Season 3 ran from the winter of 1144 to the spring of 1154. This season was marked by a great civil war, which split the Empire into two warring factions. A new Great Clan was created, and one Minor Clan destroyed (the Stag and Wasp, respectively), and countless samurai and peasents died in the fiercest wars the Empire has seen in an age. The Wolf worked tirelessly to hide and support the young Hantei Chihiro - they recovered the lost Imperial Sword and Seal for her. The season ended as Chihiro assumed the throne of the Western Empire (the Unicorn, Dragon and Scorpion), taking the regnal name Hantei Yugozohime. She vowed to reunite the shattered empire.
The Wolf spent the rest of the night sheltering with the Scorpion leadership. Hachi briefly left to investigate the Phoenix quarters but found them heavily guarded by the Lion. After some debate, the Wolf decided to leave the Lion court with the Unicorn, and avoid swearing fealty to the boy who would soon be known as the Southern Emperor. The Crab, Scorpion and many minor clans elected to stay for a variety of reasons. The Wolf persuaded the Bayushi daimyo that Princess Chihiro would be safer if she left Kyuden Akodo, though Bayushi K? did insist that Soshi Murai Taro accompany her. The Wolf managed to persuade a reluctant Iuchi Sumiko to allow Taro to travel with them, and departed shortly after dawn.
Almost two weeks of hard riding followed, and the speed of the Unicorn was sufficient to allow them to outrun the news and outmaneuver the few minor Lion lords who objected to their travel. When the caravan reached the edge of Wolf lands, Taro departed taking Chihiro with him. (While on the trip, Chihiro pretended to be the daughter of her nursemaid Sen, who masqueraded as a common servant).
Upon their return to Kanzawa, the Wolf were faced with numerous questions about exactly what had happened at Winter Court, and did their best to reassure their followers (apart from Hachi). The Unicorn politely asked if they could march their troops through Wolf lands to make war upon the Lion (as part of a larger plan to prevent the Lion from sending all of their armies to attack the Crane and their Northern Emperor). The Wolf agreed, and also agreed to ride to battle with their allies (after some debate).
As is so often the case in Rokugan, summer was a season of war. The Unicorn managed to defeat the Lion narrowly over a series of battles. In the first battle of the season, the Wolf spared the life of a crippled Lion samurai and rescued a Shinjo samurai from certain death.
In autumn, news from the rest of the empire arrived. The Dragon had failed in their attempt to eject the Lion from their lands, but would be sure to try again. Meanwhile, the Crane had lost battles against both the Lion and the Crab – a major loss of face for the backers of the Northern Emperor.
That winter, the Wolf presided over a quiet and romantic winter court in Kanazawa. Okami Kyoshi married Shiba Yui (an honest and honourable warrior), while Okami Hayato married Heichi Miyuki (a forthright and confident bushi). Hayato’s cousin, Soshi Yoshiko was present at court and made her interest in Hayato fairly clear – but to no avail. Okami Matsui gave birth to a baby girl, her and Ichigo’s first child.
Later in winter, news arrived from the other major courts – the Crane had managed to divert a significant amount of trade away from the Lion, weakening their ability to keep armies in the field, and terrible rumours about Akodo Asihisa’s conduct after retirement were revealed. Lion unity was further weakened by a series of bad omens that affected the shrine to Akodo in the Kitsu lands.
Winter 1145:
The Wolf decide to release their Lion hostage (Akodo Kitai Hideo, second son of an Akodo daimyo) that spring, without asking for a ransom. Hayato spends some time with Hideo, and realises that he is an intensely honourable man who is guided by the spirit of Akodo.
Various people in the city report seeing pairs of eyes peering at them through ripped wall screens. Kyoshi dimly remembers the word 'mokumokuren' but cannot remember anything else. He consults his sensei, Isawa ???, who suggests that he should pay more attention in class. The Wolf advise people to keep their walls repaired.
One of the visiting Phoenix, Asako Emiko, asks the Wolf what they saw at the last Imperial Winter Court. The Wolf answer honestly - apart from leaving out all mention of finding Chihiro and delivering her to the Scorpion.
Spring 1146:
Shinjo Naoki (whom the Wolf saved in battle last year) visits the city to purchase some dogs from the Mantis, and spends time with Hayato.
Iuchi Ayano Sumiko also visits, to her sister and newborn niece. She says that the Unicorn will war against the Lion again this year, and lets slip that the Unicorn have not agreed upon a proper strategy yet.
There were more reports of eyes, and the leader of the temples in Kanazawa confides in Kyoshi that attendance is lower than normal. Kyoshi asks the other Wolf nobility to step up their public attendance to help the temples.
The Wolf decide to invest in their trade, rather than their armies - for now.
Hayato's spies uncover that the Lion plan to attack the Crane, and fight defensively against the Unicorn and Dragon.
Summer 1146:
The Wolf ride to battle once more, having advised the Unicorn to consider raiding the Lion food stores. The Unicorn easily defeat the Lion, though the Wolf play a less glorious role than last year despite Ichigo winning his first duel!
Wolf bushi report seeing Lion scouts near Nightingale Village.
Autumn 1146:
The temples beg to be relieved of their tax burden this year, as poor attendance has diminished their coffers. Okami Ichigo grants them a year without taxes, which pleases the temples nearly as much as it annoys the merchants.
On the plus side, there are fewer reports of peering eyes in the city.
Winter 1146:
News arrives from the rest of the Empire:
The Dragon failed to dislodge the Lion from their lands
The Crane and Lion fought to a stalemate over the Imperial lands and capital city
The Crab defeated the Crane
The Scorpion did nothing at all
The Wolf decided to visit the court of Soshi Saibankan Hina, daimyo of the Soshi.
