She says, "Thank you, Doji-no kimi" she then gives her name to the Seneschal.
"I am honored to be of service." Mirumoto says as he stands behind in the back of the group and waits to hear more.
"Hai."
After recording your names into the Magistrate register, the Seneschal leads you to the changing room. Where some girls of the Miya family have your official kimonos ready. They are mostly dark blue with green accents.
Matsu Niko puts on her new Kimono and thanks the girls for helping her put it on.
Mirumoto thanks the girl and will dress appropriately before leaving the room to find out what new service awaits.
"You've all changed, this is good," says Doji Satsumi. "You're first assignment is to go to Phoenix lands. Something has come up there dealing with a Ronin."
She then says, "Of course, what are the details of the situation that we know so far, Doji-no kimi? What region of the Phoenix lands is this ronin operating in? Do we have a description?"
"Or perhaps one of the clerks has the details of the report?"
"The clerks have details, that's for sure," said Satsumi. "It's a matter of Honor. Find out who besmirched Honor and do what you have to do."
"Hai. We will find the ronin responsible and resolve the problem." Asao stars to bow and back away, planning on getting the details from the clerks.
Mirumoto bows and backs out so as to not take up more time from his new master.
Matsu Niko bows to the Emerald champion and goes with his group to see the clerk.
The clerk is a short man with a lot of brushes for doing calligraphy. His hands are deft and sure. He recently did the report on the Ronin in question, saying someone besmirched someone else's Honor. "I see that the Emerald Champion sent you to me," said the clerk. "I'm Yamato, pleased to meet your acquaintance."
"Yes, I am Mirumoto Dai. And this is the honorable Isawa Asao and the Topaz Champion Matsu Niko. The Emerald Champion mentioned that you had information about a ronin and a matter of honor?" Mirumoto says after introducing the three of them to the clerk.
The clerk gets out the file and says, "Something happened with this ronin. He's bald, with a moustache. He lives in a little town inside Phoenix lands. We want you to investigate to see if he broke the law, or if Honor has been besmirched."
He hands Niko the file.
Matsu Niko takes the file and looks through the dossier.
Matsu Niko takes the file and looks through the dossier.
A report that contains the history of this Ronin. His name is Ujimi, but he renounced his surname a long time ago. He was a Samurai in the beginning, but somehow turned ronin. You are to investigate why.
Matsu Niko passes the report to the others and says, "We shall leave soon. We need to visit the Scorpion family in the city to drop off the swords and then we will leave for the Phoenix lands."
Matsu Niko passes the report to the others and says, "We shall leave soon. We need to visit the Scorpion family in the city to drop off the swords and then we will leave for the Phoenix lands."
"Please do hurry," says Yamato.
Midday. It should take you a week on horseback.
"Yamato-sama. Should we visit the kitchens to acquire supplies for the trip, or is there a quartermaster we should visit?"
"Yamato-sama. Should we visit the kitchens to acquire supplies for the trip, or is there a quartermaster we should visit?"
Yamato hands you a piece of scrip. "This should let you get supplies for the trip," he says. "You can visit the Imperial Quartermaster for supplies."
Matsu Niko bows and gets directions to where the quartermaster is located and she thanks once again.
The Imperial Quartermaster handled the supply of the Imperial Legions. He was a portly man that was more round than thin. He had short hair and wore a wakishashi. His kimono was green and ringed with gold, showing a style favored by the reclusive Dragon clan. He supplied the Imperial Legions in Otasan Uchi, and managed the other quartermasters. He was a good coordinator and was a good manager of men.
While the great clans had their own armies and quartermasters, this man had an important shoe to fill. The Empire lasted for nearly a thousand years, and the quartermasters help the armies march on their stomachs.
"Ah, new magistrates have come," he says, excited to see you.
Mirumoto bows in greeting to the Imperial Quartermaster and in honor of a fellow member of the Dragon Clan. He then responds by saying, "Yes, we have a long journey to the Phoenix lands and seek supplies for our journey."
Mirumoto bows in greeting to the Imperial Quartermaster and in honor of a fellow member of the Dragon Clan. He then responds by saying, "Yes, we have a long journey to the Phoenix lands and seek supplies for our journey."
"Yes, of course," he bows back. "I can get you some supplies. Do you have some scrip you want me to look at?"
"I believe Matsu-sama has the scrip. The journey should be a calm and peaceful one."
Matsu Niko bows to the quartermaster and as she hands him the scrip says, "Here is the scrip of which you speak, hopefully this journey will bring great honor to the service and our Emperor!"
"Yes, it is," said the Imperial Quartermaster. "Call me Tadaka."
He takes the scrip and then writes up two weeks of supplies. Including horses for the journey. "Hopefully the journey would be calm and peaceful."
Dai will nod and asks, "Thank you, do you know anything of what the roads are like on the way north currently?"
Dai will nod and asks, "Thank you, do you know anything of what the roads are like on the way north currently?"
Tadaka says, "They should be quiet. You might run into hobgoblins, though."
Matsu Niko nods and says, "Your information is most appreciated."
Sounds like a plan.
We head for the Scorpion embassy.
The scorpion Embassy is close to the Palace, and it's easily seen. The red and black motif of the Scorpion clan is easily found. The scorpion clan leader, Bayushi Shoju resides here with his wife -- Bayushi Kachiko -- when they are both in the Capitol.
Matsu Niko walks up to the front gate and requests to be admitted using her Etiquette 6k3+3 =25
They let you in. "Sure, what do you have for the Scorpion clan?"
Matsu Niko takes the satchel where she had been transporting the Scorpion Clan's familial blades from off of her back and says, "As freshly minted Topaz Champion, I must return this(these) blade(s) back to the Scorpion clan.
She continues, "I would like to speak to highest ranking member of the house to present them properly, with all appropriate respect as due per such a storied house."
Dai keeps an eye open in case the Scorpion Clan decides to take umbrage over what happened.
Asao looks to the individual Matsu-sama had requested retrieve the senior Samurai, and adds "We were traveling from the Topaz Championship, when a Bayushi Samurai we didn't know asked us to return his gear as he had chosen to become a monk. We simply want to honor his wish, and his name, and restore the Clan property."
"I see," says the guard. "You can leave me the swords and I'll see to it that they are given an honored place."
Matsu Niko bows and says, "Thank you!"
And then she takes her leave.
Dai bows and follows Matsu Niko out.
After the group gets out of earshot of the Scorpion villa, she says, "That went smoother than I had thought it would have."
As you go along the Imperial Road, I'd like you to roll perception skill checks. This is to see if you see any bandits or robbers (in the New Testament meaning) on the road.