Magistrate-sama
Miyuki bows before the woman
We know this man, and would hear the crimes of which he has been accused, and hear the testimony of those who stand as accusers
The magistrate turns and regards the gathered samurai with a haughty expression. "My name is Miya Saibankan, she explains, clearly annoyed. "He is guilty of being in suspicious places... and doing suspicious things. The sort of things you can always rely on ronin to be doing." She all but spits the word.
"With all do respect Miya-sama, that is not enough evidence to condemn him to death, only to detain him for further investigation" barely containing his anger, and noticeable in his eyes and tone.
"Further more he is under my care and I will take responsibility for his actions, but Miya-sama I'm no ronin and you will explain to me why he must be detained or be released until evidence can be found of any guilt other than his place in the heavenly order." leaving out for now that they are both representatives of the Seppun imperial family.
Suana was never good with words and he keeps himself quiet for now, not sure how to address the magistrate. Surely his companions would unveil the root of the problem and maybe then he is going to be put to use. But that doesn't mean he is unaware...
"Surely if what this ronin has done is worthy of death, it should be apparent to all, with no need for secrecy or vagaries, even to the ears of those unworthy to carry out the law. If we may be so bold as to ask, Miya-sama, what, specifically, has he done that is worth such a sentence?"
The magistrate glares at Kitao and Heizo. "You presume to know more of the law than I? Very well, samurai, show me what it means to be more than just a ronin dog."
"If you answer me these questions, I will consider mercy for this boy." She spits on the ground next to where Kohuri kneels.
"What is the proper response when offered a gift?" (Etiquette)
"What is the role of the kami in Rokugan's legal system? What of physical evidence?" (Lore: Law)
"How many samurai are sworn in fealty directly to the Emperor?" (Lore: Bushido)
"How does one display proper respect for one’s peers and superiors, both in word and deed?" (Etiquette)
"How does the social structure of the Empire relate to the Celestial Heavens?" (Lore: Bushido)
"Who is the supreme legal arbiter in the Empire?" (Lore: Law)
As crane Tanawe bows and answers the first question.
"If I am offered a gift, I will say that I am unworthy of the gift. If the giver is genuine, he will offer it again. I again will tell him that a gift is not necessary. To show that he genuinly wants to offer the gift to me he will offer it a third time. To prevent him to loose face by offering it a fourth time, I will humbly accept, showing that I am very, very honored to be worthy of his time and effort!"
Miyuki nods her head momentarily
So this is what this entity wants, ok...
She replies immediately, with no hesitation at all.
Honorable magistrate-sama, the kami have no role at all in the legal system of Rokugan. It is only the testimony of samurai that has any bearing on our legal system.
With void
= 20 free raise
Heizo bows and elects to answer the fourth question.
"Respect for ones peers and superiors in word in deed is shown through observing proper etiquette in all ways large and small, demonstrating one's honor through propriety, keeping face, and demonstrating awareness of one's rightful place in the Celestial Order."
"Only the Imperial families have sworn directly to the Imperial line. Yet we all serve him"
"That would be incorrect Kitao-san. As for gifts, well I performed that task just this evening. Suana-san, perhaps you would like to remind us of that?"
"The servants of the Empire all serve the Emperor. The Heavens chosen representative on earth."
Takeya's response is cold, as if this matter was of almost no importance to him.
Saibankan listens to your replies and nods once. "Very well. Your scholarship matches my own. I will heed your call for mercy. If you escort this ronin from my village, he may go free." The magistrate bows and walks back towards the large house. Her budoka remain, eyeing you with suspicion. The grey mist starts to creep in once again.
"Kohuri-san, come let us move out of this place you are safe for now" Kitao was glad to finally find his student.
Relieved to have bested another challenge without much issue, Heizo adjusts his hat as the mists close in.
Miyuki nods in satisfaction, before turning her mind to the mists once more.