En route, they called on Soshi Murai Taro, who played go with Ichigo
At court, Soshi Hina revealed that the Phoenix had been questioning everyone about the Imperial Court, and the two parties agreed on the most accurate story to provide
Soshi Yoshiko was somewhat less sublte in her pursuit of Hayato, which caused Miyuki to complain to him. Hayato went to speak with his cousin and was forced to be very direct in his words, so that she clearly understood his lack of regard for her.
Soshi Hina asked the Wolf to vouch for the identity of Hantei Chihiro to a diplomat from the Otaku family. Hina revealed that the Scorpion wanted Chihiro trained as a bushi, in an ancient and honourable school, hence the choice of the Battle Maidens. Chihiro appeared much as the Wolf had last seen her, and looking forward to her chance to study with the shiotome.
Kyoshi found out that mokumokurun are spirits from gaki-do that can only manifest in the mortal realm in rips in paper walls. They can curse those who stare at them, and have been known to kill the weak-willed (and maintainers of poor quality walls).
Winter 1146:
At the Soshi Winter Court, Soshi Hina told the Wolf that a messenger would be sent in the spring to discuss how Chihiro would travel to Unicorn lands
Spring 1147:
Hina's messengar, Soshi Tsubasa, arrived in Kanazawa. He told Ichigo, Hayato and Netsuko of the Scorpion plan to safeguard Chihiro - namely that a decoy would be sent with a theatre troupe via Beiden Pass and Kanazawa. After inquiring after Ichigo's dedication to Chihiro, Tsubasa then pointed out that the best thing for Chihiro would be for the decoy (an nine year old girl) to die. Ichigo and Hayato agreed to the plan, and Ichigo reluctantly decided to send the troops who had helped save Chihiro at the Imperial Winter Court on this mission, knowing that many would die. This way, fewer would know that she was alive.
News arrived that the Emperor of the North had declared that the Order of the Five Rings was a legal and valid cult. This new order preached the importance of elemental balance, and believes that each Great Clan is tied to one element. The mismatch of seven Great Clans and five elements lead to the breaking of the empire, and left the northern empire lacking only an earth-associated clan (Air = Crane & Scorpion, Earth = Crab, Fire = Dragon, Water = Lion & Unicorn, Void = Phoenix).
Kagemori, the local abbot, warned that the Disciples of the Reborn were active against. These heretical monks preach that the samurai should be cast down, and heimen allowed to rule themselves - a gross violation of the celestial order!
The Wolf ordered that the Order of the Five Rings could not preach in the city, and that the Disciples of the Reborn were to be watched for and guarded against.
Hayato sent his spies into the Northern Empire, to find out the relationship of the various clans to the new Emperor
Summer 1147:
The Unicorn marched to war again, this time to reclaim lands that once belonged to the Ki-Rin from the Ikoma (honest, guv)
Iuchi Ayano Sumiko warned that the Seishiro were agitating that Kanazawa should also be conquered by the Unicorn, especially if it were surrounded by Unicorn lands to the west and east.
The Lion sent one of the great generals (Akodo Kauchiro) to meet the much larger Unicorn army. Though outnumbered two-to-one, it was a close run thing, but even Kauchiro could not prevent a Unicorn victory
Word arrived that the theatre troop hiding the decoy of Chihiro was about to arrive in Wolf lands, having survived its journey through Lion lands. Ichigo ordered a small force of Wolf samurai to guard it, many of whom were lost when an unusually large group of bandits attacked.
Kasuga Koichi of the Tortoise Clan arrived with word that the next Tournament of the Minor Clans was due to held in a couple of years. The Tortoise were sending messengers to every minor clan to find out who would be willing to host, and where people would be willing to visit. The Wolf said that they would be willing to host.
Kazuhiro, a member of the Order of the Five Rings arrived, and Kyoshi spent some time discussing theology with him
Autumn 1147:
At long last the gaki of Usagi Miyoki reappeared. This time, her spirit was trapped inside a puzzle box by Netsuko, which was entrusted to Hachi to guard. Not entirely understanding the nature of the spirit, Yui questioned the morality of imprisoning a human soul in a way that denied it any chance of redemption and rebirth.
News arrived from the east - the Crane and Lion had warred again over Otasun Uchi and the Imperial Lands. Both sides were badly hurt, but before either side could claim a bloody victory, the Phoenix marched in. They declared that the Imperial City and surrounding lands were under the protection of their clan, and that no further warring would be allowed. Decimated by several years of bloody fighting, even the Lion decided that it was better to retreat than to attack.
Flashing back briefly a few years, it was established that the Wolf weren't paying any Imperial taxes and were storing the money in Kanazawa. The northern Emperor had a new Emerald Champion, Kakita Hoturi.
Winter 1147:
The Wolf visited the Ayano winter court, and found it thick with politics:
There was gossip about the evils of the Scorpion Clan (despite the presence of several Scorpion relatives of Ayano Sumiko), and quieter rumours about how Sumiko had abandoned her father's hard-fought independence.
Seishiro Nobuna (daimyo of the Seishiro) had clearly impressed the Shinjo daimyo during the years of war against the Lion.
Sumiko's younger brother, Ota, acts as her personal shugenja.
Ota is a prodigy of the Iuchi shugenja school and is taught by Seishiro Hanako, brother of Nobuna.
