankles, all the more so when Sekawa simply nods.

"I asked around about your opponent, Soshi-san. The Lion were more than pleased to tell me all about her." He says levelly. "Matsu Heijiko is twenty four years old. She is a decorated and experienced Bushi. During the Second Day of Thunder, she stood with her sisters on the front lines and claimed the head of an Ogre in single combat. In a duel to first blood you might be fast enough to have a chance, but fighting to the death she will take you apart."

Ah. That is... concerning. You strive to keep your reactions off of your face, but judging by the look in Sekawa's eyes you don't quite manage it. He smiles without humour.

"If you merely decided to challenge her on your own, I would not care, Scorpion. But I do not trust your skill to keep my kin from death." He says levelly. "So. I challenge you, here and now, for the insult you offer me by seeking to usurp my family's sworn duty. Defeat me, and maybe you can be trusted to defend Doji-sama against the Lion. Fall, and I will take your place."

"I would need my lord's permission." You point out.

"For a duel to the death, absolutely. But this is merely a test of skill, to be ended when one combatant can no longer stand. And I rather doubt that a Matsu will object over being given a chance to cross blades with a Kakita." Sekawa replies, his expression shifting from murderous to oddly serene. "I will not be so easily deflected, Soshi-san. Face me or forfeit. Choose."

How do you respond?
[ ] Accept the challenge (will begin an Iaijutsu duel against Kakita Sekawa)
[ ] Forfeit, and yield your right to stand as Mariko's champion.
[ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

You have a split second to make a decision, to balance all of the various incentives and risks of the paths before you and choose. There are many factors to consider, but thinking about them in depth is not an option available to you. With that in mind, you take a moment to focus yourself, trust in your instincts and respond.

"Very well, Kakita-san. Your point is well taken, and I admit I may have been somewhat hasty when making my offer." You say calmly, noting the flickering expression of surprise on the faces of both Crane as you do. "Matsu Heijiko was just so very offensive that I could not simply bear to stand by."

Sekawa nods cautiously, and you get the impression that this might not be how he was expecting things to go. Eventually you imagine people will start expecting you to play against type in these sorts of situations, at which point you might get a chance to indulge in some stereotypical Scorpion villainy. For now, though, you need to navigate the situation before you.

"I suspect you are the better duelist, and would be glad to give you an opportunity to prove it. If this means that Doji-sama is able to call upon a better class of champion, all the better." You gesture to your surroundings. "Even so, I cannot help but notice that we are some distance from the town, with no Shugenja to be seen. Under such conditions, a duel fought until one party can no longer stand would seem to be just as lethal in the final accounting as one fought to the death from the beginning."

Kakita Sekawa looks around you and then nods slowly. "You do make a fine point there, Soshi-san." He says warily, and you get the impression that he would not exactly be disappointed if you were to wind up dead from this.

"In which case, would honour be satisfied by a duel to first blood instead?" You seize the opportunity presented by his admission. If you can find a way to get out of this with your life intact, then there will still be an opportunity to address any lingering problems in the future. Kakita Sekawa seems to consider this for a moment, glancing sideways at Mariko, but whatever the Doji thinks is obscured behind a perfectly composed On. Eventually, he nods.

"That would be acceptable, Soshi-san."

You breath out slowly, watching the air turn to mist as it leaves your mouth, then take several paces sideways into the clearing proper. The snow crunches softly beneath your feet as you take up position, and the moon's light gleams off the length of your unsheathed sword. You could return it to your saya and try to draw it as part of the strike... but that is the Kakita style, and your opponent is doubtlessly better at it than you are. Instead, you take hold of your katana in both hands and raise it into a high guard, looking along the polished steel length at the Kakita who stands against you.

Sekawa holds himself with calm confidence, having moved to take up position several sword-lengths away from you, and his katana remains sheathed at his side with his hand resting on the hilt. His palm is turned up, as though holding a gift, and there is a kind of unconscious grace to his stance and movements which suggest that he has done this many, many times before.

Spoiler: Assessment Stage

Both Duelists make an Iaijutsu/Awareness test against a TN of 10+(Enemy IRx5). In this case, the TN for both parties is 20. Success reveals information about their opponent's capabilities.

Naoto rolls 5k4 = 46.
Sekawa rolls ??? = 26

You discern that Sekawa has a Reflexes of 3, an Iaijutsu skill rank of 4 and a Void rank of 3. Since you beat his total by more than 10, you also gain an additional +1k1 bonus in the Focus stage.

Fortunately, you are a Scorpion, and thus very good at studying people for weaknesses and secrets while concealing your own. It is no surprise to you that a Kakita should have evidently trained for longer and with more dedication to the art of Iaijutsu, but judging by the way he is moving... yes, you are sure of it. With the benefit of the Thunder Dragon's blessing, you are faster in thought and body than he is. That may be very important, very soon.

Spoiler: Focus Stage

At this stage, both combatants make an Iaijutsu (Focus)/Void contested roll. If one duelist beats the other by at least five, they are able to strike first, and gain a Free Raise on the subsequent attack roll for every additional five they defeat their opponent by. If neither duelist exceeds their opponent's roll by five or more, then a simultaneous 'kharmic strike' takes place.

Note that you are gaining the advantages of the Centre Stance for both this and the subsequent attack roll, adding 1k1+Void to your total.

