Grandmother

Timeline

Arrival and Tea House Diplomacy - The Emerald Magistrates arrived at a Border Waystation by a lakeside shrine and were lodged in samurai quarters pending a morning review of their papers. Kitsu Family samurai hosts invited Shiba Midori, Bayushi Monban, and Doji Setsuna to a tea ceremony at the Dignitaries’ Tea House, where the groups discussed food, family, duty, lineage, and personal tastes. Conversations also covered travel plans, philosophical questions about honor, artistic preferences, and which ancestors each would consult, establishing social context and relationships before nightfall.

Waystation Arrival and Invitation - The Emerald Magistrates arrived at a post road station on the border of the Kitsu Family and Akodo provinces, were lodged in samurai quarters, and were told their papers would be reviewed in the morning. Kitsu Family samurai hosts then invited Shiba Midori, Bayushi Monban, and Doji Setsuna to a tea ceremony at the lakeside tea house.

• Border Waystation Arrival - The Emerald Magistrates arrived at a post road station on the border of the Kitsu Provinces and the Akodo provinces, built around a small lake with a Shrine of the Lake Kami, jointly administered by the Akodo and the Kitsu Family; they were lodged in samurai quarters and told their papers would be reviewed in the morning.

Conversation on Food, Family, Honor - During the tea ceremony, participants compared southern fish to local chicken and steak and Doji Setsuna recounted her finest meal at a Scorpion Clan-hosted gathering. Shiba Midori defined home as where one’s family is and glanced at Bayushi Monban, briefly seeing the Moon Maiden in his eyes; the hosts explained their assignment and lineage status, and the magistrates discussed cohesion, trust, and the nature of justice.

• Tea House Gathering - Several Kitsu Family samurai hosts invited Shiba Midori, Bayushi Monban, and Doji Setsuna to a tea ceremony at the Dignitaries’ Tea House by the lake.
• Cuisine and Refinement Exchange - A Kitsu Family host remarked to Doji Setsuna about southern fish versus their chicken and steak fare; Doji Setsuna answered that a diversity of palate allowed true appreciation.
• Finest Meal Recounted - Doji Setsuna described her finest meal as a Scorpion Clan-hosted gathering with her lord, a Scorpion Clan mentor, and Shibu Sukune, the Phoenix Clan Champion, where the participants demonstrated masterful, unspoken diplomacy.
• Home and Family Defined - Asked where Emerald Magistrates call home, Shiba Midori said home was where one’s family is and counted her fellow magistrates as family.
• Moon Maiden Glimpse - Shiba Midori looked meaningfully at Bayushi Monban and briefly saw the Moon Maiden in his eyes, after which she and Bayushi Monban expressed sadness over a missing sister and Lady Tsubasa.
• Kitsu Family Hosts’ Status - The hosts explained they were three Kitsu Family samurai assigned to maintain the waypost, distant relatives of the Kitsu Family daimyō, with two from Kitsu Family vassal families and only the young man a Kitsu Family pureblood.
• Lineage Precision Noted - The Kitsu Family pureblood host stated he was approximately 37 steps removed from the Kitsu Family line of succession, illustrating Lion Clan lineage discipline.
• Cohesion Acknowledged - Shiba Midori said some magistrates had worked together longer than others but that the group was functioning well on this mission.
• Trust and Justice Declared - Bayushi Monban said he trusted his fellow magistrates beyond clan colors and spoke of justice without boundaries or divisions.
• Magistrate Authority Asserted - Doji Setsuna affirmed that a magistrate speaks with the Emperor’s voice; the Kitsu Family young man said justice would prevail with such magistrates on the Emperor’s watch.
• Bonsai Justice Metaphor - Bayushi Monban likened justice to pruning a bonsai—too much trimming kills the tree, too little becomes a bush—arguing for careful balance.
• Duty to the People - Shiba Midori reminded the young Kitsu Family that, just as villagers look up to them, they owed duty to those people and the people owed duty in return.
• Beauty of Rokugan Named - When asked the most beautiful place in Rokugan, Shiba Midori and Bayushi Monban praised the Shrine to Amaterasu in Centipede Lands, while Doji Setsuna described a coastal bluff near her childhood home visited with her husband.

Duty, Arts, and Ancestors Discussed - The group exchanged suggestions and plans—one host recommended the Temple of Bishamon, Bayushi Monban mentioned business in Crab lands, and the party debated a koan about accomplishments versus Bushido. They also discussed favorite arts, alternative school choices, and which ancestors they would consult, contributing personal and practical details about upcoming actions and influences.

