Final Session (29): And so time marches on

Party: Yoritomo Shohei, Hida Ganko, Togashi Amajino, Daidoji Jinsoku and Doji Natsuki

Before leaving the Shosuro estate, the party talks to Shosuro Kimi, getting a deeper perspective on how she sees the situation moving forward in a positive way. She is aware of the hardline view Ide Baranato has on opium use, but asks the party for the consideration of potential innocence from her betrothed. 
The group then makes their move, order of appearance in hand, and peacefully force their way into the Unicorn estate. A long conversation ensues with Jinsoku appealing to Ide Baranato's sense of righteousness and duty, while Baranato offers the party a final chance to take down the Scorpion in their own domain, but considering what is at stake, the head of the Ide family in Ryoko Owari decides to shoulder the blame and designates himself as the sole party responsible for the series of incidents now dubbed 'the Opium War'.  

He cleanses the stain on the honour of his family through the act of seppuku, with Jinsoku standing as his second, allowing his children and those who could have been involved as well to return to their daily life best they can. 

Daidoji Jinsoku will finally see his sensei (Kakita Katsuhito) visit him, the old warrior glad of heart to see his student grown so and asks him to help the foundation of a new dojo in Otosan Uchi, where Jinsoku's wife has taken up residence, which Jinsoku accepts, taking his two students (Kakita Doze and Bayushi Otodo) with him. Matsu Mizuki, overhearing this, quietly sneaks into Jinsoku's bedroom and with utter alacrity places the sheath of her wakizashi in the bedroll of Jinsoku, resolved to leave this dream in the past.
Before taking his leave, Katsuhito-sensei also speaks to Shohei, taking the care provided in safeguarding Doji Chi as a repayment of the duty incurred after the death of Chi's mother. He assures the Mantis that his former ward will now be taken to the Asahina family and raised there to become a shugenja of exceptional power. With this duty off of his hands, Yoritomo Shohei can now focus on developing his newly enlarged group at the Juniper Teahouse, with Hyobu granting them concessions to establish not only there but to also patrol the lands around the city 'in case of wildfires', an extremely unusual yet profitable way to employ a group of ex-ronin that find themselves in Mantis employ.
Togashi Amajino, walking down the street, suddenly feels a twinge in his Crow tattoo as a Crab samurai walks by. The man's face is sunken and sallow, not unlike that of an opium addict, yet the beating of inked wings summons the vision of Togashi Yokuni (the clan champion) to the mind of Amajino. "Child, the time has come. Destiny will not be stopped. You may proceed to the next step."
Ganko soon becomes restless now the city dies down to a peaceful simmer, so when he hears of the rising danger of the Shadowlands, he heads out with Amajino to safeguard the far border of the Empire, using their new knowledge and allies to ward off various incursions of the Tainted. 

And so the years pass until the group is drawn together to a reunion in Otosan Uchi.
Gathering at the Dojo of Blue Wings, the gang reminisces about the old days until the alarms start to sound all over the capital.
The Scorpion Coup has begun...

Session 28: The City comes alive

Party: Hida Ganko, Daidoji Jinsoku, Doji Natsuki, Yoritomo Shohei. Togashi Amajino

With Amajino taking an interest in the identity of Fade, Shohei remembers he can actually trace a lot of official records. The combined efforts of monk and mercantile samurai lead to a full revelation of the backstory for Otaku Isas, a man disgraced by not attending a pair of duel (due to his scorpion opponent poisoning him). Digging through the notes left by not only Naritoki but also those of his predecessor Matsu Shigeko, the party learns that the attacks of Fade seem to follow a pattern that is in line with his story of needing to supply his men with food.

The group heads to Teardrop Island, learning that everyone assumes Daidoji Jinsoku is now in charge of the Bayushi cartel's remaining holdings, treating the Crane Clan in general with a lot more respect and Jinsoku with quite a level of curiosity considering the honourable Crane duelist truly is an odd horse in the race.
Upon learning of this, Jinsoku wastes no time in staking the claim of ownership for the House of Gilded Lilies (renaming it the Azure Lilies accordingly) and lets out that it will be led by Doji Natsuki's capable hands from the Kikyo house.
Magda, in full propaganda mode, is met on the street and Shohei quickly produces travel papers for her to go see the capital of the Empire, Otosan Uchi, breaking the Unicorn's main draw for the House of Foreign Stories. Magda, in response to the kindness shown, also talks at length with the group about the death of the previous Emerald Magistrate, his lack of interest in the opium issues and making it clear that the man's yojimbo (Ample, to be found in the Crab Caves) may know more about the assassination. 

