You don't notice any bandits, just a lone Kitsu Shugenja looking for a shrine.
Matsu Niko dismounts her horse and walks softly towards the Shugenja and says, "Kitsu-san, is there anything we could help you with?" My name is Matsu Niko."
"I'm looking for the Shrine of the Three Ancestors," he says. "I've just presided over a funeral of a Matsu, and they wanted me to send their offering to Akodo."
Matsu Niko after hearing that someone in her extended family has passed away asks softly, "What member of my family has recently passed away?"
Matsu Niko after hearing that someone in her extended family has passed away asks softly, "What member of my family has recently passed away?"
"Matsu Akane, an elderly great aunt," he says. "One of the nuns of Shintao."
Niko nods in respect to her great aunt's passing. She says, "Would you like us to accompany you to find the shrine, Shugenja-san?"
"Your company would be welcome," he says.
"It would be an honor to accompany you on your task." Dai tells the shugenja.
Trying to find the shrine Perception 3k3 exploding exploding 25+18+4= 47
Niko says, "We should go this route it is much quicker."
"Lead on," the Shugenja said. He walks carefully, so that he won't stumble or fall.
She leads the shugenja towards the shrine as requested.
The shrine is in the colors of yellow and tan, built of wood. There are three ceramic statues within the shrine. One of Akodo, one of Matsu, and the other of Ikoma.
"This is the place where I'm headed to," the Shugenja states factly. He pulls out a sheethed Katana and some rice. He places them both at the foot of Akodo and says a prayer.
He turns to Niko and says, "Would you like to make an offering for the dead?"
Etiquette 5k2 18+3 21
Matsu Niko gives the appropriate offering and follows protocol.
Dai considers what he knows.
Dai considers what he knows.
[dice=Lore: Shugenja 3k2]3d10
Yeah, it's Niko who knows that she should leave rice.
Matsu Niko leaves the appropriate amount of rice and after she completes the rites, she asks, "Is there anything else you would like us to help you with, Kitsu-San?"
"I'll be headed to the Matsu family, tell them that the rights are done," he says. "Matsu Ameko admired Akodo very much. After her death, she wanted to leave some of her money to the Akodo War College."
Niko smiles and says, "We are also going to the Matsu family estate."
"Well, would you like some company?" the shugenja asks. "And you can call me Tenchi."
Matsu Niko says, "I do not see why not, Tenchi-san." as she mounts her horse.
Tenchi also mounts his horse, "I bet you know the way?"
Matsu Niko smiles and goes back whence she came.
It takes you a day to reach the Matsu estate. It's a blue sky above, and partly cloudy. The wind is coming from the Northwest. Although signs say it could rain tomorrow. The grass is green, and there are many wild fires. You can even see a fox.
Dai considers what the presence of the fox might portend. He then asks, "Matsu Niko, do you intend to stay in the castle or at the inn?"
Matsu Niko says, "We should be able to stay with my family in the castle."
Shiro no Matsu looked grand. Although the family was descended from Matsu, the present castle dated from 300 years ago, and was built of the finest stone.
Niko should be proud of the stonework of this particular castle. One of the vassals of the Matsu family approached Niko. "I am Ikeda Kason, we've been expecting you Kitsu Tenchi. Although, we haven't been expecting you, Niko-san."
She says, "Ikeda-san, this is my colleague, Mirumoto Dai. The Emerald Champion has sent us through Lion Lands and my home is on the way to our destination so I figured I would come home for a day or two. Sorry for the lack of a head's up."
"Well, we have room for you," said Kason. "But it will take some time to prepare a room for your colleague."
Matsu Niko nods and says, "Are both my parents in?"
Matsu Niko nods and says, "Are both my parents in?"
"Yes, they are, Niko-san," said Kason.
Matsu Niko says, "Where are they?"
She then goes where Kason tells her to go.
Dai will find a garden to wait in and observe the Matsu aesthetics.
Matsu Niko says, "Where are they?"
She then goes where Kason tells her to go.
