Journey to Unicorn Lands

Timeline

Court Decision and Travel Plans - Doji Setsuna’s original argument was cited by Kitsuki Kaage in a prior case with a narrow decision unfavourable to the Scorpion. Doji Setsuna’s pending request to have Shinjo Harunobu moved to local custody remained unanswered. The group arranged relocation for Bayushi Monban’s childhood friend, coordinated Kage’s travel to Shiro Yogasha, and confirmed no immediate directives from Crane or Kage. The party agreed to head west toward Unicorn Lands to attempt to free Shinjo Harunobu and investigate Lion hostilities, noted a possible alternate plot thread but deprioritized it, and sketched river routes and future itinerary including visits to The Wall and Phoenix lands.

Legal ruling and custody issue - Kitsuki Kaage cited Doji Setsuna’s argument as most persuasive in a prior case and the decision narrowly concluded before the Scorpion could prevail. Doji Setsuna noted there had been no response to her request to move Shinjo Harunobu to local custody. The group agreed to send Bayushi Monban’s unnamed childhood friend to the Castle of the Centipede to seek peace, with contingency to send him to the The Wall if unsuccessful. Kage planned to depart for Shiro Yogasha, had sent the decision to the capital, and allowed Doji Setsuna to help draft the legal opinion.

• Recent ruling recap - Doji Setsuna, Crane courtier, had her original argument cited by Kitsuki Kaage, Dragon magistrate and legal authority, as most persuasive in a prior case; the decision narrowly concluded before the Scorpion Clan could prevail.
• Custody request pending - Doji Setsuna noted there had been no response yet to her request to have Shinjo Harunobu, Unicorn samurai and her husband, moved to local custody.
• Former ally relocated - The party agreed that an unnamed childhood friend of Bayushi Monban, Scorpion bushi, would be sent to Castle of the Centipede to seek peace; if unsuccessful, he would be sent to the The Wall to fight the Shadowlands.
• Kage travel and paperwork - Kitsuki Kaage planned to depart for Shiro Yogasha to report on the case; he had already sent the decision to the capital and had allowed Doji Setsuna to help draft the legal opinion.
• No immediate directives - Doji Setsuna confirmed neither her Crane lord nor Kitsuki Kaage had current instructions for her; Emerald Magistrates’ broad discretion was acknowledged.

Decision to head west - The party aligned on heading west toward Unicorn Lands to free Shinjo Harunobu and investigate Lion Clan hostilities there. Three Hida Brothers told Bayushi Monban that the letter about his betrothed bore only a Crab chop and was likely a forgery, and that she had been at The Wall when they departed. Shiba Midori proposed taking Kitsuko Ayoko as her yoriki to train and assist. The group acknowledged another plot thread involving a lamp but deprioritized it in favor of the Unicorn course.

• Westward intent stated - The group aligned on heading west toward Unicorn Lands to attempt to free Shinjo Harunobu and to investigate Lion Clan hostilities there.
• Crab letter exposed - Three Hida Brothers, Crab recruiters for The Wall, told Bayushi Monban the letter he had received about his betrothed bore only a Crab chop and was likely a forgery; they stated his betrothed had still been at The Wall when they departed.
• Yoriki consideration raised - Shiba Midori, Phoenix shugenja, proposed taking Kitsuko Ayoko, young Kitsu shugenja recruit versed in theology and Lion ancestry, as her yoriki to train and assist.
• Alternate threads noted - The party acknowledged another plot thread involving a lamp in the opposite direction but deprioritized it for the westward Unicorn course.

Unicorn front and logistics - The group reviewed that the Lion were besieging Gatherer of Wind’s Castle north of the City of the Rich Frog and noted fog of war over Unicorn plains with uncertain road conditions. They discussed crossing at the City of the Rich Frog, following the river toward the City Between the Rivers and Battlemaiden Castle, and noted the Golden Yurts of the Ide move locations. As Emerald Magistrates they resolved to investigate whether Lion hostilities in Unicorn Lands were authorized. They also recalled increased Shadowlands creature reports in Shinomen Forest and sketched a future itinerary through Scorpion and Crab lands to The Wall and north to Phoenix lands.