Dojo Miki, Imperial representative sought to help the Wolf swear fealty
Putting various pieces together, the Wolf realised that Nobuna was behind all of the rumours, which aimed to undercut Sumiko. To counter this (if the Seishiro took power, Kanazawa wouldn't last long), Hayato allied with Sumiko's mother, Toshi. Rumours also circulated accusing the Wolf of cowardice as they refused to swear to the emperor, which Hayato failed to counter. Hachi realised that Dojo Miki was behind the rumours, using Nobuna as a front. Hachi also heard news from other shuengja at court about spirits causing problems across Unicorn lands, suggesting that the spirits of gaki troubling Kanazawa were part of a bigger problem.
Meanwhile, Soshi Yoshiko was also at court, and continued her pursuit of Hayato. Though unsuccessful, she was able to spread rumours about their relationship, which angered Hayato's wife Miyuki. Miyuki then had nothing to do with the sudden beating of Yoshiko AT ALL.
Spring 1148:
A new Emerald Magistrate arrived in Kanazawa - Doji Hatsuo Hiroko, appointed by the northern Emerald Champion. Doji Omoi, the current Emerald Magistrate protested but the Wolf decreed that this was not a matter for clan politics (and reminded everyone that fighting inside the city was illegal!).
Summer 1148:
The fighting between the Lion and the Unicorn continues, but this time, the Lion are victorious and they reclaim much of the land lost last year. Back in Kanazawa, the bickering between Omoi and Hiroko continued, primarily over the Order of the Five Rings (illegal in the southern Empire, legal in the northern Empire). The Wolf Clan magistrate, Ishikawa, complained about the massive increase in workload caused by the two Crane clashing. Finally Kasuga Koichi visited again and said that the Tournament of the Minor Clans would be in Mantis lands.
Autumn 1148:
In a surprising turn of events, Akodo Kenburo asked to visit Kanazawa. The Wolf assented, and he arrived soon afterwards. His ostensible reason for visiting was to re-assign Omoi to Ryoko Owari (the famed City of Lies in Scorpion lands), and Kenburo presented Omoi with the katana of Doji Hatsuo, one of the founders of the Rokugani legal system (and ancestor of Omoi's rival magistrate). While visiting, Kenburo also spoke quietly with Takumi and Netsuko. He spoke to Takumi about a story that was nothing to do with whether or not Kenburo should challenge the other Emerald Champion, in the hope of finding an honourable death. Kenburo mentioned to Netsuko that he'd seen evidence of maho at the last Imperial Winter Court in Akodo lands.
The last piece of news to arrive that year was that the Northern Emperor had founded a new Great Clan - the Stag. It would be ruled by a cousin of the Emperor who had saved his life (Seppun Hiroshi, now known as Shika Hiroshi), and would include the former minor clans of the Fox, Wasp and Sparrow (the Fox daimyo married Shiko Hiroshi as part of the deal). The new clan was awarded the lands of the three minor clans, and the Golden Sun Plain. The plain was previously declared sacred to the Sun, but would now be settled and farmed by the Stag.
Winter 1148, Soshi Winter Court
The Wolf discussed the pressure they were coming under to swear fealty to the Northern Emperor with their Scorpion allies (Bayushi Kimiya and Soshi Hina). Kimiya suggested that Ichigo challenge Miko to a duel over the matter, and help tilt things in his favour by insisting the duel be held at Dark Edge Village in Ide lands. This village used to host the Tournament of the Emerald Champion and so the suggestion could not easily be refused; additionally, the arbitrator of duels there would almost certain use a fire spell to prevent use of techniques while duelling. there were quiet hints that the Scorpion would help in other ways that the honourable Wolf might not want to know. Following on from this discussion, Icihigo and Soshi Murai Taro sparred under the influence of this spell, learned by Kyoshi for the occasion. The Wolf also discussed Iuchi Seishiro Nobuna with the Soshi, who could only suggest that the Wolf study him to better learn his tactics. Finally, Yoshiko attempted to make Hayyato jealous of her upcoming marriage, which was about as successful as her previous interactions with him. On the way home, the Wolf learned that Taro's eldest child had died that winter.
Spring 1149
This season was quiet apart from some bickering among the magistrates in Kanazawa. Iuchi Ayano Ota, Sumiko's brother, visited the city to be taught by Okami Torogene - a rare honour indeed!
Summer 1149
In which Kyoshi took the field for the first time, and quickly learned the wisdom of not insulting four heavily armed Matsu bushi. More usefully, the Wolf learned that Nobuna was a great one for plans, which left his enemy's with few choices, all of which he had laid contingency plans for.
Autumn 1149
Finally, after 5 years of battle, the Dragon defeated the Lion! In less surprising news, the Crab successfully raided the lands of the Stag.
Winter 1149, Iuchi Winter Court
With some help from Hayato, Ichigo challenged Doji Miki to a duel over her claims that the Wolf were cowards for refusing to swear fealty. Her champion, Kakita Sakurai would take her place in the duelling field at Dark Edge Village in the spring. Sakurai's son, Nakamura, was also at court and eagerly spoke to Koyshi about the fire kami and his unusual fire spell for duelling. Hayato spent his time investigating Seishiro Nobuna's family (Nobuna was at the Shinjo court).
In a tragic ACCIDENT, Kakita Sakurai ACCIDENTALLY died in a hunting ACCIDENT, leaving his less-skilled son to champion Miki.
Spring 1150
The Wolf travelled to Dark Edge Village, where Ichigo easily defeated Kakita Nakamura, son of Kakita Sakurai. As Doji Miki committed jigai, rumours were already beginning about how Ichigo had only won because of the strange spell or due to some other form of cheating (said rumours were always spread out of earshot of the Wolf!).