Naoto rolls 5k4+2 = 40
Sekawa rolls ??? = 67

Focusing on your breathing, you allow yourself to sink into the half-aware trance that your sensei taught you when your lessons first covered dueling. If you try to think your way through this, you are likely to be defeated, and quite painfully at that. Instead, you must clear your mind of all distractions, of all thoughts. Exist in the moment, and in that moment, be victorious.

Everything fades away around you. The trees, the moonlight, the snow under your feet... it is all meaningless. All that exists in this world is you and your sword.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Move.

Spoiler: Strike Phase

Sekawa won the Focus roll, and gains an additional four Free Raises from his superior result. He rolls against your armour TN as normal, which in this case is 25.

Sekawa rolls ??? = 46
Sekawa hits. Sekawa rolls for damage...

...you appear to be bleeding.

Kakita Sekawa is directly in front of you, his sword held out horizontally to his side, and there is a rather nasty gash all the way across your chest. Scorpion colours of red and black combined with the low light mean you cannot easily see the blood, but there is a slowly spreading sensation of pain coming from that general area which suggests that you should probably seek medical attention.

Grimacing, you lower your sword and slide it carefully into the saya, biting your lip to hold back the hiss of pain that comes as the movement stretches the bleeding wound. A few drops of scarlet fall to the ground and stain the pristine snow.

"It seems you are victorious, Kakita-san." You say slowly, as your opponent backs away and sheathes his own blade. "Congratulations. I will inform my lord promptly, and the court tomorrow."

Kakita Sekawa inclines his head to you, and you look over at Doji Mariko, who is still hiding her feelings behind a frozen mask. "My apologies for interrupting our evening, Doji-sama, but I really should make that report quite soon."

She nods shallowly, seeing through the excuse to the pain and injury underneath, apparently not trusting herself to speak. You bow to them both as best you can, and then turn around to head back to Shiro Matsu.

A rather unfortunate end to the most romantic night of the year... but at least you are still alive. It seems you will simply have to be content with that.

-/-

Naoto has taken 20 wounds, and is in the 'Grazed (+5)' wound bracket. You have a few decisions to make now.

When returning to Shiro Matsu, there is a good chance that some of the Lion will notice that you have been injured. How will you respond?
[ ] Ignore the pain and make no reference to your injury, but head straight to your quarters.
[ ] Request medical attention.
- [ ] Explain what happened.
- [ ] Come up with some kind of cover story (write in)
[ ] Write in

Bayushi Kimoko will be wanting an explanation of why you challenged a Matsu to a lethal duel, why you have such a serious injury, and generally what the hell happened when she took her eye off you for five seconds. What do you tell her?
[ ] Write in

You will need to provide an explanation of your injury to the court as a whole, as well as inform Matsu Ketsui and Matsu Heijiko of your decision to step down as champion. How will you word this?
[ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

It takes you some time to make your way back to your quarters within Shiro Matsu, but then perhaps it is merely your injury that makes the journey seem so much longer. Your chest feels like it is both aflame and touched by ice at the same time, and you suspect that walking around with the wound untreated is only making things worse. Still, asking for help in town is not an ideal result, and fortunately the dark colours of your kimono help to hide the blood.

You are fairly sure that the Matsu standing guard at the castle entrance are perfectly aware that you are injured, but while they offer aid in a relatively discrete fashion they do not press the matter when you wave it off. Indeed, several of them nod in approval - you suspect this probably counts as some kind of display of bravado in their eyes. Well, you can live with that.

As it turns out, both of your fellow Scorpion are absent from your quarters when you return, doubtless making good use of the festivities or the distraction that they provide. You grunt in disappointment, and are just considering whether to apply a simple dressing yourself or head out in search of aid when there is a quiet gasp from the corridor outside.

Wren, the servant girl, stands there with her hand over her mouth. "Samurai-sama! You are hurt! Do you need medical attention?"

You nod slightly. "A matter of honour. And yes, if you know someone capable of treating injuries, please direct them to me. Alternately, do you know when my kinsman, Yogo Hanzo, will return?"

Wren shakes her head. "My apologies, samurai-sama, I do not know about your kin. But... I have some skill in treating injuries, if you require aid?"

You consider for a moment, then nod. Keeping the truth of the extent of your injury within the Clan and those indebted to it seems like a wise enough move. So you wait patiently while Wren fetches some basic medical supplies from her quarters, taking a seat in the centre of the room and focusing on controlling your reaction to the pain.

Amusingly, the peasant girl actually seems to become stern and authoritative when she returns to treat you, kneeling by your side and issuing instructions in a crisp tone of voice. You suppose that she is focusing on her duty too much to give excessive thought to courtesy, but it still catches your curiousity. As does the skill with which she cleans out the long slash wound across your chest and sets to work on bandaging it up.

You suspect she might have had to treat sword wounds before.

"Samurai-sama..." She says quietly as she works. "I... my family and I owe you a debt. Is there any way in which we might be able to repay it?"

Respond:
[ ] Write in

-/-

Wren is just finishing up when the door to your quarters slides open and Bayushi Kimoko returns. Your superior looks at the bloody bandages, the bowing peasant woman and the distinctive katana wound on your chest. Her one visible eye narrows.

"Explain."

Bowing low, you do just that. You relay the full details of what happened as clearly and succinctly as you can, adding your own observations and thoughts in quick asides where they help to provide useful context. The Crane, their letter, Genji's request and more are quickly reported, while your superior listens silently. Eventually you finish, and wait in silence for your superior's judgement.

