Normally, such a large and distinguished group could not have snuck out of a Winter Court -- but the Son of Heaven was present and, as far as most attendees were concerned, having the Otomo Daimyo missing meant more chance for them to shine.

The group was not small consisting of Otomo Hoshi, Otomo Urako, little Yuki, Kitsu Akio, Kitsune Sorano, Shosuro Yumiko, and Shosuro Masaki. Oh, and Otomo Rina and Kitsu Nana. And about a dozen Seppun Miharu.

Tiny, really.

Shosuro Masaki seemed preoccupied by the shrubbery and other sights that encompassed the short walk from Kyuden Otomo to Kyuden Seppun, while little Yuki was enthralled. This was the first time for her being in such surroundings, and while she did her best to maintain her mask of civility she was still  a four-year-old. Kitsu Nana was a bit nervous at being outside, seemingly wondering what bush the invisible ninja would strike from this time, and Otomo Rina ... well, Otomo Rina was relaxing a bit now.

It would seem that her reputation for not liking social events was not unwarranted.

As the small group approached the main gates, the Seppun guards there shifted their position from "waiting" to "attention".

"How may we help you, dono?"

[OOC: Quick reminder. Otomo Rina is an unknown quantity. The only thing anyone really knows about her is that she went through a lot of trouble to arrange a marriage in the remotest parts of Phoenix territory -- someplace with a grand library.

Well, that and that she's the new Otomo daimyo through ... "mysterious" circumstances.]

The group wasn't small, and though she hadn't shown herself in a little while Kitsu Akio suspected it was even larger if you counted the presence of a certain venerable ancestor.

Sensing her understandable discomfort, Kitsu Akio tried to keep close to Kitsu Nana.  While he was martially inferior to the herd of Miharu accompanying them he knew that he could offer more emotional security to the young Kitsu daimyo.  That said, he worked to keep Otomo Rina engaged and close as well if only to satisfy is curiosity at the sudden rise of the new Otomo daimyo.

"Do you think we'll all fit?" he asked, the thought left unanswered before faced with the guard's question.

He cast an eye to the other Otomo before risking to answer, "We are here to access the Imperial library."

OOC: Is Otomo Rina married? Or was that a wedding for someone else?

Court had passed in a blur.  In the moment she had knew Lady Doji's Fan, the day unrolled like a fallen scroll.  The intricate complexities of court unspooled out to the horizon; each moment pulled so taught it sang.

The conversations with courtiers, the formations of bushi, even the Son of Heaven's grand oration - their paths all became known to her, as did hers; she had already walked it.  The merest step from the Path, the thread would snap.  She took one step, then another, until it was done.  She did not misstep.  She was Kitsune.

A lifetime of steps and some few hours later, she exhaled; her lungs burning from the exertion.  As suddenly as the Path had ensnared her, it had fled.

Sorano looked down and noticed Yuki-chan staring at her.  She smiled and drew the child closer, watching the others deal with the guards, eager to watch the simple mystery of the conversation reveal itself one moment at a time.

[OOC: Pay no attention to the Fox behaving oddly.  Everything Is Fine.  Say Nothing, and Drink to Forget.]
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:55, Wed 27 June 2018.

[OOC: So, yeah ... there is definitely a bit more I can give you on Otomo Rina.

Otomo Rina is just barely older than the twins. She is the youngest child of the youngest child of the previous Otomo Daimyo, and had basically zero possibility of becoming the second-most powerful person in Rokugan. Unlike the twins, she was raised in full view of the courts.

In spite of -- or perhaps because of -- being raised in the courts, she has no desire for courtly life. She is technically engaged to a Phoenix who is about as far away from court life as one can get (one with a great library), though a couple of hours ago that probably changed.

She seems to be taking her new role seriously, and a bit cautiously.]

Yumiko took the opportunity to limp along beside her sister. It had been some time since they had had an opportunity to visit (and this wasn't exactly an ideal time or place to have a sisterly heart to heart), but it was nice to be in the presence of family again. Yoshiyuki most definitely didn't count.

She didn't press Misaki on the details of what she was watching out for, this was also not the time or place--and it was probably privileged information anyway. Yumiko just kept an extra eye out for surprises of the unpleasant variety.

"I'm sorry I missed your latest performance at the Minami-za, will your troupe be performing in the Capitol, since you're here?"

Entertainment was always a safe topic with Misaki, and her answers might provide some information...obliquely, as it were.

Hoshi and her sister were enjoying their first court when word came by a whisper carried the summons of their lord.  Reasons for this could be numerous, but not expected on the list was to quit the court and head off someplace else.

  Yet, here she is, walking with her sister in their young lord's cortege.  More strangely still was the lack of the rest of Rina's staff.  This then is not clan business.  Perhaps it is relating to the new championship of her and her sister.

  Yuki may not wander too far without being brought back, but in coming to the gate, Hoshi reels the girl in and keeps her firmly within possession of her and her sister.  Since the child can not be expected to comport herself on her own, she must be guided.

  The library.  There goes that tool for manipulation.  Oh well, oh well.  Time to pay attention and learn something ... that her sister will need to explain later.

---

Fixed name
This message was last edited by the player at 06:16, Sat 30 June 2018.

The guards looked for a moment from person to person before finally saying "Of course. Someone will be here to escort you shortly."

"Well" Masaki replied, "we were planning on a tragic love story involving the Lion, but now -- with events and all -- I suspect it will be a mystery of some sort. Probably something involving a Phoenix since they're not involved in the ... unusual events."


A moment later a young woman arrives. A Seppun Shugenja through and through, this young woman is impeccably dressed, immaculately groomed, and quite stylish. And young. Very young. The type of person that would be sent to detain visitors (although it would naturally be called "entertain" or "tea" or some such).

She bowed fairly low to the Otomo Daimyo before inviting them to follow her into a small, but well appointed room. "Our librarian has been detained, but I will be your host in the meantime. Would you all care for some tea?"

