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Session

Spirits and Shadows Unveiled

Session 32·2025-12-16

The fire spirits at the burned theatre had a straight answer for her. A caged one was let out to set the blaze. Someone in this city is spending spirits as tools.

Kakita Kazumi was not taken. He was in an alley with his katana through a thief's foot, negotiating. He pulled the blade out, made the man hand back Shiba Midori's purse, and bound him to service as restitution rather than kill him.

At The Docks he presented the thief to Shiba Midori, who arrived bruised, black-eyed and unarmed. The purse was a koku light; the thief said it spilled while he ran. Then she knelt down and used water magic on him — I will pull back your blood into your body — and closed his wounds. He had robbed her, beaten her, and put her in a boat, and she healed him on a dock in front of witnesses.

Kaeru Haya arrived and told the magistrates exactly what she thought of people who leave a spirit speaker alone at night in this city, and said she would be settling with the men who did it. Bayushi Monban came down out of the sky to join the conversation.

Then the business. Kaeru Haya wanted a formal report on the Mantis Captain's conduct toward Emerald Magistrates, and Doji Setsuna volunteered to draft the investigation records herself — written so that the Kaeru Ronin's competence is on the page and the captain's contempt is on it too. They took lodgings on the Unicorn side and sent word to the governor that they were in the city.

Rested, they crossed to the Dragonfly Clan shrines, past the water gardens and the bushi on the gates, and Tonbo Kuma came down off a balcony and set aside his go board to receive them. Doji Setsuna asked for a teaching game at maximum handicap and beat him. Then she asked for a second and beat him again.

Out of that came the useful thing. There is a novelist in the city researching how people interact with spirits — and both a Unicorn and a Lion samurai have already come looking for the same person.

Then the theatre. Daidoji Shin's planned theatre had burned, and at the ruin Shiba Midori communed with the fire spirits and got a plain answer: a caged spirit was let out to start it.

And then an urgent summons. Asahina Nao came aboard the governor's boat to collect them, and Governor Miya Tetsuya laid out something worse — a guest in their care showing the signs of possession. The magistrates have seen this before. They gave their word to keep the meishōdō dimension and the theatre fire quiet, given what both would do politically if they were not. Bayushi Monban put a Cleansing Spirit ritual over the group before they went in.

Setsuna

Kakita Kazumi was never taken, which corrects last session's reading and makes the pattern narrower rather than wider: the collectors took Shiba Midori — the spirit speaker — and left everyone else. Kaeru Haya understood that immediately and was angry about it. The boss needs another means another shugenja.

The theatre is the proof of method. A caged spirit was released to set that fire. That is the whole apparatus in one sentence: spirits bound into objects, moved through this port, and spent — used up as arson, and the vessel ruined in the using, which is why the trade needs constant resupply. It also means the traffic is not collectors buying curios. It is somebody arming themselves.

And it was Daidoji Shin's theatre. The Crane agent hunting the shugenja who roused the spirits in the Crane lands has now had his own project burned by a released spirit in this city. He is not chasing this trade. He is being answered by it.

Three parties are hunting the same novelist. A Unicorn, a Lion, and now the magistrates — with Hana no Ame's pen name already on a receipt for a wild spirit out of the Burning Sands. Whoever finds this author first controls what the other two learn. She should assume the Lion and the Unicorn are not looking for a writer to silence but for a supplier to secure.

The report is a real weapon and she should write it carefully. She has the pen on the official record of the Mantis captain's conduct. That document will be read by people who will never meet Captain Kubota — and she still does not know whether his ransom story was true. Writing him down as contemptuous of Imperial authority before she has checked is exactly the kind of tidy sentence that becomes a fact.

She beat Tonbo Kuma twice at maximum handicap and got a lead out of it. That is the cheapest intelligence anyone has bought this month.

