KOMACHI'S TRAVEL GUIDE: This rather simple and unadorned gate is the narrowest of the gates into the Noble Quarter, since there is little need for traffic between the Noble and Merchant Quarter Its stout oak doors open to a steep cobblestone road.
SHlGEKO'S DOSSIER: The Gate of Condescension is often one of the most congested areas in Ryoko Owari, especially during the afternoon and early evening. A crowded day can add up to five minutes to any travel through the city, even if you're shouting and waving a drawn sword.
It is five minutes (usually) between the Gate of Condescension and the Little Gate, and only a minute further to the Bridge of Drunken Lovers. It is ten minutes to the southwest pier. It takes 12 minutes to reach the Pious Gate, a minute or less to reach the Civil Hall, and thirteen minutes to reach the Magistrate Residence.
MOROSUKE'S HISTORY: Although such a recent event is not necessarily "history': a crime so heinous was committed at this spot that I feel certain it will become part of Ryoko Owari's history in years to come.It was at the Gate of Condescension, six years ago in the Month of the Dog, in the seventh year of the reign of Hantei XXXIV, Bayushi Genshi was murdered.
No one seems willing to speculate about what she was doing at such a late hour - I suspect returning from the Licensed Quarter. In any event, there was no sign of a struggle - even her facial expression, it is said, was strangely tranquil.She was found lying on her back, arms at her sides, sword sheathed. Her only injury was a gruesome excavation of her lower body; she had been meticulously opened between her lower ribs and her hips, and (it was said) certain organs spirited away. Shugenja found a strange and diabolical stain of dark magic on the area, but were unable to discern who had done the deed. Her brother and her father both have sworn vengeance, and several magistrates have been removed for incompetence - but her death remains unsolved.