"I shall pass" Rina said. "We left the Emperor's side, so we're in quite a hurry to complete our business."

Or "access the libraries and be among books". Something like that.

Upon the offer of tea, Akio's massive shoulders could be seen to slump.  To be so close to the library and then distracted with tea?  He would have to accept...

Unless he didn't.

Rina's navigated the exchange with authority and direction.  Despite the oddity of finding this unknown and unexpected woman running the Otomo family, it was obvious that the woman knew that this was her library.

Massive Kitsu shoulders then rose again, confident that they'd get into the library with haste.

Akio risked limited personal space with Rina, leaning in for a small, whispered request, "Perhaps she can show us to the library.  I think we will be able to find our way around?  Sometimes its best to explore." The Kitsu shugenja was confident in his ability to navigate a library... and was somewhat relishing the idea of taking his sweet time in doing so.  Professional fantasies don't present themselves often.

Sorano's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she noticed a scroll sitting to one side on a table.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Fri 06 July 2018.

[OOC: Everyone (except Sorano) may make a PER/Investigation (Notice) should they so desire.]

"Ne, Akio-Sama?" Masaki said, pointing over to a low table on the left "What about that scroll over there? It looks ... weird ..." If there was one thing a storyteller knew it was old scrolls. Well, maybe not quite as well as a historian, perhaps ...

Urako's eyes narrowed and she gently grabbed Yuki and brought her closer. She said nothing, but spared a glance to her sister before looking back at that scroll. .

The Fox sighed and rolled her eyes, quietly waiting for the situation to resolve itself.  She had long since learned there was little to be gained intervening in such matters.

[OOC: updated previous post]
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Fri 06 July 2018.

Perception/Inv: 35

There were many types of scrolls, but Akio didn't claim to know them all.  That one looked weird?  It caught his attention.

Everything seems to be going well.  There are many reasons for the delay than some kind of deception.  An unexpected arrival of the Daimyo may simply had come at moment when something is embarrassingly unprepared. Suddenly appearing scrolls is not normally on this list.

The twins exchange glances.  Then Hoshi moves forward and takes up the scroll.  If no one stops her, she looks for a tag; or opens it enough to find the title.

At the mention of the scroll, their host looks to the low table it's on and pales. "Go get Sensei" she tells one of the servants, anxiety clearly in her voice. When Hoshi goes to pick it up, the young woman tenses but says nothing. She opens the scroll and reads.

She doesn't read long before an eerie voice starts to intone "... the Tale of Nabiki, Daughter of Seppun, heir to ..." and the scroll seemed to fade from reality. The young host panicked and (loosing face) screamed.

"SENSEI!!!"

Moments later footsteps could be heard running toward the room.

OOC:
18:29, Today: Shosuro Yumiko rolled 32 using 7d10, dropping the 4 lowest rolls, rerolling max with rolls of 4,7,(10+7)17,2,1,1,8.  Perception/Investigation.

Yumiko was an old hand at keeping an eye out for...unusual situations. Her association with Kamewahru (now Hoshi, she had to remember that) had been mostly in the arena of mundane trouble, but occasionally her sister was involved in things that were...less mundane.

Hoshi may not understand much about the greater mysteries of the world, but being the twin of a Shugenja has made her accustomed to some strange things.  Even still, this is more than the amount of peculiar normal to the arrangement.

  Yet, it seems the host, and the library, has some experience with this.  Hoshi turns to the host.

  "I think your owe our lord an explanation."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Wed 11 July 2018.

They hadn't even made it into the library.

Akio wasn't sure what had happened - an illusion, he suspected.  Supposing didn't help explain why.

"The scroll wasn't here when we entered," the observant Kitsu sighed.  He didn't want to dive into the situation and risk embarrassment for the Otomo being Rina's guest.  Instead, he tried to move forward.  "I'll have to discuss this Nabiki with Seppun when next week speak."

The shugenja waited for the footsteps to arrive, intent on moving further into the library.

The door slid open and a middle-aged man dressed in the robes of a Seppun Shugenja stepped into the room.  He proffered a quick bow to the assembled dignitaries before turning to the host.

"Sakura-Kun, what's the matter?"

"It ... it happened again! This time, it was a ghost scroll. It spoke and disappeared and .. and ..."

He stepped forward with a gentle smile.

"Well, this time you have witnesses. And no one is going to tell the Lord of the Otomo that she was imagining things, especially with so many well trained magistrates here." He then turned to the rest of the group, focusing naturally on Otomo Rina and bowed low.

"Pardon the rudeness, I am called Zenzen."

...until the arrival of the Seppun shugenja blew his theories of illusion out of the water.

"Does this happen often?" Akio asked incredulously.  Speaking to ancestors in other realms?  Normal.  Ghost scrolls?  Surprising.

Akio searched his memory for anything he remembered about Seppun's family tree.
Lore: Ancestors -- 59
Seppun had a daughter?

The young Shugenja -- Sakura, apparently -- nodded vigorously. "Yes, but before this, no one else has seen it. The others tell me ..."</Gray > Her face faded to embarrassment, as she tries to regain face, and Zen-Zen continued for her.

<Gray>"The others seem to have convinced her that she's ... 'touched'. I keep telling them that it's probably someone playing a prank, but ... well, you know how it is."

"So, what is it our guests require?" he asked Sakura.

"They need access to the libraries ...." She spoke aloud, while her eyes pleaded for direction.

"Well, I hear it's the Emperor's orders" he said softly. "Here's a helpful hint -- never say 'no' to the one man who can command the Celestial Dragon to devour you."

He then turned to the others and bowed once again and said  "Please, follow us ..." before turning to slide the door he came through back open.

As the group rises to follow Zenzen, Hoshi leans over to her sister and speaks quietly, "Can one touch an illusion?"

Sorano frowned.

"Convincing the poor girl she's going mad would seem a somewhat cruel 'prank', would it not?"