The gray mist dissolves once more, shifting into what looks like a small court chamber, with painted silk screens on all sides and polished wooden floors beneath your stockinged feet. Seated before you are several figures, dressed in fine court kimono, in cuts and styles that span the Empire; each kneels patiently on a fine-woven tatami mat, waiting. In front of them, a tall man in emerald green, with stern features and a carefully tied topknot, leans on a cane, glaring at you as though seeing a stain on his finest rug.
On the ground at his side, the crumpled form of Miya Yumi, the Imperial Herald, lies slumped on the floor, unconscious and badly hurt; her face and neck are already coloring the blue and yellow of deep bruises, and her left arm lies awkwardly, clearly broken.
The tall man sniffs, then gestures at Yumi with his cane. “This one has had no answers since she arrived; she just lies there, ignoring her studies. Perhaps you will be more worthy of my time.” His tone suggests that he does not think this likely.
The sensei points at Suana. "You! Tell me this man’s Clan, family, school, and personal name!” the tall man snaps, as the first kneeling figure behind him rises and looks at you expectantly.
-3=4
-I... I don't know.
The sensei frowns, clearly unimpressed.
"What about you, Scorpion?" he asks Takeya.
Takeya surveys the scene. Even his own teachers were never this cruel. Miya-kun must be treated immediately. While he was never one to care for outsiders, the thought of a sensei breaking a student was over the line. Keeping his On, he answers what he knows.
"He is not of any of the Great or Minor clans, most likely one of the Imperial families. Ah, now I see. A Seppun who follows his families school. One of the Seppun Guardsman. Unfortunately I have never met this man before so I would not know of his personal name. Is there anything else you would ask of me?"
Kitao can tell Takeya-san is in the right, but him just confirming the obvious would look poorly on him, and my bring further questions he or the others might not be prepared.
The sensei snorts at Takeya's response. "How would you know his name? His personal mon is there for all to see." He waves the Scorpion away and gestures for another samurai to stand.
"You!" He points to Heizo. "What is the clan, family, school, and personal name of this woman?"
Heizo regards the woman impassively for a moment, then turns back to the sensei.
"She is of my Clan, the Mantis, and is of the Moshi family, and a shugenja of the school of that same family. As for her personal name, I have never had the pleasure of being introduced as of yet, so I cannot say."
The aged sensei scowls, motioning for Heizo to step back.
"You!" he shouts, pointing his cane at Tanawe while another samurai stands.
Before waiting for an answer, the sensei whirls and gestures at Kitao. "You!" Another samurai rises.
"You!" The sensei cries again, tapping his cane on the wooden floor and pointing to Miyuki. A third samurai stands.
The sensei ends this rapid succession of challenges with a smirk.
Tanawe looks at the the standing samurai and wills himself to concentrate and feeling for his void.
He is a unicron.
It is high time that I learn this. Tanawe will use this experience and listen to the others learn Lore Heraldry.
Miyuki blinks slowly, her expression serene as she regards the man in front of her. Ignoring his mon initially, she checks which knot he has used to tie his obi, how his kimono is draped, whether the folds of his clothing show him used to bearing a katana scabbard or a scroll satchel. The callouses on his hands, the amount of sun his face was used to. Everything told a story. Lastly, her eyes slid over his mon, scrutinising its position, orientation and design.
Finally, she glances up at the sensei.
Strangely she seems unable to discern much at all, and a crease appears across her forehead.
That he is a Dragon there cn be no doubt, I fear I must apologise however, that his family mon is unknown to me, and therefore I cannot answer more.
Total 35
Kitao stands and bows to the man in respect "She is of the Hare, a minor clan. A member of the Usagi family, that would make her a student of the Usagi Bushi school and her name is Usagi Anshinko if I can see her personal mon correctly" Kitao bows deeply and sits again
The sensei quirks an eyebrow at Kitao's answer. "You are correct, Kitsune Kitao. Well done. Perhaps there is worth in the Minor Clans after all." He looks to the rest of you. "You could all learn something from him, especially you, Akodo-san."