"I see." Kimoko says at last. "Well, I won't deny that you achieved your goals, albeit not in a way I would have recommended. Tell me, Soshi-san, what would you say your biggest mistake was?"

You wince slightly. "I... did not have a plan in mind to deal with Matsu Heijiko when I issued the challenge, Bayushi-sama. Given what Kakita-san told me, it is likely she would have proven too skilled for me to overcome in a duel. I should not have risked my life without your permission."

"No. You should not." Kimoko says bluntly, before sighing. "Still, success is an excellent justification, and I would be the greatest hypocrite imaginable if I were to disapprove of taking foolish risks in pursuit of your goals."

There is little you can say in response to that, so you remain silent. Bayushi Kimoko studies you for a long moment, then smiles. "Still, I suppose this is a sign that I was right. I believe it is time that we develop your training, Soshi-san, and since we are far from the dojos of our Clan I will have to be your teacher. After all, while one loss is not so bad, I do not want you disgracing us in the future. I think... five days should do."

"Of course, Bayushi-sama." You say uncertainly. "Though I believe I still need to inform the court of the arrangement."

"I will take care of that, Soshi-san." Kimoko says with a wide smile. "You get some rest. You're going to need it."

You suddenly begin to feel very, very afraid.

-/-

Soshi Naoto has demonstrated his courage, his insight and his skill, making significant progress on the matter of the Crane Delegation's strange behaviour. He earns six experience points, for a current total of eleven.

Although his conduct and skillful handling of the fallout have mitigated any loss of honour, Naoto has been defeated in a duel and then withdrawn from the public eye at his lord's command. He loses two points of Glory.

You have five days until the next scheduled activity, the Winding River Banquet. Bayushi Kimoko has commanded that you spend the mornings training with her. In the afternoons, however, she is attended to her courtly duties and you have some free time. You may select one additional activity to complete on each day.

Note that spending additional time training is possible, and has a chance of generating further rewards. Alternately, you could spend time with a chosen NPC, or try to achieve some personal goal.

How do you spend you time?
[ ] Write in (x5)

BONUS
Bayushi Kimoko is a fine educator, if somewhat... enthusiastic. Over the course of the training montage (which will likely take up two or three updates), you gain a discount on purchasing Bugei skills.

The discount currently stands at -1xp to the cost of each purchased rank, to a minimum of 1xp.

 

[Maugan Ra]

[x]"You are an honor to your family, Wren-san, but there is no debt. Your Uncle deserved Justice and it was my Honor to help give it. The Emperors Under-Hand is sworn to uncover and deal with such matters, from those plots targeting the whole of Rokugan, to those threatening a single member. While there are duties you could take on to further help the Empire, I will not force them upon you by some nonexistent debt. "Remove your mask and ask gently:"Do you want to serve the Emperors Under-Hand Wren-san?"
-[x]Should she accept, instruct her in the basics of what we need. Essentially keeping her ear out for any plots, especially against the Empire, the Matsu or the Scorpion. Note that something is going on with the Crane, and any light she could shed on the situation would be helpful.
--[x] "If I am unavailable, or you cannot reach me for some other reason and the matter is time sensitive you can approach Pale Oak-san. He is a colleague of yours now. You may find his advice helpful in performing your new duties."

Click to shrink...

For some reason, Wren blushes furiously when you remove your mask, and seems torn between looking away and focusing on tending to your injury. Why would... oh, right. Shirtless samurai who saved her family from an unfortunate fate. Well, as flattering as it is, you should probably not draw attention to it.

"I... yes, samurai-sama. I would." She whispers quietly, as though hardly daring to believe her own audacity.

"Excellent." You say with a smile, replacing your mask. "Here is what you should do..."

[x] Whether she accepts to job offer or not, ask her gently: "You are quite skilled in treating sword wounds. Might I ask where you practiced the art?"

Click to shrink...

"I..." She hesitates for a moment, schooling her expression to neutrality. "The Matsu family have a great reverence for their swords, Samurai-sama. A number of them believe that their blades should not be sheathed without tasting blood. Heimin blood is apparently sufficient."

She ducks her head and returns to concentrating on your wounds.

-/-

10th Day of the Boar

Kemari balls are generally little more than gravel wrapped in animal hide or linen, easily prepared and available in considerable numbers during any respectable court. The Matsu seem to have a fondness for the game, as it combines relaxation with the physical training of reflexes and coordination, and Bayushi Kimoko appears to have laid her hands on several of them without serious difficulty.

Her decision to throw them at you with great force rather than simply indulge in a few games is rather unconventional, to say the least.

Working your jaw, you do your best to avoid any sign of the pain you feel from showing on your face. Even so, you're fairly sure you can taste blood inside your mouth, and considering your commander's last shot hit you in the chest, that's probably not a good sign. Still, you aren't falling over yet, and while the methods are dubious your lord's insistence that you learn to draw your sword fast enough to counteract the effects of being surprised makes sense. If you can perform a proper Iaijutsu draw at the right moment, you will be able to knock the incoming ball out of the air before it hits you. If not, you are provided with yet more motivation for future attempts.

At least she's been considerate enough to keep your training inside one of the dojos the Lion have allowed you to use, rather than out in the parade square. You feel thoroughly undignified as it is, and there is no need to add to your humiliation by inviting multiple witnesses.

