EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the log for the December 15th session.

(1) DM Arkhandus: Alrighty then, to start this session off, a brief recap of last session. The party traveled from Ryoko Owari to reach the town around Kyuden Bayushi, and met the mysterious Mai along the road, who said that a seer had told her something that made her find and join the party on the road. In the city around Kyuden Bayushi, near the heart of Scorpion lands, the party located a Soshi family temple where Masato and Mai went to ask for the Soshi to divine for them the location where Emperor Toturi had fallen in the Shinomen Mori, so that the party could more easily find the spot to begin their investigation.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato and Mai had to convince a rude yojimbo to let them enter the temple, but they managed it and the two spoke with a Soshi priest, who sold them a scroll detailing what the Soshi knew of Emperor Toturi's demise in the Shinomen. According to the priest, if the words of a Scorpion are to be trusted, the oni that slew Toturi or some minions of the oni used magic to block divinations of the area and the events, so the Soshi did not know much.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato and Mai left  the temple and joined the group outside, who then retired to an inn for the evening, and in the morning is where we shall continue today's session.......
(1) DM Arkhandus: In the morning, Satoru asks Masato what the scroll contains.
** (10) Masato opens the scroll to examine it. **
(10) Masato: "It is vague, but it may give us some idea."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato and Satoru examine the scroll, written in fine Rokugani script. Near the bottom of the scroll is a tiny sketch of the eastern side of the Shinomen and the Scorpion towns and such nearby, with a few points marked on the map, indicating the path Toturi took into the Shinomen and supposedly where he was attacked.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Above the map, taking up most of the space on the scroll, is written details and such by the Soshi. It describes the Emperor entering Scorpion lands and riding with his entourage southward and passing through part of the Shinomen.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The script notes what was observed in the Emperor's entourage, describing his retainers, yojimbo, and such, and also describing a few brief dialogues that some Scorpion clansmen had with the Emperor or his entourage as he passed through the Clan's territory.
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((Masato and Satoru are in the common room of the inn reading the scroll)
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nothing in the scroll indicates what might have attacked the Emperor or how, and the small map only has a very vague, large area circled upon it indicating the general area where the Emperor was attacked.
** (10) Masato points to the circled area. "Well, I suppose we'll start our search there." **
** (7) Shoko looks at Masato with general curiosity, "Where?" **
** (2) Mai comes down from the upper level of the Inn, her cat Chaouji wrapped over her shoulders as she heads towards Masato and Satoru** "Morning." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti enters the common room and walks over to the samurai and looks over their shoulders to see what they're looking at.
** (10) Masato points to the map. "In this region of the forest." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo performs some morning exercises outside, and Kai Lyn, in weasel form, scurries outside with her weasel familiar to catch some food for themselves or something.
(8) Kiran: "Hstake kara hamaguri wa torenu"
(8) Kiran: (You can't get clams from a field, or, you can't get blood from a stone)
(8) Kiran: "It seems we will be forced to search ourselves. Fortunately, the forests are my home, and the path will be an easy one - unless there is outside interference...
(8) Kiran: "
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru says "Aye, the Scorpions didn't give us much for our money.... This scroll isn't very helpful, but at least we have a basic idea of where to search."
(7) Shoko: "Yes."
(10) Masato: "Yes. Then there's the matter of dealing with whatever managed to defeat the Emperor's escort."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "We should set out and follow the route that the Emperor took through the Scorpion lands, and see if we can find any clues along the way before we search the Shinomen."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti mentions "I hope the oni didn't have any help in slaying the Emperor, or we might have our hands full........but then again, if only one oni took down the Emperor, we may be quite outclassed if we happen upon it anytime soon......."
(10) Masato: "We'll have to take our chances."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo finishes his exercises and enters, saying "Well, for now we should simply investigate, and destroy any lesser fiends we may find, but report back to Lord Akodo with our findings before we try and hunt down any oni......"
(8) Kiran: "Three generations ago, one Oni decimated my entire clan. Thus was it that Grandfather, who speaks to me still, led the few remaining People from the destruction to a new land. I do not relish finding any Oni."
(8) Kiran: "His spirit guides me often."
(7) Shoko: "Clan?"
(8) Kiran: "Certainly not a clan in the manner of the nobility of the Empire, and I meant no comparison. It was a simple collection of related extended families."