Urako rose with the group, little Yuki close beside her, and listened as her sister whispered a question. "No. I could conceive of such a spell, but I've never heard of it and it wouldn't be properly an illusion."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:15, Sat 21 July 2018.

Otomo Rina rose and followed close behind the twins, figuring that was probably the safest place to be at the moment, but said nothing. Zenzen, however, was still quite talkative. "It would indeed" Zenzen replied as he led the way, "if that were the miscreants intention."

"Sakura-Chan, why don't you give your report to Otomo-Dono and Otomo Hoshi-San? The same ones you gave Sensei, but as if no one had heard it before."

Seppun Sakura turned a light shade of crimson before complying. "The first time I saw something unusual was my chopsticks at dinner, almost a year ago. The others were standard wood and identical, however mine appeared to be made of a fancy wood I'd never seen before -- the wood was black and well polished, appearing to be Mantis in origin. I later discovered they were made of Ebony. I asked the others near me if they noticed anything different, but they said they did not. Shortly after that, the chopsticks began to dance and then disappeared. My real chopsticks were actually under my plate."

"The second time, I thought I saw Yokuken-Sensei -- my first sensei -- walking the halls. He has been dead for several years, so I called out to him. He winked at me and then told me I was doing a good job and to keep it up ... and then vanished."

She hesitated and looked to Zenzen for permission before continuing.

"The third time, I found a very old sword. It was well taken care of, but the style was different. I took it to Seppun Kenichi-Sensei and he took it from me. Asked me many questions ... where it came from and such -- but I had no answers. I found it in my room. Much later, while perusing the library I discovered that it was of a pre-Kami design."

"The sword kept showing up in my room, and each time I took it to Kenichi-Sensei. He was progressively more irritated, eventually telling me that I needed to stop taking it from the hidden chamber."

"Then, right before the Kirin showed up, I saw a large ... creature roaming the halls. It was two or three times the size of a human, had the body of a snake and the torso, head and arms of a human. It told me that the Kirin were coming and we should be prepared, and then vanished. I told Sensei, but but he told me I shouldn't make up such stories."

"And then -- just now -- there was the floating, talking scroll. But you saw that."

To Hoshi's reasoning, it is proper for the daimyo to go first in her own domain.  And so Rina's deference to her inferiors is an awkward circumstance with only clan eyes around, but there are others.  Sakura's testimony provides a chance at sweeping away the confusion, and Hoshi takes it in pressing herself aside, so that Rina might pass, while she listens intently to the girl.

  "Such a creature ... here, and no one else has seen it."  Hoshi looks to her sister.  It sounds like a monster. Certainly the elder twin can imagine it no other way, and so it concerns her.  At very least, it has not been hostile, if it is real.  "Yet, the Kirin are here.  Perhaps we should see this sword as well."

PM

PM

PM

PM

PM

"There likely is no sword, Hoshi-san.  It sounds like the library, or perhaps this Seppun, has attracted the attention of a trickster spirit.  I'd suspect a Tanuki."  Akio eyed the Seppun for a moment, seeing if that bit of information sunk in.  "They like to imitate both inanimate objects and people.  Likely a powerful one if it can imitate a Naga or a ghost."  There was another option - that it *was* a Naga who the shugenja had seen, but Akio din't want to go that far yet.

A glance toward the Otomo in the room - particularly Zenzen and Sakura, "I could help, if you wish.  I would guess somewhere in this library is a prayer for sensing spirits?  It might be best to commune with the creature.  Perhaps wants something - or simply desires to be prophetic.

It was something of a segue from the discussion of Nabiki, but that was a topic that Akio wasn't sure if he was ready to approach.  It was a touchy subject - knowledge of the woman contradicting some prior Imperial's revisionist history.

 Seppun Zenzen grinned and turned to Sakura.

"You see, Sakura-Chan! That is how the reports of juniors are supposed to be treated in the Imperial Families! Within minutes, they have a plausible explanation and a way to seek out the truth of the matter. No aspersions, just seeing to the safety of the Son of Heaven and Otomo-Dono!"

He looked at the others, still beaming -- although the particularly observant [Perception/Notice: TN: 25] would notice that he stayed focused for perhaps an extra heartbeat on three of the present Samurai: Kitsu Akio, little Yuki, and ... Kitsune Sorano?

"Seppun Sakura-Chan" he continued with an overly formal (and somewhat humorous) tone, "inform the Elders that, by the orders of the Emperor, I am escorting the Lady of the Otomo and her team to the ancient libraries. And, uh, don't hurry about it."

"But I do expect your report before they get here."

Sakura bowed and hurried (though not too quickly!) away while Zenzen continued leading the party. "I wouldn't worry too much, Kitsu-San."

He led the way into what appeared to be an old study chamber, used by the elders of the Shugenja School, and after sliding the door he drew a metal smoking pipe out of his jacket. He lit it up before pulling up a couple of the mats, revealing a secret tunnel. The tunnel was not well used, with only a couple sets of footprints going down it. As he led the way, his form was replaced with that of an oversized, humanoid pot-bellied badger.

Zenzen was a Tanuki.

"I've been with the Imperial Family for quite some time, Kitsu-San. And they are getting ... complacent, I'm afraid. So I had to shake things up a bit. Well, that and train Sakura-Chan."

"You will understand when I ask that you keep this a secret."

Sorano waited patiently as the Akio unwound his explanation, all the while watching the Imperial shugenja.  It was fortunate to have the Lion around; his skill at explaining things to the unfamiliar was very useful.

She did naught but raise an eyebrow as Zenzen glanced her way, waiting politely for him to finish his lesson.

The Fox's eyes gleamed in the dim light of the tunnel; she seemed unperturbed as the form of the man leading them gave way to Tanuki.  Stranger things were known to happen.



"One can see the reasoning behind that.  How did you come to know the Ki-Rin were returning?"

"A white nine-tail told me" Zenzen replied casually.

