Addressed to the karo of Kyuden Doji.

My lord,

I write from Toshi no Omoidasu to inform you of a tragedy. The Son of Heaven has been murdered, along with many of his servants in the Imperial Court. He was betrayed by his kinsman, his ancestor, Hantei XVI Okucheo, once known to history as the Steel Chrysanthemum. This treasonous soul was heard to demand the abdication of the Son of Heaven in a crass attempt to seize the throne by force. When our great lord refused this indignity, the villain killed him, and then commanded many of those spirits who returned to Ningen-do with him to slaughter every mortal soul in Morikage Toshi. May the Fortunes give succor to our Martyred Prince, and to those who have given their lives in his name.

Many souls have been able to seek refuge here in Toshi no Omoidasu, thanks to the efforts of many samurai to lead them over the frozen waste between the cities. I have received reports from members of our delegation that our Champion, Doji Etsuo, along with samurai of the Crab clan, fought a delaying action which bought these people, both highborn and low, time to arrive here in safety.

The Lion are determined to resist the army of Toshigoku, which must pass through us to reach its goal. We believe that goal to be Otosan Uchi. The Crane here have sworn to fight alongside the Right Hand until the Son of Heaven is avenged, or until every last one of us has joined him. This will be the last message from Toshi no Omoidasu until the heavens have revealed its fate.

Cold wind from the North
Cruel snow smothers the land
My Heart is All Fire

*Chop of Doji Koushi,
Designated Physician of the Crane Delegation to His Majesty's Imperial Court*

Asako Kiyoraka,

The Emperor is dead, killed by an Emperor returned from the realm of slaughter. I was there, I saw it. To see the Emperor die, his honor guard failed him. They were infiltrated I suspect. We may need to send aid to Toshi no Omoidoso, war is coming.

We will hold the line until aid arrives, or Heaven takes us.

Asako Kashiwagi

Honorable Lord:

The Ghost Emperor killed the regular Emperor, so things are a mess and who knows who will be Emperor now. The Lion want the Empress to run things, so Steel Flower is coming to Lionstan to kill us. If we want a say in what happens, send an army soon.

Also, it turns out orochi are real and I ran into a mīra in the woods. Otherwise things are going great.

Moto Baatar

Ryuuta Hirako-san,

I was informed by Ryuuta-dono that all missives to Otosan Uchi should be sent to you. We have not been properly introduced yet, but I write you with urgent news. The Emperor, Hantei XXII, has been killed unjustly by Hantei XVI. He marches from Morikage Toshi in the direction of Otosan Uchi. Stories of the event are likely not embellished. I have witnessed the spirits following Hantei XVI to be brutally efficient and remorseless killers.

I am doing what I can to help with the situation in Toshi no Omoidoso. There are many refugees here, including daimyo of the Kitsu and Shosuro families, as we await the arrival of Hantei XVI's force of returned spirits. Please forward this message to Ryuuta-dono and his family. I suspect that this may be the last possibility to get messages to or from me until this situation is resolved.

[personal seal]
Ryuuta Kin

My liege.

I pen this missive from the city of Toshi no Omoidoso, with the awareness that it may be my last. A large force is moving toward the city, and we believe intends to march on the capitol. Obviously this cannot be allowed.

With this is mind, I have offered my services to the local governor - I believe this is the course you would recommend, and if I have erred in my judgment, I will accept any correction after this crisis is past. If we should fall, know that we did so honorably.

The other issue which kept me from Sparrow lands has been resolved - if I do not survive, please inform my husband that the threat posed by it no longer endangers him nor our children.

I pray I may return to serve and see the future you are bringing to our clan, but if I cannot, accept my prayers for the good fortune of the Suzume under your rule.

Your loyal subject,

-Suzume Chihaya


(Attached is a small note sealed for Suzume Hahou)

To Ha-kun,

It has been a long time since we have last met, and I pray you are in good health and fortune. I must inform you that I finally caught, interrogated, and executed the woman who had been hunting me. Her testimony was, the local Scorpion diplomats agreed, proof that she was truly insane, for the clan would, clearly, not stoop so low as to send trained assassins after anyone.

If any were to come after me now, it would cast doubt upon such assurances, so I believe they have decided they have more important matters to attend to - and do not wish to risk providing political fodder to the Imperial families by re-opening this matter. I left copies of the testimony with the Emerald office as well, so that it cannot be made to vanish.

I do not know if you have had opportunity to see our children, or return them home, I only pray that they will have the chance to meet and learn from their father - a brave and dutiful man. I do not know if I will live to return - there comes an army to the city where I am wintering, bringing war with it - but if I weather this storm, I await the day I see you, and our children, again.

Fortunes keep you.

*chop of*

-Suzume Chihaya

Yasuki Makoto-sama

As overseer of the Moon Drop Sake House, I request extra shipments be arranged to Otosan Uchi, its hub cities, Shiro Yogasha, Zumiki-Mihari, Mamoru Kyotei Toshi, Nikesake, Toshi no Omoidoso and Morikage Toshi. These locations have, or may soon, come under siege by an army of Toshigoku spirits serving the returned Hantei XVI, after his murder of Hantei XXII.

While I have no doubt that the forces of the Empire will rally around the rightful heir and his regent and defeat the spirit army, the toll will likely be high and victory will be costly. As the people of Rokugan recover, they will wish to celebrate success and remember losses. Not only will sake lost during the conflict need to be replaced, but there will be a greater demand in the months to come.

It is our duty to meet that demand and help the Empire through this hardship.

Carry the Fortunes.

-Isawa Miwako

My liege,

Things are rough here up north. You may have heard of the death of our beloved Emperor at the hands of a returned spirit and his followers at this point. Well, that army of spirits decided to head right for Toshi no Omoidoso. The governor has ordered the city evacuated, along with all the refugees that came here from the capital.

Your servants stand ready to defend these people from the spirit army to the last;
A Crab is not afraid of enemies from other realms, and this is no different. All we can hope is that those of other Clans see our resolve and valor, and show proper appreciation. If not, the Yasuki will do our best to help them see it.

Send any other instructions as needed, until then, we will hold out.

~the chop of Yasuki Yukarin~

>Honk!<

~ webbed goose print ~

~chop of Bayushi Degarashi~