Way of Death

A One-Round Low-Rank Adventure for Heroes of

Rokugan (Champions of the Sapphire Throne)

by Rob Hobart

Something is stalking the streets of the Imperial capital... something that kills viciously and without mercy.
Emerald Magistrate Akodo Torokai seeks your assistance in solving this dark crime.

LEGEND OF THE FIVE RINGS is a registered trademark of Alderac Entertainment Group.

Scenario detail copyright 2006 by the author and Alderac Entertainment Group. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED. This scenario is intended for tournament use only and may not be reproduced without
permission.
A four-hour time block has been allocated for playing • Performing an act of selfless, sacrificial loyalty to
this game. The actual playing time should be about three one’s daimyo or clan: +1 point of Honor.
and a half hours. • Abiding by the tenets of bushido when there is no
It is a good idea to ask each player to put a name tag gain in doing so and one could gain an obvious
in front of him or her. The tag should have the player's advantage by breaking them: +1 point of Honor.
name at the bottom, and the character's name, race, and • Betraying or disobeying your duty, Clan, or family:
gender at the top. This makes it easier for the players to lose 1-10 points of Honor and Glory, and possibly
keep track of who is playing which character. Status, depending on the severity of the failure.
The players are free to use the game rules to learn Gain the same amount of Infamy.
about equipment and weapons their characters are • Crying out in pain when injured: lose one point
carrying. each of Honor and Glory.
Some of the text in this scenario is written so that • Using sneaky, underhanded, or treacherous
you may present it as written to the players, while other methods when at an Honor rank higher than zero:
text is for your eyes only. Text for the players will be in lose 1-5 points of Honor. If caught, also gain 1-5
bold italics. It is strongly recommended that you points of Infamy.
paraphrase the player text, instead of reading it aloud, as • Using Low skills: lose a number of points of
some of the text is general and must be adapted to the Honor equal to the Rank of the skill. Note that
specific situation or to actions of the player characters. there are exceptions to this rule, and the GM can
lower the penalty for members of inherently
GM's Information •
dishonorable Clans such as Scorpions.
Performing a socially acceptable public act of
THIS SCENARIO SHOULD NOT BE RUN COLD! extreme courage and skill: +1 point of Glory.
Please read the scenario thoroughly before attempting • Drunk, insulting, or otherwise ill-mannered in
to run it. public: lose 1-5 points of Glory. For extreme
abuses, also gain an equivalent amount of Infamy.
This adventure is a Low-Rank adventure, and should • Playing entire adventure without doing anything of
only be played by Rank 1 or 2 characters. note: lose 1 point of Glory (this cannot reduce
Glory Rank below Insight Rank).
All bulleted information is just that, pure information. • Made ronin: Status removed.
Feed it to the players through an NPC when
appropriate. Sometimes, reading it straight just doesn’t Adjusting for Party Strength
sound right. This is a Low-Rank adventure, and thus can involve
parties of varying capabilities. The encounters have
Remember that family names come before personal been optimized for a party of average Rank One.
names. Akodo Toturi is from the Akodo family and his
personal name is Toturi. Although most of the challenges here are role-play
oriented and thus not terribly dependent on party
A note on commerce in Rokugan: Samurai are not strength, a few changes can be made to adjust the
supposed to care about worldly possessions, especially adventure difficulty for low-end and high-end parties,
money. A samurai pays a commoner as if the money is as follows:
meaningless, a concession to the commoner’s silly
needs. Between samurai, the exchange of money and High End Party (half or more characters are Rank
merchandise is an exchange of “gifts.” Two):
• TNs for skill rolls may be raised by 5 at the GM’s
Glory and Honor Awards and discretion.
Penalties • Matsu Ryuken has Strength of 4 and Iaijutsu 5.
This adventure contains suggested Glory and Honor
awards (and penalties) for dealing with the challenges
presented herein. However, at times the players may
Adventure Summary and
take extra actions which the GM judges worthy of Background
additional reward – or punishment. The following may
This adventure takes place in Toshi Ranbo, the Imperial
be considered as guidelines:
Capital. The city is being stalked by an evil which,
while it may seem supernatural, is actually quite