** (7) Shoko raises a curious eyebrow, with that same eerie smile, "I thought you might have meant something else... sorry..." **
** (10) Masato furls the scroll back up. "Is everyone ready to travel then?" **
(8) Kiran: "I am unused to dealing with humans and the Empire, so sometimes I mis-speak myself."
** (8) Kiran bows a bit **
** (2) Mai nods as she pats Chaouji* "we tend to carry very little" **
(10) Masato: "Mai, perhaps you will take a horse or cart? We move faster that way."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo replies "Aye. But I am afraid I may not be able to accompany you all for much longer.... I will have to report to Lord Bayushi soon or it will seem that I am trying to avoid punishment for Giadan's demise, when the Soshi diviners discover it."
(7) Shoko: "Oh ok, later."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "If nothing else, I must explain the matter to my daimyo." Shujo says.
** (8) Kiran shakes his head, but does not presume to speak his mind to a noble-class Samurai of the empire... **
(10) Masato: "I understand. I think we can find our way from here."
** (2) Mai sighs** "All right, but I have no skill with riding a horse. And I prefer my bow being fired on foot" **
(1) DM Arkhandus: "I will at least follow you to the Shinomen, and maybe into it, but before you return to Lord Akodo to report, I will have to report back in Kyuden Bayushi." he finishes.
(10) Masato: "We can lead your horse. It won't be a problem."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says "You can ride on my horse, Mai. Or you could ride in the cart with Kiran's wolf." She grins.
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Well, that or the heimin cart....." She adds.
(8) Kiran: "A wolf acts in ways that can be foreseen"
** (8) Kiran says cryptically **
(2) Mai: "I'll ride with the wolf"
** (8) Kiran pats his friend on the head reassuringly, and the wolf lies down complacently. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "I will fetch the heimin with the horses and carts."
(2) Mai: "And a cat has many actions, but only one of them is what it desires."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The Scorpion samurai heads to the stable to retrieve the party's servants and transportation.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo returns shortly with the horses, and everyone mounts up.
** (2) Mai climbs onto the cart, putting Chaouji on her lap as she crosses her legs and adjusts her skirt **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party begins to ride northward for a few miles until they reach the road's fork, and then they head down the westward road to Ginasutra village and the Shinomen. Shujo mentions along the way that Ginasutra will be the last village they pass through before reaching the Shinomen, and that after they leave the village they'll enter the Shinomen from the Reihado Shinsei shrine.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kiran, as the party rides, your wolf is frequently agitated by some quiet noise that seems to stir it constantly. It doesn't seem to be anything dangerous though, maybe just animals in the grass or something.
** (8) Kiran talks quietly to the wolf to calm it **
** (2) Mai sings to Chaouji stroking it's fur on the way as she lays her bow and quiver next to her, watching the sights and sounds around them **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party rides for a day and then camps about a mile from the road, at Satoru's insistence, since 'we might encounter bandits or something in the Scorpion lands'....
** (8) Kiran nods **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The next day, the party arises and rides on, Shujo mentioning that they should reach Ginasutra in another day or so.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party camps again that night, not encountering any trouble, and then sets out in the morning, and the party can see the River Of Gold nearby as the party rides towards the bridge. The party crosses the bridge and rides on for a little longer before arriving in Ginasutra around noon. During the trip though, Kiran's wolf is still occasionally agitated be some annoying noise.
(8) Kiran: ((Can I hear the noise?))
(1) DM Arkhandus: ((make a Listen check))
(8) Kiran:
Wisdom
16+2=18
[1d20+4] -> [15,4] = (19)
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "We should stay here for the rest of the day and rest. We may not get much sleep when we enter the Shinomen, if we are forced to sleep in there."
(8) Kiran: "If any of us are from these parts, what tales are there of creatures which may sound like cats? purring... or meowing..." 
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo looks at Kiran  queerly for a moment.
** (2) Mai looks around** "Do you think it would be safe to sleep this close to the Shinomen?" **
(10) Masato: "Probably not safe, but there are certainly enough of us to keep watch."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo slowly replies "Uhh....maybe leopards, or margays, or other wildcats......I don't know...."
(8) Kiran: "I have heard the noise upsetting my friend. It sounds like just such a cat."