• Unicorn front outlined - The group reviewed that the Lion were besieging Gatherer of Wind’s Castle north of the City of the Rich Frog, with fog of war over Unicorn plains and uncertain road conditions.
• River and route planning - They discussed crossing at the City of the Rich Frog, possibly following the river toward the City Between the Rivers and Battlemaiden Castle, and noted the Golden Yurts of the Ide move locations.
• Investigation rationale - As Emerald Magistrates, they agreed to look into whether Lion hostilities in Unicorn Lands were authorized, suspecting they were not.
• Shadowlands activity recalled - Reports of increased Shadowlands creatures in Shinomen Forest were cited; the party suspected their past incident might be related.
• Future itinerary sketched - The group discussed, after Unicorn business, potential routes by river through Scorpion and Crab lands to The Wall, Castle of the Centipede, and then north to Phoenix lands and the Asako Elemental Academies.

Courtroom Interactions and Departures - In Kitsu Takeko’s court at the Swift Sword Castle, Bayushi Monban requested the return of a removed “mysterious letter” and Kitsuki Kaage discreetly handed it to him. Kitsu Takeko scheduled a tea ceremony and approved Shiba Midori’s petition to take Kitsuko Ayoko as her assistant. During the tea, Kitsu Takeko reacted with horror at a sketched image matching the Mahosukai Who Escaped At Slowtide Harbor and a Unicorn Messenger delivered a purple-wrapped package to Doji Setsuna from Shinjo Harunobu. Bayushi Monban revealed a report of the Sword of Hiruma being stolen, reacted violently, then withdrew to meditate; the party accepted travel west with Three Hida Brothers and Doji Setsuna issued cautionary security instructions.

Requests and appointments in court - Bayushi Monban humbly requested Kitsuki Kaage return the “Mysterious Letter From The Past” removed from records; Kage discreetly placed it in his hand. Kitsu Takeko requested Shiba Midori perform a tea ceremony after court to ease tensions. Shiba Midori formally petitioned to take Kitsuko Ayoko as her assistant; Kitsu Takeko approved and ordered Kitsuko Ayoko to serve until released.

• Monban seeks evidence back - In Kitsu Takeko’s court at the Swift Sword Castle, Bayushi Monban humbly requested that Kitsuki Kaage return the “Mysterious Letter From The Past” that had been removed from official records; Kage discreetly placed it in his hand.
• Tea ceremony scheduled - Kitsu Takeko, Lion daimyo of the castle, requested Shiba Midori perform a tea ceremony after court to ease tensions following official business.
• Ayoko appointment granted - Shiba Midori formally petitioned Kitsu Takeko to take Kitsuko Ayoko as her assistant; despite a faltering presentation, Kitsu Takeko approved and ordered Kitsuko Ayoko to serve Shiba Midori until released.

Court tea reveals connections - During the tea with Kitsu Takeko, Bayushi Monban noticed the daimyo receive a letter bearing a quick-drawn image matching the Mahosukai Who Escaped At Slowtide Harbor; Kitsu Takeko reacted with horror and recognition. A Unicorn Messenger delivered a purple-wrapped package from Shinjo Harunobu to Doji Setsuna containing a book by Hana Noame. Doji Setsuna returned a Lion letter Bayushi Monban had shared, and Bayushi Monban revealed his betrothed reported the Sword of Hiruma had been stolen and had been sent beyond The Wall to seek rumors.