Otaku Genshi, a fierce battle-maiden who recently has been assisting Otaku Naisha in establishing the Unicorn in the opium market, takes ill to this news and seeks to rectify it at the source... by challenging Daidoji Jinsoku to a duel! With weapons not allowed and the duel being largely informal, Jinsoku lets Hida Ganko serve as champion for a wrestling contest. The Crab utterly wipes the floor with the Unicorn, forcing her to tap out in a savage armbar after taking her down.
The group then happily walks to the ferry, where they officially accept stewardship of that operation as well, with Natsuki becoming the main patron for the ferrymen upon seeing their worry about the lack of payment coming their way since the death of Korechika.

At the Crab Caves, the group meets Ample. After the party assures him he can be kept safe and employed as one of the bouncers at the Crane Houses, he explains that the attackers were unicorn clan members, or at least wearing purple, affiliated with Ide Baranato. He supposed it had something to do with the death of Baranato's son (Ide Michikana, Asamitsu's older brother) from overdose and Naritoki's lack of enthusiasm to eliminate the illegal trading of opium. Ample gets a new name (Apple - Ringo) and is sent to the island.

The group is then informed of the seppuku of one Ide Nakatada, an unassuming unicorn shugenja.
When they have an eta check the corpse, they note an arrow wound that severed the muscles in the shoulder of the man. 

The group, armed with this information, presents it to Shosuro Hyobu and politely request her assistance in drawing up an order of appearance. With heavy heart and convincing from the party, the Lady of the Scorpion signs the order for Ide Baranato.

Session 27: When the pieces fall into place

 Party: Daidoji Jinsoki, Doji Natsuki, Hida Ganko, Yoritomo Shohei

As the group stands around the remains of the Bayushi warehouse... and Korechika, the rush of combat wears off and they start stepping back into reality.
A massive fire means the various Kakujin gangs all converge to try to clear it out, and with the assistance of Natsuki, this happens largely without inter-gang violence. More so, as Shohei calls out to the arriving men of the Juniper Teahouse, they also integrate into the bucket chains and rescue efforts, leading to training for the 'Shrimpers' and minimal casualties.
Shohei also spots a merchant (Baki) who offers his services willingly for a good patron.
Jinsoku and Ganko, meanwhile, decide that it is only right and proper to return the body of Korechika to his family. Though deluded in his ways, the man's sense of duty strikes a chord with the bushido teachings.

The party then decides to return to their residence, where they find a letter (in mocking tone) from Bayushi Otodo stating that he will present himself to his sensei on the next day, to learn the finer points of honour. 
The group discusses what they have learned, mostly that Shohei spotted a shugenja clad in purple floating by on the wind as the fires bloomed in the warehouse. A meeting with Fade is in the cards, due to the actions of certain members of the party and their treatment of the ronin Suju, so the group discusses what information to get from him.

The next morning, Shohei notices in the paperwork that Otaku Naisha has been slowly but surely building a position in the opium market. His study is interrupted as a downcast Bayushi Otodo offers himself up to any and all training his new sensei may wish to bestow upon him. 
Prodding into the matter after noticing all the bluster is gone, the party hears about the suicide by fire of Otodo's mother (Bayushi Saisho) after receiving the remains of her late husband, leaving the heir of Bayushi Korechika suddenly an orphan without a home.

As the situation with the opium currently being lacking becomes apparent in small riots and incidents, Hida Ganko instates a 'Crab Camp' to help those who are kicking the habit. It is successful in at least getting the addicts something else to do than commit crimes to get their hands on anything poppy-related, but the muscle craps, nausea and diarrhea that manifest in some of the hardline users make sure that 'going to Crab Camp' becomes a new folklore way of saying 'having a real bad bad unpleasant time'.

About a week later, the group meets with the actual Fade. The former Otaku Isas speaks plainly and confidently with the group, explaining what he knows about the death of the late Emerald Magistrate Kakita/Ashidaka Naritoki, linking it to him being too distracted by women (and at the end that meant mostly Magda) to take the opium cartels seriously. He also divulges a lot about his situation and how he remains hopeful to one day become a samurai again, regaining his honour.

Afterwards, the party's thoughts turn back to the Unicorn clan and Shosuro Hyobu, both being promising leads to finally discover who had the former Emerald Magistrate killed. They decide to go to Teardrop Island to check out what the local nobles may think of things and maybe to pump Magda for some more ... information.