Kimoko tosses one of the balls from hand to hand with a cheerful smile, and you work to suppress a sigh as you sink back into your stance.

-/-

11th Day of the Boar

"Again."

You try not to groan, but it is difficult. Your muscles are burning and your whole body is soaked in sweat, but Bayushi Kimoko does not let up. She stands in front of you, studying your moves with a critical eye as you bring your sword up and begin to move through the katas she demonstrated to you once more.

"You think this is too difficult?" She asks in a hard tone of voice. "That I am, perhaps, demanding too much of you, too quickly?"

"No... Bayushi-sama." You reply, breathing heavily as you wrestle with what feels like a lead weight as you move through the motions once again. You must have done this dozens, perhaps even hundreds of times so far, and your lord shows no sign of letting up just yet.

"Good. You have never stood on the battlefield, Soshi-san, but you are a Bushi. One day, you will have to." She says curtly. "On that day, you must be capable of performing your moves no matter how much your body aches or your mind cries out for rest. They must be automatic, worthy of no more thought than breathing. You must see your enemy without focusing, understand what he will do and how he will react even as you doubt your own ability to take another step. If you can not, then you will die, and in dying you will go before your ancestors in shame. Is that what you want?"

Up and around... sweep low and double back... a quick jab, not committing...

"No... Bayushi-sama..." You manage to gasp out.

"I'm not sure I believe your sincerity." Kimoko says, drawing her sword in a ripple of glinting light. "Now... dodge."

What is she... ARGH KAMI THAT HURTS...

-/-

Results

Through intensive training, Naoto has learned the second technique of his school. By dedicating two additional days to his training, he has also learned the Kata 'Strength of the Scorpion'. These are detailed below.

Pincers and Tail - The infamous Scorpion Feint has been the demise of many fine samurai. You may take the Feint maneuver for one raise when making an attack, instead of two.

Strength of the Scorpion - This kata may be activated as a simple action (or as a free action when beginning an Iaijutsu duel), and remains in effect for the duration of any given skirmish or battle. Once per round, after successfully employing the Feint maneuver, you may raise your final damage inflicted by +3 wounds.

Feinting (One Raise) - A feint involves first misleading the target into believing that you are going to attack in one particular fashion, then exploiting the holes in their defense opened when they attempt to counter your attack. After a successful feint, halve the difference between your attack roll and the enemy's armour TN, then apply the result as additional wounds when rolling for damage. The maximum additional wounds inflicted is (5xIR).

-/-

12th Day of the Boar

As you are leaving the dojo on the third day of your training, the door slides open before your lord can reach it. Standing on the other side is Matsu Ketsui, clad in instructor's gear rather like that which Kimoko is wearing. And beyond her is... Matsu Heijiko.

As you bow to the Daimyo and vacate the area, you consider what this might mean. If Ketsui is training Heijiko prior to her duel with Kakita Sekawa... that could be a problem. You understand that the duel has been scheduled for late afternoon on the fourteenth day of the Boar, so you have until then to decide if you are going to do anything with this information.

What do you do?
[ ] Stick to the existing vote, as detailed below. Sekawa is a fine duelist, and it takes more than a few days to become good enough to match one of the Kakita on the field.
[ ] Modify your intended actions in some way (Write in)

[x] Present our plans to Bayushi-sama. Listen to any orders or advice she might offer. We do not want a repeat of the duel incident.
[x] Contact Ikoma Genji (by appropriately secretive means - probably including letters). Once he has deigned to arrange for a meeting or other trustworthy channel, reveal what you have found about the source of the Crane's orders. Ask if he might be able to provide you with an example of a message written in the Champion's own handwriting. We also could use a copy of the vax imprint left by the Champions seal.(and whatever else our Investigative skill tell us we may want to ask from him)
[x] Approach Doji Mariko. Spend some time with her, stabilizing things after the recent events, and trying to get a feel for how the dynamic may have changed. Bring our ink brush kit, as well as several pages of parchment. Use some of it for any poetry that comes to mind.
-[x] If we have recovered what we need from Genji and the conditions seem right, (appropriate levels of privacy and she is relaxed enough) proceed. If not, see if we cannot help create the right conditions, but do not force the issue. If she seems disinclined to discuss serious matters, let it go for now.
--[x] Should we succeed, mention casually that you may have a way of testing the validity of the letter that she received from her Champion. Imply that after she expressed her opinion, it seemed to confirm some information we had gathered and led to new clues. Present what we would reasonably need to determine if the letter is genuine, if we were going to do that. Idly note that there are many ways that small items can be temporarily misplaced and things are lost and show up in the strangest of places. Trickster spirits playing games no doubt. Pointedly set aside our ink brush kit and pile of parchments. Conveniently forget them when leaving.
---[x]If she argues against such misplacements citing Courtesy, calmly argue back that she should consider the wider consequences of if we prove the letter is a fake. For example, if someone could forge one, why not more? The damage such a hypothetical miscreant could inflict would be considerable. There could be Cranes all over Rokugan following orders designed to make them subtly sabotage the very harmony and peace they are sworn to protect. Such a threat to the Empire would be devastating if left unchecked. It would be our Duty as a member of the Emperors Under-hand to stop such a disruptive plot. We might even ask for her help in stopping such a thing, for is it not a Cranes Duty to help preserve the harmony of the Empire? Spend a Void Point on the Argument.
[x] Try to spend some time with Kakita Sekawa, reassuring him we bear no grudge for the duel and have a healty respect for his skills with the blade. If this can be done on the training yards, all the better.