Timeline

Dockside Theft and Aftermath - A confrontation in a back alley culminated with Kakita Kazumi extracting his katana from a thief’s foot, forcing the man to return Shiba Midori’s coin purse and compelling him into service. The group reconvened at The Docks at dawn, discovered a missing koku from the purse, and Shiba Midori used water magic to heal the thief’s wounds. Kaeru Ronin and Bayushi Monban became involved, the magistrates documented a suspected Mantis smuggling incident, recovered Shiba Midori’s daisho from a Fisherman’s boat, and arranged rest and minor protective measures before continuing investigations.

Alley confrontation and presentation - Kakita Kazumi removed his katana from a Peasant Thief’s foot, compelled him to return Shiba Midori’s coin purse, and pressed him into service to repay the offense. Kazumi reached The Docks at dawn, observed Kaeru Ronin searching the area, and encountered Doji Setsuna and Shiba Midori leaving The Docks; Shiba Midori bore a fresh shiner and lacked her weapons.

Purse inspection and healing - Shiba Midori discovered the coin purse was light by one koku while the thief claimed any loss occurred during a dark chase. Shiba Midori used water magic to stop the thief’s bleeding, cured his light wound, and bandaged his foot; a Kaeru Ronin warned the group about leaving a spirit speaker alone at night and promised retribution against those who mistreated her.

  • Missing Koku Noted - Shiba Midori found the coin purse light by one koku; the thief claimed any loss spilled during the dark chase.
  • Water Healing Performed - Shiba Midori, Phoenix shugenja and spirit speaker, used water magic to stop the thief’s bleeding and cure his lightly wounded condition, then bandaged his foot.
  • Kaeru Warning Delivered - Kaeru Haya of the Kaeru Ronin admonished the group for leaving a spirit speaker alone at night and promised harsh retribution against the men who mistreated Shiba Midori.

Kaeru and Monban follow-up - Bayushi Monban arrived at The Docks via a flying spell while Kaeru Ronin continued scouring The Docks. Kaeru Haya asked the Emerald Magistrates to draft a formal report accusing a Mantis Captain of smuggling and disrespect, and the group compared notes confirming the vessel likely matched prior sightings; Bayushi Monban offered to write the formal records.

Rest, testimony, and recoveries - The magistrates secured accommodations on the Unicorn side for several hours of rest and instructed Kaeru Haya to notify the governor of their presence. Bayushi Monban took Kaeru Haya’s testimony and drafted reports censuring the Mantis Captain; a Kaeru Ronin brought a Fisherman who reported samurai items found in his boat, and Bayushi Monban retrieved a pair of daisho identified as Shiba Midori’s but kept them with him rather than rearming her immediately.

  • Rest Arranged Unicorn Side - The magistrates secured accommodations on the Unicorn side of the river for several hours of rest after the night’s events.
  • Calendar Notice Sent - Bayushi Monban instructed Kaeru Haya to notify the governor of the Emerald Magistrates’ presence and intent to be placed on the social calendar.
  • Testimony Collected Drafted - Doji Setsuna took Kaeru Haya’s testimony and composed reports highlighting the Kaeru investigators’ competence and censuring the Mantis Captain’s dishonorable conduct, including abandoning half his crew.
  • Fisherman’s Find Reported - A Kaeru Ronin brought a Fisherman to Kaeru Haya, reporting samurai items found in his boat that might interest Shiba Midori.
  • Daisho Recovered Afloat - Bayushi Monban leapt into the Fisherman’s boat and retrieved a hastily dumped pair of swords that appeared to be Shiba Midori’s daisho, confirming her personal marks before presenting them.
  • Cautious Re-arming Deferred - Bayushi Monban carried Shiba Midori’s blades for her rather than rearming her immediately given her condition, standing near So she could draw if needed.

Watch, ritual, and errands - Bayushi Monban attempted a Cleansing Spirit ritual that produced no apparent effect and later stood watch outside the magistrates’ chambers while associates attempted to cross the river. Kakita Kazumi tasked the former thief—now his henchman—with purchasing supplies including digging trowels and warned him not to abscond with the money.

