Docks of Deception Unfold

Timeline

Escort and Alley Assault - Kaeru Haya escorted Bayushi Monban and Doji Setsuna toward The Docks as they expected a smuggling catch. En route and near The Docks, Shiba Midori was approached by two men and fought them in a dark alley, where she was struck repeatedly with wooden weapons and rendered unconscious. Kaeru Haya provided information about possible smugglers, a large Mantis ship in the harbor, and detained crew aboard that vessel. The group left Midori incapacitated in the alley and continued toward The Docks.

Escort Toward The Docks - Kaeru Haya escorted Bayushi Monbanand Doji Setsuna toward The Docks on suspicion a smuggling catch would occur soon. In a dark alley near The Docks, two men approached Shiba Midori claiming their boss needed “one more,” and Midori drew her daisho and struck the closest assailant. The assailants wielded paired wooden weapons and blocked her cut, then one struck her side while the second delivered a double strike to her midsection.

• Docks Escort Planned - Kaeru Haya, the local head lawman, escorted Bayushi Monban, Doji Setsuna, and Kakita Kazumi toward The Docks on suspicion that a smuggling “catch” would occur soon.
• Kidnappers Target Midori - In a dark alley near The Docks, Shiba Midori, a fiery‑tempered Phoenix Emerald Magistrate, was approached by two men who said “the boss” needed “one more” to get offshore and decided she would do.
• Midori Draws Katana - Shiba Midori armed herself with her daisho and struck the closest assailant with her katana in the obscuring darkness.
• Wooden Weapons Revealed - The two assailants wielded paired wooden weapons and blocked Shiba Midori’s cut by interposing an arm, commenting crudely about her sword.
• First Counterstrike Lands - One attacker struck Shiba Midori in the side with a wooden weapon; her robes absorbed part of the impact but were ripped as the weapon snagged the fabric.
• Double Blows Exchanged - The second attacker delivered a quick double strike to Shiba Midori’s midsection, adding to her fatigue without drawing blood.

En Route Intelligence and Ship - While en route, Kaeru Haya told Bayushi Monban and Doji Setsuna that a smuggling ring likely operated from The Docks, the alias “Hana-no-Ame” did not match any real person, Unicorn had asked about the false name, and rumors suggested smugglers sought foreign relics. Kaeru Haya identified a large blue‑water Mantis ship in the harbor and reported a half dozen of that ship’s sailors were in lockup, limiting its manpower.

• Smuggling Context Briefed - En route, Kaeru Haya told Bayushi Monban and Doji Setsuna a smuggling ring likely operated from The Docks and might tie to their investigation, but the cargo was unknown.
• Alias Exposed As False - Doji Setsuna asked Kaeru Haya about the missing person “Hana-no-Ame,” and Kaeru Haya stated that name did not correspond to any real person.
• Clan Interests Noted - Kaeru Haya reported a pair of Unicorn had asked about the false‑name target, a Lion (Kaeru Akiara) was being kept occupied, and the army had marched past the city without engaging to avoid insulting the Imperial Governor.
• Foreign Relics Rumor - Kaeru Haya relayed rumors that smugglers sought relics from outside Rokugan, not just Unicorn magic, matching interests seen among Mantis.
• Mantis Ship Identified - Kaeru Haya pointed out the Largest Ship In The Harbor—a blue‑water vessel unsuited to the river yet present because the river remained navigable here.
• Crew Detained - Kaeru Haya said a half dozen of that ship’s sailors were in lockup, limiting the vessel’s manpower.

Midori Overpowered in Alley - Shiba Midori pressed her attack in the dark and landed a heavier blow that damaged an opponent’s gear, but the assailants used fluid Striking as Water–like tactics that wore down her defenses. The continued beat‑down culminated in a glancing but painful injury and left Midori incapacitated; she lost consciousness in the alley.

• Midori Fights Back - Shiba Midori pressed her attack in the dark, landing a heavier blow that bit into wood and shattered part of an opponent’s gear.
• Striking As Water Tactics - The assailants used fluid tactics akin to Striking as Water, wearing down Shiba Midori’s defenses and increasing the effect of their wooden strikes.
• Midori Overwhelmed - The continued beat‑down left Shiba Midori incapacitated with a glancing but painful injury; she lost consciousness in the alley.
• Kubota Background Shared - Kaeru Haya asked about Captain Kubota; Bayushi Monban described Captain Kubota, an older Mantis captain, reputed for acquiring foreign and illicit goods, and noted leverage through Kubota’s first mate from the Topaz Championship.