Spring 1150
Back in Kanazawa, things were initially quiet. The calm was broken when the clan magistrate (Okami Ishikawa no Kitsuki, former wife of Yukio) was slain by a maho-tsukai. The leadership of the Wolf went to deal with the matter, and easily slew the foul man. They also fairly easily slew him again, after he rose the dead during the mass funeral held for him, Ishikawa and the other Wolf he killed.
Investigations revealed that the maho-tsukai (Akodo Daichi, veteran of the wars against the Dragon) was in the city to purchase scrolls relating to the long-lost Snake Clan from an unknown seller. The Snake Clan were executed by the Phoenix almost 700 years ago after being corrupted and taking up the practise of maho.
Summer 1150
Everyone was somewhat surprised when Sum iko arrived for that summer's war with a new general - her uncle, Soshi Tishi! It turned out for the best, as without Tishi the Iuchi would have been hard pressed to overcome the skilled MAtsu general they faced. In one key battle, Tishi devised a plan that saw the Seishiro lure the Matsu command into a trap. Sadly, the jaws of the trap sprang too slowly to save Nobuna, though Ichigo did manage to trivially defeat the Matsu general in a duel.
Summer 1150
The Wolf cautiously withdrew from the Matsu to rejoin their forces, even ignoring a great insult as one of the Matsu shegenja burned the Wolf banner (though not with his commender's blessing, judging by the harsh look he got). After the battle was over, Sumiko confronted Ichigo privately, bluntly asking him if Tishi had withheld the order to relieve Nobuna deliberately. While Ichigo's reply attempted to preserve Tishi's honour, Sumiko did not appear convinced. Later on, she was overheard arguing with her uncle. Tishi kept his command, but Sumiko kept a close eye upon his tactics and strategy - the net effect of which was to make the summer's war into a draw.
Okami Netsuko made a brief appearance to say goodbye to his son before performing a great ritual to allow the resurgent Dragon armies to swim through the earth and ambush the Lion armies while they dined. The tides of war turned against the Lion in the north, and with Netsuko's help, they were driven back out of the mountains after six years of occupation (the People's Legion had occupied much of the same lands for four years before that, making it a decade since the Dragon had controlled their ancestral lands).
Autumn 1150
As is traditional, autumn was quiet. News arrived from the southern wars- the Crab had burned the Golden Sun Plains, defeating the Stag in battle. As this winter was to make the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Wolf Clan, the clan made preparations for hosting Winter Court.
Winter 1150
The Wolf hosted the Iuchi, the Soshi, and also representatives from the Shinjo, Bayushi and Ikoma. The start of court was fairly quiet, though Iuchi Sumiko did not appear her normal self, and Iuchi Seishiro Hatsuo (brother of Iuchi Seishiro Nobuna) was clearly laying the groundwork for some plan of his. Hatsuo spoke with Ichigo briefly, asking him what had happened on that fateful day in summer. Hayato arranged a marriage between Hachi and one of Hida Tetsuan no Matsu's daughters. Strangely, Hayato's falconry glove vanished as well.
About half way through winter, Okami Matsui (Sumiko's sister and Ichigo's wife), approached Kyoshi and Hachi. Matsui told them that a friend of hers (whose secrecy she had promised to preserve) was being troubled by a dark spirit, which was forcing her friend to commit crimes. After some consultation, the two shugenja realised that the spirit was an oni, specifically one of a rare breed known as the Dark Bargainers. These spirits could force people to commit vile acts, and in doing so, ran the risk of tainting them. The pair decided to tell Hayato at this point, who called in Ichigo. After discussion, Kyoshi and Hachi returned to Matsui to persuade her to reveal herself to Hayato and Ichigo (which they succeeded at, thankfully). Matsui revealed that her friend had sought the advice of another shugenja, who had told her not to worry overmuch and that all would be well at the end of winter.
After some investigation, the Wolf discovered that the summoner of the oni had excavated a hidden chamber below the cellars of Kyuden Okami. Within this chamber was a bound ji samurai of the Ayano, whose name had been forcibly given to the oni. Through his babbling, the man accused Iuchi Ota (Sumiko and Matsui's brother) of summoning the foul spirit!
Iuchi Seishiro Hatsuo challenged Sumiko to a duel, alleging that she had ordered his brother (Nobuna) to his death. Soshi Murai Taro disobeyed his daimyo's orders, and acted as Hatsuo's champion. Taro narrowly defeated Sumiko in their duel, leaving her to work out the bets way to make amends for her 'crime'.
The Wolf adopted the man named by the oni, and allowed him to commit seppuku. This sent the oni back to Jigoku and hopefully allowed the man's soul to escape the same fate (as adopting him gave him a new legal name)
The Wolf did not overtly confront Ota over his suspected maho usage, though their observation of his reactions to Hatsuo's challenge supported the case against him. Okami Matsui (Ichigo's wife, and Ota's sister) mused about spending the spring visiting her sister Sumiko, so she could keep an eye on Ota.
Hayato, Hachi, Miyuki and Okami Togusa headed to Ryoko Owari, the famed City of Lies, to investigate the death of Hayato’s mother, the ronin Hoshiko.
First port of call was the Emerald Magistrates offices, where after some stalling from the bureaucrat Shosuro Jiro, they finally got the information they needed. A ronin called Hoshiko had been murdered by Ren, a member of the Firemen of Daikoku's garden gang. Hoshiko’s murderer had been found guilty by Kitsu Eiji, one of the city’s Emerald Magistrates, and executed.