Click to shrink...

 

[Maugan Ra]

12th Day of the Boar (Afternoon)

Fortunately, arranging a meeting with Ikoma Genji is relatively simple. He is still an attendee of the court, and while there are no doubt some among your fellow guests who are trying to deduce the hidden meaning behind his every last move, sometimes even a respected karo can simply desire friendly conversation.

"I understand that your lord is keeping you quite busy." He comments as you walk through the corridors of Shiro Matsu. The trick is not to find somewhere that you cannot be overheard, but rather to find somewhere where only those loyal to your fellow conspirators could possibly overhear - a much easier proposition in a place like this than, say, Kyuden Bayushi. Of course just about anywhere is an easier place to keep a secret than Kyuden Bayushi, but that's besides the point.

"Hai, Ikoma-sama." You reply, and you don't have to fake the slight edge of fatigue in your words. "I have no doubt my training will make me a better samurai, but it does demand a significant investment of time. Which reminds me - I believe I may have come up with a solution to that riddle you asked me the other day."

"Oh?" Genji says casually, raising an eyebrow. "That was fast. Clearly, I shall have to make the next one harder."

You wince slightly, in order to convey to any watchers that this is simply an ongoing challenge between the two of you. Games of riddles and other mental challenges are a reasonably common pastime at court, so it shouldn't stand out too much. "Well, perhaps - I should hate to tarnish my reputation in your eyes. Maybe I will take another few days to consider it at length. That said, I think some of my companions might appreciate the opportunity to try their own luck at something similar. Would you happen to have any more riddles, in the same style, that they might be able to attempt?"

Ikoma Genji is an intelligent man trained in a school that emphasizes the ability to hold and compare large quantities of knowledge in one's memory. It does not take him long to piece together the true meaning of your request, and after a long pause he inclines his head. "I imagine that would be possible. Give me a day or two to find something appropriate."

Meaning that he doesn't have any of the letters on-hand and will need to speak to his 'old friend' in order to acquire a sample for comparison. Not perfect, but good enough.

-/-

13th Day of the Boar

As was perhaps to be expected, some of the closeness you were developing with Doji Mariko has receded after the rather dramatic ending to the Festival. She is still willing to speak with you, and indeed at the moment the two of you are playing Go on the balcony overlooking the main court chamber, but there is a certain reserve to her now that was not visible beforehand. She still seems fond of you, but equally there is a bond of some kind between her and Sekawa - forged by long association if nothing else. You suspect that she is currently feeling somewhat torn between the two of you, so out of respect for her evident desires you dial back the quiet flirting and suggested intimacy.

Sometimes, someone just needs a little bit of space while they get their feelings in order. In the mean-time, Mariko is slowly improving as a Go player, and her progress is equally apparent to the both of you.

"Thank you for taking the time to tutor me, Soshi-san." She says with a soft smile, placing down one of her pieces on the game board. "I know you have many constraints upon your free time of late."

"Less than you might expect, Doji-sama." You counter, laying down your own piece before nodding in the direction of the vacant throne at the far end of the hall. "With the honored Daimyo otherwise occupied, my courtly duties are not as time consuming as they might otherwise be."

Mariko looks at you for a moment, no doubt sensing that there is more to the comment than meets the eye, and nods. "True. I wonder what our honourable host is occupied with?"

"Personal training, as I understand it. As to be expected of the Matsu." You reply casually, before dropping your voice to a subtle whisper as you convey the truly important part. "Along with Matsu Heijiko."

Mariko pauses, all visible motion locked away behind a perfectly composed mask. She considers the board between you for a moment, then sets down her stone to one side. "I yield. Thank you for the game, Soshi-san. It was... enlightening."

"Any time, Doji-sama." You reply, and struggle to keep your thoughts hidden as Mariko turns and leaves the balcony. Well, you've passed on your message, and there isn't really enough time left to do anything else. Hopefully it is enough.

-/-

Fourteenth Day of the Boar

You return to Shiro Matsu in a thoughtful mood. Ikoma Ganyu was quite willing to accept your invitation to the theater, and sufficiently impressed with the Five Arches that he allowed his tongue to loosen somewhat. Apparently Pale Oak has already made good on his promise to provide extra Heimin scribes to the magistrates, and Ganyu for one is exceptionally glad of the assistance. He won't talk about ongoing cases casually, but you get the impression he might be willing to discuss specific incidents if you ask politely. Another useful resource you may be able to call upon in the future.

The play that you saw was a romantic tragedy - a common enough tale in a land where the blessing of Benten is so often associated with trouble and the breaking of hearts. It centered around a Lion samurai of unknown family named 'Arimi', and the secret lover that she frequently visited whenever her duties as a karo left her able. Perhaps inevitably the affair was eventually found out and Arimi was disgraced before the court of her lord, who was so incensed that he not only commanded her to commit seppuku but gave her a wooden blade. Even in the lands of the Scorpion you know such an action as a mortal insult, for a wooden sword implies that you are either too dishonourable or simply too cowardly to actually go through with the deed.

You must remember to commend the actress who played Arimi, for the sheer impact of the scene when she performed the three cuts with the wooden sword in front of the entire court was astounding. The Lion samurai watching it with you appeared to be profoundly affected by the display, and solemnly approving of the message their unknown ancestor sought to teach with her last breath.

