Letter to the Hare

[Komori Yukio]

The Bat shugenja that had been assigned to aid the Hare during the recent yobanjin invasion, quietly approaches the Hare Clan Champion (or the closest representative), and waits to be acknowledged. Once he has been, he unrolls a small scroll and says:

I have received the following message from Komori Warai-dono with instructions that it be related to yourself as soon as possible.

Greetings to our masterful friends, may the fortunes guide and bless you.

I am certain that you are aware of the rising tensions between those who follow the one calling himself Emperor Toturi the 3rd, formerly Shogun Kaneka-sama, and his brother the Emperor Hantei the 40th. I do not send word attempting to persuade you to one side or the other. It is not my place to remind such great ones as to their honor, oaths sworn, duty to be fulfilled, or where their loyalty should lie according to the mandate of heaven.

No, that is not my place. Rather, I send a warning and a word of advice to the true sons and daughters of Rokugan. I sense an unseen hand in this conflict, and indeed even in the recent attempted invasion by the gaijin barbarians. The spirits whisper of hidden secrets, and I am troubled. I do not believe, that the current troubles are mere coincidence; nor that either of the sons of Toturi are aware of their true cause. No, I believe that there is an unknown player acting in this matter. Testing us with outside invasion, turning brother against brother, twisting the empire against itself.

Therefore I offer this advice and request. Support who you will, and advise them to gather their strength before any clash of arms. In this way time might be bought. Time so that, if my words ring true in your ears, you may send forth your hunters and seek to discover the true cause of this conflict before it is to late.

- Komori Warai, Bat Clan Champion and Head Priest of the Minor Clan Alliance

The shugenja re-rolls the scroll and waits a moment for those present to digest the message, then says:

Is there any message that I may send back in response?

(ooc: Further consequences of these statements can be found rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ic&thread=1005 )

[Usagi Reisen]

Honorable komori, I thank you for coming to us. Your consideration for our little clan is appreciated and your wise advise has been listen to.

In concern of the conflict, i would like to see this settle like we do in my home. Danmaku ! Duel ! Let the supporter of both side confront themself in a series of duel. Whoever of Hentei or Kaneka is right, the rightful emperor need strong supporter. Only the one supported by the best champion should be considered an emperor.

However, the duty of the Hare is not here but in the investigation of the root of the conflict as you said. You can tell Komori-dono that our investigation is on the high road.

[Komori Yukio]

(ooc: This post occurs after the events of this thread: rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ic&action=display&thread=1005 )

The following day, the Bat shugenja returns, and after being granted audience he bows once more.

Usagi-sama, please pardon the intrusion, but I must ask your permission to return to my homelands. I have just recieved word that Warai-dono was attacked by unknown assassins in Toshi Ranbo shortly after sending his previous message, and now hovers between life and death. He is even now being moved back to Kyuden Komori and all Bat currently assigned elsewhere have been requested to return to aid in our lord's recovery.

[Komori Yukio]

A scout enters hurriedly and bows. My apologies for the intrusion my lord but we just received word. Komori Warai-sama has succumbed to his wounds.

ooc: For the actual death see rokuganee.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=bathq&thread=1074&page=1