Hachi did some spiritual investigation. He visited the Temple of Daikoku, and spoke to strange old monk and her rather straight-laced colleague. He also attempted to speak with Hoshiko’s spirit and got some vague messages – something about a large fish, and something about someone vanishing or disappearing. The first made more sense once the location of Hoshiko’s murder was revealed to be the Fat Carp teahouse.
The group met with Kitsu Eiji, who was not convinced by the stories of Hoshiko’s ghost, and only repeated the information Jiro had provided. More usefully, Matoko (one of Eiji’s guards) spoke with them, and suggested they speak with Eiji’s chief interrogator, Pitiful. Matoko arranged a meeting with Pitiful, a quietly spoken eta. Pitiful turned out to have a spectacular memory, and told them several important facts:
Several witnesses placed Ren at the Fat Carp, and saw him enter the private room Hoshiko was in. He left, and she was later found dead.
One of the those witnesses was Lin, a close friend of Ren's. Lin said that Ren had looked right through her, and not recognised her at all.
Ren also had an alibi placing him in an illegal gambling house at the time; the owners of the house did not back up this alibi.
Lin followed Ren, intent on speaking to him. She saw Ren enter an derelict house, and a while later, a ronin called Fade left.
Next, the group attempted to persuade Kitsu Senshi, a shugenja resident in the city, to speak him Hoshiko’s ghost. They eventually succeeded, and Senshi communed with Hoshiko. The Kitsu reported that Hoshiko was murdered by someone appearing to be ??, but in the moment of her death, the illusion was stripped away, and Hoshiko recognised Fade as the murderer.
They reported this fact to Kitsu Eiji, who was far more willing to listen now they had the testimony of Kitsu Senshi on side. Fade was currently out of the city, guarding a Soshi merchant caravan. Eiji revealed that Fade was on long-term retainer for Soshi Seiryoku, a merchant patron with a fearsome reputation. He subtly advised them against pursuing things too openly within the city.
After some discussion, the group decided to hire Fade to guard the Wolf caravan on its return journey. Once safely outside the city, they attacked Fade and killed her, despite her offer to name who was truly behind her murder of Hoshiko (Fade’s last word was “Soshi”).
Notable persons encountered:
Shosuro Jiro – obstructive bureaucrat, got Hayato to set up wedding to Ide and gave details of Hoshiko’s murder in return
Strange old monk and her rather straight laced collegue
Kitsu Senshi – judgemental old woman, spoke to Hoshiko on Hayato’s behalf
Kitsu Eiji – magistrate who employed Hoshiko
Matako – guard working for Eiji
Pitiful – a quiet and humble eta torturer working for Eiji
Fade – a ronin shugenja working for the Soshi. A former Asahina, if rumours are to be believed.
Soshi Saibankan Seiryoku – Fade’s patron, a cousin of theSoshidaimyo.
Shosuro Hyobe – the city governor.
Ren - the murderer, and member of the Firemen of Daikoku's Garden
Lin - the witness
Briefly:
Sumiko built a shrine to Nobuna, and gifted it and the surrounding land to the Seishiro
Endo refused to believe that Ota was up to no good
The Wolf were invited to the Shosuro Winter Court
Hachi visited Torogene to find out what she knew about Ota. He was surprised to find out that she had taught Ota, and was studying maho herself, with the aim of becoming immortal (so she could research more). Torogene was slain, along with the peasant she had infected with taint. The public story was that she had died of natural causes; hardly unsurprising given her age
The Wolf visited Kyuden Shoshuro. En route, Hayato told Soshi Hina about Ota's involvement with maho
At Kyuden Shoshuro, a group of conspirators met to discuss how to put Chihiro on the throne. Those attending were:
Bayushi Kimiya
The Shosuro daimyo
Soshi Hina and Soshi Taro
The Wolf
Representatives from the Ide
Representatives from the Otaku
Things which were decided or shared included:
The seal was removed form Kyuden Akodo by Otomo Sato, the wife of a lesser buerocrat. Sato vanished somewhere in the Akodo lands. The Bayushi cannot trace her origins or background.
The sword's location is completely unknown
The Wolf were mystically warned about the Fall of the Hantei
The Ide and Otaku would broach the subject with the Shinjo
The Wolf would tell Iuchi Sumiko shortly before Chihiro's gempukku
Chihiro would announce herself at her gempukku, and the Scorpion, Unicorn and Wolf daimyo would all swear fealty immediately
The Wolf decided to visit the Mantis lands to consult with the mystic painting
On the way back, they will visit the Dragon and see if they can be brought on side
The Wolf set off to visit the Islands of Spice and Silk, once more disguised as the Brotherhood of the Dog. Their journey through Scorpion lands was uneventful, and they saw evidence of Bayushi troops marching to war against the Stag. They were hired as caravan guards in the City of Lies, protecting one of Soshi Seiryoko's caravans bound for the great trading city in Earthquake Fish Bay. While travelling through Crab lands, they saw more armies mobilising to war against the Stag. rumour said that the Crab were keen on taking the once-sacred Plains of Gold from the Stag, and expanding their farmlands. Hayato heard a whisper that the Crab wanted more heimen to stand on the wall - presumably to bolster the ashigaru legions.
The Brotherhood of the Dog easily found passage to the Mantis Islands. Their voyage was uneventful, but they saw a large, iron-clad, Crab vessel that had been badly damaged - allegedly in a fight with a vast oceanic troll! Grateful that they had avoided such peril, they arrived safely into the tropical home of the Mantis Clan. Their lands were uncared by war or famine, making quite a contrast to the rest of the empire. The Wolf revealed themselves to their Mantis allies, and requested permission to view the painting. They were granted persmission, but Miko warned them of the perils of viewing the painting too often. The more you look into future, the greater chance of the visions being dark, and the harder it is to turn them aside. Unswayed, the four samarai looked once more upon the painting.