Way of Death Page 2

human: a sociopath. Matsu Yabu is a man born with a Imperial Palace itself, a massive walled compound.
deficiency of the soul, a man who finds pleasure only in Immediately outside of the Imperial Palace is the Old
suffering. Obsessed with the Three Sins of Rokugani City, built on the lands of the original city of Toshi
religion (Fear, Desire, and Regret), he commits vile and Ranbo. The castle which traded hands between Lion
sadistic crimes, targeting individuals whose physical and Crane so many times is now renamed Shiro Okite,
beauty inflames his madness. However, he is also a the Castle of Law, and houses the offices of the
clever and intelligent man, an amoral master at the art Emerald Champion, along with the Imperial Guard who
of emotional manipulation, who does not wish to pay protect the city. Other buildings include the residences
the price for his foul deeds. For several years he has of the Imperial families, garrison barracks, the Imperial
committed his crimes safely, leaving behind unsolved libraries, and other such facilities.
mysteries or, occasionally, framing others for his
crimes. With each passing year, however, his grisly Outside the walls of the Old City is the New City, a
urges become stronger and more difficult to satisfy. sprawling expanse of urban territory which is home to
Now, at last, they are threatening to spin out of control. most of the population. The most prestigious part of
the New City is the Noble District, located close to the
Matsu Yabu has recently arrived in the Imperial Capital walls of the Old City – here can be found the embassies
to assist his daimyo, Matsu Fujumoto, in some delicate of the various Clans, as well as the private homes of
negotiations (as a master of manipulation, Yabu is quite many wealthy and influential samurai. (Matsu Yabu
skilled in such matters). While here, he has succumbed and his daimyo are here, staying in a high-quality inn
to his murderous urges more than once. And while they conduct their business in the capital.) Close
unfortunately for him, his crimes have finally drawn the by the Noble District is a separate walled compound
attention of an Emerald Magistrate, Akodo Torokai. with guards posted at its single gate – the Foreign Zone,
where the ambassadors from the Thrane, Senpet, and
Now, at last, the Fortunes turn against Matsu Yabu. Ivory Kingdoms stay with their staffs.
One of his victims, Doji Aijutso, escapes before Yabu
can finish his grisly work. The PCs’ accidental
encounter with the dying Aijutso will plunge them into Part One: The Crime
the middle of this horrifying case. The PCs’ stroll through the night-time streets of Toshi
Ranbo is interrupted abruptly when they hear a
Introduction strangled, agonized cry from a nearby alley.
Presumably at least some of the PCs will go to
The adventure begins with the PCs in Toshi Ranbo, the investigate. A member of the city guard, down the
capital city of the Empire, where they have just street, will also hear the cry and hurries away in search
delivered their lord’s annual Imperial taxes to the office of his fellow soldiers.
of the Emerald Champion. All Clan PCs have been
sent to the city for this purpose. (Imperial PCs are When the PCs enter the alley, a shocking sight greets
already in the city to perform their normal duties.) them:
Ronin PCs were hired (for 2 koku) to escort the tax
caravans to the city, and have now been paid off. Staggering toward you is a slim man in a tattered dark
hakama. He is soaking wet, and blood runs down his
The PCs should meet together while strolling the well- bare chest, mingling with the dark water staining his
lit late-evening streets of Toshi Ranbo. Depending on garment. As he stumbles forward, his sandals
how many of the PCs are already acquainted with each dragging, you realize with horror that the skin has
other, the GM can simply assume they are already been stripped from his face and his eye sockets are
together, or run a short scene of the PCs encountering empty. With a gurgling cry he collapses into your
each other while enjoying a street entertainer or arms, flailing and struggling weakly.
stopping for a snack.
Choose a random PC to be the one who holds this
The Imperial City unfortunate person. The victim, Doji Aijutso, is dying
from shock and blood-loss. The Medicine skill is
Toshi Ranbo, once a minor castle quarreled over by the useless at dealing with such gruesome injuries, and
Lion and Crane, is in the year 1500 of the Imperial trying to employ it will succeed only in getting more
Calendar the largest city in the Empire, a sprawling blood on the PCs as Aijutso wails and thrashes,
metropolis of almost 20,000 residents. At the center of begging for his mother (“Okassan, okassan”), in the
the city, close to the Drowned Merchant River, lies the moments before he perishes.

Way of Death Page 3

The PCs do not possess magic strong enough to save • His hakama, beneath the water and blood-stains, is
him (only the Mastery Rank 6 spell Peace of the Kami Crane blue.
would do the trick). However, although lesser healing
spells such as Regrow the Wound or Path to Inner The Questioning
Peace cannot save him, they will sooth his pain enough
for him to regain some lucidity in his brief remaining The PCs will be taken to holding chambers in the
moments. basement of Shiro Okite. There the commander of the
guard detachment, Seppun Keikan, will question any
In this case he will manage to say that his name is Doji bloodstained PCs in a very aggressive and threatening
Aijutso, and that his last memory is of being at the manner, effectively presuming their guilt and
reception at the Dragon residence. “I was honored,” he demanding that they confess. These PCs will be
whimpers, “Lord Koujin complimented my garment, I disarmed, cuffed, and treated in every way as suspects.
was honored.” With that, he dies. Keikan will openly threaten to torture them, remarking
that their only hope to die with honor is to confess their
vile crime (since otherwise they will be hanged as
The Guard Arrives criminals), and use other such aggressive tactics. The
Shortly after Aijutso dies, a squad of bushi from the lower the Status Rank of the PCs, the more
city’s Imperial Guard will arrive to investigate the aggressively Keikan will question them – ronin PCs
cries. They will find the PCs in the presence of a will actually be physically abused by the guards
gruesomely murdered man. At least one of the PCs (although not enough to cause more than one or two
will be covered in blood – possibly several of them, if Wounds).
they attempted to treat Aijutso’s injuries or carry him to
seek help. The PCs who are not bloodstained will instead be urged
to confess that they saw the bloody PCs commit the
The guards will immediately accuse the bloodstained crime. The questioners will openly refer to the
PCs of murder, and the other PCs of complicity. All of bloodstained PCs as “criminals” and will suggest that
the PCs will be placed under arrest and taken to Shiro the only way for the other PCs to save their honor is to
Okite for interrogation. Imperial PCs and high-level condemn these “murderers.” If the PCs claim to be
magistrates (Emerald, Jade, Sapphire) who are not friends of the accused, vouch for them, etc., the
actually bloodstained will be treated with somewhat questioners will accuse them of being involved in the
more deference, but the guards will still insist that they crime themselves.
accompany them back to the castle for questioning.
This scene is intended to drive home the nature of
Some of the PCs may try to argue with the guards or normal Rokugani crime “investigations” in which the
resist them. This is quite unwise, since the guards have obvious suspects are assumed to be guilty and every
the full authority of the Emerald Champion (and thus, effort is made to force confessions so that cases can be
of the Emperor) behind them. Any PC who argues with closed. The PCs should feel that they are in serious
their authority loses a point of Glory and, if their Honor trouble here, especially if they are low-Status or
is 3.0 or higher, a point of Honor as well. The guards bloodstained.
will not hesitate to use force on PCs who resist
physically, and reinforcements will arrive swiftly if the The Magistrate
PCs get into a fight with them.
The PCs will be questioned long into the night, until the
Most likely, all of the PCs will accompany the guards early morning hours. About an hour before dawn,
back to the castle. around the time when Seppun Keikan is bringing in the
torturer to begin intensive questioning of the suspected
PCs, Akodo Torokai will arrive. The Emerald
Doji Aijjutso’s Body Magistrate informs Keikan that he is taking control of
The PCs will have only a few moments to examine Doji the investigation.
Aijutso before the guards arrive. However, during that
time, if they look him over or ask questions, they can Akodo Torokai is in his late twenties, a slightly plump
perceive the following: man but otherwise in excellent condition. He wears his
hair undyed and in a traditional samurai topknot.
• His skin has been stripped from the front of his Normally, Torokai is a friendly, good-natured man with
face, and his eyes cut or gouged out. a ready sense of humor. However, underneath this