With that, he turns and begins to walk away. "You may leave now," addressing you as he exits. "And take this lazy thing with you!" He indicates to the unconscious and bloody form of Miya Yumi.
The grey mist descends once again.
"I believe that everyone has finally been accounted for."
You find yourselves again standing within a forest, looking across a broad stream. A rough trail cuts through the underbrush beneath your feet, leading to a sturdy wooden bridge that crosses the murmuring waters. Standing in the middle of the bridge, his face shaded by a broad-brimmed straw hat, is an unarmored samurai. His hand rests casually on the hilt of his katana.
He bows, his face still in shadow, and calls out to you in a deep voice. “At last you have come, brave samurai. Your journey is almost finished. You have but to cross the bridge, and the path to your world will be open.” He tilts his head slightly to one side before continuing, “However, I will not allow you to pass without testing yourselves against me. My test is simple, the ultimate worth of a samurai: defeat me in a duel, and know yourself worthy. I await you here.” He bows once more, then settles easily into a dueling stance, patient and ready.
Kitao nods "I am Kitao Kitsune, of the Fox Clan. I accept your challenge" Kitao removes his armor and gives it to Kohuri-san, giving him a formal bow of gratitude Kita begins to walk towards the bridge to face their last obstacle.
Kitao looks at his opponent and enters a dueling stance, taking a deep breath and focusing on his opponent, which no doubt would be a formidable opponent if he was unarmored "First Blood or to the Death?" better know now which it was.
Iaijutsu Duel
Center Stance
Total 15
Center Stance
Total 35
Attack Stance
Total 26
Total 31
Miyuki stands completely still as she watches the duel unfold.
"First blood," remarks the warrior. "I bear you no ill will."
Center Stance
The two samurai stand as statues, eyeing one another for the smallest opening. Without warning, swords flash and the warriors part. Kitao is unharmed. The mysterious warrior staggers backwards, a glittering wound torn in his kimono. Bright light shines from the gash, which rapidly begins to stitch back together.
The spirit steps aside and bows deeply. "Kitsune Kitao, you and your companions are worthy indeed. You will find what you seek beyond."
As you step off the bridge on the far side, the forest around you dissolves. You do not find yourselves back on the stage where the Emperor's wife was murdered, but in a dark, forbidding tomb. The odor of mildew and dirt fills the air. Small niches in the walls surround you, each holding an urn containing the ashes of long-forgotten samurai. In the flickering light of torches that line the wall, you can just make out the chops or personal mon of the samurai interred here. There is a broad archway ahead, flickering with uneven, silver-gray light.
The contestants you've saved are with you, as well as the unconscious form of Miya Yumi, but there are others as well. Toku, Captain of the Imperial Guard, stands next to the Emperor, looking stricken, while the Toturi holds the body of his wife, Kaede. Toturi's face is a stone mask, but slow tears pour roll down his cheeks, seemingly unnoticed. Kakita Kaiten stares numbly at Kaede's body, his hand grasping compulsively at the katana he longer has. Two of Toturi’s Seppun guardsmen are here as well; one is the other returned spirit, his kimono still covered in the blood of both the Empress and the traitorous
cousin he helped to slay.
Kitsu Shisou approaches you anxiously. "You've found the contestants? It appears that no one is missing."
Heizo is honestly taken aback at the sight of the Empress' body and his grieving Emperor, but protocol quickly reasserts itself before he risks a breach of etiquette.
"And thank the Fortunes that it happened to be so, Shisou-sama," he answers, performing a bow. "Our journey was strange and harrowing, but in light of recent events the telling is likely best reserved for another time. Please tell us, what has occurred during our absence?"
Shisou-sama
Miyuki steps forward and bows
We have indeed sought out and recovered our charges from the strange corners and nooks of this realm.
She gestures with her fan.
If there is anything further we can do to assist, we stand ready to assist the Empire with whatever is required.
Takeya bows, letting Miyuki-san do the talking in this occasion would be more fitting.
