Secrets of the City

Timeline

City Orientation and Objectives - The group reviewed the political control of the City Of The Rich Frog and debated how to approach Governor Miya Amaya. They confirmed a Lion-run inn as convenient lodging and set two investigation priorities: locating the author of a controversial story and tracing the source of Unicorn spirit-magic charms. The Lion’s desire to persuade the author and the Dragon magistrate’s concern about Meishodo Artifacts were presented as stakes to those investigations.

City political control overview - The group discussed city control: Lions on the south bank, Dragons on the north bank, Unicorns on the west bank, and Governor Miya Amaya’s palace on the Central Island. They debated whether to present themselves as Emerald Magistrates immediately or remain discreet. They also identified a Lion-run inn in the Lion District as the closest lodging from the landward approach.

• City context reviewed - The group discussed the City Of The Rich Frog, noting Lion control of the south bank, Dragon control of the north bank, Unicorn control of the west bank, and the Miya Governor’s Palace on the Central Island under Governor Miya Amaya, an Imperial.
• Magistrate discretion debated - The group weighed whether to present themselves as Emerald Magistrates to Governor Miya Amaya immediately or remain discreet while investigating.
• Lodging identified - The group confirmed they had located a Lion-run inn in the Lion District as the closest and easiest lodging from the landward approach.

Investigation goals and stakes - The group agreed to pursue two leads: finding the author of a controversial story and uncovering the source of Unicorn spirit-magic charms and talismans. It was explained that the Lion wished the author persuaded to avoid publishing a scandal about a Lion samurai, and that a Dragon magistrate’s son was investigating Meishodo Artifacts appearing in Dragon lands.

• Investigation priorities set - The group agreed to pursue two leads—finding the author of a controversial story and uncovering the source of Unicorn “spirit magic” charms/talismans rumored to be sold illicitly.
• Author stakes explained - The Lion were reported to want the author persuaded to avoid publishing a scandalous tale about a Lion samurai in love with an ancestor spirit, at the order of a Lion daimyō.
• Dragon concern summarized - A Dragon Clan magistrate, the son of Kitsuki Wataru (Dragon Clan magistrate), was said to be investigating why “Meishodo” artifacts were turning up illicitly in Dragon lands.

Teahouse Investigation and Plans - At a Teahouse With No Name the group encountered other investigating pairs and resumed conversation while remaining discreet about their Emerald Magistrate status. They questioned local figures and Unicorn visitors, gathering leads on a curios shop selling ‘relics from far away,’ rumors about the author, and information about Unicorn spirit philosophy and talismans. Several practical options were arranged, including using Kakita Kazumi as bait at The Docks that night and a plan to present themselves to Governor Miya Amaya the following morning.

Teahouse setup and local tips - The group noted three other investigating pairs at the teahouse and received new tea and dessert while deciding not to announce themselves as Emerald Magistrates. They recognized that Unicorn shugenja would refuse to speak if they knew the group acted for the Emperor and declared their intent to learn the author’s whereabouts and probe for clues about the Unicorn magic black market.

• Multiple investigators present - The group recognized three other investigating pairs at the teahouse—a Lion with a local bodyguard, the Dragon pair (including Wataru’s son), and a Unicorn pair.
• Teahouse scene set - The group remained at a Teahouse With No Name, receiving a new service of tea and dessert as conversation resumed.
• Targeted introductions delayed - The group decided not to formally announce themselves as Emerald Magistrates to the teahouse patrons or local authorities yet.
• Unicorn trust concern noted - The group acknowledged Unicorn shugenja would likely refuse to speak openly if they knew the group were acting for the Emperor.
• Intrigue objectives declared - The group chose to gather the author’s whereabouts and probe for clues to the Unicorn magic black market during the teahouse conversations.

Lion bodyguard and local tips - Kakita Kazumi approached Kaeru Akiara, the Lion’s local bodyguard, to gather local knowledge. Karo warned against The Docks after dark due to a watch for criminals, described the teahouse as the city’s best and mentioned river boat races and Unicorn horsemanship contests, and noted that opium dens were not a feature of this city.

• Lion bodyguard identified - Kakita Kazumi approached Kaeru Akiara, a local bodyguard hired by the Lion, for local knowledge and the lay of the city.
• Local cautions given - Kaeru Akiara warned Kakita Kazumi to avoid The Docks after dark due to an ongoing watch for criminals whom the locals were hoping to catch in the act.
• Entertainment noted - Kaeru Akiara stated this teahouse was the city’s best and mentioned river boat races and Unicorn horsemanship contests across the river.
• Vice availability clarified - Kaeru Akiara indicated opium dens were not a feature of this city, contrasting it with Slowtide Harbor.

Unicorn leads and spirit discussion - Doji Setsuna, posing as a naive wealthy traveler, engaged Ide Iwena about acquiring ‘Meishodo’ curios; Ide directed Setsuna to a curiosities shop in the Unicorn District and advised asking for ‘relics from far away.’ One Unicorn reported that ‘Hana no Ame’ had supposedly gone upriver to Toshi Ranbo, and Shiba Midori and Iuchi Minoru discussed spirit philosophy, with Minoru asserting spirits should be treated as partners rather than servants.