• Court tea observations - During the tea with Kitsu Takeko, Bayushi Monban noticed the daimyo receive a letter bearing a quick-drawn image matching the Mahosukai Who Escaped At Slowtide Harbor; Kitsu Takeko reacted with horror and recognition.
• Doji’s gift delivered - A tired Unicorn Messenger located Doji Setsuna and delivered a purple-wrapped package from Shinjo Harunobu sent weeks earlier; in private, she opened it to find a book by Hana Noame, a salacious pen-name author popular in Otosan Uchi.
• Lion letter returned - Bayushi Monban asked Doji Setsuna to return a Lion letter he had shared regarding her husband; she returned it, acknowledging it had been a gentle slow-walk rather than an outright refusal.
• Sword theft revealed - Bayushi Monban shared a letter from his betrothed reporting the Sword of Hiruma, a revered Crab ancestral blade, had been stolen from the Hiruma’s new castle; she had been sent beyond The Wall to seek rumors, suspecting servants of the First Enemy.

Monban's reaction and escorts - Bayushi Monban roared in anger, struck the floor, and then withdrew to meditate on the Wayfarer’s Path ritual, instructing retainers Ryu and So not to disturb him unless by the magistrates. The party confirmed they would travel west with the Three Hida Brothers for extra protection and potential recruitment of Lion stragglers for The Wall. On departure, Doji Setsuna instructed the Crab to watch the horizons for followers and to approach unknown parties as adversaries rather than enemies.

• Monban’s outburst and resolve - Bayushi Monban roared in anger, struck the floor, then withdrew to meditate on the Wayfarer’s Path ritual; he instructed retainers Ryu and So not to disturb him unless by the magistrates.
• Crab escort accepted - The party confirmed they would travel west with the Three Hida Brothers for extra protection and potential recruitment of Lion stragglers for The Wall.
• Security caution issued - On departure, Doji Setsuna instructed the Crab to watch the horizons for anyone following and to approach unknown parties as adversaries, not enemies.

Travel Incidents and Lore - Kitsuko Ayoko repelled a badly dressed intruder rifling through Shiba Midori’s belongings; the intruder vanished into a sulfur-scented foggy hallway. On the road, Bayushi Monban warned Kitsuko Ayoko about behavior and protecting Shiba Midori’s reputation. The group agreed to keep details of their deaths and the Battle of Snow Plains time-travel incident confidential. Shiba Midori explained the Sword of Hiruma’s supernatural purity and its connection to a shugenja who made Hiruma Castle resistant to the First Enemy, and Bayushi Monban relayed that Kitsu Takeko recognized the sketched Mahosukai. The party reached the City of the Rich Frog and chose to visit as travelers, securing lodging near the “Teahouse With No Name.”

Intruder and group discipline - Kitsuko Ayoko drove a badly dressed “servant” out of Shiba Midori’s room after catching them rifling through belongings; the intruder vanished into an empty, sulfur-scented hallway with light fog. On the road, Bayushi Monban warned Kitsuko Ayoko to be mindful of her behavior and emphasized protecting Shiba Midori’s reputation while fostering trust within the group. The group agreed to keep the circumstances of their deaths and the Battle of Snow Plains time-travel incident confidential, sharing only with their lords or when necessary.

• Intruder repelled - Before leaving, Kitsuko Ayoko drove a badly dressed “servant” out of Shiba Midori’s room using a broom after catching them rifling through belongings; the pursuit led to an empty, sulfur-scented hallway with light fog, and the intruder vanished without finding their apparent target.
• Road lecture to Ayoko - On the road, Bayushi Monban warned Kitsuko Ayoko to be mindful of her behavior in proceedings, offered counsel, and emphasized protecting Shiba Midori’s reputation while fostering trust within the group.
• Secrets policy set - The group agreed to keep the circumstances of their deaths and the Battle of Snow Plains time-travel incident confidential, sharing only with their lords or when necessary for Emerald Magistrate business.

Sword history and links - Shiba Midori explained that the Sword of Hiruma was an ancient clan-forged blade with inherent supernatural purity tied to a shugenja who fortified Hiruma Castle against the First Enemy. Bayushi Monban privately informed Shiba Midori that Kitsu Takeko appeared to recognize the sketched Mahosukai from Slowtide Harbor, indicating broader entanglements.

