Legend of the Five Rings: Scrolls of the Phoenix 4

Because scribes need work, it's more Scrolls of the Phoenix.

My Lord Shiba Yoma,

I apologize for my absence in the court as I have been away from it close to 2 days so far. I will redouble my efforts upon my return to catch up so that no news will escape your ears. But I feel that Lord Isawa Notodai is in true need of whatever service I can perform, and maybe this effort will help to ease relations between the Phoenix and Dragon.

We arrived in the town to find them in relatively high spirits, though I thought I noticed a slight pall over their winter relaxation. The investigation into the death of the Dragon began in earnest as we arrived. Early inquiries provided little information except that the blacksmith knew a little about the duel. My shugenja comrades went to investigate the bridge and despite some early fear of the Taint we discovered that some blood had escaped the eta on the rocks below. We made sure to purify the area before we left.

Isawa Kenjiro and Moto Bataar went to investigate the body of the Dragon and discovered that all was in order, except for his traveling papers. Rather then bore you with the details of the investigation I will simply explain what we have discovered. Should you request the details they are, of course, ever at your disposal.

It appears that the Dragon was here during their occupation of the town, and, like several of his fellows, made themselves known to the women of the town. It seems that a relationship of some kind (seemingly loving, it seems that the Dragon were honorable in this sense at least) developed between our unfortunate Dragon and one of the townsfolk. Sometime before the Dragon were routed she became pregnant. After the Dragon were driven out he returned to her some months later. The townsfolk saw fit to hide her from their magistrate, as the desire for vengeance against the Dragon burns strong with him and they felt she would be in danger. It was during this time that the duel occurred (unfortunately we still do not know the reason), leading to our investigation. We know that the Dragon did not know the ronin, but he ronin certainty knew him and chose to instigate the duel though personal insult. She has since set off in the direction of Pale Oak. I do not know if we will find her there, perhaps among the shogun’s men. All answers lie with her. We set out soon to Pale oak to track her, return to court and bring this poor girl before Lord Isawa Nodotai so he may decide what is to be done. Though if reputation serves him well I expect she will meet no discomfort at the very least.

Before we leave here we have begun our own investigation into reports of a snow goblin living in the woods and killing Lord Isawa Nodotai’s deer, Preliminary investigations have revealed what sounds to all accounts like some form of perhaps twisted Nezumi. It apparently travels the trees in it’s sleep and shall return near here soon. We plan to investigate further before our departure.

Isawa Momoru has had apparently what he claims to be a vision. I will leave it to his letters to describe it as I do not think that I am the most appropriate interpreter of visions.

- Ever your humble servant,

- Asako Senosuke

There’s no crime in love Only in station, duty Desire the sole crime

Some observations in retrospect:

• There was some confusion amongst the shugenja of the group when they interrogated the local kami. There was a feeling of impurity which was caused by spilt blood, but they began to worry about taint... and it took a bit for them to get a clear answer.
• The town did have a name; but it's lost amongst my notes.
• The Dragon and Phoenix clans are recently recovering from a feud between the two clans (part of the "Gold Edition" metaplot), hence the recent occupation of a Phoenix town, relinquished back to Phoenix control when hostilities ceased.
• The "snow goblin" did indeed turn out to be a nezumi - the tribe of them in Phoenix lands bears white fur.
• Momoru's vision largely concerned the tree being struck by a figure in a blue cloak, and the tree bleeding.

More campaign contributions to come.