Way of Death Page 4

light-hearted exterior is an honorable and strictly information with them if they ask for it. If they
traditional samurai who follows the code of bushido offer to help him, he will happily accept and share
and obeys his superiors. At present, the strains of his all his information readily.
investigation into Yabu’s killings has made him grim
and weary, with deep worry-creases in his face, but he If and when Torokai accepts the PCs’ help, he will
will still occasionally make a small joke to let off explain the case in more detail:
tension.
“Some months ago, I investigated the foul murder of
Torokai will quickly and efficiently question the PCs, a visiting Ox samurai in Shiro Matsu. Although he
asking each of them why they are in Toshi Ranbo, how was a mere ji-samurai of a minor Clan, his death in
long they have been here, and where they came from. our Clan’s territory could have had larger political
He will also check their travel papers to confirm their ramifications, so I was assigned the task. The poor
stories. That done, he turns to Keikan. “These samurai man’s skin had been stripped from his face and upper
are innocent of this crime,” he says bluntly. “Release body. That and other clues reminded me of a rumor I
them at once.” The Seppun briefly objects, pointing had heard of similar deaths among the commoners.
out the incriminating circumstances. Torokai replies: “I Upon investigation I discovered five other such
have been investigating these crimes for some time, and crimes, all of them commoners, over a period of
I know these samurai are innocent. Enough, release several years. One of them had been supposedly
them.” solved, another commoner executed for the crime, but
the similarities with the later murders were so strong I
Speaking with Torokai suspected the peasant had been condemned in error.
I began watching for more such crimes – and some
Once the PCs have been released from custody (and months later another was committed, in a nearby
their weapons returned), Torokai meets with them on village. Then I was sure I was dealing with a single
the front steps outside the castle. The sky to the east is criminal.”
turning pale with dawn. He briefly explains that he
knows this crime to be one of several committed by the “Since it was possible that the criminal might
same criminal, a man “consumed with the vilest of evil relocate, I alerted the other Emerald Magistrates to
impulses, though not, it seems, by the Taint.” He inform me if they encountered any similar crimes.
apologizes to the PCs for their arrest. “The guards Three weeks ago, I received word that a commoner
were not aware of my involvement in this case. I came had been found killed in exactly this way in Toshi
as swiftly as I learned of the incident.” Ranbo. I came here at once. Since I arrived, another
victim has perished – and this poor Crane is the
How Torokai will interact with the PCs beyond this third.”
point will depend on whether they have played in the
adventure “Writ of Justice” and how they performed in He smiles grimly. “The crimes are speeding up, as
that adventure. though the criminal is consumed by an ever-growing
hunger for blood. But this time we have an
• If the PCs succeeded in that adventure, Torokai opportunity. The victim escaped before the criminal
will regard them positively, referring to them as could finish his work, and the trail of clues is still
friends. He will readily share his information on fresh.”
the case with them and will ask for their assistance
in solving it. After sharing this general information, Torokai will
answer any questions the PCs may have. He knows the
• If the PCs performed poorly in that adventure, or following additional information:
failed to impress Torokai personally, he will be
much more distant toward them (although he will • If the PCs did not get the victim’s name, Torokai
still see to their release, since they are not guilty of identifies him as Doji Aijutso, a young and
this crime). He will not ask for their assistance, promising courtier attached to the Crane embassy.
although he will accept it (reluctantly) if they offer
it. He will not share more than the barest • Torokai knows that Doji Aijutso attended a dinner
minimum of information with them. party at the Dragon embassy last night. It was a
major social function to celebrate the recent
• If the PCs have not played “Writ of Justice,” he appointment of Kitsuki Jiro to Emerald Champion,
will be polite but slightly distant. He will share

Way of Death Page 5

 and all the major Clans sent contingents to the victims has managed to escape before the deed could be
event. completed. We may have an opportunity to stop his
reign of terror.”
• Torokai will point out that Aijutso is the most
socially prominent victim of the criminal. “The Torokai will not expect the PCs to operate without
murderer is becoming bolder, I think… or more sleep – he himself will go home and catch a couple of
insane.” hours of sleep before resuming his investigation. The
PCs are free to try to go through the day without such a
• He identifies the two previous victims here in short rest, but doing so will cause them to suffer a +5
Toshi Ranbo as a commoner and a gaijin. The TN penalty to all rolls until they get rest.
commoner was a young man named Endo who
worked at a shop selling sumi-e (illustrated Before departing, Torokai will issue each of the PCs
woodcuts). The gaijin was a man named “To- who is helping him a writ of authority to act on his
masu” (Torokai stumbles over the foreign name) behalf.
who is part of the Thrane embassy.

• The previous victims (in Lion lands) were all either

Part Two: The
commoners or low-ranking samurai. Investigation
• All of the victims, both here and in Lion lands, The PCs have a large number of different paths they
were young men. If the PCs ask, he can also can follow to investigate the crime. The following
confirm that they were all physically attractive. sections cover the different clues they can discover.

• The victims were typically found one or two days Doji Aijutso’s Body
after they disappeared. By the time he speaks with the PCs, Torokai has
already viewed Aijutso’s body, and can inform the PCs
• The two previous victims here in Toshi Ranbo of the evidence. However, if any of the PCs wish to
were both found in the river, on the downstream view it themselves, he will give them permission to do
edge of the city, suggesting they were dumped so (unless they are all PCs who failed in “Writ of
from somewhere within the city limits. The Justice,” in which case he refuses them).
victims in Lion lands were found abandoned in a
variety of remote areas, including ponds, wooded The body is currently held in a basement cell of Shiro
areas, and empty fields. Okite, near the torture chambers. An eta is present,
cleansing and preparing the body for cremation, and
• None of the victims showed any sign of the Taint. can move or search it if the PCs demand.