All four saw the lsat true Imperial Winter Court, where samurai wearing animal masks fought and squabbled, and destroyed the chrysanthemum of the Hantei. The sword and seal feel to the side of the flower-masked Emperor, and the four faced a choice - to follow the sword, the seal, or see what the vision showed them. Icihgo followed the sword, Hayato followed the seal, and Kyoshi and Hachi let the vision unfold without exerting their will upon it.
Ichigo saw the sword stolen by 9-legged spiders and taken south, to a ruined castle built in the rib cage of a giant beast. The spiders also stole a chrysanthemum cutting and attempted to grow it in the foul earth around the castle. The spiders also worked to coat the sword in tar and filth and present it to the corrupted flower. Ichigo's vision was interrupted when he was attacked by one of the spiders, which wounded him with a poison stinger. Discussing his vision later, they group thought the 9 legged spiders could represent servants of Fu Lung (the 9th kami) or a 9th Great Clan. The castle was the original Boar castle, now home to the Anvil of Despair. The chrysanthemum cutting was probably one of the Emperor's children. Ichigo did not discuss his fight with the spider with the others.
Hayato saw a fox-tailed woman take the seal from a fallen Imperial servant. She fled, chased by Lion and ran into a small wood. There, she fell through a gateway into a wild land. Oneo f the Lion followed her and slew her. The Lion then wandered the wild land, lost and alone, before succumbing to starvation. the 9-tailed fox was deduced to be an actual kitsune, probably masquerading as Otomo Sato. She fled to Chikushodo and fell with the seal close inside the gateway from Ningen Do.
Hachi and Kyoshi saw the mask-wearing samurai fight, and start to turn into animals dressed as samurai. As the fighting continued, the animals became more bestial. A noble-looking spear-wielding bushi appeared, watched by a wise-looking shugenja, and knelt between the fighting beasts, pleading the peace. The ignored him, and the shugenja departed. Some time later, an army of 9 legged spiders appeared from the south, and slew all of the animals. The bushi was Shiba, representing the Phoenix Clan - when his offer of peace was refused, the Isawa departed the Empire.
Shaken by their visions, the Wolf decided to split up. Kyoshi and Hayato headed for Otasun Uchi, where Hayato could travel to Crane lands to learn from his sensei, while Kyoshi travelled north for the same purpose. Hachi and Ichigo returned by the route they had travelled, to ensure that their allies knew of the visions. The four were reunited in the lands of the Dragonfly, who admitted them to the Dragon Clan lands.
Mantis NPCs:
* Hinaro, sword-collecting father, semi-retired
* Kaito, his son, now serving as primary merchant factor for the family
* Miko, his wife, daughter of ??. A shugenja, originally trained by the Asahina, she now serves with the Mantis fleet.
The Wolf decided to venture into Chikudshodo to retrieve the Imperial Seal. Agasha Masuba (the Agasha daimyo) directly them to a recently opened portal to the Realm of Animals close to Kyuden Mirumoto, and the group set off.
The journey was eventful, and the Wolf were troubled by an close shave with a landslide, and a wide and unbridged river before reaching a shrine to the dead kitsune (Otsuna) that had fled with the seal. Otsuna’s sister had built the shrine, and told the group that the Seal had been in the shrine until just a few days ago, when a party of horned feline humanoids wielding jagged blades had stolen it. The kitsune offered to help the Wolf recover the Seal in return for one of them marrying her. They managed to persuade her to accept betrothal to Kyoshi’s eldest son instead, and she agreed to meet them in Kanazawa in 10 years time.
The Wolf met with the Tsuno who had stolen the Seal, and Hayato effectively distracted them while the kitsune stole the seal back. Even before they realised what had happened, the leader of the Tsuno warned the samurai that he could track them across the spirit realms and beyond.
Having secured the Seal, the group headed home. The journey back was marked by an encounter with an overly protective tiger mother, and an elegant crane shapeshifter (a tsuro). The tsuro allowed the group to rest in his shrine for the night after being presented with a formal letter of introduction (penned hastily in the rain by the soggy samurai).
Once back in Dragon lands, the Wolf were guests at Winter Court. They spent their time convincing the leadership of the Dragon Clan to support Chihiro’s claim to the throne.
* Mirumoto Hitomi, a 16 year old bushi. Hitomi hates the Lion with a fierce passion, and is determined to prevent a repeat of their invasion of her people’s lands. She’s also a staunch tradionalist, in the way that only a teenager can be.
* Agasha Masubo, a devout shugenja. Masuba’s main concern is the weakening of the boundaries between the spirit realms, and the consequences for the mortal realm.
* Kitsuki Seiichi, an elderly courtier. Seiichi was impossible for even Hayato to read, though his spies informed him that she had established the de facto rule of the council of 3 non-Togashi daimyos, and had also helped Togashi Nakamura to inherit his father’s position
* Togashi Nakamura, an 18 year old monk. Nakamura is more focussed on his spiritual development than on ruling, and gratefully accepts the advise of the council of 3 other daimyo.
The group were able to convince Masuba to support them by pointing out that Chihiro could use the Seal to restore the status quo. Hitomi was convinced by pointing out the opportunity to fight the Lion, and also that it was only honourable to support the candidate she knew was a legitimate Hantei, rather than one which might not be (thanks to a little help from Hayato’s courtier techniques!).
