Investigation Amidst Foggy Intrigue

Timeline

Midnight Alarm and Morning - After midnight, guards sounded alarms across the City Of The Rich Frog, entered Guest Wing, and ordered occupants to remain in place. Rumors circulated that Emerald Magistrates moved through the castle and a young daimyo’s niece was seen. At breakfast, Doji Setsuna arrived tired and Bayushi Monban ate ravenously while Shiba Midori’s bruises were noted. Miya Tetsuya arrived angry, accused Midori about his niece, described a slain guard outside Midori’s room, locked down the island, and pressed the magistrates to investigate; the magistrates accepted a courtesy probe and initial interviews began.

Night alarms and rumors - Guards sounded alarms after midnight, entered Guest Wing to check occupants, and ordered guests to remain in place. Rumors spread that the Emerald Magistrates moved about the castle during the night and that a young lady believed to be a daimyo’s niece was seen, with some reporting two of her.

• Night alarms across castle - After midnight at the City Of The Rich Frog, guards sounded alarms, entered Guest Wing to check occupants without explanation, and ordered guests to remain in place.
• Rumored magistrates active - Rumors indicated the Emerald Magistrates moved about the castle during the night while a young lady believed to be a daimyo’s niece was also seen; some thought they saw two of her.

Morning meal and arrivals - Servants laid out a rich breakfast in the guest quarters while the lord had not yet arrived. Doji Setsuna, newly appointed Emerald Magistrate, joined the meal looking tired, and Bayushi Monban ate ravenously, acknowledging deep hunger.

• Breakfast prepared by servants - In the morning, servants laid out a rich, savory breakfast spread in the guest quarters; the lord had not yet arrived.
• Setsuna’s weary arrival - Doji Setsuna, Crane diplomat and newly appointed Emerald Magistrate, joined the meal looking tired but recovering from prior illness.
• Monban devoured breakfast - Bayushi Monban, Scorpion yojimbo to Doji Setsuna, ate ravenously, acknowledging deep hunger.

Midori attacked; evidence found - Kakita Kazumi noted bruising on Shiba Midori, who said attackers used her as a weapon and tied up others including the Miya’s Niece. Midori reported her room had been ransacked, one assailant said she was not the intended target before disengaging, and a guard outside her assigned room had been killed.

• Midori’s bruises noted - Kakita Kazumi remarked on bruising patterns on Shiba Midori, Emerald Magistrate; Midori deflected, implying nocturnal conflict and impersonation had occurred.
• Miya Tetsuya enters displeased - Miya Tetsuya, Imperial Miya Tetsuya of the City Of The Rich Frog, arrived visibly angered and addressed the table.
• Miya Tetsuya’s accusation to Midori - Miya Tetsuya demanded Shiba Midori explain how his niece ended up in a compromising situation unrelated to the assailants’ main target.
• Midori recounts assault - Shiba Midori stated attackers operated inside the guest quarters, used her as a “weapon,” realized she was not their intended target, and tied up others including the Miya’s Niece in another room.
• Assailants misidentified target - Shiba Midori reported one assailant saw her face and said she was not the “right target” before they disengaged, implying prior knowledge of the real target’s location but not identity.
• Ransacked magistrate’s room - Shiba Midori stated her Emerald Magistrate quarters were ransacked and personal effects searched following the attack.
• Guard slain at Midori’s door - Kakita Kazumi noted a guard outside Shiba Midori’s assigned room had been killed, suggesting a forced entry through the door at that location.

Miya Tetsuya demands justice - Miya Tetsuya declared no one would leave or arrive on the island without his orders and pressed the Emerald Magistrates to bring the culprits to justice. The magistrates agreed to investigate as a courtesy while staff interviews and alibi checks were underway.

• Miya Tetsuya locks down island - Miya Tetsuya declared no one would leave or arrive at the island without his orders until the culprits were found, asserting the assailants remained on the island.
• Miya Tetsuya requests investigation - Miya Tetsuya pressed the Emerald Magistrates to bring the culprits to justice, indicating he would formalize the request if necessary.
• Magistrates accept courtesy probe - Shiba Midori and Doji Setsuna agreed to investigate as a courtesy to Miya Tetsuya, distinguishing it from a formal inquiry.
• Guest interviews ongoing - Miya Tetsuya stated all staff were accounted for, interviews were underway for alibis, and he had suspects for the magistrates to investigate.

Initial Forensic Roof Inquiry - Doji Setsuna proposed a discreet tea to speak with select guests while Ikoma Tadayoshi would play to set the mood. Bayushi Monban was directed not to mingle with guests and instead inspected the attacked room, finding roof scratches, displaced attic panels, rope fibers, and a second area of carefully replaced tiles. Monban and Kakita Kazumi discussed that attackers may have used both the door and roof, and planned perimeter checks for infiltration tools. Monban used Riding the Clouds to fly to the Western Wall and scan toward the shore.