What Torokai Wants • The skin has been peeled from the victim’s face,
and additional cuts and hanging strips of skin
Assuming at least some of the PCs have agreed to help
suggest the skinning was still underway when the
Torokai, he will explain the situation: the new Emerald
victim escaped. The eyes were cut or gouged out.
Champion has demanded that Torokai spend the day
There are torn areas and remnants of skin at the
reporting on his investigations and activities for the
corners of his mouth, as though he were tightly
past year. Consequently, he will be unable to follow
gagged during the torture. There are also deep,
the fresh trail which the criminal has left. This is
bloody welts on his wrists and ankles, showing
especially frustrating since he had arranged an
where he was tied down. If the PCs ask Torokai,
interview this afternoon with the Thrane ambassador,
he can confirm that all of this physical evidence
“Su-venu Oldarsonu,” to discuss the previous victim.
was consistent for all of the victims.
Torokai wants the PCs to go to this meeting as his
• A roll of Perception/Medicine at TN 20
representatives. He also wants them to interview as
determines that the skinning and eye-gouging
many samurai as they can who attended the gathering at
wounds were inflicted with a short, very sharp
the Dragon embassy, and learn who spoke with Doji
knife, probably a sharpened kitchen knife or a
Aijutso, when he left, and who else left around that
tanto. Torokai already knows this.
time. He strongly encourages them to follow up on any
clues they discover. “This is the first time one of the

Way of Death Page 6

• Examining the torso will discover, on the lower blood. The PCs can follow Aijutso’s blood trail with a
belly, a partially-carved kanji. A roll of roll of Perception/Hunting at TN 15. The trail leads
Perception/Calligraphy at TN 20 identifies it as to the shore of the Drowned Merchant River, which
the kanji for “Desire.” Again, Torokai has already runs through the center of the city.
detected this.
Interrogating the Water spirits of the river (with a
• The victim is wearing a hakama in Crane blue and Commune spell) will require three Raises for clarity to
a pair of sandals with tabi (socks). None of the find a Water spirit that remembers Aijutso (the river
victim’s garments contain spirits which can be contains many different Water spirits, most of which
Sensed or Communed. did not notice him). With a success, the spirit can show
an image of Aijutso falling off a pier into the river, and
• The clothes contain a clue which Torokai did not flailing weakly as the current carries him downstream
spot: a roll of Perception/Investigation at TN 25 to where he came ashore. Unfortunately, the Water
will notice that there are fragments of shell spirit cannot provide a specific location for the pier
imbedded in the bottoms of the sandals. A roll of (other than the general “docks district” that stretches
Intelligence/Craft (Sailing) at TN 15, or Raw for two miles downstream from the Noble District).
Intelligence at TN 20, will identify the shells as
belonging to oysters. The Dragon Ambassadorial
• There is another clue which Torokai has missed,
Residence
not only on this victim but on all of them: if the The Dragon Clan ambassadorial residence is a fine
PCs specifically examine the victim’s mouth, they two-story building, located atop a low wooded hill in
can roll Perception/Investigation at TN 20 to the Noble District. The entrance path, of fine white
notice a chalky white residue on the tongue. The gravel, winds up through the trees and passes through a
eta can scrape some of this out for the PCs to beautifully simple rock garden, tended by an aged
examine. A roll of Intelligence/Medicine tattooed monk who bows politely and greets each guest
(Antidotes) at TN 20, or Intelligence/Poison at with a cheerful smile. Inside the front room, a servant
TN 20, will identify it as Mother’s Milk, a surgical takes the PCs’ names and chops and summons one of
anesthetic made from opium poppies. the ambassador’s assistants, Kitsuki Daito, who arrives
after a forty-minute delay.
The Previous Bodies Needless to say, the main ambassador himself is far too
The PCs may think of asking Torokai or the eta about busy to speak with the PCs. Kitsuki Daito will
the status of the previous two corpses. Unfortunately, apologize on behalf of his superior, Mirumoto Koujin,
both have been cremated, but the eta who examined who has many demands on his time. Daito will happily
them are available for interview. and cooperatively answer the PCs’ questions. He was,
of course, at the reception last night himself.
The eta do not recall anything unusual about the bodies
themselves, other than the obvious grisly injuries. Daito does not immediately recall too much about Doji
However, if the PCs ask specifically about the gaijin Aijutso’s activities last night. However, he does
body, or about the bodies’ mouths, the eta recall that remember that Aijutso wore a splendid kimono which
another gaijin came to view the dead one. “He actually received a compliment from his superior, Mirumoto
touched it himself,” the eta say, scandalized. “Even Koujin. This was a considerable honor and many of
smelled it and looked inside the mouth! These the other courtiers were quite jealous.
foreigners have no dignity.”
• If the PCs ask who Aijutso spoke with, Daito
Akodo Torokai can confirm that the gaijin ambassador, smiles and asks, “Besides myself?” He frowns for
Sven Oldarsson, asked to see the body of his kinsman. a moment in concentration before replying. He
recalls that Aijutso spoke for some time with the
gaijin Thrane ambassador (“some ghastly name
The Crime Scene like Or-darr-suno, or some such”). “That caused
quite a stir, I may tell you. There are rumors
The PCs can return to the alley where they first
everywhere today that the Crane are attempting to
encountered Doji Aijutso. If they arrive before mid-
forge a trade alliance with the Thrane.” He does
morning, the city’s eta have not yet cleaned up the
not remember who else Aijutso might have spoken