Rina had been listening carefully the entire time, but finally spoke up. "Perhaps I should tell the Emperor you are impersonating one of his cousins?" she asked warily. Zenzen chuckled.

"Just tell him 'Zenzen said thanks for the gift'. I think the response will be sufficient."

Hoshi, though young, relatively, is a well trained and disciplined bushi.  She is quite willing to go down the passage ahead of her lord, or behind, or to whichever side there may be danger.  Yet, here she does not presume to do more than bring up the rear;perhaps seeing who might be spying in on them -- Not that a secret passage is much use as a secret if the Otomo librarians are in the habit of revealing it to guests.

  So, Hoshi is perhaps then doubly over the last person in the cadre to know Zenzen's nature (except for maybe Yuki).  She is at least calm, unflinching, without a sign of going for her sword when the revelation comes.  A glance toward her sister seems to interest her much more.

  Or she is checks that her spiritual half is at ease with the creature as well.

Urako and Hoshi shared a moment, like so many times before. Like her sister, she was reasonably comfortable with this creature ... who was, apparently, impersonating an Imperial Shugenja. But, even so ...

"My sister and I would like to know why you have chosen to take non-Imperials into this obviously well hidden, secret area?"

Little Yuki was filled with wonder, looking at the entire area and paying more attention to the stone walls and carefully crafted steps than she was the strange creature before her.

[OOC: Hmmm, new concept: Future Reference Rolls:

I would like to get two or three Perception/Investigation and Awareness/Investigation rolls from you. For future reference. So I don't give anything away when I ask for rolls ... ]

Akio shuddered as a vision of how this situation would be received in the Kitsu libraries passed through his thoughts.

But he wasn't in the Kitsu libraries, so he cautiously eyed the other Imperials - Hoshi, Urako, Rina.  He tried to recall just how his sensei would have told him to react in this situation, and he settled on to do his best to ignore it.  It was like being invited to someone's house for tea and having someone's elderly grandmother ramble incoherently -- you tried to pretend it was normal.

The Kitsu soden-senzo wasn't experienced in meeting with Tanuki - or other non-human spirits, for that matter - so he decided to simply trust the badger-spirit.

"Just how long have you been with the Imperial family, Tanuki-san?"  Because one doesn't know unless they ask.

"Well" the Tanuki began, "A certain Scorpion has been snooping around in the Void. I figured if he knew, It'd be best it not be a Secret from Otomo Rina-Hime. Not to mention that both Kitsune Sorano-San and Kitsu Akio have ... reputations for dealing with what's down here."

He didn't mention the two Scorpion present -- or the Kitsu Daimyo. But ... the more the merrier?

He delayed answering Akio's question for just a little bit before finally answering. "I can't really say. It's been so long, though ... I must have had more than a dozen identities by now..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Fri 03 Aug 2018.

The Tanuki's explanation is not even half satisfying.  Knowledge of this will be preserved by these clans. Surely their minister of some form of skullduggery or another, who might typically be called 'chamberlain' will take a detailed report.

  Or, there are ways that the secret could be preserved, but they are almost unthinkable to Hoshi.  Such a method will also invite inconvenient questions.  Certainly the ways are not the wish of her lord.

  More annoyingly, the decisions to reveal this things--and this is the vexing part--has been made without involving the Otomo Daimyo, or any Otomo leader at all, as far as Hoshi can reason.  But, it has been done, and so they will have to cope now.

  One of Zenzen's admissions does catch Hoshi's attention.  It is worrying.  "We wish to know what is that that is down here."

That the Tanuki seemed eager and reference Sorano and Akio by name gave him some leverage of his own.  Whatever was down below was obviously a problem that Zenzen needed solved - perhaps the ancient spirit would be willing to exchange favors.

After a brief glance at Sorano, and then another glance to judge the size of the entry and consider if he could, actually fit, Akio finally added to Hoshi's statement.

"Zenzen-san, I too, wish to know what's down there.  And you might as well finish what you started back there as we descend.  You know... the Tale of Nabiki."

Zen zen stops and turns around. He has a confused look on his face as he scans the party, stopping on each person in the party just moment -- and an odd spot by the wall . Both Urako and Yuki wince as he looks at the blank spot.

He shrugs as he turns and comments wearily "I may have been somewhat mislead. I was under the impression that you already knew what was down here."

"This passage goes nowhere else, so knowing of it tells you very little. By the way, you might want to take a closer look at the magic down here. The entire place is protected magically ..."

After a moment he comes to the bottom, which appears to be yet another wall -- which opens, or perhaps "fades from existence" would be more accurate showing a very old room with three items present: An ancient set of armor; an ancient sword, presumably identical to the one Zenzen had been imitating; and a scroll ... that looks incredibly familiar.

Urako, meanwhile had been looking around and her eyes scrunched up a bit ...

[OOC: Before Urako does so, you may all make Awareness/Spellcraft rolls to determine something about the magic on: the room/passage; the armor; the sword; and/or the scroll. One per, should you choose to do so.

Appropriate Lore skills (i.e Magic Items, engineering, ...) are at TN 60.]

Sorano watched the other samurai with the same curiosity she showed the Tanuki.  The badger spirits were rare, but not unheard of... for one who dealt with such matters.  The reactions when those who were not so well acclimated always proved informative.

With the Otomo and Lion taking charge, she saw no reason to upset the conversation.  It was, after all, far easier to catch a fish in undisturbed waters.  When Akio sought her approval, she acceded; he knew his way around spirits well enough.

As they came to the end of their journey, other matters demanded her attention than the petty niceties of small talk.

[OOC:
45 Awareness/Spellcraft (the scroll)
53 Awareness/Spellcraft (the sword)
76 Awareness/Spellcraft (the armor)
63 Awareness/Spellcraft (the room/passage)]

Though confident in his knowledge, Akio cast a defferential eye toward Sorano.  Though he had his own passion for nemuranai his skill tended more toward research.  He'd learned to trust the instinct of the lithe mystic almost as much.

