Tea and Tensions in Transit

Timeline

Tea House Mission Briefing - At the Governor’s Tea House in the City Of The Rich Frog, attendees gathered and an imperial envoy presented a mission. Miya Misato declared she carried an imperial writ ordering her to go to Unicorn lands, locate the Lion armies, command them to cease operations, and bring both sides to negotiate. The group made introductions, noted Bayushi Monban’s absence, and discussed timing and escort for immediate departure. Private and logistical concerns—medical treatment, a sealed spirit in Shiba Midori’s quarters, and plans to consult city contacts—were raised during the meeting.

Tea convening and mission revealed - Shiba Midori hosted a tea with Kakita Kazumi and Doji Setsuna; Bayushi Monban’s absence was noted and Miya Misato attended as an imperial envoy. Miya Misato stated the Imperial Advisor’s servant ordered her to go to Unicorn lands to locate the Lion armies, command them to cease operations, find the Unicorn Champion, and bring both sides to negotiate. She carried an imperial writ from The Emperor and showed visible nervousness while the group made formal introductions.

• Tea ceremony convened - At the Governor’s Tea House in the City Of The Rich Frog, Shiba Midori, courtly healer, hosted a tea ceremony with Kakita Kazumi, agile duelist and herbalist, while Doji Setsuna, refined Crane author, arrived during the thick-tea phase.
• Monban absent noted - Kakita Kazumi expressed concern that Bayushi Monban, masked Scorpion operative, was not present during the tea.
• Imperial envoy present - Miya Misato, young Miya courtier and niece to the Governor Miya Tetsuya, attended, travel-worn yet properly dressed in subtly imperial colors.
• Mission declared - Miya Misato stated the Imperial Advisor’s servant ordered her to go to Unicorn lands, locate the Lion armies, command them to cease operations, find the Unicorn Champion, and bring both sides to negotiate a peaceful resolution.
• Writ confirmed - Miya Misato carried an imperial writ from The Emperor underpinning the peace demand.
• Nerves revealed - Miya Misato, 16 and unseasoned, visibly trembled while describing the task and tried to steady herself.
• Formal introductions - Shiba Midori introduced Miya Misato to Doji Setsuna; Kakita Kazumi praised Doji Setsuna’s brushwork and his own blade skill.

Escort, personal stakes, treatment - Shiba Midori and Kakita Kazumi agreed to accompany Miya Misato toward the front as Emerald Magistrates; Shiba noted Doji Setsuna’s husband was held in the conflict and prisoners were being treated acceptably. The group discussed departing the following morning, and Doji Setsuna requested a private moment to revisit prior counsel about a Terminating Tea. Shiba warned the Terminating Tea would be unpleasant with slow recovery and identified the sealed spirit-in-a-box stored in her quarters.

• Escort pledged - Shiba Midori and Kakita Kazumi agreed to accompany Miya Misato toward the front, citing Emerald Magistrate duty.
• Personal stakes noted - Shiba Midori mentioned Doji Setsuna’s husband was held in the conflict and that prisoners were being treated acceptably.
• Travel timing discussed - Miya Misato wished to depart as soon as possible with protectors; the group inclined toward leaving the following morning.
• Private request planned - Doji Setsuna sought a private moment with Shiba Midori to revisit prior “tea” counsel about a Terminating Tea.
• Treatment window weighed - Shiba Midori advised the Terminating Tea would be unpleasant with slow recovery; Doji Setsuna considered taking it before departure if necessary.
• Spirit box location set - Shiba Midori confirmed the sealed spirit-in-a-box (The Ifrit) was stored in her quarters in a long receptacle, out of sight.

Route uncertainty and contacts - Shiba considered stationing guards at her quarters and proposed a Kitsu ally for watch duty. Miya Misato admitted she did not know the current locations of the Lion and Unicorn armies, and the group recalled a letter referencing items found near the Battle of the Snow Plains southwest of their position. They noted Lady Matsu likely commanded the Lion army and decided to consult Unicorn and Lion representatives in the city for army locations.

• Quarters security arranged - Shiba Midori considered obtaining guards and proposed asking a trusted Kitsu ally to watch her quarters.
• Route problem surfaced - Miya Misato admitted she did not know the current locations of the Lion and Unicorn armies.
• Old battlefield remembered - The group recalled a recent letter indicating items found near the Battle of the Snow Plains, southwest of current position, possibly informing search direction.
• Army control context - They noted Lady Matsu, fierce Lion commander, was almost certainly with the Lion army, while the Lion Clan Champion held ultimate command if present.
• City contacts proposed - The group decided to consult Unicorn and Lion representatives within the city to locate their armies.