Sessions 25 and 26: The swift regard of honourable things

 Party: Daidoji Jinsoku, Hida Ganko, Togashi Amajino, Doji Natsuki, Yoritomo Shohei

Having discussed potential avenues for the Tournament of the Five Storms with Matsu Mizuki, 
Jinsoku heads over to reconnect with his friends at the Bayushi compound. 
Determining an ambush to be too dishonourable, he waits outside until a disturbance is noticed.
The others, wanting to take advantage of the situation to catch some perpetrators in the act, set up a trap in the warehouse. 
As the six observers (two appear to be better dressed than the others and in command) head in to clear out the Liquid Void storage, the trap is sprung by Jinsoku walking in on the intruders which leads to a very hefty combat that sees various party members dangerously injured, though their combined efforts sees all the attackers either dead or caught. Shohei manages to pick up the strange clay balls that the infiltrators were dropping all around and trying to light, thinking they'd make nice souvenirs.

As the group investigates their attackers, they find a Bayushi mon on one of the better dressed ones, but also a unicorn trinket on one of the others.
The group then discusses how they want to proceed, as the quantity of liquid void in this location is a clear red flag. They conclude it would be impossible for Bayushi Korechika to be unaware of this operation taking place here.
One of the captives insults Jinsoku, who slays him out of hand, putting the fear to the remaining one.
The group proceeds with an inquest of that poor soul and learn that they were indeed under direct orders of Bayushi Korechika, four of them were ronin hired for the purpose and that Fade had been forced to 'rent out' their services with the lack of caravans moving in and out with the current civil unrest.
This is corroborated visually, as the man (and the ronin corpses) looks close to starving.
In exchange for the information, the group shows mercy on the surviving ronin (Suju) and lets him return to Fade with the message to get in touch with the Emerald Magistrates.

Jocho is called in and told 'not to tell' Korechika, as the party (except Amajino who remains at the scene of the crime to keep it safe) heads to inform Shosuro Hyobu themselves.
The Lady of the Scorpion is not fazed by the news, offers the party the assistance of her troops and drafts up an Order of Appearance for Bayushi Korechika.

The party contemplates detouring a moment as messengers flock all over the city and the Thunder Guard converges on the Bayushi warehouse where Korechika is said to be. By the time the party arrives, the battle is joined, with Jinsoku and Ganko leading the charge into the building, where a massive Oni no Robai is causing untold chaos and carnage to unfold, while the walls of the compound catch fire.
Outside, Natsuki and Sohei spot a figure dressed in purple flying off. 
The dynamic duo on the inside defeat the Oni and Ganko heads up to take out Korechika, while Jinsoku heads back outside. 

As the building's fire catches up with him, Ganko clotheslines Korechika off of the wall and into the waiting blade of Jinsoku, who bisects the leader of the Ryoko Owari Bayushis.

Session 24: This alcohol needs burying

 Party: Hida Ganko, Doji Natsuki, Togashi Amajino and Yoritomo Shohei

The group discovers Uma (Horse), the lead caravan retainer from the Bayushi family has been slain.
(Daidoji Jinsoku has to discuss his tournament idea with Matsu Mizuki, but says he will join them later.)
The way Uma died was particularly gruesome, being trampled by her horses after being attached to the floor with nails used for shodding the horses.
Many of these steeds then dispersed throughout the city, with very few actually finding their way back.
The party splits up in two teams of two and searches the place for clues after telling the guards they need to investigate, one group with a clerk who shows them the 'administrative office', the other pair near the corpse.
The guards run for Korechika to inform him of the Emerald Magistrate presence.
The man turns up after a while to make a fuss, but is spoken to by Hida Ganko for a good amount of time, before heading to Necessity Village to prevent further damages to his 'investments'.

Initially, the searches turn up scant clues for the group, but things start shifting into a pattern. 
The building, with five possible points of access, seemed closed off while the horses were running roughshod over the indoors area. 
The trampling seems inconsistent with a rush of animals trying to get out and seems more frenzied, with the very posts in the building being damaged. The horses, also, would normally be individually stabled, so all of them getting out at once would be difficult at best.
Yoritomo Shohei requests for the Isawa Inquisitor (Nagitoro) to come check the scene.
A ledger is discovered when the clerk in aide of the party is spotted trying to hide certain pages, this then cascades into the group discovering a hidden trapdoor that gives out on a basement set up to turn sake into Liquid Void (using pots that were drawn from sake deliveries noted under 'damaged goods', and the legally processed opium from the Bayushi family). The clerk made a desperate last play to set things on fire, but was knocked out.

The group discusses their options and decide to 'leave' the building in pairs but circle back to spend the night there. In doing so, they note that six Bayushi retainers are set up around the building to do ... something.