(8) Kiran: Knowledge (Spirits): [1d20+3+5] -> [16,3,5] = (24)
(8) Kiran: "There are no spirits I am aware of that behave so. Perhaps they are, after all, just cats..."
** (8) Kiran looks sheepish **
(8) Kiran: (for a vanaran)
** (8) Kiran ponders why his connection with the spirit world makes him suspect all things are the result of their actions first, and of normal causes second **
** (2) Mai climbs off the cart with a soft smile on her face, grabbing her bedroll and bow** "Where do you intend to set your fire?" **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo says "Well, let's not worry about any wildcats or whatever. I doubt anything that may have been following us could be very dangerous or anything. Let us just enter the village and relax for the day in preparation for the next several days that we may be spending in the Shinomen."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The Scorpion urges his horse forward in a trot, and Shujo finds a stable for his horse. Nerfereti shortly follows behind, and some servants do as well.
** (2) Mai nods as Chaouji mewls** "all right all right. And we could use something to eat too" **
** (8) Kiran would like more of the fine drinks and meats Humans have available to them **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru says "Well, I suppose I would enjoy a hot bath and some shochu...." and heads to the stable.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party slowly filters into the village to eat, bathe, and rest. Satoru seeks out a bathhouse and relaxes there for a while, as Nerfereti, Kai Lyn, and Shujo eat some lunch at a small tavern in town.
** (8) Kiran seeks out a place with spirits and meats **
** (2) Mai looks around, trying to find a nice bathouse, disappearing into the small building* **
** (7) Shoko also seeks the bath house for herself. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: As the party eats and relaxes, two folks approach the bathhouse where Satoru, Mai, and Shoko relax. You three notice a pair of noble-looking samurai enter the establishment, wearing the armor of samurai and carrying daisho at their waists. However, they seem somewhat odd for samurai. Fur lines the edges of their armor, helms, and fine kimonos, and you realize they must be Unicorn samurai to wear dead animal fur upon them.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru wrinkles his nose at the sight of such gaijin practices as the Unicorn perform, and slowly rises from his bath and dries off, gathering his daisho and such.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The two Unicorn samurai remove their armor and daisho, setitng them aside in the proper area near the door, and approach the establishment's manager even as Satoru prepares to leave.
** (8) Kiran nibbles spiced meats and raw greens, and sips at some saki **
** (2) Mai doesn't notice the strange oddities, but watches Satoru's nose wiggle and decides they should be watched quietly, handing a piece of fish to Chaouji as she eats and watches occasionally **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The two speak briefly with the manager, who arranges some baths to be drawn for them. He leaves to fetch servants, and the two Unicorns approach Satoru, who is just about to leave.
(1) DM Arkhandus: One, a male, bows to the Crane samurai and says "Konbonwa, Daidoji-san. I am Shinjo Kiro, a samurai of the Unicorn of course, and this is my sister, Shinjo Kari, also a skilled samurai. I am surprised to find a Crane in these parts of Rokugan......quite far from home, aren't you? Pardon my bluntness, but may I inquire as to why we have the pleasure of meeting you here? We are on a mission of diplomacy ourselves, actually......."
** (2) Mai watches the samurai confront Satsoru, looking more at Satoru than the Unicorns **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru struggles not to frown at being stopped by the Unicorns before he could leave, and replies curtly "I am sorry, but I was on my way out, Shinjo-san and Shinjo-chan. I am busy with an investigation right now, and I really must return to my business after finishing my bath....."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The Crane bows slightly and quickly, then begins to leave again.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shoko notices that Satoru seems a little irritable lately.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The two Unicorns bow briefly as Satoru leaves, frowning slightly, then smile again and proceed towards the bathes.
** (7) Shoko finishes her bath and heads from the bath house to the tavern for some food. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: A servant leads Kiro towards one side of the bathhouse, separated by shoji screens, where the bathes for the men are, while another servant leads Kari towards the female bathes.