It is, perhaps, a very Lion decision to remember such a woman in the same way as honoured war heroes.

Still, you have little enough time for such thoughts now. Ahead of you a crowd has gathered around the perimeter of one of the parade squares, and through the gap in their ranks you believe you can see Kakita Sekawa preparing for his duel with Matsu Heijiko. The sense of anticipation is thick upon the air.

What do you want to do?
[ ] Observe the duel.
- [ ] Stand with your fellow Scorpion, so that you might better coordinate your response to whatever happens.
- [ ] Stand near Doji Mariko, to offer her some degree of support.
- [ ] Stand near the Lion, so you can read and perhaps influence their reaction to the whole affair.
- [ ] Stand somewhere else (write in)
[ ] Do not observe the duel. Do something else instead. (Write in)

 

[Maugan Ra]

For a moment, you consider finding Doji Mariko and standing by her side for this, to offer her your support. After brief consideration, you decide against it - there would be no practical benefit to such a move, and indeed it might serve to fatally distract Kakita Sekawa at a critical moment. Even if he manages to win regardless, it would merely serve to highlight your connection with the Crane in the eyes of all those who are watching. You doubt that many among the Lion have missed your budding romance, but even so discretion is probably called for.

With that in mind you quickly work your way around the edges of the gathered observers, making your way towards the pair of black and red figures waiting on the periphery of the square. Bayushi Kimoko nods to you as you approach before turning her attention back to the developing spectacle, while Yogo Hanzo doesn't seem to move at all. You fall in between them, folding your arms across your chest to ward off the cold and hide any sign of nerves.

Kakita Sekawa waits patiently on the far side of the dueling field, dressed in a kimono of pale blue edged in white, utterly motionless. It has started to snow, a light rain of glittering white flakes falling from the heavens to settle across his shoulders and around his feet. Across from him, Matsu Heijiko is kneeling on the edge of the parade square, her sheathed katana laid out across her lap and her face turned up towards the darkening sky. She seems utterly composed, though you can see her lips moving in what is presumably a prayer of some kind. And... yes, there is Mariko, standing alone in the crowd with a notably empty space between her and the rest of the observers.

You note that there are four Shugenja with the mon of the Kitsu family standing around the edge of the square, holding beautiful scrolls open in their hands and murmuring prayers to the kami. You frown slightly, and it seems that Hanzo guesses your intended question, because he answers in a voice that is little more than a whisper.

"They are sanctifying the dueling field, Soshi-san." He says, his enclosing mask making his voice echo slightly. "Importuning the Kami to make sure that no unwanted magic influences the result of the contest. They should be done... now."

As he says the words, the other shugenja complete their ritual and stand back, fading into the crowd. Matsu Heijiko rises to her feet, as her Daimyo walks out from behind her and takes up a position equidistant from the two duelists.

"As lord of this castle, I claim the right to act as judge." Matsu Ketsui says, her voice cutting across the parade ground with ease. "Any who dishonour the traditions displayed here, dishonour me. You are so warned."

She takes two paces back in a ritual fashion, clearing the way between the opposing samurai. "This duel is to be fought between Matsu Heijiko and Kakita Sekawa, in defense of the honour of Doji Mariko." Whatever Ketsui's feelings on the matter of Mariko's conduct may be, she keeps her voice calm and impartial as she proceeds through the rituals of the duel. "Matsu Heijiko, as protocol demands you are hereby offered the chance to apologize for the insult."

Heijiko shakes her head slightly, gazing at Sekawa with deadly calm eyes. "I cannot, Matsu-dono. I spoke honestly, and I stand by my words."

"Very well." Ketsui says, unfazed. "Then take your positions."

With slow, careful steps Heijiko and Sekawa take up positions opposite one another, barely more than two sword lengths apart. Both of them have opted to leave their swords sheathed for the start of this, and their hands rest lightly on the hilts.

"Do either of you have anything to say?" Ketsui asks, and such is the tension in the air that her words are almost the only audible sound apart from the faint howling of the wind. Both combatants shake their heads, and the Daimyo raises one hand into the air. "Very well. The result of this duel will be considered binding in all particulars. Begin!"

Everything happens very fast.

There is no long delay as the duelists size each other up, no dramatic pause as you might find in a play, or indeed in your own duel with Kakita Sekawa earlier in the week. Even as the command leaves Ketsui's lips and her hand swings down, Matsu Heijiko is leaping forwards, hauling her sword free of the saya with ferocious force.

There is a horrible tearing sound.

Matsu Heijiko slides to a halt several paces past her opponent, snow piling up around her feet as she struggles to control her own momentum.

Kakita Sekawa blinks, once. His feet do not move from their spot, fixed in place like the roots of a giant tree.

His torso hits the ground.

His victorious opponent looks around, smiles, and raises her sword to the heavens above.

"MATSU!"

How do you respond?
[ ] Write in

Spoiler: The Rolls, if you're curious

Spoiler: Assessment

Sekawa 7k3 = 19
Heijiko 4k2 = 10
Neither duelist manages to gain any information about their opponent.

Spoiler: Focus

Sekawa 9k5+5 = 45
Heijiko 7k5+4 = 66
Sekawa has a notably better pool than Heijiko does, but does not get any exploding dice. Heijiko... manages to score 28 on a single dice, and beats him by 21. This is enough to secure the first strike and gain three Free Raises on the Strike roll.