Session 23: Sending the Scorpion scurrying

 Party: Daidoji Jinsoku, Yoritomo Shohei, Togashi Amajino, Doji Natsuki and Kuni Kobayashi

The Kuni Inquisitor is called to the Shosuro Palace in order to assist the Emerald Magistrates in their duty of liberating Shosuro Kimi. When he arrives to the Bayushi estate, the group has a firm grip on the situation.
Having negotiated the 'training' of Bayushi Otodo and enabled Shosuro Kimi to talk freely with Natsuki, the group finds Korechika using the arrival of a new guest to try and wiggle his way to a better deal.
The group happily shuts him down hard. 
Jinsoku offers the idea of a tournament when Bayushi Korechika keeps implying that the wrong person is leading the city, with the core tenets of Bushido as a guideline (so argues Jinsoku) all would be better of. 
Clearly the winner of such a tournament would be a good candidate for the leadership of the City at Journey's End. 
It seems like Korechika would be open to the idea, though he is loathe to put himself in a position where an Imperial duelist or a hand-chosen champion of the Crane (through the pull of the Emerald Champion) would take the prize he has so long tried to gain control of. With this on his mind, he makes a few brash statements that 'outsider interference' would not be tolerated, linking it with the foothold the Crane recently established on Teardrop Island.

With Natsuki back in the meeting and with an impartial representative to ensure that no harm would befall "his niece" Shosuro Kimi, Korechika has no choice but to relinquish the girl and let her return to her mother.
As the party returns to the Shosuro palace, Kimi talks about how her first fiancé (Ide Michikana) came to die due to opium and her fell dislike of the substance. The dead man's brother, Ide Asamitsu, is her current fiancé, and she would rather go to him than be caught between her family should things come to a head.
The party considers this, but filial piety is placed as a higher virtue than love, so to her mother the girl goes.
Ide Asamitsu also meets the party while they walk, as he was eagerly looking out for his betrothed, and the party questions him a little on his father. Ide Baranato's seal was involved with the mysterious horse incident, so he might be their best link to Fade, and Fade seems to be involved in a lot of things happening in the City. 
Asamitsu gladly tells the group that saved his wife-to-be that his father can be found making devotions to the Lady Amaterasu in her temple around noon each day.

The group then gets some time to recover from a VERY short night, a few intense moments and some injuries. A couple of days (literally two) pass without incident before a runners disrupts the peace again.

"Someone killed Uma, the main horse handler of the Bayushi!"

Session 22: Masks, Threats and Pineapples

 Party: Hida Ganko, Doji Natsuki, Daidoji Jinsoku, Yoritomo Shohei, Togashi Amajino.

Ganko, after a hot night's pursuit of villains, finds himself in the unfolding melee near the Juniper Teahouse. He grinds a couple of firemen into a fine paste before coming face to face with a messenger from Shosuro Hyobu, who informs him that his cunning and wisdom will be needed to free her daughter from a kidnapper's hands. As the messenger also is searching for the rest of the party, Ganko follows him to the group, where the same message is delivered.
Happy to see pieces moving, the group bids farewell to uncle Ebi, leaving a good impression by getting a round of sake for all involved.

At Hyobu's palace, the party meets with both the Shosuro and the Soshi family leaders in the city, Seiryoku being irate about the Teahouse situation, as her Firemen were forced out by uncle Ebi. 
Hyobu confides that Bayushi Korechika is the one who has taken her daughter hostage, under the pretense of 'protecting her from the current unrest'. He has written as much in an insulting letter that refers to the other family heads as 'little sisters'. She asks for the party to bring her back, offering a signed Order of Appearance for Bayushi Otodo (Korechika's son) due to the suspected involvement with the opium warehouse raids.

The party then heads out to confront Korechika. They first meet the guards and duly impress upon those the need for a face-to-face, which is granted. 
The courteous host, Korechika tells the party that maybe the city has not been off as well under the leadership provided by the current governess and implies he would be a lot more able and may even allow the Crane clan to establish on Teardrop Island (through stating that the Emerald Magistrates are currently acting in the interest of their Emerald Champion - Doji Satsume - a crane).
After Natsuki asks leave to meet with Shosuro Kimi (and is granted the request), Korechika visibly relaxes and talks to the party about various things, including his suspicions that a ronin named 'Jaw' matches the description of the hitman who took out the merchant Watchful.

From the visit to Kimi, Natsuki learns that she is held against her will, but that she is not really eager to return home through violence either. If anything, Kimi seems to be disinterested in most outside news, though she does ask about her fiancé (Ide Asamitsu) and if her mother could make a deal to get her out.
Natsuki and Kimi agree that if Kimi feels like she is ever in real danger, she should request pineapples, as those exotic fruits are hard to come by, and word would reach either Ebi or Shohei before long.