• Sword lore discussed - Shiba Midori explained that the Sword of Hiruma was one of the ancient clan-forged blades with inherent supernatural purity, tied to a shugenja who made Hiruma Castle resistant to the First Enemy; its loss was both spiritual and identity-critical to the Hiruma.
• Kitsu Takeko link relayed - Bayushi Monban privately informed Shiba Midori (via cadence) that Kitsu Takeko appeared to recognize the sketched Mahosukai from Slowtide Harbor, indicating broader entanglements.

City arrival and lodging - The party reached the City of the Rich Frog at the confluence of the Three Sides River and the Drowned Merchant River and chose to visit as travelers without immediate formal reporting. They secured lodging near the famed “Teahouse With No Name” in the Lion district overlooking the Drowned Merchant River.

• City of the Rich Frog arrival - The party reached the City of the Rich Frog at the confluence of the Three Sides River and the Drowned Merchant River; they chose to visit as travelers without immediate formal reporting.
• Teahouse selected - They secured lodging near the famed “Teahouse With No Name” in the Lion district overlooking the Drowned Merchant River, known for superb utensils and a canny hostess.
• Tea mistress greets - Ikoma Kotone, Lion tea mistress with exceptional memory, welcomed the group, recognized Doji Setsuna from a prior visit, and began the formal ceremony.

Tea House Investigations Begin - At the teahouse, Ikoma Kotone recognized Doji Setsuna and began a formal ceremony while the party surveyed notable patrons, identifying a young man in Dragon colors, two Ide-resembling women, a Matsu bushi, and an older man identified as Kaeru Akiara. Shiba Midori lip-read snippets revealing the Unicorn pair sought a woman named “Miki,” the Lion woman aimed to stop slander, and a Dragon monk referenced a woman who had asked many questions. Matsu Koda disclosed a rumored presence of the author Hana no Ame in the city tasked to find and suppress a potentially scandalous work; the party discussed deflection as an alternative. The Dragon magistrate’s son reported investigating illicit Meishodo Talismans on the Unicorn docks and linked the author to a Dragonfly shrine keeper, the party planned to visit that shrine, and Doji Setsuna offered aid to Matsu Koda while the tea ceremony concluded and reduced party strife.

Room survey and contacts - Bayushi Monban and Doji Setsuna observed three notable pairs: a young man in Dragon colors with a monk, two young women resembling the Ide family, and a young Lion woman with an older man appearing as a town guardsman but wearing two swords. Ikoma Kotone identified the older man as Kaeru Akiara, a local Kaeru Family ronin attached to the Miya governor’s security, and Kitsuko Ayoko identified the young Lion woman as a Matsu. Shiba Midori lip-read snippets indicating the Unicorn pair sought “Miki,” the Lion woman aimed to stop slander, and the Dragon monk referenced meeting a woman who asked many questions.

• Room survey made - Bayushi Monban and Doji Setsuna observed three notable pairs—(1) a young man in Dragon colors resembling Kitsuki Wataru accompanied by a monk, (2) two young women with an Ide family resemblance to Ide Tsubame, and (3) a young Lion woman with an older man dressed like a town guardsman but wearing two swords.
• Kaeru affiliation identified - Ikoma Kotone identified the older man as Kaeru Akiara, a local Kaeru Family ronin attached to the Miya governor’s security; the Kaeru functioned as an insular, rough-edged ronin “cop” family maintaining city peace.
• Matsu recognized - Kitsuko Ayoko identified the young Lion woman as a Matsu, frontline Lion bushi.
• Quiet intelligence gleaned - Shiba Midori lip-read snippets indicating the Unicorn pair sought a woman named “Miki,” the Lion woman aimed to stop slander of the Lion, and the Dragon monk referenced meeting here with a woman who had asked many questions the tea mistress would remember.
• Matsu invited to table - Doji Setsuna invited Matsu Koda and Kaeru Akiara to sit with the party, then engaged them with Bayushi Monban in a good cop/bad cop routine.

