Legend of the Five Rings - After Sunrise

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As the smoke cleared, the light from the sun reflected from the Dragon Globe of the Temple of Amaterasu shone down, weakening the living dead and leaving them easy prey for the newly arrived Thunder Guard to finish off.

A count of the bodies found several dead, most notably Doji Tsumetsu's father and numerous Heimin. However their swift actions of the Magistrates saved not just the majority of the citizens but also; the high priestess Meiyo, Dove, Kitsune Tanzen (and associated Shosuro kids), the Geisha Precious and Magda, Bayushi Sumi and Doji Tsumetsu himself among others.

Shosuro Jocho arrived on horseback leading the troops and sought out the Magistrates. They briefed him on all the events that had recently transpired. Although Dove's panic attack did not come up.

He wanted to know who needed to be arrested and executed so as to make an example of them. They had gathered some prisoners, but did not give up any additional names. He instead ordered them to report to the Scorpion Bath House to clean up and rest after their harrowing ordeal.

Tomoe fell mildly ill until Kitsune Tanzen tended to her with some medicinal broth and she slowly regained her strength. Once she recovers she fulfils her promise and returns the Sword of Secrets to Doji Tsumetsu at the Consultate. However she discovers that following the death of his father, the Consulate is being closed down as he returns home for the funeral.

Anzu feeling bad about having menaced them earlier went to the Crematorium and found the elderly Eta known as Vision and the Crematorium worker that they also intimidated and gave them some money and an apology, which confused her. On her way back Anzu was visited by one of the yellow-robed monks of the Temple of Amaterasu. They wished to extend her an invitation to speak with the High Priestess that she saved earlier.

Okura spoke with Eyebrows about the identity of the slain Phoenix. He revealed that the man was certainly an upper class Samurai who had recently handled fireworks and was most likely a failed Shugenja of high standing. Eyebrows also pointed out that the corpses were between 10 to 12 months old and had been covered in dung and then chilled.

However it did not confuse Vision quite as much as when Okura showed up later the same day and arrested them both taking them to the jail and questioning her. She refused to answer allegations that she was involved in the attacks. Okura handed her off to Pitiful, who took an hour on his torture efforts.

The interrogation revealed that she had been involved in smuggling bodies out of the to the Lunar Caves hidden in midden wagons for nearly a year and had arranged with the Samurai known only as O-Sama (An obvious alias) to aid in his plans. The bodies were stored in the cold dry air of the caves to preserves them.

Meishozo Nisei requested custody of the mask. However they would not hand it over until they had verified his identity which he accepted.

Anzu sought out a Kitsune Shugenja, although the only one in the city at the time was Kitsune Tanzen who was shopping with Tomoe for decorations for a new house.

Tanzen said that it was unlikely that she would be able to get any concessions from the vengeful fox unless she apologised. However he might be able to persuade the fox spirit to keep others out of the game. Although Anzu was uncertain when asked what sort of partner they would prefer.

As she left Tanzen confided in Tomoe that the Kitsune in question was likely the one who had helped him prepare the broth to bolster Tomoe's recovery. They discussed marriage but it felt premature.

Anzu also went to visit the Temple of Amaterasu with a similar request. Meiyo said that she would indeed pray but asked if there was anything else Anzu would ask for.

Eventually the marriage procession returned in low spirits. The wedding gifts had been struck by the bandit known as fade. He had suck people in to the caravan as it was resting and a faint attack drew defenders away. The cavalry could not leave the nobility undefended to pursue them.

This led to a loss of face among many of the Scorpion clan who were forced to find lesser gifts at short notice.

Given their heroic actions in defending the city however the newly married Seppen Sugai (Formerly Bayushi Sugai before his marriage to Seppun Mariko) urged the Magistrates to return to their homes, rest and train.

The Wedding and the Promotion
The bookish Ide Nakatada invited Iuchi Ayana to visit the home of the Phoenix Shugenja Asako Kinto. He was awkward and shy, but listed to her tales and told his own stories of research in to communing with Water Kami. The elderly Kinto then took them out to his garden which had been almost completely excavated by himself and a pair of assistants to reveal stone foundations that were quite unlike human construction. He mentioned that they were built by the Naga, snake people from before the fall of the Kami. One of several non-human races that existed before the first Emperor came. He was happy to see her and show her all the things he had found. Though as he served tea, he mentioned that this work helped him keep his mind off of the recent death of his niece.

Meanwhile the Large mask taken from the cultists was placed in the secure storage of the Civic Hall.

Meishozo Nisei came to Tsurichi Okura along with the Crab ambassador and a writ requesting the release of the mask. However when he went inside to retrieve it, the pedistal it stood upon was empty. The Wind had struck again. Okura touched the pedestal but only saw Takaaki's face and tried to think of what dark sorcery could have taken the mask from a locked room, when it occurred to him that it would only show human faces. Brining in Iuchi Ayana, she communed with the playful air spirits who seemed much more interested in her sleeves than her questions, but she eventually cajoled an answer from them. The sound they had heard when the mask was taken, a quiet hooting animal sound. With this Okura concluded that an Eta with a monkey must be responsible. He set the guards to search for said monkey, but he and the other Yoriki had been summoned to the Shosuro palace. Nisei however was livid and said that he would seek the mask himself.

In the court, Shosuro Hyobu invited them to sit as specially prepared seats, with a bowl of rice, sake and an opium pipe each. Tomoe, Anzu and Okura realised that something was wrong. This was a test and there was little wiggle room as they would either accept the Opium pipe or not.

Anzu sidestepped the issue as she had her own pipe which she smoked instead and Okura took the pipe but tried not to inhale. The others all refused, marking themselves as enemies of Hyobu's regime.

She did however finish the meeting delivering the news that after their holiday they should report to the Imperial Palace for a meeting with the Emperor.

Then they all took some time to go back to their homelands to train:


 * Anzu headed through Lion lands on her way to her village in Dragon territory and requested training in warfans from the Bushi there.
 * Okura went out to see with Tai who showed him the wonders of the Spice Isles and he gave her a copy of some of Naritoki's journal where the conspirators discussed the division of the the Opium trade through Mantis lands, which Tai ensured ended up in the correct hands.
 * Iuchi Ayana went back home to study scrolls on Maho and non-humans like the Naga
 * Takaaki headed back home to invite his other family members to a last minute wedding.
 * Tomoe was concerned about martial excellence and training.

Returning from Holiday they met up at the Imperial city

Meeting the Emperor

Anzu made a bad impression.

Promotion to Magistrate

Visiting Hantai Taro the sword nerd, having some sparring. (She was bored of being cooped up as part of the royal family)

Okura got some gifts and went home (with a rare antique Shosuro make-up box and a massive two-handed Gaijin sword.

They returned back to Ryoko Owari

The wedding of Shinjo Takaaki to Bayushi Sumi.

Wedding gifts


 * Ayana bought a Vase painted with images that resembled the couple and their story.
 * Tomoe a
 * Anzu bought her village speciality of stewed plums in an ornate urn.
 * Okura bought out the impressive sword.
 * Ide Barenato commissioned a portrait of the couple.
 * Hyobu had commissioned a new house for the couple to live in, within the Noble Quarter.

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