Spring
The Wolf returned home, and hear news from the previous year. The Crab defeated the Stag in battle, and the Scorpion razed the Wasp castle to the group (though one ronin archer did kill a large number of Scorpion in a nearby inn before being cut down...). Further north, the Lion recovered the Ikoma lands from the Unicorn.
When Kyoshi tells Yui that their son is betrothed to a kitsune, she reacts poorly... Hachi’s bride, Ayame, has been waiting for him for a year. She’s accompanied by a Yasuki courtier (Yasuki Nobunaga), who encourages the Wolf to make peace with the Lion. Ayame’s niece is engaged to the Southern Emperor’s heir, giving the Wolf a strong link to start diplomatic contacts. They politely refuse, and Nobunaga warns them that the Lion plan to take Kanazawa in the near future.
Matsui was busy watching Ota, and even managed to separate him from Sumiko for a few months. Unfortunately, she took ill not long after, and returned home (as the alternative was to be treated by Ota). Upon examining her, Hachi and Kyoshi found out that a water kansen had been sent into her body (presumably sent by Ota). They constructed a ritual to lure the kansen out of her body, by tempting it with the prospect of infecting more people. Once outside of Matsui’s body, Hachi was able to use Bonds of Ningen Do to trap the spirit.
Summer
The Lion made war to the east, turning their might against the Crane. The Unicorn only took minor advantage of this, launching various minor raids against the Lion.
The Wolf were invited to Kyuden Shinjo in early summer, along with the Unicorn daimyo. They were asked to testify to Iuchi Sumiko to persuade her to support Chihiro.
Not long afterwards, Bayushi Kimiya arrived, as the official Scorpion representative. Quiet back-room deals began in earnest, as the clans debated who would have the honour of hosting Chihiro’s first Winter Court, and who would be put forward as potential councillors. The Wolf successfully negotiated for an equal representation for the Dragon, but the Scorpion succeeded in increasing the council to 7 seats. The final tally was 2 Scorpion, 2 Unicorn, 2 Dragon and 1 Wolf. The Wolf managed to get Kanazawa selected as the location of that year’s Winter Court, and the Scorpion offered to assist in funding and running it.
The Scorpion clan champion and daimyo arrived next, along with Mirumoto Hitomi and Agasha Masuba, and a lone Dragonfly representative. All attended the great Unicorn gempukku ceremony, watching the Unicorn youths swear fealty to the Clan of the Ki-Rin, and the children of Shinjo. Finally, those students were outside the Unicorn went through their gempukku ceremony – and the last one of all declared herself to be Hantei Yugozohime, before reciting her lineage all the way back to Lady Ameratesu. (The penultimate student was Okami Tomoya, Tomochi’s daughter).
Amongst the general celebration, Okami Ayame no Hida reacted angrily, upset over the deception that she felt the Wolf had played on her.
Finally, the Wolf set forth for the Twilight Mountains, aiming to recover the Imperial Sword to present to Yugozohime at her coronation.
The headed south into the Twilight Mountains (helped by the Unicorn and Scorpion) to retrieve the Hantei blade. Their Scorpion guide led them up a minor pass towards the ruined Boar castle. On the way, they found shattered clay statues, similar to those described by their fathers. When the statues were touched, they saw mysterious visions of humans calling upon the power of the spirits that resided in the statues to defeat a great evil (albeit at the cost of the human's life, to allow the spirit to interact with the mortal realm).
When the Wolf arrived at the castle, they saw the tail end of an attack by a horde of zombies! The zombies were dispatched by a bound oni and a group of Dark Moto, who slew the maho tsukai leader of the zombies. After the attack, the Moto were ordered to guard the main passes. Taking advantage of the brief lapse in security, the Wolf snuck towards the castle. They had a brief encounter with the guarding oni, but nothing that Beam of the Inferno couldn't handle.
Once within the castle, the group headed towards the smithy housing the Anvil of Despair. The blade of the Hantei was resting upon the anvil, and the room was dominated by a shrine of Fu Leng. The sword was retrieved (without anyone getting tainted at all!) and they made to leave. Before they could depart, a handsome young man claiming to Hantei Taro (the elder brother of Chihiro) barred their path. Ichigo defeated him in a duel, but took a wound from the other's tainted blade...
The group hurried down the mountain. Their final journey was a running battle against Dark Moto and a flying maho tsuki who claimed to by Chihiro's uncle. The Wolf narrowly managed to defeat him, without having to call upon the power of the statues. They departed, taking the maho tsukia's wakazashi and the diasho of the Moto with them.
The journey back from there was uneventful. The shugenja brought by the Unicorn and Scorpion worked with Hachi and Kyoshi to start purifying the Hantei blade. Kyoshi examined the wakazashi, which was several centuries old and crafted by a Seppun.
This session was spent entirely at the first Winter Court of the Empress Yugozohime, held at Kanazawa. Events which occurred included:
The Northern Emperor denounced Yugozohime as a fraud. The Southern Emperor welcomed the news about his sister’s safety and asked her to come to him in Kyuden Akodo (and swear fealty to him...).
Ayame (Hachi’s wife) begged Ichigo to deliver the sword and seal to the Southern Emperor. To try and placate her, the Wolf told Ayame about the dark forces in the Twilight Mountains and asked her to warn her mother, Hida Tetsuan.