Dockside Search and Rescue Effort - Doji Setsuna and Kaeru Haya searched The Docks, noted missing skiffs, and Bayushi Monban used Ride the Clouds to scout from above. Monban spotted movement on the large Mantis ship and a scrap of navy blue cloth matching Midori’s robe, then heard Midori weakly from near the waterline. Monban found Midori curled in a small fishing skiff, extracted her to the high dock, and Doji Setsuna confirmed she had been robbed and injured while Kakita Kazumi remained missing. The large ship began pulling away and Monban pursued it, confronting Captain Kubota on deck and initiating an exchange that resulted in a cut sail and failed anchors as the ship drifted.

Search Begins and Aerial Recon - Doji Setsuna and Kaeru Haya reached The Docks and found no immediate sign of Shiba Midori or Kakita Kazumi; Doji observed several empty tie‑offs and fewer small boats than expected. Bayushi Monban invoked Ride the Clouds, ascended to rooftop height to scan the harbor, saw movement on the large blue‑water ship, and spotted a scrap of navy blue cloth with an emerald border matching Midori’s robe stuck on a bridge pylon.

• Mantis-Crane Precedent Recalled - Doji Setsuna recalled a recent case where Crane were caught with “art of unusual provenance,” claimed Mantis deception, and Emerald Magistrates ruled for the Mantis after the captain asserted the Crane had sought foreign goods.
• Search At Docks Begins - Doji Setsuna and Kaeru Haya reached The Docks and found no immediate sign of Shiba Midori or Kakita Kazumi among the moorings.
• Fewer Skiffs Noted - Doji Setsuna observed several empty tie‑offs and fewer small boats than expected, suggesting missing skiffs along the dockfront.
• Monban Takes Flight - Bayushi Monban invoked Ride the Clouds, erupting in emerald snowflakes and with hair tinting emerald, and ascended to rooftop height to scan the harbor.
• Big Ship Activity Spotted - From above, Bayushi Monban saw movement on the large blue‑water ship in the harbor as dawn approached.
• Cloth Clue Discovered - While flying, Bayushi Monban spotted a scrap of navy blue cloth with an emerald green border stuck on a bridge pylon—matching Shiba Midori’s robe.

Finding Midori on the Skiff - Doji Setsuna mobilized a lantern sweep of The Docks while Bayushi Monban heard Midori weakly from below and moved to investigate. Monban located Midori curled between benches in a small fishing skiff, landed on the skiff, lifted her, and returned to the high dock. Doji Setsuna examined Midori, noted bruises and that her daisho, purse, and tanto were missing, and Midori took calming breaths despite sharp pain in her right side; Kakita Kazumi remained unaccounted for.

• All Hands Mobilized - Doji Setsuna asserted Emerald authority; Kaeru Haya ordered Koji to bring everyone with lanterns to sweep The Docks end to end for the missing magistrates.
• Midori’s Voice Heard - Bayushi Monban heard Shiba Midori weakly from below near the waterline and moved to investigate perpendicular to the big ship’s heading.
• Midori Found Aboard Skiff - Bayushi Monban located Shiba Midori curled between benches in a small, fish‑smelling, oar‑equipped fishing boat tied to the dock, with no rowers present.
• Monban Extracts Midori - Bayushi Monban landed on the skiff, lifted Shiba Midori, and leapt back up to the high dock, calling out for the “Kakita Kazumi” without response.
• Robbery Confirmed - Doji Setsuna examined Shiba Midori, noting bruises and that her daisho, purse, and even a tanto were missing, confirming she had been robbed.
• Midori Stabilizes - Shiba Midori took calming breaths to steady herself despite sharp pain in her right side indicating a non‑bleeding internal injury.
• Kazumi Still Missing - Doji Setsuna informed Kaeru Haya that Kakita Kazumi remained unaccounted for and should be treated as in danger until proven otherwise.

Pursuit to the Mantis Ship - Koji reported the large Mantis ship was pulling away from The Docks and swinging downriver. Bayushi Monban re‑invoked Ride the Clouds, streaked toward the departing ship, landed before Captain Kubota, displayed his Emerald Magistrate badge, and ordered the ship to anchor. Captain Kubota refused, citing tide and hull damage, the exchange escalated when Monban slashed an unfurled sail, and anchors and lines failed as the ship continued drifting downriver.