He kept an eye on the Fox while she pondered, but still hedged by asking permission of the Otomo daimyo.

"Otomo-dono, would you mind if I sought the aid of the kami?  Sometimes it helps to listen."  He wasn't entirely sure if Otomo Rina would understand, the Kitsu was looking for permission to see knowledge from the kami but didn't want to break some Otomo trust.  He hoped if Rina didn't understand that that Urako would jump in to translate.

A slight glance toward Zenzen, "Unless you'd prefer to tell us what we're looking at?"


[OOC:
34 Awareness/Spellcraft (the scroll)
36 Awareness/Spellcraft (the sword)
30 Awareness/Spellcraft (the armor)
65 Awareness/Spellcraft (the room/passage)]

Urako looked around, trying to absorb everything ... trying to figure out ... something. Little Yuki stayed close, but was also staring at everything, her eyes wide and her mouth slack-jawed.

"I haven't seen anything like this mentioned in the Phoenix libraries" she finally said.

Zenzen looked to that blank spot by the wall before finally saying "Apparently my source of information has not been as reliable as I was led to believe."

Otomo Rina looked to Urako before granting her blessing for the spell.

"Your source of information brought us here to meet you... and discover ourselves.  She seems to be more of the 'show' not 'tell' type."  Akio didn't bother to look at the blank spot on the wall.  Seppun had guided them here for a reason... she could have probably just told them, but preferred to let the information unfold.

It crossed his mind that this might be some sort of test - Seppun judging their worthiness and that there might be some penalty for failure.  The thought drifted away, however, as Akio's Lion pragmatism pushed him past worrying about it and focus on the task in front of him.

With the blessing, the Kitsu dropped his hand to his scroll case, fingers deftly finding what they needed.  As he laid it out in front of himself to prepare his prayer he addressed Urako's statement.  "No, nor I in my own studies.  Though perhaps a visit to a certain Phoenix shrine might still be in order."

He began focusing and chanting, welcoming the wisdom of the kami into his mind.  The prayer was relatively brief, and his gaze kept drifting to Sorano - almost as if for strength.  Air, she'd know, was Akio a particularly challenging element for Akio and could often give even the relatively expert shugenja fits.  This time, however, it did not.

Casting/Wisdom of the Kami (w/Void): 43

As his brain struggled to sort out the ramblings of the kami, Akio approached the items, kneeling in front of each for a moment before moving on to the next: sword first, then armor, then the scroll.

Lore: History (Nemuranai) Sword - 52
Lore: History (Nemuranai) Armor - 52
Lore: History (Nemuranai) Scroll - 75


A grimace for the sword, and something similar for the armor.  Finally the scroll brought a smile to Akio's now tired face.  He risked picking it up.

Hoshi's knowledge is not perhaps the most suited here, as she quickly finds while examining the objects from her station near the Otomo Rina. It might be easy to relax and leave matters entirely to the others, particularly her sister, but Hoshi is trained as a member of the Imperial watch.  She does not lapse.

  Magic around her lord is a risky business.  And, though Hoshi might seem upright and unengaged, she is as a good guard should be: unobtrusive.  Akio is free to entreat the kami, right up until any sign of suspicious play, when Hoshi might cause a need to answer some difficult questions to the Lion.

All of my rolls were 20 points under 60.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:46, Sat 11 Aug 2018.

The Tanuki looked up the stairway and nodded. "They're here. The rest of our conversation will have to wait until later." He then transformed himself into the same Imperial -- Seppun Zenzen -- that they saw.

Akio picked up the scroll, and it began to unravel itself as the small group of newcomers arrived.

"Zenzen!" the elder of the newcomers said. "What have you ...?!?"

It was then that the scroll began to speak and an image, one easily recognizable as Lady Seppun to anyone who had seen her, appeared over the scroll. "This is an authentic copy of the Tales of Nabiki, Daughter of Seppun, heir." She stopped, though whether she was complete or just halted was a good question. She looked at the assembled briefly, but then looked at Zenzen, Rina, and finally ... Hoshi?

"She is not ready." she said to Hoshi. "Return her to me when she is properly prepared."

Then she disappeared, and the scroll rerolled itself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:02, Fri 17 Aug 2018.

OOC: I don't know if its really necessary, but just so I don't slow anything down and since it was left ambiguous ^_^: Lore:Heraldry (newcomers): 35.

The Kitsu's attention first drifted to the newcomers, eying them for a moment.  This not being a public byway Akio assumed they were Otomo but his eyes sought verification anyway.

It would be a momentary distraction, he assumed and gave his next glance toward Sorano.  It was a look she would recognize well enough, a request for her opinion a concession that she might be better suited to identify the items.  When working alone her skill and knowledge made her an equal (if not more), but in the complex social context of court (or this packed room with daimyo, Otomo, Great and Minor clans) the context could be taken as a status superior delegating.

His grasp had tightened around the scroll, not crushing it but not willing to give it up.  Akio knew who he'd need to talk to about it.

Lips sealed his eyes finally drifted to Rina and Hoshi, wondering exactly how they'd handle the situation.

Hoshi spends much more time than usual with those who speak to the Kami, but she does not spend time with the kami themselves.  And so, the visage that appears is unfamiliar to her.  With a glance to her sister, she determines what attitude she should have, which is polite.  This is the soul of someone important, if not one of Zenzen's tricks.

  The closed nature of the passage leaves Hoshi feeling trapped, even though the foot steps at the aperture are undoubtedly not a threat. So, she forces herself to attend to the apparition.  "I will endevour," she replies.  Yet, who is not ready?  Urako: unthinkable; they have just met the Emperor himself; how can Urako be not ready for anything? Rina then, or perhaps their young ward.

  It is something Urako will have to clarify later.

