The session started with the companions getting ready for dinner and doing some shopping. Shinjo bought a new kimono in his clan’s colors and Akodo got his hair done for the state dinner being held later in that evening.

Luckily none of the companions did anything to embarrass themselves during the dinner. No one was paying much attention to them though, since all attention was on the main table. NPCs at the main table:

• The Emperor
• Doji Satsume: The Emerald Champion/Doji Daimyo/Crane Clan Champion
• Bayushi Shoju: Bayushi Daimyo, Scorpion Clan Champion and Adviser to the Emperor
• Bayushi Kachiko: wife of Bayushi Shoju and Adviser to the Emperor
• Matsu Tsuko: Matsu Daimyo and second in command of the Lion army.
• Kakita Yuri: Crane clan negotiator
• Ichiro Akitomo: Badger Clan Champion
• Kakita Asami: The beautiful daughter of Kakita Yuri
• Akodo Toturi: Older brother of the Akodo Daimyo, the Lion Clan Champion
• Doji Hoturi: Oldest son of Doji Satsume and older brother of Doji Kuwanan

The companions notice that Ichiro Akitomo is receiving a lot of attention from Kakita Yuri and Akodo Toturi. This seems strange for such a minor daimyo to be receiving such attention from such two important individuals.

Finally when it is socially acceptable for the players to excuse themselves, Akodo and Shinjo are pleasantly surprised when the lovely Samurai-ko Otaku Shiko asks them to escort her across the river back to the town of Tsuma. As they walked through the gardens, they suddenly hear the sounds of clashing swords. Rushing towards the scene, they discover the bloody corpses of five men. Four of them are Badger bushi — two of them with their katanas still sheathed — and the fifth is the Badger clan daimyo with two poisoned shuriken in his neck. They instantly hear the voice of Bayushi Sugai demanding what they are doing there as he walks across the bridge with a bloody katana in his hand.

Shinjo and Shosuro went across the bridge and found another one of the Badger Daimyo’s yojimbo dressed in a ninja outfit. They look at the body as Bayushi Sugai claims to have come onto the scene as well and had chased this assassin across the bridge and killed him. The rest of the party question him. He appears very nervous but quickly grows angry and goes off in search of guards. He was followed by Hida and Kakita.

The group is quickly brought before the Emerald Champion. After reviewing the evidence and listening to the witnesses, he passes judgement. Even though it is obvious that Bayushi Sugai had something to do with it all, there was no evidence to the contrary. All evidence seem to point to a plot made by the karo of the Badger Daimyo. As the Emerald champion passes his judgement, Otaku Shiko cries out, “But he is the killer!” Bayushi Sugai quickly challenges her to a duel and easily kills her.

The following day is the Weapon, Poetry, Courtier, Go, Archery and Hunting competitions. The Weapon competition was not very surprising except for the fact that Shosuro revealed that she is a actress and not a bushi. Poetry had a surprise win of Hida against Bayushi Sugai on the topic of Shintao. Kakita versus Shosuro on the topic of loyalty with Shosuro forcing Kakita to forfeit based on the greatly inspired haiku she developed. Courtier and Go had few surprises and the Archery competition was dominated by Shinjo.