Mod 3.3 - The Law's Strength [Chrysanthemum Petals in Rain]

[kmmarsh]

Dear Yo-sama,


Just as I was planning to return to you from Crane lands, I received a letter from an Emerald Magistrate, Soshi Yamara, who requested my assistance to look into a matter in Scorpion lands. My usual companions were included as well. It turns out the Soshi's village had been plagued by a rash of murders. He thought he had captured the culprit, a ronin who had confessed and been executed, but the murders continued. We looked into the matter for him, using a hilarious plan that the Kuni came up with to use Agasha Mai as bait. Unfortunately poor Mai-san turned out to be a bit more fragile than we thought, and nearly met a tragic end. However, we did capture the culprit. It was the brother of the ronin who had been executed, who had returned himself as a gaki to help his brother in their quest to avenge their father's death. Apparently the Scorpion did not have the means to place proper protection around the living brother, and the gaki freed him, though thanks to Kuni Katsu-san's advice they did manage to summon and bind the gaki afterward. Soshi Yamara-sama was so grateful for our assistance that he has recommended all of us to the Emerald Magistrates. Also, I have heard rumors that Agasha Mai is engaged to be married, though I do not know to whom. With any luck she will marry out of that dreadful Phoenix Clan. She herself is not so bad, if a bit of a know-it-all, but the rest of her clan members with whom I have had dealings have been positively insufferable. I will keep you posted should I hear any more on these matters. I hope all is well with you and hope to return home soon.


Your devoted student,


Yoritomo Shiori


Dear Hajime-san, (addressed on the outside to Usagi Haiyai, of course)


I hope you are learning much on your journeys, but not forgetting to have a little fun at the same time. I am well. I recently received an appointment to the Emerald Magistrates in gratitude for some yuriki work I had done for a Scorpion who was an Emerald Magistrate. I am looking forward to taking on these new duties and hope that they prove to be interesting. If you decide to visit Mantis lands before returning home, please let me know. Perhaps if I am free I can show you all the most beautiful parts of our islands. I hope that this letter finds you well and look forward to hearing from you.


Fondly,


Yoritomo Shiori

 

[rcuhljr]

Re: Mod 3.3


Kumo gazed out of the window, his eyes taking in the rice fields that made up his small holding. Nodding in satisfaction to himself as he considered the past weeks events Kumo turned and knelt before a small shrine. The warm light of sun on his back, Kumo removed his small box of supplies from the shelf near the shrine. A few moments of searching passed before he held up a small vial with a bright green string around the stopper. Removing enough of Kimono to reveal hid Tattoo, Kumo thought over his choice of kanji while he methodically prepared the needle and dye.


Service. Scorpion


The sting of the needle is barely noticed as all his concentration bends towards the shapes of the characters. To aid a magistrate, is to do ones duty. Odd that a Scorpion would seek out the crab, however I suppose when you can't deceive your prey into falling for the sting, the mighty claws of the Crab can still succeed. The man seemed to have to done a fine job in his original investigation, I wondered what strange twist had left the culprit still active?


Revenge. Sin


The brilliant green of the dye seems faintly metallic and the previous kanji shimmer in the ambient light. How strongly some let themselves fall into the three sins. The regret that fuels hatred, the desire that makes one thirst for revenge. When I venture into the shadowlands, I do not try to gain revenge for every Hida who has fallen in that dark place. Their spirits guide my attacks and lend me strength to return to our Clan, to allow myself to fall into self destruction would dishonor their memories.


Chrysanthemum superimposed on an Emerald Magistrate badge


Setting out his badge to aid is rendering, Kumo resumes his work. Service to the Scorpion leads to service for the Empire. I now take on the heavy burden of bringing justice to the Empire. The Crab will not falter, we have held the wall and now I will protect the wall that stands between the Empire and lawlessness.


Kumo cleans his supplies meticulously and slides the box back to it's resting place by the shrine. Rising and taking a last glance out the window; He heads to the bathhouse before the stray ink drops can stain too deeply.

 

[Feantari]

From the Journal of Agasha Mai


Ow, remember, even though the kami may restore you later, it is still going to hurt.


My companions and I were called upon to aid a Scorpion Magistrate in solving a rash of killings. I wonder at the fact these killings have gone on for so long, but we were called in because they continued despite the execution of the confessed murder.


It was an elaborate puzzle, the killers were careful. But, I was sure study would show some clues. Unfortunately after our initial inspection Kuni Katsu refused to hand over the copies of the documents unless we were in a more secure location. I shall have to watch his intentions.


Returning to the magistrate to study his copies proved most useful though. I would not have had the additional scrolls to sift though were I not there. I found the aid of the Kami most helpful in my research and was able to puzzle out enough about the persons responsible to allow the group to plan the next move.


I being the most likely to pass for the targets of the murders was disguised and led the target to a suitable location with my companions hidden nearby. I would bait him into attacking me and then we would catch him in the act. Unfortunately we missed one small detail. The man's brother who had been executed was with him! The sudden onslaught of two attackers was almost too much for me, but my prepared spell and nearby companions allowed for sucess.


<decorative magistrate's seal is sketched here>