With Akio's sign, Sorano opened her scroll case.  Glancing to the Otomo for permission, she selected a page and held it outward, leaving the others to ponder the newcomers.(OOC: assuming they give it)

Her prayers were brief and melodic; an invisible breeze stirring her robes and loose-kept hair.  Though the Air kami could be fickle, her expertise was plainly apparent.

Casting Wisdom of the Kami (w/Void): 62

Returning the scroll to her case, she selected another and began her chant anew.  The new chant proved discordant, and she returned the scroll to its case with a frown.

Casting Drawing the Void: 23 (fail)

Her prayers completed, she stepped forward and meditated briefly on the mysterious relics.

Lore: History (Nemuranai) Sword- 62
Lore: History (Nemuranai) Armor- 32
Lore: History (Nemuranai) Scroll- 55

Her eyes widened at the sword, though she stared in puzzlement at the armor and scroll.  Her task complete, she approached the blade reverently.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:47, Fri 17 Aug 2018.

The newcomers, Seppun of some sort, opened their mouths to speak but were silenced when Otomo Rina raised her hand. She wanted to see just what these Magistrates had to say about this ... unusual occurrence.

Sorano stared at the sword for a long moment, seemingly lost in contemplation.  Such a relic seemed quite impossible... and yet, here it was.  Fascinating.

The rustle of the newcomers' entrance intruded upon her meditations; she heard them abruptly stop.  The Otomo.  The Fox supposed she must seek answers; the questions were surely forming.

Her eyes gleamed in the dim light as she began to chant.

Casting Commune Void: 44
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Wed 22 Aug 2018.

OOC: Sorry misread.  I think you're waiting on me now!

Eyes held purposefully off of Sorano as she worked, Akio acted in what was often a secondary capacity of his job, which was to entertain while Sorano did the important work.  It was often a difficult job because the Lion was horribly curious to find out what she knew.

"... and for those of you who don't know, please allow me to introduce Seppun."  A hand-wave toward where the apparition had both appeared and disappeared.  His mind connected dots - Nabiki, heir, Rina, readiness.   Specifically why Rina had been chosen even though she might not be the obvious choice.

With a sigh, he handed the now rolled scroll back to Zenzen.  "Best kept safe here, I would think.  We'll return when she's ready."

The Kitsu's dark, piercing eyes drifted toward Otomo Rina and settled on her.  It was still somewhat speculation, but if she was who Seppun was talking about she had some big shoes to fill.  Even if there was doubt in his mind on if Seppun was referring to Rina or Yuki, he put forth full confidence the reference was to Rina.  If it was the elder Otomo, she'd be better suited to take care of herself - moreso than a 4 year old who needed to be kept track of.

With Sorano still chanting, the Lion's attention turned toward the newcomers.

"Kitsu Akio," he introduced himself in a manor as for them to reciprocate.  "Emerald Magistrate."  His clothing would have told the latter, but it was added for clarity... there was enough going on that one could be forgiven for missing details.

"I am Seppun Akira" the younger of the two -- a Bushi from the looks of it -- said. "This is Seppun Ichiro-Sama, head teacher of the Seppun Shugenja School."

"Seppun-sama, have you had the chance to see these artifacts before?"

Something of smalltalk as Akio stalled.  This was not something he was particularly gifted at, but then he had little of great interest to discuss until Sorano was done with her analysis.

Sorano shivered as she emerged from her trance. Whatever it was she had seen, it was quiescent now.  As she collected herself and stood, she heard Akio-san talking to the newcomers; she bowed politely.

Turning to Otomo Rina, she bowed again before speaking.

"I believe I may have some answers, Otomo-sama.  Though they may pose yet further questions."

The Fox hesitated, emerald eyes darting briefly to the Seppun.  Her own question was obvious, but left safely unspoken.

There were too many high-ranking people around for little Yuki to speak up, assuming she had something to say. Not because she was so well disciplined (though, growing up in a monastery made that true as well), but rather shyness. Speaking around such strangers was just too much trouble.

Her adopted mother, however, did not have such a problem.

"I'm certain this will help us, but we also need access to the main libraries" she said to Rina. "For more information about Seppun-no-Kami and her children, and the genealogies as well I believe."

"Just the sword, and just once" Seppun Akira replied to Akio. "But it disappeared the second I was alone with it." He was miffed at what happened here, but would say nothing. At least, not around the Daimyo of the Otomo.

"I apologize for not telling you sooner" Zenzen said with a bow. "These Magistrates have already determined that the Sword you held was a trickster spirit in the form of the sword rather than the real one."

Rina, meanwhile, was in no mood to dawdle. There was a library to explore in the name of the Emperor.

"I believe" she replied carefully to Sorano, "that it would be best to discuss these issues later. I have an appointment later that I cannot miss, and we haven't hit the library yet. Let's reseal this place until we receive wisdom from the Son of Heaven."

That suited the two newest Seppun, and Zenzen did not object. and a few minutes later the small group was at the Imperial Libraries, with the unusual space resealed. The two Seppun were not happy, to say the least, but when the Daimyo of the Otomo spoke, the Emperor spoke.

[Available rolls at this portion of the Library that I can think of. I'm willing to entertain other ideas:
Easter Egg: Lore History (blind; let me know of any specializations you might have).
Lore History (early empire/pre-kami empire emphasis applies).
Genealogy & related Lores.
Founding of the Empire Lores.
Seppun specific Lores.

Because you're at the library, you can make these rolls unskilled. (In other words, even if you roll unskilled 10s explode as usual.
]

Akio wasn't terribly happy either - wanting to know more about what was happening, but his eyes especially lingering on the suit of armor.

The thought, though, of getting to roam the Seppun libraries cheered him up.  "You're right.  We should go.  Though I'll take that at a promise that I'll be able to return to examine these things."

Akio was ready to move on, despite an increase in number of people in their group - particularly the Seppun who seemed to have no love for them being there.

"Of course, Otomo."
Sorano bowed gracefully to Rina, and gathered her things.

She took the response in stride; it was far better to discuss these matters with as few as possible until a decision could be made.  The patient hunter knew when to be cautious.

Talking to Seppun, and perhaps even Otomo, is all maybe normal for some of those present, but for Hoshi, it is as if she was thrown off a quay: very suddenly over her head.  Now she finds herself in a library for the first time.  At very least her sister is with her to give her some guidance, but beyond being quiet and attentive, she feels there is nothing she can add.

As with her mistress, Yumiko is well out of her depth. Tanuki and ninetails, trickster spirits and the secrets of the void. Still, Yumiko knew how to be patient. The nature of the secrets that were revealed here might be beyond her ken, but their effects would be felt across the political landscape--and that was what she needed to keep an eye out for.

[OOC: I'm just waiting for the first 100+ to be rolled by one of this party ... It'll probably be Hoshi in the midst of combat.]

The party started looking for ... well, anything. They were all out of their depth, this being an Imperial Library and all. Even Urako was more used to libraries dealing with Kami and Theology. And while Otomo Rina was rather enjoying it, it seemed like every story that seemed to lead in the right direction took a sharp turn. This was ...

Well, maybe not all of the party was out of their depth.

Kitsu Akio stared at the decorations on the book case. They were familiar. Very familiar. Too familiar.

"Well" Otomo Rina said to no one in particular, "the first Librarian was a Kitsu married into the Seppun family by Imperial Decree. Meticulous from what I'm seeing."

And that explained it.

Akio's mother once showed him how certain Kitsu Librarians had special bookcases made, or sometimes made them themselves, to hide the extra-special records. They would copy them meticulously, then hide the original and petition the Kami to keep them safe. While each bookcase was different, there were certain similarities ...

This bookcase had eight special decorations with strong Kitsu magic. Akio was able to find six records hidden behind six decorations. Two of the decorations were mysteriously missing contents -- there was obviously something there at one point. Scrolls most likely. But there wasn't anything there anymore. Would there be anything of value in those left?

Naturally.

Right there, in the first scroll, the Ancestry of the Seppun.

"The Holiest of Celestial Servants and her husband, Akagi had six children -- four sons, two of whom died in battle; and two daughters, one of whom died in childbirth (the baby died as well)."

"Anzu -- Eldest Remaining Son -- Warrior. Founder of the Miharu."

"Nabiki -- Remaining Daughter -- Heir to the Most Holy of Celestial Servants. Missing in service to the Emperor. Disappeared after battling bandits; last seen wandering the mountains. Why has she not come back?"

"Kichi -- Youngest Child -- Not a proper mystical heir, but he will craft what he can from the Wisdom of Rokugan. It will have to do until his sister comes back."

The descendants of Nabiki is blank. A big question mark, basically. The other two -- the sons -- were recorded for about two hundred years before the scroll was copied and sealed.

But that was why all memory of Nabiki disappeared -- she would supplant the Seppun Shugenja School. Could? Perhaps?

Akio's Kitsu lips parted in a soft chuckle.  His eyes remained fixed on the scroll as he began to read for the rest of the people in the room.

"An Akodo, a Matsu and a Kitsu walk into a geisha house..." he begins to read off of the scroll.  "Sadly, nothing more here than some rather naughty early history Lion humor," he explains as he rolls the scroll and places it into his scroll case for safe keeping.  "Still, it's definitely old enough that some monk will dedicate his life to finding hidden meaning."

It was a lie, of course.  Akio was certain that if anyone knew that Sorano would.  The Lion's normally perfectly straight and strong posture looking somewhat wobbly - perhaps it was a really good joke.

"We should get on into the library," he cast a glance toward Rina.  "But I think it might be crowded.  I would suspect that Otomo Hoshi would guarantee your safety... Perhaps the guards could wait near the entry?" It was a poorly concealed appeal to the woman's desire to get lost in the library without too much company.  Akio wanted a moment to talk to the Otomo (x3), and that likely would include the secretary.  And the Kitsune was harmless too, wasn't she?

Whatever Akio wanted to discuss he wasn't comfortable with so many ears hearing it, particularly not the Seppun.  At least not yet.

[OOC: Sorry, I wasn't clear -- the stuff you just found was in the Seppun Libray. There is no more library to explore. Well, not with this excuse, at any rate. The next place is back to the gathering. Sorta ...]

Zenzen had left, most likely while they were all focusing on the library, leaving poor Sakura as the hostess for the small party. Still, they were done with the libraries -- and the new Lord of the Otomo had things to do. So Sakura escorted the group to the exit while the other two Seppun looked for the now missing Zenzen.

Which meant, of course, that they would be out of the Magistrates' hair.

Returning to Kyuden Otomo was quick and easy. Finding a room to discuss things privately would normally have been difficult at best. But with the Daimyo with you, it was rather easy. Rina took a seat and invited the others to sit. The places to her right and left were reserved for the other two Otomo in the room. The others might be trusted outsiders, but they were still outsiders.

She then looked at Akio.

"Go ahead."

Akio paused, caught between highs of uncovering secrets left buried for centuries and the realities of what exposing them might mean.  That it gave the man who valued truth so highly pause spoke of its weight.

"The scroll... its written testimony of the offspring of Seppun.  Anzu, of course, the oldest surviving son.  Founder of the miharu.  Also Kichi, the youngest."  He left the name, assuming everyone knew who had founded the Seppun Shugenja School.

"Nabiki, the child mentioned earlier, was the middle child.  She was last seen wandering in the mountains.  Coupled with Seppun's proddings... well, you might have sisters, so to speak." A glance toward Hoshi, "While I can't say for certain who the heirs might be, it seems that Yuki is a key to that mystery."  Without, calling out that he suspected it might be Yuki herself.

These revelations caught Otomo Rina's attention. Actual proof that yet another sub-family of Seppun -- one described as "Lady Seppun's Heir" was, most definitely, of Imperial interest. If some random family was to claim to be the heir of one of the most powerful families in all of Rokugan, that could cause a crisis.