Unicorn District Intelligence Sweep - The group crossed the river to the Unicorn District to gather information and contacts. They identified local constabulary and leads to several merchants and antiquities dealers, and a Scorpion contact gave limited information. Parallel efforts included procuring specific medicinal and restricted herbal ingredients, which required using Shiba Midori’s authority to obtain a restricted component, and gathering supply-route intelligence and investigations at the Burnt Theater.

Crossing and local inquiries - The Governor authorized a boat to ferry the group to the Unicorn District, where the area was busy with samurai and rōnin and the Kaeru Ronin served as city constabulary. Kakita Kazumi identified potential information contacts (Ide Chiharu, Hideyoshi Aki, Ide Sakube). Bayushi Monban approached a Young Scorpion Samurai In A Cat Mask who asked directions to the Teahouse With No Name, knew of no army locations, recognized Monban, and departed across the river.

• Transport arranged - The Governor authorized one of his boats to ferry the group from the island palace across the river to the Unicorn District.
• Unicorn District arrival - Shiba Midori, Kakita Kazumi, Bayushi Monban, and Miya Misato crossed to the Unicorn side, a busy merchant quarter with many samurai and rōnin present.
• Local authorities recalled - They noted the Kaeru Ronin served as city constabulary for the Governor Miya Tetsuya.
• Information broker leads - Kakita Kazumi’s contact pointed him toward Ide Chiharu, Ide curio shopkeeper; Hideyoshi Aki, well-connected trader; and Ide Sakube, dealer in art and antiquities.
• Scorpion contact met - Bayushi Monban approached a Young Scorpion Samurai In A Cat Mask from Slowtide Harbor, who asked directions to the Teahouse With No Name and knew of no army locations.
• Recognition exchanged - Bayushi Monban identified himself; the masked Scorpion acknowledged his notoriety and departed across the river.

Herbal procurement efforts - Back at the palace, Shiba Midori sent Doji Setsuna’s servants to purchase four abortifacient ingredients; the servants returned with mostly incorrect or substituted items, missing two components including nightshade and a restricted herb. Kakita inferred medicinal/poisonous herbs were intended and quietly advised Setsuna that diluted nightshade tea could aid certain conditions. Kakita provided a packet of nightshade to Shiba with handling instructions; Shiba arranged a written list and used her Emerald Magistrate authority to compel an apothecary to lawfully dispense the restricted herb.

• Ingredient acquisition initiated - Back at the palace, Shiba Midori sent Doji Setsuna’s servants Ishika and Aika to purchase specific abortifacient ingredients, providing funds and instructions.
• First shopping result - Ishika and Aika returned with mostly incorrect or substituted items, missing two of the four needed components, including nightshade and a restricted medicinal herb.
• Herbal intent suspected - Kakita Kazumi inferred from glimpses of the bundles and discussion that medicinal/poisonous herbs were being gathered for a delicate treatment.
• Discretion preserved - Kakita Kazumi quietly advised Doji Setsuna that diluted nightshade tea aids certain conditions and suggested coordinating with Shiba Midori.
• Nightshade supplied - Kakita Kazumi delivered a tightly wrapped packet of nightshade leaves to Shiba Midori with strict handling instructions (use one to two leaves, avoid skin contact, wash thoroughly).
• Restricted herb plan - Shiba Midori prepared a written list and arranged for a literate scribe to acquire the remaining restricted medicinal component from licensed apothecaries.
• Authority invoked - Shiba Midori personally presented her Emerald Magistrate authority (chop) to compel the apothecary to lawfully dispense the restricted quantity to her servant.
• Trader intelligence sought - Meanwhile in the Unicorn District, Kakita Kazumi visited Hideyoshi Aki’s Counting House And Warehouse, presented his Emerald Magistrate badge, and explained the imperial mission.

Supply routes and theater findings - At Hideyoshi Aki’s counting house, a yoriki reported recent shipments bound due northeast over the past few days, having shifted from the south earlier, suggesting army movements northeast. Separately, Bayushi Monban visited the ruins of the Burnt Theater, noted lingering spiritual disturbance, and observed a Shosuro-style scorpion mark on a destroyed wall. A Crane bushi recounted that an arsonist unleashed a fire spirit under the stage during a scandalous performance, listed notable attendees (including Daidoji Shin and Governor Miya Tetsuya), reported no important deaths, and mentioned plans to reopen the theater in about a month.