  • Cleansing Attempt Fizzles - Bayushi Monban attempted a Cleansing Spirit ritual to bolster the group but it produced no apparent effect.
  • Monban Standing Watch - Bayushi Monban slept outside Doji Setsuna and Shiba Midori’s chambers after the rest, while his associates Ryu and So attempted to cross the river.
  • Henchman Tasked Shopping - Kakita Kazumi sent his new henchman—the former thief—to purchase supplies, including digging trowels, warning him not to abscond with the money.

Dragonfly Inquiry and Leads - The magistrates crossed to the Dragonfly Clan Shrine, visited Dragonfly Clan shrines, and met Tonbo Kuma, who discussed a novelist researching spirit interactions and identified Shinjo Higoichi as the person of interest. Doji Setsuna played and won two games of go with Tonbo Kuma, observed possible water-based shugenja talent, consulted a tattooed monk on Kiho, and received correction and a demonstration of Fist of Air. The group gathered leads linking Shinjo Higoichi to Governor Miya Tetsuya and Asahina Nao, noted possible lodging, and inspected the burned theater site.

Shrines and introductions - Shiba Midori completed a Path to Inner Peace to remove her ring impairment and recover fatigue, and the group visited Dragonfly Clan shrines with water gardens and bushi guards. Tonbo Kuma greeted the magistrates from a balcony, paused a go game with Tonbo Higuchi to receive them, and Doji Setsuna asked for help connecting with a novelist researching spirit interactions.

  • Self-Healing Achieved - Shiba Midori performed Path to Inner Peace on herself, removing her ring impairment and recovering fatigue.
  • Dragonfly Shrines Visited - The group crossed to the Dragonfly Clan Shrine and visited Dragonfly Clan shrines with lavish water gardens and bushi guards.
  • Tonbo Kuma Introduced - Tonbo Kuma, leader of the Dragonfly Clan in the city, greeted the magistrates from a balcony over the gardens and paused a go game with Tonbo Higuchi to receive them.

Novelist inquiry and observations - Tonbo Kuma reported that a young Unicorn and a Lion samurai had also asked about the same novelist recently. Doji Setsuna played two teaching games of go with Tonbo Kuma, won both after adjusting strategy, and observed the shrine’s extensive water features and subtle water manipulation when Tonbo Kuma gestured, suggesting shugenja talent.

  • Novelist Inquiry Raised - Doji Setsuna asked Tonbo Kuma, as an unofficial matter, to help connect her with a novelist reportedly researching spirit interactions.
  • Unicorn And Lion Leads - Tonbo Kuma reported that a young Unicorn and a Lion samurai had also asked about the same person within hours of each other recently.
  • Go Lessons Played - Doji Setsuna accepted a teaching game of go with Tonbo Kuma using maximum handicaps and won, then adjusted strategy and won a second game.
  • Water Motif Observed - Doji Setsuna noted the shrine’s extensive water features and perceived subtle water manipulation when Tonbo Kuma gestured, suggesting shugenja talent and possible inspiration for the author.

Kiho critique and author ID - Bayushi Monban consulted an A Monk at the shrines, requested critique of his Kiho forms, and received corrections emphasizing balance and the Tao. The A Monk demonstrated Fist of Air by disrupting a nearby waterfall, and Tonbo Kuma identified the person of interest as Shinjo Higoichi, saying Governor Miya Tetsuya had referred Higoichi to both Tonbo Kuma and Asahina Nao.

  • Monk Consultation Sought - Bayushi Monban located an A Monk at the shrines, requested critique of his Kiho forms, and received corrections emphasizing balance and the Tao.
  • Fist Of Air Demonstrated - The A Monk demonstrated Fist of Air by disrupting a nearby waterfall and advised Bayushi Monban to study the Tao daily to improve meditation, void, and theology.
  • Author Identity Named - Tonbo Kuma identified the person of interest as Shinjo Higoichi and said Governor Miya Tetsuya had referred Higoichi to both Tonbo Kuma and Asahina Nao.

Author leads and theater check - Doji Setsuna recalled Asahina Nao, a Crane shugenja familiar with fire and water and meishodo connections, and noted Hana no Ame’s writings on Tonbo Kuma’s shelf without revealing a suspected link. Tonbo Kuma suggested Shinjo Higoichi might be a guest of Governor Miya Tetsuya, and Doji Setsuna located Daidoji Shin’s planned theater on the Unicorn side as a burned-down ruin with a “coming soon” Riverfront Theater sign.