** (10) Masato sits in the tea house, studying the map and making casual inquiries about the Shinomen Forest and the Emperor. **
** (2) Mai rises up, seeing the Unicorn's passing and heads out into the town **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari, like her brother, seems insistent on chatting with the party...... She stops Shoko as the young samurai-ko leaves, and bows. "Hello sister Unicorn. I am glad to find one  of my kindred here aside from myself and Kiro."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato, in the teahouse, learns little more about the Emperor's passing. Many folks avert their gaze when the Crane samurai mentions the late Emperor, and seem ashamed of his demise almost right in their lands.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari asks Shoko "Sister, may I ask what this investigation is that the Crane mentioned? Or am I wrong in assuming that you are traveling with him? I think I saw you in the same group riding into town earlier......"
** (7) Shoko gives her that quizical look, "I was sent her under orders, why?" **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari nods and says "Ahh, I see. Then it must be important, whatever quest that Crane was sent on into these lands. I and Kiro have been in Scorpion lands for several weeks on our diplomatic mission, and were going to be returning to the lands of our own Clan soon to report."
(7) Shoko: "Oh?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: "So we do not know much of what our Clan has been doing recently.... What is it though that you, the Crane, and the others are doing that is so important? Perhaps me and my brother could be of some assistance to a fellow Unicorn in these oft-hostile lands. We have been here several weeks, as I've said, so maybe we know something helpful?"
(7) Shoko: "You'd have to talk to Masato or the party leader since they seem to know more then I."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari hesitates then says, with a slight smile, "Then again, we have not been particularly helpful so far to our clan........ Our diplomatic mission wasn't very successful, so we are not partcularly eager to return home quite yet....."
(7) Shoko: "Oh... ok."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari nods and says "Domo arigato, sister Unicorn. Oh, I am sorry, I never asked your name, and it seems wrong to refer to you as though you were some anonymous stranger. May I ask your name, sister?"
(7) Shoko: "Saijo Shoko."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari bows to Shoko, and says "Ah, then I am glad to have met you Saijo-san. Actually, I don't know if you heard my name earlier when my brother spoke with the Crane, but I am Shinjo Kari, and I was sent here with some Ide diplomats. They are resting right now, so I and my brother took the opportunity to relax in the bathes. Perhaps later I will seek out this 'Masato' you mention and ask him about this investigation the Crane mentioned, or maybe I will find that Daidoji again. Good day." Kari bows slightly again and heads towards one of the bathes.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shoko leaves the bath house then to go eat as she had intended to do before the other Unicorn samurai-ko stopped her.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Meanwhile, as Mai, Satoru, and Shoko bathe and relax, Masato questions folks entering the tea house, politely, to see if they know anything helpful about the Emperor's demise.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo and Nerfereti also ask a few questions of folk, while Kai Lyn remains quiet and just eats her meal. 
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato, as you finish your tea and meal, you find yourself running out of folk to question.... (make a Gather Information check, or default to a Charisma check if no ranks in G.I.)
(10) Masato: Gather Information (The Honorable Way): [1d20+2] -> [5,2] = (7)
(1) DM Arkhandus: Masato doesn't manage to learn anything useful in his casual, polite questioning of folks in the tea house.
** (10) Masato decides to call it a night, figuring there is nothing more to be accomplished here. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: As Masato finishes his meal, a young teenager enters the tea house dressed in simple monk's clothes, carrying a sack over his shoulder and looking travel-worn. He is scrawny but looks somewhat tough and wiry.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti eyes him strangely, seeming to ponder what some scrawny little kid is doing traveling through Scorpion lands.
** (3) Korishi gazes over the room briefly as he moves to a table. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: She feels curiousity tugging at her after what has been a boring day, so gets up and walks over to the young man.
** (3) Korishi looks up at the stranger that approaches as he settles down setting his bag aside him. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The sorceress asks "Excuse me, but I was wondering why you seem to have traveled here on your own......aren't you a little young to be wandering around such dangerous territory?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: "I can hardly believe you're still alive, you look like you've been traveling for days and yet I don't notice any wounds from bandits or the wildcats that seemed to have been prowling the plains earlier......"
(3) Korishi: "I go where I must. Does it matter how old or young a traveler is if they have a purpose?"
(3) Korishi: "I have little to interest bandits... or wildcats it would seem."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Aye, but what purpose does a kid like you have to be traveling here? This is a dangerous place, kid...."
(1) DM Arkhandus: She nods at the teen's comment, saying "Yeah, I don't imagine you have much meat on you to interest the critters that seemed to follow us around......"