• Supply routes revealed - A Yoriki At Hideyoshi Aki’s reported recent shipments bound due northeast over the past few days, having shifted from the south earlier, suggesting army movements northeast.
• Theater ruins investigated - Separately, Bayushi Monban visited the ruins of the Burnt Theater, noted lingering spiritual disturbance, and spotted a Shosuro-style scorpion mark on a destroyed wall.
• Crane bushi debrief - Crane bushi, serving Daidoji Shin, recounted that an arsonist unleashed a fire spirit under the stage during a scandalous performance; temple priests purified the site afterward.
• Notable audience listed - The Crane bushi listed prominent attendees at the time of the fire, including Daidoji Shin and Governor Miya Tetsuya, along with samurai from Unicorn, Lion, and Dragon.
• Casualties accounted - The Crane bushi reported no important deaths, with a few servants unaccounted for and no bodies found.
• Reopening plans cited - The Crane bushi mentioned the planned reopening with “The Famous Mediocrity” at the restored theater in about a month.

Final Preparations and Departure - The group reconvened at the riverboat with servants and supplies and completed the second procurement for the restricted herb. Doji Setsuna requisitioned a palanquin and the Governor arranged one; the group affirmed they would be seen as Emerald Magistrates escorting an imperial envoy. Shiba Midori brewed and administered a cautious dose of the Terminating Tea to Doji Setsuna, who suffered severe wounding of her Void aspect. The group targeted departure the next morning and fixed a likely march direction to the northeast.

Reassembly and travel arrangements - Bayushi Monban rejoined Kakita Kazumi by the riverboat; Ishika and Aika arrived with ingredient bundles for delivery back to the palace. A scribe had secured the correct restricted herb from an authorized apothecary. Doji Setsuna formally requested a palanquin from Governor Miya Tetsuya, who consented, and the group affirmed they intended to be openly seen as Emerald Magistrates escorting an imperial envoy.

• Group reconvened - Bayushi Monban rejoined Kakita Kazumi by the riverboat; Ishika and Aika arrived there with the ingredient bundles for delivery back to the palace.
• Second procurement completed - With Shiba Midori’s written list and official backing, a scribe secured the correct restricted herb from an authorized apothecary.
• Palanquin requisitioned - Doji Setsuna formally requested a palanquin from Governor Miya Tetsuya for travel; he consented to arrange one despite concerns about visibility in Unicorn lands.
• Miya escort logic - The group affirmed they were not attempting subterfuge; they intended to be seen as Emerald Magistrates escorting an imperial envoy.

Terminating Tea prepared and given - Shiba Midori brewed the first cautious dose of the Terminating Tea for Doji Setsuna, prioritizing safety to reduce lethality risk. Doji Setsuna’s attendants declined to let Bayushi Monban intrude while Shiba brewed; Kakita covertly discouraged Monban from prying and assisted Shiba without stating suspicions. Doji Setsuna consumed the Terminating Tea under Shiba’s care and subsequently suffered severe wounding of her Void aspect consistent with the expected physical toll.

• Brew prepared cautiously - Shiba Midori brewed the first cautious dose of the Terminating Tea (abortifacient) for Doji Setsuna, erring on safety to reduce lethality risk.
• Privacy enforced - Doji Setsuna’s attendants declined to let Bayushi Monban intrude while Shiba Midori brewed; Kakita Kazumi covertly discouraged Monban from prying.
• Assistance coordinated - Shiba Midori accepted Kakita Kazumi’s quiet assistance without requiring him to state suspicions, preserving plausible discretion.
• Dose administered - Doji Setsuna consumed the Terminating Tea under Shiba Midori’s care, initiating the intended medical effect.
• Adverse effects sustained - Doji Setsuna suffered severe wounding of her Void aspect (illness and exhaustion), consistent with the anticipated physical toll of the abortifacient.

Departure timing and direction fixed - With Miya Misato pressing to leave soon and Doji Setsuna recovering from treatment, the group targeted departure the next morning pending Setsuna’s condition. Kakita Kazumi’s supply-line intelligence established a likely northeast heading over several days to intersect Unicorn logistics and approach the moving fronts.

• Departure window adjusted - With Miya Misato pressing to leave soon and Doji Setsuna recovering from treatment, the group targeted departure the next morning, pending Setsuna’s condition.
• March direction fixed - Kakita Kazumi’s supply-line intelligence established a likely northeast heading over several days to intersect Unicorn logistics and close on the moving fronts.