Spoiler: Strike

Heijiko gets to attack first. She decides she wants to take full advantage of her chance, and calls two raises on the attack roll for extra damage and place all three of her Free Raises into doing the same. Her modified TN is now 33.

Heijiko 6k4+4 = 35.

Heijiko hits. She uses the special ability of the katana to spend a Void point on the damage roll. Her total damage roll is 14k3+7, which becomes 10k5+7 because you cannot roll more than ten dice at a time in L5R.

Heijiko 10k5+7 = 64.

 

[Maugan Ra]

...oh.

Well then. You have to admit you're not entirely sure what you should be thinking right now, let alone feeling. While you always knew on the intellectual level that there was a chance the duel could go against the Crane, and what precisely it would cost them if it did, you hadn't really given the possibility much thought. It just hadn't seemed very likely.

It was iaijutsu, and he was a fucking Kakita...

No, anger is not productive right now. You can already see Doji Mariko close her eyes on the far side of the parade ground, drawing back within herself as all around her the Lion cheer their comrade's stunning victory over their ancestral foe. Without a word, the Crane turns and heads back towards her quarters, moving at a calm and steady pace. Several of the Lion watch her go, but you cannot read their expressions from this angle and distance.

"Bayushi-sama?" You say quietly, aware that your lord is looking at you out of the corner of her eye. You're not quite sure what you want right now, and taking refuge in your lord's commands seems... well, maybe not ideal, but probably better than many other options.

"Hold, Soshi-san." Kimoko says calmly. "Before you go, what precisely do you intend to do?"

You take a breath to centre yourself, watching as Mariko vanishes inside the tower set aside for guest quarters. "See if I could obtain that letter, Bayushi-sama. Possibly... offer to be her second?"

You don't know if you can do that. As a courtier, Mariko has the right to jigai, allowing her to take her own life via a sharp knife to the throat. It is supposed to be less painful than the three cuts, but even so there is a strong chance that she might lose composure and show pain and distress. As her second, you would need to preserve her from that by taking her head with your katana. Can you truly bring yourself to do such a thing?

"Then go." Kimoko says, not unkindly. "Take a circuitous route, for discretion."

You go.

-/-

When you slide the door to Mariko's chambers open, you aren't entirely sure what you expect to see. The courtier sitting calmly in the centre of the room, surrounded by small cups and a fine ceramic kettle, was not high on the list. Mariko looks up as you enter, and smiles faintly. Her gaze seems... very distant.

"Soshi-san." She says softly. "I was just about to have some tea. I find it helps with attaining a calm state of mind. Join me?"

She seems calm enough to you already, but this would not the first time you have seen powerful emotions held behind a flawless On, so perhaps this is not surprising. Instead, you nod silently and sit down opposite her, accepting the cup as she offers it to you.

It is not the shugo-no-chaji, the full tea ceremony. That would take hours to perform and longer still to properly prepare, and you rather doubt that Mariko trusts her own composure enough to properly attend to all of the ritual's little details. It is, simply, two samurai having tea, snatching a bit of peace and tranquility in the aftermath of turbulent developments. Eventually, Mariko speaks.

"Did you come to try and save me, Soshi-san?" She asks, and there is an odd lilt to her voice. "To spirit me away through some secret tunnel and out across the Pass before the Lion could catch up?"

"Do you want me to?" You respond automatically, without thinking. Mariko seems to consider the idea for a moment, then shakes her head.

"Daidoji-san has already agreed to be my second." She says with deliberate care. "It is... strange, to have to ask someone to do that. To see my body going through the motions of what is required, while I simply drift among my thoughts."

She falls silent there for a time, and you don't know what to say. Eventually she laughs, very faintly, and sets her teacup down in front of her.

"It's funny. I had so many plans." She muses, staring off into the middle distance. "I suppose the Heavens have made their will clear, and I always knew it was a possibility, but I feel strangely incomplete knowing that I must leave before I can attend to them."

"Are there any that you can entrust to another?" You ask cautiously, not wanting to intrude upon her feelings with coarse reality but unwilling to let the chance slip away.

Mariko looks at you for a long moment. Then she rises to her feet and walks over to a small set of shelves by the window. There is a small box there, and within the box is a scroll. She takes it out and weighs it in her hand for a moment, before returning to her original position and sitting back down. She hands the scroll to you, and you take it wordlessly.

"Soshi-san... a request. If it turns out that you are right, and someone has deliberately orchestrated this..." She says slowly, as though not quite able to believe what she is saying. "Please, do something appropriately horrible to them."

You tuck the scroll inside your kimono, doing your best to tightly control your On. This is not the time for excessive displays of emotion. "Well... I am Scorpion."

Mariko laughs faintly. "Yes. Yes, I suppose you are." She says quietly. "I would... like to be alone now."

You leave.

-/-

When you return to your quarters, you note two things. One, you are the first one back. Two, there is a second scroll waiting for you on your pillow. There is a small note attached, marked only with the Torii Arch of the Ikoma family.