"They are in the Zen garden, seeking quiet," Kason says. "But stable your horses first and wash up, so you will be presentable. Niko-san."
Matsu Niko says, "Please extend the utmost courtesy to my guest, he is also working for the Emerald Champion as I."
She then goes washes and freshens up to speak to her mother and then later most likely the matriarch of the Matsu clan.
Matsu Niko says, "Please extend the utmost courtesy to my guest, he is also working for the Emerald Champion as I."
She then goes washes and freshens up to speak to her mother and then later most likely the matriarch of the Matsu clan.
"We will," says Kason. He turns to you, Dai, "If you would stable your horse and follow me."
Dai will nod and follow along to stable his horse.
After going into her childhood quarters, she bathed and put on her clothes and then she walks into the Zen garden to run into her parents. She thinks about how she learned how to read lips on these premises. She looks at the manicured garden at how the bushes were still maintained the way she remembered. Sure it was about a month ago. And she sees her...
And she sees her younger brother, Goro. He just puts his finger to his lips and bids you to go to the gables.
"Niko, it's been a while," he says. "Mother is proud of you becoming an Imperial Magistrate."
Niko smiles at her little brother and says, "Goro, it is good to see you. My only goals are to make our family proud and serve the emperor. How is she and Father doing? Have you decided which Kenjutsu school you want to attend?"
She then gives him a conspiratorial wink and whispers, "After dinner, I will show you sword of the Topaz Champion."
"Niko, I want to attend the Akodo War College," he says simply. "Mother is doing well, and father couldn't have been prouder when you became the Topaz Champion."
Niko then says, "Has our aunt gotten the potential retainers I had sent since I have won the CHampionship?"
She smiles and says, "Akodo war College is a fine school. I look forward to you becoming a great commander. We will catch up further. You should meet my colleague."
She then walks to where her mother is first.
"Yes, she has," said Goro. Then he blushes a little.
Your mother is sitting down, finishing her Zen meditation. "Niko, so you're back."
She turns to Niko. "I missed you so much!"
Niko bows to her mother and say, "I have missed you and father as well. The Topaz Championship was entertaining. One of the competitors showed a general lack of honor and cheated in almost every way thinkable. His first attempt put me on high alert. Afterwards, it went fairly smoothly."
She then asks, "How have things been around here? I incidentally ran into the Shujenja and told me our Aunt has passed away. She had been living in the convent."
"The Shugenja was right," she respectfully said. "Your Great Aunt Matsu Ameiko passed away. I sent the Shugenja to place an offering of one of her Katana at the shrine of the three Ancestors. Her other Katana, the one she used on her adventures, is actually yours."
Niko nods and says, "Would you happen to have any interesting stories about any of her adventures?"
After her mother tells one of the stories Niko motions her mother into confidence and asks her about the Lord of Akodo she is set to meet later this week in a whisper and if she had ever had any dealings with him in the past and any kind of personality traits and quirks and such things.
Dai finds a garden to rest in while Niko meets with her family and pens a Haiku.
Beneath blooming vines
Golden mane catches sunlight
Peaceful king slumbers
Niko nods and says, "Would you happen to have any interesting stories about any of her adventures?"
After her mother tells one of the stories Niko motions her mother into confidence and asks her about the Lord of Akodo she is set to meet later this week in a whisper and if she had ever had any dealings with him in the past and any kind of personality traits and quirks and such things.
"He's a good commander," she says. "He's the champion of the Lion, and a good honorable man. I feel he also loves Rokugan."
Dai finds a garden to rest in while Niko meets with her family and pens a Haiku.
Beneath blooming vines
Golden mane catches sunlight
Peaceful king slumbers
Awe . . .
Dai is approached by a Matsu girl, one of Niko's cousins. "A dragon," she says. "Are you with Niko?"
Niko nods to her mother, a little disappointed not getting any real interpersonal insight into the man and says, "Mother, I want to converse with father but we will speak this evening further."
She curtsies and leaves.