S2E23: Words of Smoke, Secrets of Stone

Day two of Winter Court begins. Buro and Kenshi discover something concerning while checking in on Yoshi's armor. The samurai attend the Greeting of the Spirits ceremony and mingle with Otosan Uchi's elite.

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---SHOW NOTES---

The party woke up in the Scorpion embassy on the second day of court. Buro and Kenshi decided to pay Yoshi a visit. To their surprise, they learned that attendants have been permanently stationed to the antechamber housing Yoshi’s armor.

They created a ruse which allowed them to be left alone with Yoshi. Once the attendants were gone, Buro searched the room and found a hidden crawlspace beneath the chamber. Exploring this crawlspace, he discovered an elaborate tunnel network that runs throughout the Scorpion embassy. Every room of the embassy seemed to be connected to this tunnel system, and throughout it, a cool breeze could be felt.

After investigating the crawlspace, Buro forged Bayushi Shoju’s personal mark on the armor of the Martyr Monk, and left him with some parting words of support.

Buro then informed the rest of the party what he had seen. Despite his best efforts to remain secretive, Buro’s words still managed to reach Tsubasa’s ears.

Later, the party attended The Greeting of the Spirits, a ritualistic ceremony where the emperor is bestowed with the blessings of the kami, and prays for a productive winter.

After the ceremony, the lords and ladies of court spoke with one another. Here, Buro decided he wanted to look into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of Doji Satsume, and the rumors tying Agasha Sumiko to his death. Kenshi introduced Buro to Ikoma Ujiaki who was speaking with a high ranking Unicorn samurai. Buro asked Ujiaki about Satsume’s death.

Ujiaki repeated the same suspicions that Ide Makujin had about the former Emerald Champion’s passing: that Satsume’s son, Doji Hoturi, may have played a role in his father’s death so that he could gain control of his clan and wage a war against the Lion. Ujiaki made this bold suggestion in front of Ide Tadaji, Ide family daimyo, who Ujiaki then introduced to Buro and Kenshi.

Meanwhile, Tomo spoke with Kuni Fujiko. He requested an audience with the courtier, but in a place more discreet. The first week of court coincided with the Kakita Festival, a week long celebration of the life and death of the legendary swordsman Kakita. Martial arts contests will be held all week to honor the late samurai. Fujiko suggested that they meet later that day at an archery tournament being held just outside the city.

Credits

Album Art by Dylon Munoz

Music

"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain

"Dragon Theme" by Brandon Spain

"Dark Passage" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"The Royal Baths" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Cold Truths" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"First Fantasy" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Rokugani Daydream" by Podcast of the Five Rings

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings