Soshi Sayoko was a shugenja of the Scorpion Clan, and daughter of the famous Emerald Magistrate Soshi Saibankan. After he died, his personal guard led by Nanbu, continued to serve her. Sayoko despised the peasant who followed her with mindless loyalty. Despite her contempt, Nanbu served Sayoko relentlessly, and nearly died uncovering a rival's plot to poison her. Sayoko used her own magic to snatch Nanbu from the brink of death. She promised him that so long as his sons carried his name, that they would serve the Soshi. The Nanbu continued to serve the Soshi loyally, and a century later the Soshi Daimyo proclaimed them an official vassal family.