• Marriage and Duty Discussed - Doji Setsuna said she and her husband had duties that kept them apart, making time together more meaningful; Musubi asked Shiba Midori about marriage, and Midori said she had long been betrothed but wished more time with her betrothed to know if the union was truly blessed.
• Bishamon Temple Suggested - The Kitsu Family young man recommended Bayushi Monban visit the Temple of Bishamon in the next province, noting it was slightly out of their way from the Castle of the Swift Sword.
• Southern Journey Stated - Bayushi Monban said he had business far south across the river in Crab lands and beyond The Wall, adding that being betrothed to a Crab brought both benefits and misfortunes he needed to investigate.
• Accomplishments vs Integrity Koan - Aoi posed whether it is better to be known for accomplishments without Bushido or as an exemplar of Bushido with few accomplishments; Doji Setsuna answered she would maintain honor but admitted some deeds might be so consequential one might risk it, and Shiba Midori called the choice a false dichotomy, saying aligned beliefs and actions allow great deeds.
• Musubi’s Art Question - Musubi complimented Doji Setsuna’s radiant attire and asked which art form connected with her most; Doji Setsuna said pillow books, citing an outlandish tale.
• Art Preferences Shared - Shiba Midori said she favored haiku by the master Hanzin on life’s brevity, while Bayushi Monban favored expressive performance arts—singing and dancing—for their brave soul-baring.
• Kitsu Family Hosts’ Arts - Musubi said she loved writing and calligraphy; Aoi admired fashion and wished she had half of Doji Setsuna’s wardrobe; Inari said his preferred art form was one that required patience and years of work.
• Alternate School Choice - Asked which school they would attend other than their own, Bayushi Monban said the Seppun, to protect the Emperor.

Sensed Presence and Ritual Preparations - An unseasonably cold breeze and Shiba Midori’s sensing indicated a supernatural presence focused on Doji Setsuna, shifting the group’s attention from conversation to spiritual concern. After the tea ceremony concluded, the magistrates assessed companions’ locations, moved to discuss the matter privately by the lake, and decided to visit the station’s Shrine to the Ancestors. They planned offerings, prepared ritual items (candle, sake, haiku, folded origami), discussed mask etiquette and vows, and Shiba Midori led an invocation at the shrine to call Doji Setsuna’s grandmother.

Detection of a Supernatural Presence - An unseasonably cold breeze blew through the tea house and Shiba Midori sensed a supernatural presence focused on Doji Setsuna, briefly hearing the clank of armor. The officiant concluded the tea ceremony, Kakita Kazumi was noted meditating by the lake, and Midori invited Doji Setsuna and Bayushi Monban to step outside to discuss the sensed presence privately.

• Ancestors to Consult - The Kitsu Family young man asked which ancestor they would consult; Bayushi Monban named Kami Shiba to thank them for kneeling before a mortal and also mentioned a great ancestor he wished to meet; Shiba Midori said she would meet her mother again; Doji Setsuna named her grandmother who had been Matsu and became Doji.
• Unseasonable Cold Breeze - An unseasonably cold breeze blew through the tea house after the ancestor discussion.
• Presence Detected - Shiba Midori sensed a supernatural presence focused on Doji Setsuna and briefly heard the clank of armor associated with it.
• Tea Ceremony Concluded - The Kitsu Family hosts concluded the tea ceremony, suggested the lakeside path for night air, and the officiant’s performance was by rote but acceptable.
• Companions’ Whereabouts - Kakita Kazumi was meditating by the lake, and the party had not seen the Unicorn Clan companion for some time.

Ritual Offerings and Preparations - Shiba Midori proposed visiting the Shrine to the Ancestors and recalled customary offerings; the group considered rice, sake, candles, and favored items. They prepared a candle and sake, Doji Setsuna composed a haiku for her grandmother, and Bayushi Monban folded multiple origami clan animals for burning; Bayushi asked about removing his mask and then quietly vowed to protect Doji Setsuna.

• Private Walk Proposed - Shiba Midori invited Doji Setsuna and Bayushi Monban to step outside by the lake to discuss the sensed presence discreetly.
• Shrine Visit Suggested - Shiba Midori proposed visiting the station’s Shrine to the Ancestors, making an offering, and attempting to address the presence around Doji Setsuna.
• Offerings Considered - Shiba Midori recalled that traditional ancestor offerings included rice, beer or wine, and candles, and that strong scents and favored things from life pleased ancestors.
• Ritual Items Prepared - Shiba Midori prepared a candle and sake; Doji Setsuna composed a haiku honoring her grandmother; Bayushi Monban folded origami clan animals—a Crane Clan, a dragon, a Crab, a Scorpion Clan, a Phoenix Clan, a Lion Clan, a green chrysanthemum, and a Lion Clan with a blue (Crane Clan-colored) mane—for burning as offerings.
• Mask Counsel Given - Before the rite, Bayushi Monban asked about removing his mask; Shiba Midori advised keeping it, warning that not all spirits are trustworthy and that trust should not be presumed.

Shrine Entry and Invocation - At the shrine a resident monk directed where to place offerings and Shiba Midori, as a Shugenja, led the invocation with Doji Setsuna’s consent. Midori called Doji Setsuna’s grandmother specifically, read Setsuna’s poem, and burned the origami in sequence, ending with the Lion Clan bearing a blue mane to complete the ritual.