Way of Death Page 7

 to over the course of the evening, although he for the Crane Clan, and many of the courtiers will
suggests Aijutso’s associates at the Crane embassy ostentatiously dab away tears behind their fans.
might know more.
• Aijutso attended the reception in a splendid
• Daito does not know when Aijutso left the kimono which had cost him many koku to have
evening’s entertainment. “Many guests were tailored. Happily, the gambit was a success, for
leaving around the same time, toward the end of their Dragon host, Mirumoto Koujin,
the evening… I am not sure of when that complimented it in person. “An excellent
particular Crane departed.” beginning to what should have been a fine career
in service to the Crane.”
• If the PCs specifically ask whether he has any
other information about Doji Aijutso, Daito will • They remember Aijutso speaking with three
say that he was known as one of the more notable samurai: Matsu Yabu, Soshi Sumiko, and
handsome and promising young courtiers assigned Kitsuki Daito. He also spoke with the gaijin
to the Crane embassy. If any of the PCs are representative, Sven Oldarrson, an action which
Dragon, or have allies with the Dragon Clan (or the Cranes all admire for its skill and audacity.
cash in a favor with a member of the Dragon Clan), “The whole city is talking about it today. By next
he will also delicately mention that Aijutso was week, the Mantis,” (or another mercantile group, if
known as a man who “avoided the company of one of the PCs is Mantis) “will be storming into
women.” court demanding that we share the Thrane trade
with them.”
Daito will apologize for not having more information,
and suggests speaking with the Crane and possibly the • If any of the PCs are Crane or Crane-allied, and
Scorpion, both of whom attended the reception in large ask for more information about Aijutso, the
numbers. courtiers will delicately suggest that while he was a
handsome and charming man, he was not known as
The Crane Embassy a lady-killer.
The Crane ambassadors inhabit a gorgeous, sprawling
• The courtiers identify Matsu Yabu as an assistant
mansion with an attached gigantic garden that fronts
to Matsu Fujumoto, a mid-ranking Lion daimyo
the Drowned Merchant River (a neatly-trimmed hedge
currently visiting the city to assist the Lion in
prevents any riff-raff from putting ashore in the
negotiations with the Crane Clan. No doubt
garden). The PCs will, again, be forced to deal with
Aijutso was discussing such matters with him.
lower-ranking flunkies, since the ambassador is much
They characterize Yabu, smirkingly, as a man
too busy to see them.
“quite skilled in the courts… for a Lion. Probably
because he trained with the Ikoma instead of his
In this case, the PCs will be invited into a room where a
own family.” They can describe Yabu as a tall,
dozen or more minor courtiers and artists are whiling
powerful man with “the usual mane of dyed hair,
away their time with conversation, art criticism, poetry,
although his is lighter than typical, almost white.”
and other such amusements. They will not hesitate to
Both Lions are staying at the Thousand Splendors
subtly put down any PCs who do not fit such an elegant
Inn in the Noble District.
setting (ronin, brutish Crab or Unicorn bushi, poor
samurai from minor Clans, etc). Getting useful
• They identify Soshi Sumiko as a shugenja-ko
information from these men and women will require
assigned to the Scorpion embassy. “Quite a
either eloquent conversation (and a roll of
charming and lovely young lady, though seldom
Awareness/Courtier at TN 20), or an artistic offering
helpful without extracting concessions for herself
(such as a poem or origami) created with a roll of TN
and her Clan.”
20 or better.

The Crane courtiers know the following: • They describe Kitsuki Daito as a skilled courtier
but a man too willing to share information. “These
Dragons do not understand the value of keeping
• Aijutso was one of their more promising young
information close to the heart.”
courtiers, well-formed and skillful, although
sometimes a bit naïve. His death is a great tragedy
• Aijutso left near the end of the reception. Most of
the other guests, including Yabu, Sumiko, and

Way of Death Page 8

 Oldarrson, had left before him. They do not know • The Scorpion also recall that Aijutso spent
where Aijutso planned to go afterward, but remark considerable time speaking with the gaijin
that it was not uncommon for him to be out quite representative, Sven Oldarrson. “An obvious
late at night. (They will tactfully avoid saying why gambit. We all know the Crane are not about to
he was often out late.) steal the Thrane trade from the Emperor’s beloved
Tortoise.”
• The general theory among the Crane is that Aijutso
fell into the hands of some sort of vicious • The Scorpion show a certain respect for Matsu
underworld criminals. “Only yakuza would Yabu, assistant to Matsu Fujumoto, a mid-ranking
commit such a ghastly atrocity.” daimyo currently visiting the city. They describe
Yabu as a cold, calculating, skillful diplomat. “Of
The Scorpion Embassy course, since he is a Lion, he never really puts his
gifts to proper use.” They describe Yabu as a tall,
The Scorpion embassy is housed in a large, single-
muscular man with a thick mane of hair dyed pale
story, elegant but oddly unprepossessing building
gold. He and his daimyo are staying at the
tucked in behind a residential neighborhood. A
Thousand Splendors Inn.
harmless-looking beggar sits on the street near the main
gate, with a brass bowl to hold his earnings. (Allow the
• Aijutso left near the end of the reception. Most of
PCs to be as paranoid as they like about this fellow.)
the other guests, including Yabu, Sumiko, and
Oldarrson, left before him. If the PCs ask where
Silent servants will lead the PCs inside to a small, plain
Aijutso might have gone afterward, the Scorpions
room that looks out on a tidy, delicately-maintained
smirk and say, “No doubt he had other, more
ornamental garden. A tiny waterwheel spins in a
personal business to attend to.”
channel of water no wider than a man’s fist. The PCs
meet here with three Scorpion courtiers, lesser aides to
• The Scorpions have no actual theories as to who
the ambassador, who speak with the PCs quietly and
might have killed Aijutso, but they will imply that
politely while the servants offer tea. Soshi Sumiko is
they know a great deal more than they do.
among them.
If Scorpion PCs meet with their clan-mates privately,
The Scorpion Clan representatives will speak with the
they will gain all of this information without struggle.
PCs at length, but are remarkably uninformative. In
It will be up to them whether to share it with the rest of
order to wheedle useful information out of them, the
the party.
PCs will have to make a series of Contested Social
rolls of their Awareness/Courtier against the
Scorpions’ Awareness/Courtier of 6k3. Each PC may Matsu Yabu: The Thousand
roll no more than twice. Each successful roll awards Splendors Inn
the PCs one of the pieces of information listed below:
Yabu and his superior, Matsu Fujumoto, are staying at
the Thousand Splendors, a magnificent high-quality Inn
• Doji Aijutso was a young Crane courtier at the
located at the edge of the Noble District. The Inn
beginning of his career, known more for his good
caters to visiting dignitaries and daimyos, and its
looks than for his talents. (The Scorpion clearly
facilities rival those of the wealthiest noblemen’s
consider him to have lacked their own levels of
mansions. The owner of the Inn is a Mantis, Yoritomo
talent, and make a sneering reference to his attempt
Fumori, a short, well-dressed, perfectly groomed man
to impress everyone with a pretty kimono.) They
in his forties, who greets and welcomes each guest
will drop open hints about his preference for men
personally. The inn’s interior rooms are as beautiful as
over women.
a Crane palace, and the spotless servants tend to their
customer’s needs with perfect serenity and elegance.
• The Scorpion naturally kept careful track of
everyone Aijutso spoke to. He spent time with the Matsu Yabu is not at the Inn – he is out searching for,
Dragon (since they were the hosts), spoke with a and murdering, his next victim. His superior. Matsu
Lion diplomat named Matsu Yabu, and also tried Fujumoto, will be present in the mornings, but not after
to curry favor with their own Clan. Shoshi Sumiko midday (when he is away on the business of his Clan).
remarks that Aijutso was “charming, in a youthful Regardless of whether he is here or not, however, he
and innocent sort of way.” certainly will not take time out of his day to speak with