Hana no Ame and deflection advice - Matsu Koda disclosed that Hana no Ame, the pen-name author, was rumored to be in the city writing about an illicit affair between a Lion and a spirit; her lord tasked her to find the author and suppress potential slander. Doji Setsuna suggested redirecting the author’s theme if the work was unwritten as an alternative to suppression.

• Scandalous author surfaced - Matsu Koda disclosed that Hana no Ame (the pen-name author) was rumored to be in the city writing about an illicit affair between a Lion and a spirit/demon; her lord tasked her to find the author and suppress potential slander.
• Advice on deflection - Doji Setsuna suggested redirecting the author’s theme if the work was unwritten, as an alternative to suppression if a manuscript did not yet exist.

Dragon inquiry and Meishodo - Kitsuki Wataru’s son, a Dragon magistrate, told Bayushi Monban he was investigating illicit Meishodo Talismans sold on the black market in the Unicorn docks and had been guided here by Tonbo Kuma, the Dragonfly shrine keeper. He added the woman he sought had recently met Tonbo Kuma at the Dragon shrine, ostensibly researching for a novel. Bayushi Monban, revealing his Emerald Magistrate status, warned him to be careful about non-shugenja accessing Meishodo and offered assistance if matters escalated.

• Dragon inquiry revealed - Kitsuki Wataru’s son, a Dragon magistrate, told Bayushi Monban he was investigating illicit Meishodo Talismans being sold on the black market in the Unicorn docks and had been guided here by Tonbo Kuma, Dragonfly shrine keeper.
• Writer contact noted - Wataru’s son added that the woman he sought (implied to be Hana no Ame) had recently met Tonbo Kuma at the Dragon shrine, ostensibly researching for a novel.
• Meishodo caution given - Bayushi Monban, revealing his Emerald Magistrate status, warned Wataru’s son to be careful, noting Unicorn sensitivity around their magic and the dangers of non-shugenja accessing Meishodo; he offered assistance if matters escalated.

Tea ritual and plan - Ikoma Kotone enforced ceremony decorum as the severe older woman with the Unicorn pair traced the tea bowl’s texture from the same fine set used by the mistress. The tea ceremony concluded smoothly, reducing strife for those present, and Shiba Midori worked to conceal her discomfort with the Meishodo trade discussion due to Phoenix spiritual doctrine and prior deaths tied to factional magic politics. Bayushi Monban advised Wataru’s son to notify his family and seek trustworthy allies, and the party resolved to visit the Dragonfly Clan Shrine to speak with Tonbo Kuma.

• Tea ritual upheld - The severe older woman with the Unicorn pair reverently traced the tea bowl’s texture from the same fine set used by Ikoma Kotone; the tea mistress enforced ceremony decorum at the thick tea.
• Personal restraint shown - Shiba Midori worked to conceal her discomfort with the Meishodo trade discussion, given Phoenix spiritual doctrine and prior deaths tied to factional magic politics.
• Wataru family assurances - Bayushi Monban advised Wataru’s son to notify his family and to seek trustworthy allies; the young magistrate intended to proceed, possibly requisitioning a yojimbo.
• Shrine visit planned - The party resolved to visit the Dragonfly Clan Shrine and speak with Tonbo Kuma regarding the author’s visit and related inquiries.

Aid offered and calm - Doji Setsuna offered Matsu Koda assistance in handling the Hana no Ame matter while in town. The tea ceremony’s calming effect cleared or reduced strife among attendees, and the party prepared for follow-up investigations in the city.

• Offer of aid to Lion - Doji Setsuna offered Matsu Koda assistance in handling the Hana no Ame matter while in town.
• Tea’s calming effect - The ceremony concluded smoothly under Ikoma Kotone; those with tea as a passion cleared all strife, and others reduced their strife, before the party prepared for follow-up investigations in the city.