-Posted with Wayfinder
At the sight of the most important men in Rokugan, including His Divinity Toturi I, Suana bends on his knees.
-You are not worthy, don't bother- a voice in his head says. He knows the voice is true, and he can't do otherwise but stay in silence and think about all the failures he's committed during the rescuing of the pupils.
-I bear the name of the Master of the Emperor himself, and couldn't recognize an easy mon. I couldn't react when we were challenged. I barely stood on the horse... How am I to be a successful samurai? How am I to give advice to young aspirants who look up to me?
Suana's thoughts are interrupted by Shisou-sama's words. He reminds him of what's to be a Lion. Nervous as he seems, in dire situation, he manages to do what must be done, aside from personal honour or glory-seeking deeds. He's doing what must be done for the Empire's sake.
That's what Suana should be doing as well.
Shisou looks at Heizo with his otherworldly cat eyes. "We have been waiting for your return. I suspect that arch will lead us back to Ningen-do."
The Kitsu turns to Toturi I and bows deeply. "My Emperor, now is the time to leave. All who can be saved have been."
Toturi does not look at him, but nods once, slowly, and walks through the archway without a word. Toku, Kaiten, and the other guards follow their ward, leaving Shisou to escort you through the portal.
-----
The tournament grounds are in shambles, the stands empty and torn as if from some great wind, the earth churned up by hundreds of running feet. The sun shines directly over you; if it is the same day, you've only been absent for a few hours. There are shouts as nearby Crane guards spot the returning samurai but all pause and stare in shock at the dead Empress lying in her husband's arms.
-----
The Empress, Toturi Kaede, is dead, murdered by one of her bodyguards, a returned spirit. Plans begin to form for a massive funeral back in the capital of Otosan Uchi. With her passing, the shugenja of the Empire begin to search for a successor for Kaede's position as Oracle of the Void, but no reports surface. Worried whispers about what the Empress's death might mean for the Celestial Heavens circulate.
Most of the guests drawn through the passage into the mysterious Void Realm were rescued by the combined efforts of Kitsu Shisou and a number of Great Clan mentors: you. Ninety-four samurai were unaccounted for after the event, presumed lost in the strange new spirit realm. Daidoji Rekai, heir of the Daidoji daimyo and heroine of the War Against the Shadow, is one of the missing.
In recognition of Toku's service in rescuing Toturi and helping recover Kaede's body, the Emperor rewards his Captain of the Guard with his own family name, and the newly founded Monkey Clan swells with new Toku samurai.
To cleanse the dishonor of his failure to protect the Emperor's family and of allowing his own weapon to be used in committing the murder, Kakita Kaiten commits seppuku, in a ceremony attended by Toturi himself. Daidoji Uji, daimyo of the Daidoji family, acts as Kaiten's second for the ritual. Uji and Kaiten's father, the returned spirit Kakita Yoshi, agree to lead the Crane Clan until the young Doji Kurohito comes of age. Yoshi steps down as Imperial Advisor, ostensibly to devote his attention to his Clan's political needs. This leaves the posts of both Imperial Advisor and Imperial Chancellor (unfilled since the seppuki of Takuan vacant.
Of Kaiten's blade, the legendary Dragon's Claw Katana, there is no trace. Most believe it lost forever in the vastness of the Spirit Realms.
As for your fate, you and your students are kept under house arrest within the Kakita Duelling School for a week as you are debriefed and questioned as to the nature of your adventure. You are never accused of a crime and treated with respect during this period. After a week of this, you are summoned to an audience with Miya Yumi, the Miya daimyo and Imperial Herald.
Yumi has recovered well from the beating she received in the Void Realm, although part of her head is bandaged and one arm remains in a sling. Despite her injuries, she beams as you approach. When you are gathered before her, she stands uneasily and then bows.
"I never received the chance to thank you properly for my rescue. How have you fared since the incident?"
Suana bows deeply.
-Awaiting to be of any use, Yumi-sama
A familiar voice echoes in Suana's head.
-You are of no use, idiot.