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lowly ji-samurai, even ones serving an Emerald 20. (Which skill is used will depend on what sort of
Magistrate. approach the PCs take.)

If any of the PCs are themselves Emerald, Jade, or Searching Yabu’s room and belongings will not, at
Sapphire Magistrates, or are Lion or Imperial PCs with first, seem to find anything of interest. His room is
Status of 3.0 or more, Fujumoto will consent to a brief severely plain, all his clothing and bedding neatly
interview. He is a stern, hard-faced man in his early folded, his wakizashi placed just-so on its rack. (While
forties, with a touch of gray at his temples, and a mouth in the city he always leaves it here.) A writing desk is
set permanently in a harsh frown. He speaks briefly laid out precisely, with a writing kit on the right and a
and without elaboration. pile of blank papers on the left. Behind the desk, a
scroll-stand contains neatly-sorted documents.
• Matsu Yabu is a trusted and effective subordinate
who has served him well in the courts. Fujumoto If the PCs search through these documents, they can
will not hear anything ill said of Yabu, and roll Perception/Investigation at TN 20 or
summarily dismisses any suggestions that he could Perception/Commerce at TN 15 to discover an oddity:
be involved in any crime. a document referring to the rental of a riverside
warehouse.
• He does not know where Yabu is now, nor does he
know what time Yabu got back last night. He If the PCs search through Yabu’s clothing and roll
finds such questions irritating. “Yabu works hard Perception/Investigation at TN 20, they will discover
on our Clan’s business, and in the Lion Clan we two small items tucked in between the garments: a
trust our subordinates.” small sumi-e (a woodcut print) and a pair of gaijin
spectacles. These are trophies from Yabu’s two
• Magistrate PCs (only) who officially notify previous victims. The sumi-e print has a name in the
Fujumoto of an investigation into Yabu can request corner (“Heavenly Images”) from where it was
to search Yabu’s room and belongings. This will purchased. The spectacles can be identified as an item
require role-playing a diplomatically-phrased favored by the Thrane with a roll of Intelligence/Lore
request and rolling Awareness/Courtier at TN 20. (Gaijin) at TN 20. (Or Raw Intelligence at TN 15 for
Fujumoto will be quite grudging in his permission. Tiger or Tortoise PCs.)

• If the PCs learn about the warehouse which Yabu The Lions are accompanied by three servants: a pair
has rented (either from the papers in his room, or of quiet, submissive handmaids and an older man who
by speaking to the servant Haku), Fujumoto will be serves as their major-domo and personal assistant. The
puzzled. He does not recall ordering Yabu to PCs can speak with this man, Haku, at any time simply
acquire such a place and does not know what by asking. He is a loyal servant and will not knowingly
purpose it could serve. However, this will not be say anything to place his superiors in a bad light.
nearly enough to shake his confidence in Yabu. Nevertheless, careful questioning can elicit the
following information:
• If the PCs learn that Yabu purchased Mother’s
Milk with the claim that his daimyo suffers from • Matsu Yabu is a busy, hard-working man. He is
headaches, Fujumoto will look slightly often out very late at night, but of course he has
disconcerted. “I do not have such an affliction. many demands on his time.
The peasant must have misremembered, or
mistaken someone else for Yabu-san.” • If the PCs ask where Yabu spends his time, Haku
is sure he doesn’t know. “The business of samurai
The PCs can search Matsu Yabu’s room and effects is far above me, samas.”
if they get permission from Matsu Fujumoto.
Alternatively, if he refused them or if they arrive after • If the PCs discover the odd items in Yabu’s room,
midday (when he is gone), they can attempt to convince Haku will be puzzled. He summons the maids,
innkeeper Yoritomo Fumori to let them in. This will who say they have never seen the items before.
require a well role-played discussion justifying their “Master Yabu-sama is most particular about his
authority to act on behalf of Akodo Torokai, followed clothing, and always re-folds it after it is washed.”
by a roll of Awareness/Etiquette (Sincerity),
Awareness/Deceit, or Awareness/Lore (Law) at TN • If the PCs discover the paper about renting a
warehouse, Haku will readily say that he arranged