Tea plan and performer engaged - Doji Setsuna proposed a discreet tea gathering that afternoon and Shiba Midori agreed to host. Ikoma Tadayoshi, a Lion musician, agreed to perform unfamiliar Unicorn melodies to mask missteps and set the mood, and Doji Setsuna directed that Bayushi Monban not interact with the tea guests.

• Tea plan for discreet inquiry - Doji Setsuna proposed a tea gathering that afternoon to discreetly converse with select guests; Shiba Midori agreed to host.
• Tadayoshi engaged to play - Ikoma Tadayoshi, a Lion musician touring Unicorn lands to study music, agreed to perform unfamiliar Unicorn melodies during the tea to mask missteps and set mood.
• Monban excluded from guests - Doji Setsuna directed that Bayushi Monban should not interact with the tea guests; Monban counter-proposed checking rooms while guests were occupied.

Roof inspection reveals entries - Bayushi Monban examined the targeted room, an internal chamber with one door and no windows, and inferred roof/attic access. He found roof scratches consistent with climbing or grappling, a displaced attic panel, rope fibers between tiles, and a separate area of carefully removed and replaced tiles that could serve as a stealthier observation point overlooking guest quarters.

• Monban inspects attack room - Bayushi Monban examined the targeted room on the second level of the Main Tower, an internal chamber with one door and no windows, and inferred roof/attic access.
• Roof entry evidence found - Bayushi Monban found roof scratches consistent with climbing claws or a grappling hook, a displaced attic panel, and rope fibers between tiles indicating a rope traverse.
• Second, careful entry area - Bayushi Monban identified a separate area of carefully removed and replaced tiles on the eastern side that concealed disturbance, suggesting a second, stealthier entry/observation point.
• View over guest quarters - From the eastern roof area, Bayushi Monban noted one could overwatch guest quarters, implying surveillance of rooms including Shiba Midori’s assigned room.
• Guards briefed on west entry - Bayushi Monban informed castle guards about the disturbed tiles and entry on the west side but withheld the east-side discovery.

Conferral and perimeter plan - Monban privately signaled Kakita Kazumi to discuss sensitive findings on the roof and told him about replaced tiles on both sides and suspected surveillance. Kazumi and Monban agreed attackers likely used the door and escaped via the roof, discussed checking the island perimeter for infiltration tools, and Monban flew via Riding the Clouds to scan the western route to the shore.

• Monban briefs Kazumi privately - Bayushi Monban used coded, overly wordy speech to signal Kakita Kazumi he had sensitive findings to share in private.
• Rooftop conferral held - On the roof, Bayushi Monban told Kakita Kazumi about replaced tiles on both sides and suspected someone had watched the rooms; Kazumi noted last night’s heavy fog limited visibility.
• Door vs. roof discussion - Kakita Kazumi posited the attackers used the door at Midori’s assigned room (given the slain guard) but escaped via the roof; Bayushi Monban agreed the attack appeared coordinated on two fronts.
• Perimeter-check idea raised - Kakita Kazumi suggested checking the island perimeter for infiltration tools, such as hooks or ropes left in the water or reeds.
• Monban rides the clouds - Bayushi Monban activated the Riding the Clouds technique to fly to the Western Wall and scan the straight route to the shore, while Kakita Kazumi remained on foot.

Shore Search and Tea Interrogation - A tea gathered a dozen guests from multiple clans; Doji Setsuna quietly enlisted Daidoji Shin’s discretion and Shiba Midori conducted the ceremony to elicit conversation. Monban and Kazumi searched the shorelines and found two-foot Bamboo Breathing Tubes buried among reeds with scrape marks, indicating a waterborne infiltration. Kazumi hypothesized assailants hid in reeds using the tubes, noted damp floor pads corroborating water entry, and applied a Numbing Poison to the tubes before concealing them. The tea continued with targeted questions about trade and beliefs, Ikoma Tadayoshi canvassed guests during breaks, and the session ended with several leads identified but the mystery unresolved.

Guest list and social probing - The tea gathered at least a dozen guests including multiple Crane, Unicorn, Dragon, Phoenix, and Crab representatives; no Scorpions were present. Doji Setsuna enlisted Daidoji Shin to help discreetly, Shiba Midori attempted to center the ceremony, and Ikoma Tadayoshi performed to capture attention while Shiba Midori encouraged open conversation.