(3) Korishi: "A dangerous place, I know... but I have heard dark rumors. Perhaps you know something of the Emperor's demise?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo mumbles to Masato before he leaves "Nerfereti must be awefully bored to be chatting with some kid. Maybe we should intentionally seek out some more bandits or ronin to fight, eh?" He says with dry humor.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti raises an eyebrow and says "Maybe you know something, rather. It seems odd that you'd ask such a question that we ourselves have been asking folk around here...... We wouldn't be asking the question if we knew the answer, would we?"
(3) Korishi: "I was unaware you were seeking the same answer. I have only just arrived."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "We've been investigating the Emperor's death, actually, at his son's command. We're almost to the Shinomen."
(10) Masato: "I grow somewhat restless to know what has happened in the Shinomen Forest. All this waiting and thinking about it is hindering my focus."
(3) Korishi: "I hold no such imperial command, only my own visions."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Visions?" The sorceress ventures.
** (3) Korishi nods, "A darkness...that has seeped into my meditation. It swallowed the master of my dojo... the emperor... and then the empire itself. I don't know what it means, only that both the master monk of my dojo, and the emperor, now lay dead." **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti puzzles over this briefly, then says "Odd.... Where is it you come from, boy?"
(3) Korishi: "I come from the Kaiten Monestary, high in the mountains on the Spine of the World."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says "Hmm, that seems like it might be nearby..... One more thing for me to think about, I guess. Why don't you come with me, boy, and talk to Masato and Satoru? I think they might be interested in this, possibly."
(3) Korishi: "I thank you for the offer, and will accept." he says humbly.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti rises, and asks the teenager "What's your name anyway, boy? I almost feel bad for calling you that so often, almost......."
(3) Korishi: "I am called Korishi."
** (8) Kiran considers, briefly, setting his wolf on Nefereti just to see the look on her face. But decides not to behave as wickedly as the sorceress **
(1)  DM Arkhandus: She nods and says "I am Asako Nerfereti of the great Phoenix Clan. Now come, I will introduce you to Masato and Satoru so you can tell them about your visions." She leads the boy to the inn where she expects to find Masato and Satoru.
** (3) Korishi follows Nerfereti to the inn. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The sorceress looks around for Masato and Satoru within.
** (8) Kiran watches them leave, then goes back to the much more important food before him **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Shujo and Kai Lyn, at the tea house, finish their meals and leave, Shujo heading to the bath house and Kai Lyn going to the inn.
** (10) Masato sits musing over his next approach to their rather unique problem. **
** (8) Kiran finishes his meal, then begins to casually walk about the village, relaxing after his meal, not going anywhere particular **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti leads Korishi to the inn and finds Masato after a little searching, and says "Masato? I have something that may be of some interest to us."
(10) Masato: "Oh?"
** (3) Korishi waits behind Nerfereti. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The sorceress says "This kid, Korishi, says that he had received some visions of the emperor's demise or something. Tell Masato about the visions you described to me." **
(3) Korishi: "Yes." he says, stepping forward. "It started about a while ago, during my meditation. I had visions of a darkness which swallowed the master of my monestary, then the emperor, and then the empire itself. Not long after the visions began, my master was slain. Then word came that the emperor to was killed. I began my journey when news of that tragedy reached my monastery."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says "You remember how Mai said that she had went out upon the roads to find us after a seer told her about some vision or augury or something? Kind of queer, isn't it? You think it means something?"
(1) DM Arkhandus: "And this kid says that he comes from a monastery in the Seikitsu Sano Tama No Oi, the mountains surrounding Scorpion territory.......perhaps the same force slew Korishi's master as slew the Emperor or something?"
(3) Korishi: "I certainly believe this to be more then coincidence, which is why I've come seeking answers about the emperor's death."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Perhaps the kid's master learned something, or saw them moving towards the Emperor's entourage?" She ventures.
(10) Masato: "I don't know, but I'm hoping the answer lies somewhere in the Shinomen."
(3) Korishi: "Nerfereti-san has told me you seek answers as well. I would be honored if you would allow me to accompany you."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says with a smirk "The kid's kinda scrawny, Masato, but maybe he knows some martial arts or something from living in a monastery......... At least he might be able to offer some helpful information if his visions go anywhere."