• Vow and Twin Bloods - Bayushi Monban quietly vowed to protect Doji Setsuna, saying her words were her responsibility and her life his; he and Shiba Midori affirmed being twin-blooded allies.
• Shrine Entry and Host - At the Shrine to the Ancestors, a resident monk directed where to place offerings; Shiba Midori, a Shugenja, led the invocation.
• Permission and Purpose Set - Shiba Midori requested Doji Setsuna’s consent to call her grandmother specifically; Doji Setsuna agreed, asked whether to be specific or general, and followed Shiba Midori’s advice to name her grandmother directly.

Ancestor Manifestation and Confrontation - Shiba Midori’s invocation manifested Matsu Tomoe as swirling golden ginkgo leaves forming an armored figure accompanied by jasmine and the image of a pool of blood. Matsu Tomoe confronted Doji Setsuna, rebuking her for neglect, recounting lineage sacrifices, demanding renewed honor, and warning that Doji’s companions were compromised; she also caused pain to Bayushi Monban’s scar and ordered cleansing. The ancestor ended the audience, dispersed, and the group silenced the shrine priest before Doji Setsuna resolved to rectify the offense.

Ancestor's Appearance and Rebuke - Golden ginkgo leaves swirled into the form of Matsu Tomoe—armored above with hakama below, daishō at her hip and a courtier’s fan in hand—accompanied by jasmine scent and a pool of blood. Matsu Tomoe demanded why she had been called by someone not Kitsu Family, recognized Doji Setsuna, denounced Setsuna’s neglect of the Hall of Ancestors, described being made a 'peace cow' in a failed truce, and ordered that Setsuna put honor before everything.

• Invocation Performed - Shiba Midori conducted a Communion with the Spirits, invoking Matsu Tomoe by both Matsu Tomoe and Doji Tomoe, reading Doji Setsuna’s poem and burning the origami in sequence, ending with the Lion Clan bearing a blue mane.
• Ancestor Manifestation - Golden ginkgo leaves swirled into the form of Matsu Tomoe—armored above with hakama below, daishō at hip and a courtier’s fan in hand—accompanied by jasmine scent and a pool of blood where she walked.
• Challenge to Presence - Matsu Tomoe demanded why she had been called by someone not Kitsu Family, then recognized Doji Setsuna and confronted her.
• Rebuke of Neglect - Matsu Tomoe denounced Doji Setsuna for never visiting the Hall of Ancestors or offering her due respect and for relying on a Yōjimbō to keep her alive.
• Lineage and Sacrifice Revealed - Matsu Tomoe said she had been made a “peace cow” in a failed truce that lost Lion Clan territory to the Crane Clan, trading the battlefield for go and flower arranging, and that her descendants had forgotten her.
• Setsuna’s Apology - Doji Setsuna bowed and admitted wrongdoing by neglecting her grandmother, asking how to remember her properly and to make amends.

Accusations and Tainted Companion - Doji Setsuna stated her husband was being held captive and vowed to restore his opportunity; Matsu Tomoe said he was a hostage who should have died on the battlefield. Matsu Tomoe cautioned that Setsuna’s companions were compromised, and when Bayushi Monban revealed his neck scar the ancestor’s near touch burned it painfully—declaring he bore the touch of Jigoku and instructing that he and Shiba Midori be cleansed.

• Honor’s Demands Given - Matsu Tomoe ordered Doji Setsuna to remember that all ancestors’ eyes were on her, to put honor before everything, and to choose rightly even when it was inconvenient, unpleasant, or disadvantageous.
• Husband’s Captivity Mentioned - Doji Setsuna stated her husband was being held captive by those she served and vowed to restore his opportunity and honor; Matsu Tomoe said he was a hostage who should have died on the battlefield.
• Warning About Companions - Matsu Tomoe cautioned that Doji Setsuna’s companions were compromised and warned her not to be swayed from the righteous path.
• Monban’s Taint Exposed - When Bayushi Monban revealed his neck scar, Matsu Tomoe’s near touch caused it to burn painfully; she declared he bore the touch of Jigoku, ordering that he be cleansed and that Shiba Midori cleanse herself of impurity after approaching with a transactional mindset.

Departure and Aftermath Resolution - Matsu Tomoe rejected Bayushi Monban’s unrelated poem, reminded Doji Setsuna of her promise, and dispersed in a flutter of golden ginkgo leaves and lingering jasmine. Bayushi Monban ordered the shrine’s monk to keep silent about the audience, the monk agreed and urged them to follow the ancestor’s commands, and Doji Setsuna resolved to better honor the ancestor as instructed.

• Vigil in Lion Clan Lands - Matsu Tomoe said that while they walked on Lion Clan ancestral lands she would walk with them and watch Doji Setsuna.
• Improper Offering Reproached - After Bayushi Monban recited a poem centered on his own experiences, Matsu Tomoe rejected it as unrelated to her and asserted she was not a spirit to be commanded.
• Ancestor’s Departure - Matsu Tomoe ended the audience, reminding Doji Setsuna of her promise, and dispersed in a flutter of golden ginkgo leaves and lingering jasmine.
• Priest Silenced - Bayushi Monban ordered the shrine’s monk to keep secret what he had seen and heard; the shaken monk agreed and urged them to do as the ancestor commanded.
• Resolve to Rectify - Doji Setsuna said they would rectify the offense and better honor the ancestor as instructed.