Tomoya (Tomichi and Chusei’s daughter) came to ask Ichigo if she could take up the position of Imperial Messenger, which Yugozohime had offered to her. Lots of political wrangling ensued, partly to stop the Empress making any more decisions without consulting her council, and partly to avoid offending the Unicorn (who assumed they would be given this position). Eventual compromise was to marry Tomoya into the Utaku family, which didn’t entirely please her. Her sons will return to the Wolf, while her daughters will stay with the Utaku.
Lots of politicking in the council. The Unicorn were aiming to get all the things for themselves, while the Scorpion were focussed on securing the chancellors position. The Dragon wanted a court accessible to them, and to balance the other two factions. The Wolf put their efforts into establishing a formal position of Jade Champion.
Taro made a peace offering to his half-siblings.
Kyoshi spoke to the lead Dragon courtier, Kitsuki ???, granddaughter of Kitsuki Seiichi about the banner of Hantei XVI (given to the Wolf by the last Emperor). ??? revealed the sordid truth of the Iron Chrysanthemum and his reign of terror. More details are here, but ignore all the stuff about his return :) http://l5r.wikia.com/wiki/Hantei_XVI
The coronation went smoothly, with Yugozohime drawing the sword and not burning to death for her insolence. The Wolf were richly rewarded by her – they were ‘given’ the Hundred Stances scrolls, placed under her personal protection [i.e. Sacrosanct] and given a banner of the first Hantei Yugozohime, who defeated the gaijin. Taro was also publicly rewarded for helping to rescue the Empress as a child – he asked that his eldest son was allowed to attend the school founded by his grandfather, i.e. the Okami bushi school.
The final arrangement of Imperial positions is as follows:
Chancellor: Bayushi Kaukatsu
Advisor: Ide Hachiro
Councillors: Bayushi Kimiya and Soshi Seiryoku, Ide Hachiro and Shinjo Noriko, Kitsuki Sora and Mirumoto Yoshiro, Okami Hayato (bold are significant NPCs)
Messenger: Utaku Tomoya no Okami
Permanent court: Kyuden Kitsuki
Emerald champion: Mirumoto Hojatsu
Jade champion: Okami Hachi
The great and good of the (Western) Empire gathered in Dark Edge village, which was host to the Tournament of the Emerald Champion for the first time in centuries (and also host to the Tournament of the Jade Champion for probably the first time).
The Tournament of the Emerald Champion was held first. The initial test was a simple test of knowledge of the law and etiquette, which almost every competitor passed. Shinjo Kunaro, the only Kakita-trained bushi at the tournament, barely passed the law test despite getting a very easy set of questions (he totally aced the etiquette side though).
Meanwhile, Kyoshi and Yogo Hina (a competitor for the Jade Champion) were asked to lead the fire-based purification rites, as the two most powerful fire shugenja present. Meanwhile, Hachi joined in the debate on how on earth the Tournament of the Jade Champion should be decided, as the historical records were too vague to the useful.
Over the early rounds, Kunaro stood out as the hot favourite, and clearly the most skilled duellist. He appeared to be less skilled at some of the other tasks associated with the Emerald Champion (*cough* Battle 0 *cough), but those skills weren't on the test! The final eight competitors were: Okami Ichigo, Soshi Taro, Iuchi Kaito, Bayushi Kaede, Shinjo Kunaro, Kitsuki Run, Mirumoto Hojatsu and Mirumoto Sen.
In the quarter finals, Ichigo defeated Taro, while Kaito, Kunaro and Hojatsu won their duels. As these were occuring, Yogo Hina subtely sounded out Kyoshi about whether or not they should interfere in Kunaro's duel to favour his opponent, as Kunaro would clearly be a terrible Emerald Champion (they could interfere by casting the variant Fire spell which would deny access to School Techniques, which probably wouldn't be noticed by anyone). Kyoshi pretended to not understand what she was implying, and beat a hasty exit. Coincidentally, at the next great feast, Hina was momentarily absent when the Unicorn's red meat course came around. Kyoshi chose to avoid offending his hosts and ate some, even though he knew it would mean that Hina would lead the next day's purification rites (as red meat would render him too spiritually impure to lead the ceremonies).
The next day, everyone was very shocked when Mirumoto Hojatsu defeated Shinjo Kunaro! Ichigo also defeated Iuchi Kaito, making him the first Wolf to ever reach the final of the Emerald Championship. The final duel was between Hojatsu and Ichigo, and it was no great suprise when the Mirumoto-trained bushi won. Hojatsu congratulated Ichigo, and told him that "If it wasn't an insult, I'd make you an Emerald Magistrate".
Immediately afterwards, the first Tournament of the Jade Champion began for centuries! First was a test of law and etiquette. Then, each round would be decided by calling upon each element in turn, and seeing who did the best.
Mechanics interlude:
4 rounds per duel: Air, Earth, Fire, Water
In each round, both shugenja make normal spellcasting roll (with Affinities, School Techniques, etc all applying)
Whoever rolled highest was the winner of that round, and got 1 point. They got 1 extra point per margin of 10.
At the end of the 4 rounds, the person with the most points was the winner.
If there was a tie, both shugenja would pick one element and cast simultaneously. Whoever got the highest roll on this round was the winner.
Over the early rounds, both Wolf shugenja did well, but Iuchi Ota was the clear favourite. In the quarter finals, Kyoshi defeated Soshi Arasaki, while Hachi defeated Tamori Motoko. Kyoshi then faced Hina in the semi-finals and was defeated (GM note: my notes are really unclear here - it's possible Kyoshi was knocked out a round earlier or later - sorry!). Meanwhile, Hachi defeated Iuchi Ota in his semi-final! In the final Hachi won again, defeating Yogo Hina! He asked her to become one of his first Jade Magistrates, along with Kyoshi.