• Ship Getting Underway - Koji reported to Kaeru Haya that the big ship was pulling away from The Docks and swinging downriver.
• Monban Launches Pursuit - Bayushi Monban re‑invoked Ride the Clouds, cried out “My big sister” while unmasking in anger, and streaked horizontally toward the departing ship.
• Confrontation On Deck - Bayushi Monban landed before Captain Kubota, presented his Emerald Magistrate badge, and ordered the ship to anchor immediately.
• Tide And Damage Protest - Captain Kubota refused, citing the running tide, risk of hull damage from anchoring, and asked whether the Emerald Magistrates would pay for any damage.
• Sail Cut In Retaliation - Bayushi Monban slashed an unfurled sail; Captain Kubota threatened to pursue restitution for property damage and ordered anchors dropped anyway.
• Anchors Strain And Fail - The anchors splashed; lines snapped taut; to avoid rocks the starboard anchor line was cut, another line failed, and the ship continued drifting in Drowned Merchant River.

Confrontation with Captain and Aftermath - Bayushi Monban and Captain Kubota exchanged heated words aboard the drifting ship, with Kubota repeatedly insulting Monban and explaining his need to deliver ransom cargo because a relative had been kidnapped. Kubota cited local political tensions, claimed the cargo was necessary to secure the child’s release, and said some dock magistrates were responding on the child’s behalf. Kubota denied smuggling, asserted he was an honest merchant, demanded proper charges if detained, and refused delays; the exchange ended with mutual threats and Monban departing by cloud. Back on The Docks, Doji Setsuna recommended Kaeru Haya escort Shiba Midori back to their quarters to rest and recover while Kakita Kazumi remained missing.

Insults and Ransom Explanation - Captain Kubota repeatedly called Bayushi Monban “boy,” provoking heated retorts as he wrestled the tiller to avoid shoals. Kubota explained a young relative had been kidnapped by local bosses and ransom cargo in his hold needed to reach Slowtide Harbor in time, and he cited a shore contact refusing to release detained sailors and the execution of a local boss as worsening tensions.

• “Boy” Insults Traded - Captain Kubota repeatedly called Bayushi Monban “boy,” provoking heated retorts as the captain wrestled the tiller to keep off the shoals.
• Urgent Ransom Explained - Captain Kubota pointed to a young man and stated his nephew’s daughter had been kidnapped by local bosses; ransom cargo was in his hold and had to reach Slowtide Harbor in time.
• Local Politics Cited - Captain Kubota said a “Miya Tetsuya” on shore refused to release his detained sailors after drunken fights, and mentioned “Boss Yaguro” had been executed by magistrates, worsening tensions among The Docks’ bosses.

Claims About Repairs and Denials - Captain Kubota added that the child’s mother was a Tortoise and that dock magistrates were responding; he said he might attempt to reach a castle or Toshi Ranbo for repairs but needed to keep sailing to meet his timetable. Kubota denied current wrongdoing, asserted he was an honest merchant and fleet admiral equivalent, demanded proper charges if detained, and rejected promised papers instructing him to report to the capital after completing business.

• Tortoise Ties Mentioned - Captain Kubota added that the child’s mother was a Tortoise, and some dock magistrates were responding; he claimed to be making no profit on this run.
• Ports And Repairs Considered - Captain Kubota said with no anchors he might attempt to reach “Castle of the Swift Sword” or possibly Toshi Ranbo for repairs but needed to keep sailing to meet his timetable.
• Smuggling Denial Maintained - Captain Kubota denied current wrongdoing, asserting he was an honest merchant captain and fleet admiral, daimyo‑equivalent, and demanded proper charges if detained.
• Papers Promised Later - Bayushi Monban said he would write papers instructing Captain Kubota to report to the capital after completing business at Slowtide Harbor; Captain Kubota rejected delays.

Parting Threats and Recovery Orders - The exchange ended with mutual threats about reputations and damages; Bayushi Monban departed by cloud and Captain Kubota resumed his downriver course. Back on The Docks, Doji Setsuna recommended Kaeru Haya escort Shiba Midori back to their quarters to rest and recover, while Kakita Kazumi remained missing.

• Parting Threats And Boasts - The exchange ended with mutual threats about reputations and damages; Bayushi Monban departed by cloud, and Captain Kubota resumed his downriver course.
• Recovery Recommendation - Back on The Docks, Doji Setsuna recommended Kaeru Haya escort Shiba Midori back to their quarters to rest and recover, while Kakita Kazumi remained missing.