Way of Death Page 10

 that matter himself on Yabu-sama’s orders. “He table, much taller than a Rokugani table, is topped by
said it was a matter required by our lord Matsu an assortment of plates, utensils, and goblets, all of
Fujumoto-sama.” strange shapes and manufacture (e.g. cut glass, silver,
etc). A half-eaten roast of meat rests on a large platter,
• The PCs can also learn about the warehouse if they next to a loaf of bread and a glass carafe of wine (all
specifically ask Haku whether Yabu has done or alien and disgusting to Rokugani perceptions).
ordered anything unusual since arriving in Toshi
Ranbo. They will need to make a successful Sven Oldarrson, the Thrane ambassador, awaits the PCs
Opposed Willpower roll against his Willpower of next to the table. He is a portly middle-aged Caucasian
2 to get him to mention the warehouse. man with blue eyes and a thick shock of light brown
hair. He wears a dense but neatly-trimmed moustache
If the PCs are looking for a description of Yabu, they and goatee beard. In contrast to most of his fellow
can easily get one from the servants, the inn employees, Thrane, Oldarrson is clean and well-groomed, speaks
or even Fujumoto (although he will be irritated by such Rokugani with only a very slight accent, and is well-
a request). Yabu is described as a tall, muscular man acquainted with rules of etiquette. He apologizes for
who dyes his hair a light gold, almost white. meeting the PCs here, explaining that his mid-day meal
was delayed by earlier commitments.
The Thrane Ambassador
Once the PCs explain why they are here, Oldarrson’s
In order to keep their appointment with the Thrane face lights up with interest. “Ah, poor Thomas. Yes, it
ambassador, the PCs must pass through the gate into was a terrible crime. Anything I can do to help solve
the Foreign Zone, under the baleful eyes of Imperial it, I will be honored to do.”
troops. Inside the gate, the PCs enter a different world:
Oldarrson seems quite willing to help the PCs in this
The houses of the Foreign Zone assault your eyes matter. However, they may find themselves wondering
with their strange and unnatural shapes. On one side whether he is telling them the truth. Not only is he a
are buildings of stone with bizarre onion-shaped gaijin, but he is also an extremely skilled deceiver,
towers on their roofs. On the other are two-story rolling 10k9+7 on Awareness/Deceit (Lying) and
buildings of wood, with white walls interrupted by 10k9+6 on Awareness/Etiquette (Sincerity).
dark wooden crossbeams. Windows contain some sort Nevertheless, if the PCs speak with him, he will share
of clear crystal, and metal lanterns hang over the following information:
doorways. The doors and shutters open outward,
swinging on some sort of metal hinges, rather than • Thomas, the murder victim, was a “fine young lad”
sliding as they should. Gaijin people are everywhere, who had come to Rokugan to serve his country and
with their odd skin colors, grotesque garments, large make his fortune. Everyone in the embassy liked
eyes and foul stench. Just walking down the muddy, him.
filthy street, so different from the swept cleanliness of
the rest of the city, requires all your willpower.
• On the night he disappeared, Thomas went out into
the city. He said he was meeting someone at a
The Thrane embassy is a large three-story building,
restaurant – Thomas had a great liking for seafood.
constructed (like the rest of the Thrane buildings) of
He did not say which restaurant, but he did say it
wattle-and-daub on a wooden frame, the flat surfaces
was in the docks area along the riverside. Neither
whitewashed and the beams stained dark, and a slate
did he say who he was meeting, but Oldarrson
roof above. A pale-skinned gaijin dressed in a strange
assumed it was a Rokugani. “Thomas had a great
outfit of leather and wool stands at the door,
liking for your people.”
ostentatiously leaning on an equally strange steel
polearm (a halberd). Firearms are forbidden within
• If the PCs ask whether Thomas was good-
Rokugan.
looking/handsome, Oldarrson confesses “some
might say so,” and wonders aloud why the PCs
Once the PCs present themselves, a young man with
would ask. If they explain the reason, he looks
greasy brown hair, speaking atrociously accented
intrigued, but does not pursue the topic farther.
Rokugani, leads them upstairs to a large room whose
white-painted walls and polished hardwood floor
contrast oddly with the persistent odors of unwashed • If the PCs ask whether Thomas ever met any of the
flesh and overcooked red meat. A beautifully crafted potential suspects, Oldarrson says no. “Thomas

Way of Death Page 11

 was not of sufficient rank to accompany me to Ah, you see, many years ago our lands were afflicted
diplomatic affairs.” with a terrible plague. Many nations were altogether
swept away, and all suffered dreadfully. My ancestors
• If the PCs spoke with the eta at Shiro Okite about fled the lands of our birth and found shelter in the
Thomas’ body, they may ask Oldarrson about his Thranish Kingdom. Since they too had suffered from
examination of the dead boy’s mouth. The the plague, they welcomed us with open arms.
ambassador looks thoughtful. “There was an odd
white residue in his mouth, which smelled rather The Commoner, Endo
like the drug you call opium. I confess this
The young commoner Endo, the first murder victim in
surprised me, since Thomas, while he enjoyed a
Toshi Ranbo, worked at a sumi-e shop called Heavenly
drink and a woman as much as the next man,
Images. The shop is a small walk-in place on a busy
never showed interest in other vices.”
commercial street, the entrance shaded with a silk
awning. Inside, customers stroll about looking at the
• The PCs can also learn about this if they ask
woodprints arrayed along walls and display shelves.
Oldarrson about whether Thomas used any drugs
or other vices, or simply ask him if there was
The proprietor of the shop is Endo’s aunt, a plump
anything that struck him as strange or unusual
middle-aged commoner woman named Miyuki. When
about Thomas’ fate.
discussing her dead nephew, she will alternate between
angry expostulations against his laziness and
• The white residue is from Mother’s Milk, a
foolishness (“he thought his good looks could win
surgical anesthetic made from opium poppies.
everything for him”) and teary-eyed mourning for his
The PCs can identify it from the description with a
death (“how could anyone do such a horrible thing to a
roll of Intelligence/Medicine (Antidotes) at TN
poor boy, who never harmed a soul?”).
25, or Intelligence/Poison at TN 25.
Endo’s disappearance was quite mundane – he simply
• If the PCs discovered the spectacles in Matsu went out one night (“he was always going out on the
Yabu’s room, they may decide to ask Oldarrson town, fancied himself a lady-killer”) and did not return.
about them or even show them to him. He will
confirm that Thomas wore spectacles when There is one key clue the PCs can gain here. If they
reading, and identifies the pair from Yabu’s room ask whether Endo spoke to any samurai on the day of
as Thomas’. his disappearance, his aunt rolls her eyes and then
suddenly nods, smacking her fist into her palm. “Oh
Aside from these questions about the investigation, it is yes! There was a Lion who looked at the sumi-e
possible that some PCs may wish to take advantage of pictures for quite some time, and finally bought one
the opportunity to question a gaijin about his own lands from Endo. I remember it because his hair was dyed
or intentions. Oldarrson will answer readily enough. much lighter than the Lion usually do, almost as light
The following cover the two most obvious questions: as a Crane.”
“Why have you returned to Rokugan/What are
your intentions in Rokugan?” Thomas’ Fish Restaurant
The Thrane are a trading people, who desire only If the PCs spoke with Sven Oldarrson, they know that
peaceful commerce with other nations. I realize that the second murder victim, the gaijin Thomas,
here in your beautiful Rokugan commerce is disappeared on a night when he was supposed to be
considered distasteful, but it is otherwise in our eating seafood at a restaurant in the riverside docks.
nation. The gaijin who came here so many centuries
ago were from our neighbor, the Meranae, a far more Searching the dock areas for a restaurant which
rapacious people. Sadly, a rogue from our own remembers the young gaijin will take about an hour
nation accompanied them, so it seemed only proper (Rokugani time) and requires a roll of
that we come here ourselves, offer apologies for his Awareness/Investigation at TN 20 or
crimes, and open peaceful and prosperous relations Awareness/Underworld at TN 20. With a success, the
with you. PCs discover a stall calling itself “Gifts of Suitengu”
which serves sashimi, stir-fried fish and vegetables,
“Why is your name so different from the other noodles, rice, tea and sake to customers who crowd in
Thrane names?” front of a high wooden counter. The prices are
reasonable and the fish is some of the best in the city.