No wonder this was hidden from the public.

"We'll keep this to ourselves" she said after a moment. "For now, at least. It would not do to cause an unnecessary panic -- or opportunists."

She then turned to Otomo Hoshi.

"Officially, we're not going to order you to investigate this ... but it needs investigating."

No paper trail. And since no one else was allowed to know this, who would investigate it? Only the small party. If they could find a way to investigate without investigating that was.

It was a deception worthy of the Otomo name.

After the secret compartments are revealed, Hoshi takes a moment to inspect them by running her fingers along the interior of the ones found without contents.  For the time being, she keeps her thoughts to herself.

Later then, they she silently reflects on how this is an unfortunate business on what should be a different day, of introductions and fame.  Are she and her sister not due at least that?  Perhaps it will come.  Surely everyone who matters knows their names now, with how they were received.

  A smile bends her lips before Rina speaks.  Hoshi bows slightly to her lord and speaks confidently: "I could not advise an official investigation; for there has been no crime for me to investigate.  Whoever removed the missing item did so in the normal fashion.  The absence is a matter of a librian's book keeping.  Yet, I agree there is a possibility of pretenders taking advantage of the situation.  Every measure should be taken to safeguard against that kind of upstart."

  Satisfied with herself, Hoshi glances to her sister, then to the non Otomo in the room, who are liabilities.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Sat 22 Sept 2018.

Sorano quietly marveled at the vast splendor of the library.  The sheer size of it put that of Kyuden Kitsune to shame; no thrice-overflowing shelves would be fit for the Child of Heaven.  She was in the midst of planning how best to apportion the search amongst the group - it could still take weeks to find their quarry! - when Akio popped open a hidden cache and rendered the search completed.

Astounding.  Frustrating.

The chance to undertake such a thrilling hunt - to explore such a wondrous place! - snapped closed like a trap.

She quietly wrung her hands, safely hidden inside her sleeves.  She drew a deep breath and smothered the bittersweet thoughts of 'perhaps' and 'possibly'.  Best not to covet the impossible.

Akio's prize was quite an effective distraction.  While not the acclaimed scholar of ancestries the Lion was, this was quite the momentous find.  And, she quickly realized, one of rather terrifying potential.

The Otomo spoke sensibly of discretion.  Sorano waited to her turn and gave the requisite bow of acknowledgement.

She waited politely until her turn to speak, returning to the discussion deferred before.   "Otomo-dono, the... Objects we discovered earlier.  Their spirits were quite awake, and also spoke of the Heir.  They spoke of one still young, and unlearned of magic."

She spared a polite glance at the other shugenja.  "If one could be granted a moment to confer.  The remainder of their words were of theological significance.  One wishes to provide information of utmost accuracy."

This message was last edited by the player at 05:45, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

Akio had little more to say, other than a nod to the request given from Otomo to Otomo though he was skeptical of what else they could find - the connection would be dozens of generations between, difficult to prove.  The testimony of Seppun might go furthest... but that didn't mean that he wasn't willing to try.  Anything to get a chance to someday revisit the Otomo library.

He waited silently as Sorano requested a council.  There was plenty of time.  Centuries had already passed, he doubted that another few minutes would be of matter.

Rina smiled at Hoshi. The former's meaning had, indeed, been understood. Yes, this is what was needed ...

At the mention of Theology, Otomo Rina relaxed somewhat. Theory -- book learning -- was something that she was more than comfortable with.

"They were quite old, from before the founding of the Empire. Since the current Theology was drawn from the knowledge we gained from when the Kami fell from the heavens, I would expect them to be somewhat different. From my readings about Lady Seppun's Magics, I would expect their magics to be different."

"Then again, the subtleties remaining in the Isawa records shows us that the magics of the Phoenix are also different than they were before the Kami fell."

"The Blood Magics of the Isawa have been altered, but the magics of Lady Seppun held no such thing. But they were somehow even stronger than Isawa's ... I have always wondered why she stayed at the Emperor's side instead of facing off against the Lost Kami."

"I assume that's what you refer to? That, without sufficient care things might be misinterpreted as 'heresy'?"

Otomo Rina was not comfortable with her new position within the Empire; but books ... knowledge ... there were rumors that she was a Sage in her own right, that it was not merely deference to the Otomo that caused her to get the reputation ... these rumors might even be true.

Listening as Rina went through her lecture on the theology and politics Akio listened raptly.  Rina knew her early Empire history.

These are the sorts of things that might make a man smitten.

"Well," he added deferentially, "similar magic was used on the scroll.  I'm not sure how we get further in the investigation without... well, we could make a bet and focus on who we think the heir might be and see if we can unlock the scroll, or we could search for other testimony."

"That is a good question." Rina replied. "It really depends on the answer 'Heir to what?' If it is an advanced school, or special title, or some such that's easy enough to integrate into the Empire. We can probably do that without anyone even noticing for quite some time. But, if it involves a Daimyoship of some sort ... well, that can get tricky at best."

"What good do you think determining the Heir will do without Testimony?"

"I don't know," Akio added (after a bit of a delay).

"Such negotiations are not my suit, Otomo-dono."  'Politics' being the unmentioned word.  "It's my duty to find the truth.  The law, I have to believe, will tell us how to proceed once the truth is evident."

Otomo Rina nodded and looked at the other two Otomo.

"Very well. Just keep whatever you find to yourselves until I have had a chance to consider whatever information you might find."

Eyes casting a glance at the other Otomo before answering Rina, "I'll take it as both my duty and as a gift, Otomo-dono.  I didn't come prepared to honor your appointment as Daimyo, so I hope you'll accept this knowledge as a gift from the Kitsu."  Knowledge was the most valuable thing the Kitsu had, but for Akio it was something else entirely - he found himself wanting to impress the youthful Otomo.

"We should go.  Best to figure out where we need to start."