** (3) Korishi gives Nerfereti a sidelong glance at the scrawny comment, but can't really complain..since he is. **
(10) Masato: "Well, I suppose it can't hurt at this point. Half of Rokugan seems to know what we're doing now anyways."
(1) DM Arkhandus: The sorceress grins again at this.
** (10) Masato stands and introduces himself. "I am Kakita Masato, samurai of the noble Crane." **
(3) Korishi: "I am Korishi, of the Kaiten Monestary."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti says "Alright, I guess you'll travel with us for a bit, Korishi. We'll be heading out to the Shinomen tomorrow."
(10) Masato: "I'll have to introduce you to the others in the morning most likely. Our group is...well it's rather extensive."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Nerfereti smiles, then says "Aye. Well, I'm going to walk around the town for a bit before retiring. I'll see you two in the morning." The sorceress leaves then.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The party retires for the evening, and sleeps long to be refreshed the next day and ready for entering the Shinomen.
(1) DM Arkhandus: Late in the morning, the party rises one by one, goes about their morning exercises, rituals, meditations, etc. and heads to a tea house for breakfast.
(1) DM Arkhandus: When they arrive in the teahouse, Satoru, Mai, and Shoko recognize two of the teahouse's guests, who are sitting in a position where they face the door. It is Shinjo Kiro and Shinjo Kari, the two Unicorn samurai from the bathhouse the day before.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The two Unicorns are just finishing their meal as the party acquires a table and orders their own meals. The two Unicorns rise and approach them afterwards.
** (2) Mai smiles and pats Cahouji as she heads to the table, kneeling down before it as Chaouji sits next to her **
** (10) Masato looks around the tea house somewhat quizically when he examines their growing ranks and realizes that their investigation is beginning to look more like an invasion. **
(22) Korishi: "Friends of yours?" he looks accross at Masato as the unicorns approach.
(1) DM Arkhandus: The two Unicorn samurai, Kiro in a samurai's partial armor with fur trimming, and his sister Kari in some light chainmail armor also with fur trim, bow to the party.
(10) Masato: "Not exactly. Unicorn clan. They've apparently spoken with Shoko."
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Good morning, samurai of the Crane, Scorpion, and of course Unicorn," Kiro says, unable to  tell the affiliations of the other party members, "I am Shinjo Kiro and this is my sister Shinjo Kari, here on a diplomatic mission to the Scorpion."
** (2) Mai bows to the two samurai, a pleasant smile on her face* **
(1) DM Arkhandus: The female, Kari, adds "We met Shoko and the Daidoji yesterday, and I believe I recognize others amongst you as well. May we sit with you for a moment?"
** (10) Masato bows politely. **
(10) Masato: "If you can find room."
** (22) Korishi moves over a bit to make room for the samurai. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kari smiles, and the two sit down at the table. Kari says "Thank you, Crane. We spoke with Shoko-san yesterday, and the Daidoji also, though he left before telling us his name, and we were curious about this investigation he mentioned."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kiro then adds "We have finished our diplomatic mission here, albeit not very successfully, and we are not in any hurry to return home, although we miss it greatly. So we were wondering what this investigation was that Daidoji-san mentioned, and if there was anything we might be able to help or advise on? We have been here for several weeks, so might know something of use to you, perhaps."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Satoru seems reluctant to talk, but Shujo says "We are investigating the late Emperor's fall in the Shinomen Mori, and we will in fact be moving on into the Hidden Forest for our investigation after we finish our morning meal, Shinjo-san......."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kiro and Kari look at each other, then seem deep in thought. Kari says "Well, we know little of that matter. We know what route the Emperor took when passing through these lands, but we do not know what has slain him. Maybe we could offer our swordarms and negotiating skills however, for a time? We accompanied a few Ide diplomats here, and we ourselves have trained somewhat in the arts of diplomacy and truth-discerning."
** (22) Korishi looks at them curiously as they offer to join this obviously already large group. **
(1) DM Arkhandus: "Of course," Kiro adds, "We would not be able to aid you for very long, as the Ide will need to return home soon. Still, we may be able to help for a few days or so."
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kiran says "Well, we don't have any magistrates or anything with us right now, so maybe we could use your help while we're in the Shinomen........"
(1) DM Arkhandus: Kiro says "Of course, we would be glad to help. The Shinomen does not scare us." Kari nods