• Tea guest list established - The tea gathered at least a dozen guests, including Daidoji Shin, a Crane, with his bodyguard Doji Kasami; two Unicorn (an Ide with an Utaku companion); three Dragon; one Phoenix; one Crab; and two additional Crane; notably, no Scorpions were present.
• Setsuna enlists Daidoji Shin - Doji Setsuna quietly told Daidoji Shin that Shiba Midori had been dishonorably attacked in her sleep and asked for his discreet insight while they investigated without tipping their hand.
• Ceremony focus attempt faltered - Shiba Midori attempted to commence the tea ceremony and center the room’s attention, but guests continued talking over the ritual start.
• Tadayoshi recaptured attention - Ikoma Tadayoshi performed a well-known piece to draw the guests’ attention fully back to the ceremony, dazzling the Unicorn attendees.
• Midori stoked conversation - With the room attentive, Shiba Midori deliberately energized guests’ conversation to get them talking openly while beginning the formal service.
• Setsuna probes Ide Subane - Doji Setsuna subtly focused on Ide Subane (accompanied by an Utaku), lowering mutual vigilance through social technique while listening in.
• Cousin’s trade concerns - Doji Setsuna’s Doji Setsuna, a high-status Doji Setsuna, said Ide Subane sought to export distant goods via Crane networks but had produced no samples; the ongoing Lion–Unicorn war made overland routes dubious.

Shore search and evidence collected - Kakita Kazumi recalled a thick fog during the night and he and Bayushi Monban searched shorelines for infiltration signs. Monban found two-foot Bamboo Breathing Tubes buried among reeds with scrape marks on nearby rocks, Kazumi hypothesized a waterborne reed-hiding approach, noted floors were damper than fog alone would explain, and Kazumi applied a Numbing Poison to the recovered tubes before replacing and concealing them.

• Fog remembered from night - Kakita Kazumi recalled that a thick fog blanketed the city the night of the attack, reducing visibility for any watchers on the roof.
• Shore search conducted - Bayushi Monban and Kakita Kazumi searched the island’s shorelines for infiltration signs using skulduggery and survival techniques.
• Breathing tubes discovered - Bayushi Monban found two-foot Bamboo Breathing Tubes carefully buried among reeds, with scrape marks on nearby rocks, indicating waterborne infiltration and hiding among reeds.
• Infiltration method hypothesized - Kakita Kazumi hypothesized assailants slipped off a high-traffic boat, hid in reeds using the tubes until after midnight, then approached the castle.
• Damp scene corroboration - Kakita Kazumi noted floor pads had been damper than fog alone would explain, corroborating waterborne approach into the castle.
• Poison trap set in tubes - Kakita Kazumi applied a Numbing Poison inside the recovered breathing tubes and, with Bayushi Monban’s help, replaced and concealed them to appear undisturbed.

Crane quarters follow-up - Acting on suspicions, Kakita Kazumi led Bayushi Monban toward the rooms where the Crane guests were staying to continue the inquiry while Shiba Midori continued the tea ceremony and guided conversation within ritual bounds.

• Crane quarters targeted next - Acting on suspicions, Kakita Kazumi led Bayushi Monban from the shore toward the rooms where the Crane guests were staying to continue the inquiry.
• Ceremony proceeds smoothly - Shiba Midori continued the tea ceremony, calming the room and serving thick tea while guiding conversation within ritual bounds.

Questioning, canvassing, unresolved leads - Shiba Midori asked Ikoma Tadayoshi about Unicorn spiritual beliefs and Doji Setsuna questioned Ide Subane about future trade terms; Ide Subane cited wartime uncertainty and unconventional transport. Ikoma Tadayoshi discreetly canvassed guests who mostly reported being awakened by screams, he noted Ide Subane's confident bearing, and the tea concluded with identified leads: two roof entry points, a water approach via reeds with breathing tubes, and suspicious trade claims, leaving the investigation ongoing.

• Unicorn beliefs queried - Shiba Midori asked Ikoma Tadayoshi about Unicorn spiritual beliefs; Ikoma Tadayoshi replied he had no knowledge of specific beliefs.
• Setsuna’s future-terms query - Doji Setsuna asked Ide Subane whether favorable terms would be possible if peace were secured; Ide Subane said the expanding conflict forced reliance on unconventional transport now, but future conditions could improve trade.
• Tadayoshi’s subtle canvassing - During breaks in playing, Ikoma Tadayoshi discreetly asked guests about the night’s events; most reported being awakened by screams and confusion, with little information shared.
• Ide Subane’s bearing noted - Ikoma Tadayoshi observed Ide Subane’s level of self-possession suggested confidence and experience beyond his apparent station, possibly indicating higher standing.
• Session mystery unresolved - The tea concluded with multiple leads identified—two roof entry points, a water approach via reeds with breathing tubes, and suspicious trade claims—leaving the magistrates’ investigation ongoing.