What do you do now?
[ ] Write in

 

[Maugan Ra]

[X] Check your surroundings, someone was in our rooms, and we would rather not get ambushed, even if we expected the delivery. Better safe than dead.
[X] We will grieve Marikos loss in time. For now we have a job to do.
[X] Read the note from the Ikoma.
-[X] Gather whatever materials we need to help us test the letters.
-[X] Ask the servants not to be disturbed.
--[X] When Yogo returns, ask him to have a look at the letters, just for magical influence.
--[X] Once we are convinced we have the solitude we need, and taking into account whatever the Scroll from the Ikoma can help with, perform our investigation of the Crane Scroll, spending a Void Point on it.
- Free Raise from @Wade Garrett included

-/-

There is a scroll upon your pillow. Well, that is not too surprising - this is Shiro Matsu, and no one is going to deny a Lion or one of their servants access to the interior of their own castle, especially while the Scorpion delegation are absent. Still, it is better to take the time and make sure of things, rather than rushing ahead and getting yourself killed.

Making sure that your katana is in the right position to be drawn quickly, if the need should arise, you step back out into the hallway and look around. There is no one here, though you can hear movement from the section of the floor dedicated to your own servants. Nodding to yourself, you move down the hall with quick and certain strides, sliding the door to the servant's quarters open soundlessly. Inside, Pale Oak is sitting behind a desk, making notes on a small piece of paper. He looks up as you enter.

"Soshi-dono?" He asks guardedly, and you realize he must be aware of the outcome of the duel and your likely emotional state. No wonder he is cautious - you would not be the first samurai to take out his frustrations on a nearby peasant. Still, such petulant displays are not like you - instead, you can already feel the anger and horror and loss crushing together inside your heart, forming a core of deadly purpose. You will unravel the core of this mystery, and then you will slide your blade through the heart of the one responsible.

"Pale Oak-san. I need writing materials, and time to work undisturbed." You say, aware that your voice has a curiously flat quality to it. To his credit, Pale Oak does not question you - instead, he gathers up the materials you need, presents them to you with a bow, and says not a word. You nod in thanks as you take them, returning to your quarters and sliding the door shut behind you.

The note turns out not to have any actual writing on it, likely to help shield Genji from any consequences if it is discovered that you are handling letters that were not addressed to you. Nodding, you set the note aside and then unroll each of the scrolls, placing them side by side and moving a latern near enough to provide proper illumination.

The scroll left on your bed appears to be a simple pieces of friendly correspondence between the Crane Clan Champion, Doji Kuwanan, and an old friend of his in the Lion lands. You pay little attention to the exact content, since it is deeply unlikely that Genji would casually hand over anything with truly critical information in it, and instead turn your eyes to Mariko's scroll. This too seems to be a simple letter, containing nothing more than pleasant observations of the weather and courtly anecdotes, but considering that it bears the Champion's seal you doubt it is nearly so mundane. Likely the true message is hidden behind a cipher of some kind, and would take a great deal of time to decode. Fortunately, that is not your intention here. No, you are much more interested in the details of the writing itself.

Your mouth pressed into a narrow line, you lean in close to the letter and begin your examination.

-/-

Investigation/Perception (with Void) 6k3 = 25
Free Raise expended to reduce TN by 5.

-/-

After perhaps an hour of careful work, you sit back again, vicious satisfaction burning in your heart.

Mariko's letter is a forgery. The first clue is the way that the letters have been written - slightly different shapes and edges to some of the characters that betray the hand of a different author. True experts of calligraphy can deduce the author of a work by their pen strokes alone, but you are not among their number. Even so, it seems clear to you that the two letters were written by different people. Alone, that could mean any number of things - perhaps the Champion dictated the letter to a scribe while otherwise occupied.

Except... the chop on the bottom of the letter, next to the Champion's own name, is also faked. Normally such a symbol would be created with a personalized stamp, meaning that each chop looks identical to all of the others, but in this case you can see tell-tale signs that someone attempted to manually copy the design onto the paper, likely by referencing a different source. Their hand slipped just fractionally in a few places - small enough errors that one could easily miss them on a casual reading, but just clear enough for you to spot them when you actually went looking for such signs.

Your suspicions have been vindicated... but what do you do with them? The Crane Champion would doubtless be very interested to realize that someone is forging missives in his name, but he is hundreds of miles away and that still doesn't give you anything to work with here personally.

"Soshi-san?" And, like a gift from the Fortunes themselves, Yogo Hanzo is standing at your door. "Bayushi-sama sent me to check on you. How goes your... investigation?"

You smile thinly. "Quite well, actually, Yogo-san. I believe I have some evidence that someone falsified orders to the Crane delegation." You say, keeping your voice down just in case anyone is actually listening. You gesture to the letter. "Would you be able to ask the kami if they can provide any further information?"

Hanzo nods, and steps into the room. "Of course. Paper... the Kami of earth would be the best choice, I think. You are aware that the testimony of the spirits is not admissible in criminal trials?"

You nod. "I do not intend to bring anyone to trial over this, Yogo-san."

Hanzo glances at you for a moment, his expression hidden behind his demon's mask, then turns his attention back to the letter. He murmurs something to himself as he reaches out and touches the letter, likely a prayer in the language of the kami, and you settle down to wait. From what you've heard, communing with the spirits of the earth can take a great deal of time.

Instead, Hanzo yanks his hand away from the paper after barely a few seconds, as though burned. He stares at it for a moment, then turns back to you.

"The kami in the paper are... unusually emphatic, Soshi-san. It is not quite anger, for they do not understand emotion as we do, but the closest to it I have ever felt from them." He says slowly. "I asked what they could tell me about the one who wrote on the paper. The translation is not exact, but the closest Rokugani equivalent would be... blue, lithe, faceless, empty."

What do you do?
[ ] Write in