A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
A player, 19 September 2011
hey guys!
i just want to clarify this issue that rose up in our play group.
Can Sacred Valley negate the honor loss that Jutsushi's ability creates? (or any honor losses from delayed effects in this case.)
also,
When is the correct time to react with Sacred Valley? after the action is announced, or right before the action resolves?
Card information:
Jutsushi Text Scorpion Clan • Courtier • Magistrate Political Open: Target a Personality with Personal Honor lower than Jutsushi's Chi. After the next time the Personality's unit assigns this turn, dishonor him, and his controller loses 2 Honor.
Sacred Valley Text Singular Reaction: Before the resolution of another player's action begins, bow this card: Reduce all Honor losses to you from the action's effects by 2.
Thank you very much!
Zen Faulkes (rules official), 19 September 2011
Can Sacred Valley negate the honor loss that Jutsushi's ability creates? (or any honor losses from delayed effects in this case.)
Yes. All that Sacred Valley cares about is that the Honor loss is from an action, which it is with Jutsushi.
When is the correct time to react with Sacred Valley? after the action is announced, or right before the action resolves?
More at the latter. It's "Before the resolution of another player's action begins", which is right after costs are paid but effects start resolving.