• Unicorn interlocutor engaged - Doji Setsuna, posing as a naïve, wealthy traveler, engaged Ide Iwena, a Unicorn, about acquiring “Meishodo” curios.
• Black market lead provided - Ide Iwena directed Doji Setsuna to a curiosities shop in the Unicorn District, advising to ask for “relics from far away” and warning that locals took a dim view of trading spiritually important items.
• Rumor about author shared - One of the Unicorn stated that “Hana no Ame” had gone upriver to Toshi Ranbo (“Toshi Ranbo”), having failed to find what she sought locally.
• Spirit philosophy discussed - Shiba Midori conversed with Iuchi Minoru, a Unicorn, who asserted that spirits should be treated as partners rather than servants.
• Sacred vessels hinted - When Bayushi Monban asked about black market “charms,” Iuchi Minoru responded obliquely, likening sacred relics to vessels housing beings of great power and implying the danger of trafficking in such items.
• Antique tea set observed - Shiba Midori noted the tea service appeared centuries old, consistent with the discussion of vessels associated with powerful spirits.

Kazumi bait and Unicorn experience - Kakita Kazumi arranged watered sake to appear drunk in order to press Kaeru Akiara further, and Karo suggested using Kazumi as bait in a docks sting to catch criminals. Doji Setsuna drew out Ide Iwena’s official view of the Lion–Unicorn conflict and inferred Ide’s deeper personal concern; Iuchi Minoru recounted a childhood spirit encounter and Shiba Midori concluded Minoru had direct experience dealing with Unicorn talismans.

• Feigned inebriation prepared - Kakita Kazumi quietly arranged watered sake to appear drunk while keeping his wits, intending to press Kaeru Akiara further.
• Bait offer entertained - Kaeru Akiara, responding to Kakita Kazumi’s act, suggested using Kazumi as bait in a sting at The Docks to help catch the criminals active after dark.
• Unicorn war stance sampled - Doji Setsuna drew out Ide Iwena’s official view that the Lion were chasing the Unicorn fruitlessly across open plains and would “die tired.”
• Personal motive discerned - Doji Setsuna inferred Ide Iwena’s true concern was for a specific person in danger—likely someone close to her—motivating her search more than the broader war.
• Spirit encounter recounted - Iuchi Minoru told Shiba Midori a childhood story of breaking her grandmother’s tea cup and seeing a spirit rise from it to scold her, illustrating her familiarity with awakened objects.
• Direct talisman experience confirmed - From the exchange, Shiba Midori concluded that Iuchi Minoru had directly dealt with Unicorn talismans and possessed practical knowledge of such bindings.

Shugenja dispute and departures - Iuchi Minoru told Bayushi Monban that Isawa Kaede had accused her magic of ‘caging’ spirits and that a duel was nearly precipitated before being stopped. Bayushi Monban arranged a more private academic discussion and Minoru provided where she could be found, while the tea ceremony concluded, the group departed with formal bows, and Shiba Midori thanked and bade farewell to the Tea Mistress and the Unicorn pair.

• Shugenja dispute disclosed - Iuchi Minoru told Bayushi Monban that “Isawa Kaede” once accused her magic of “caging” spirits, nearly leading to a magical duel among shugenja before Isawa Kaede’s superior stopped it.
• Private follow-up arranged - Bayushi Monban requested a more private, academic discussion of Unicorn spirit philosophy; Iuchi Minoru agreed in general terms and provided where she could be found, noting higher priorities in the present.
• Tea service concluded - The Tea Mistress closed the ceremony; due to their status, the group were expected to depart first and did so with formal bows and thanks.
• Hostess acknowledged - Shiba Midori thanked the Tea Mistress for the brew; the Tea Mistress expressed she looked forward to serving Shiba Midori again.
• Unicorn farewells given - Shiba Midori bowed to the Unicorn pair, thanking them for the enlightening conversation and indicating hope for future discussions.

Docks bait plan and timing - Outside the teahouse, Kakita Kazumi proposed serving as bait at The Docks after dark to help locals catch the perpetrators active there. The group agreed to attempt The Docks operation that night and to present themselves to Governor Miya Amaya in the morning. Shiba Midori expressed suspicion that the claim about the author traveling to Toshi Ranbo was a lie intended to misdirect Bayushi Monban.

• Docks plan announced - Outside, Kakita Kazumi proposed serving as bait at The Docks after dark to assist the locals in catching the perpetrators active there.
• Timing agreed - The group decided to attempt The Docks operation that night, before formally presenting themselves to Governor Miya Amaya in the morning.
• Toshi Ranbo claim rejected - Shiba Midori indicated a strong sense that the claim about the author traveling to Toshi Ranbo was a lie intended to misdirect Bayushi Monban.