Theater Arson and Governor Meeting - At the burned theater site Shiba Midori communed with fire spirits and learned that a Meishoto-bound spirit had been released, attracting other fire kami and that a larger fire spirit existed elsewhere in the city. The group decided to seek an expedited audience with Governor Miya Tetsuya; the Kaeru samurai delivered an urgent summons and provided a special boat. Asahina Nao joined the party aboard, they agreed to approach the governor together, and the governor described his guest’s possession-like behavior while Daidoji Shin was escorted out of the meeting room.

Fire spirit communion and priority - Shiba Midori communed with fire spirits at the theater ruins and learned a Meishoto “caged” spirit had been released to start the blaze, that other fire kami joined in, and that a larger fire spirit existed elsewhere in the city. The group decided to seek an expedited audience with the governor to report the magical arson risk, inquire about Shinjo Higoichi, and address property matters before visiting Asahina Nao.

  • Fire Spirits Questioned - At the ruins, Shiba Midori communed with fire spirits, learning a Meishoto “caged” spirit had been released to start the blaze, other fire kami joined in, and a larger fire spirit existed elsewhere in the city.
  • Meeting Priority Set - The group decided to seek an expedited audience with the governor to report magical arson risk, inquire about Shinjo Higoichi, and address property matters before visiting Asahina Nao.

Summons and joint approach - Kaeru samurai announced Governor Miya Tetsuya had urgently requested a meeting and provided a special boat. Asahina Nao greeted the magistrates aboard, explained she had been summoned about a possession as well, and agreed with the magistrates to attend the governor together noting the theater fire’s magical nature and the danger of a larger spirit.

  • Urgent Summons Delivered - At The Docks, Kaeru samurai announced that Governor Miya Tetsuya urgently requested a meeting and provided a special boat.
  • Asahina Nao Aboard - Asahina Nao, Crane shugenja versed in fire, water, and meishodo, greeted Doji Setsuna, Kakita Kazumi, Shiba Midori, and Bayushi Monban aboard, explaining she had also been summoned about a possession.
  • Joint Approach Agreed - Asahina Nao and the magistrates agreed to attend the governor together, noting the theater fire’s magical nature and the danger of a larger spirit.

Governor meeting and Shin ejection - The party crossed to the island manor where guards escorted them to a meeting room and Governor Miya Tetsuya and Daidoji Shin awaited. Doji Setsuna presented findings on the theater fire and Shiba Midori described the release of a Meishoto-bound fire spirit; Doji Setsuna and Shiba Midori pressed Daidoji Shin, Governor Miya Tetsuya acknowledged Shin’s investigative role, and with Asahina Nao’s support Shin was asked to leave the room and departed reluctantly.

Possession signs and assistance pledged - Governor Miya Tetsuya described his guest’s strange behavior—burning eyes, consuming and throwing a breakfast bowl into the fire, and asking about “Zool” and the “Keymaster.” Doji Setsuna promised discretion given political sensitivities, the group confirmed prior experience with possession risks, and the governor said he had sent for the Dragonfly representative and had Kaeru Haya locate Shiba Midori So they could address the possession without endangering the manor.

  • Possession Signs Described - Governor Miya Tetsuya described his guest’s strange behavior indicating possession—burning eyes, consuming and throwing a breakfast bowl into the fire, and asking about “Zool” and the “Keymaster.”
  • Discretion Promised - Doji Setsuna promised they would address Shinjo Higoichi or Hana no Ame’s situation with utmost discretion given the political sensitivities around meishodo, authorship, and arson.
  • Experience Acknowledged - Asahina Nao asked about their experience with possession; the group confirmed prior encounters and recognized the risks of mishandling bound spirits.
  • Dragonfly Aid Requested - Governor Miya Tetsuya said he had already sent for the Dragonfly representative to assist and had Kaeru Haya locate Shiba Midori; the group prepared to deal with the possession without endangering the manor.

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