Way of Death Page 12

The proprietor, a skinny old man named Jiko, nods and investigation, he walks through the streets of the city,
shouts responses to the PCs in between cooking six searching for someone, anyone, to sate his unnatural
different meals and collecting orders and payments. desires. He finds a young Scorpion, Bayushi Morotai.

• Thomas: “Yes, yes, the gaijin boy. Came here, In late afternoon, a courier from Shiro Okite will find
what, two weeks ago. First time I ever see a the PCs. He delivers a note from Akodo Torokai,
gaijin.” which reads as follows:

• What did Thomas do? “Ate fish! Also drink, “I have been privately informed that a young
much sake, got drunk very fast. Gaijin have no Scorpion named Bayushi Morotai failed to appear in
tolerance.” the Imperial Palace at midday, when he was to be
introduced before the court. I believe this is not a
• Was anyone with him/Did anyone speak to him? coincidence, after the previous victim escaped before
“Yes, a samurai. Lion! Tall man, light yellow the criminal completed his work. Unfortunately I
hair. Drink with boy, help him away after.” must remain here attending to the Emerald
Champion. Please look into this matter at once – it
Clever PCs may ask to see Jiko’s sake cups, hoping may be possible to save Morotai before it is too late.
perhaps to find a residue of Mother’s Milk. Akodo Torokai.”
Unfortunately, he washes all cups thoroughly
immediately after their use. By this time, the PCs may already have figured out that
Matsu Yabu is their best suspect. If not, however, they
will probably want to research the newest victim.
Mother’s Milk
If and when the PCs learn that two of the victims were
dosed with Mother’s Milk, they may decide to find out
Who is Bayushi Morotai?
where this drug could be acquired. In point of fact, None of the PCs, Scorpion or otherwise, have heard of
there is only one apothecary in Toshi Ranbo which Bayushi Morotai, so the obvious place to ask about him
carries the drug: a small shop called “Simple Cures,” will be the Scorpion embassy. If the PCs go there, the
tucked into a side-street near the city’s main Scorpion will initially stonewall them. However, after
marketplace. The shopkeeper is a short, plump, fussy a few minutes, a man will approach them wearing a
little man named Taizu. He waddles forward, rubbing pale, near-featureless mempo (mask) whose blank white
his hands and bobbing his head unctuously, whenever surface covers his nose and upper face, save for small
customers enter his shop. eye-holes. This is Shosuro Adoka, who assisted Akodo
Torokai in the adventure “Writ of Justice.” He will
Taizu will at first try to protect the privacy of his take the PCs aside and explain to them that normally
customers. However, a citation of magisterial authority the Scorpion Clan would take care of any internal
(or a simple threat) will cause him to promptly crumble. problems on its own and simply make a suitable excuse
“Mother’s Milk? Ah yes, the physicians in the palace for Morotai’s absence from court. However, he is
purchase it regularly. Sales to ordinary samurai, yes, aware that Akodo Torokai is investigating the
once in a great while. The most recent time would disappearance and murder of “young men of appealing
have been, let me see, four weeks ago. To a Lion nature,” and felt it wise to pass on news of the
samurai, he said his lord suffered from terrible disappearance to him.
headaches. Yes, headaches.”
Adoka can give the PCs the following information on
If the PCs ask Taizu to describe the samurai, his Bayushi Morotai:
description (a tall, athletic samurai with hair dyed pale
gold) matches Matsu Yabu. • Morotai was newly arrived in the city, sent by his
daimyo to gain experience in the Imperial Courts,
and was staying at the embassy until he could find
Part Three: The Next a place of his own.
Victim • He was a handsome young man, popular with the
Doji Aijutso’s escape has left Matsu Yabu deeply ladies, and wore a silk mask that displayed his
frustrated by his inability to consummate his foul urges. features to best advantage.
The next morning, while the PCs are beginning their

Way of Death Page 13

• Morotai had a habit of taking a stroll along the area, an emotion of lust can be found in the same
riverside every morning, for exercise and to, as he building.
put it, “catch the pulse of the city.” Adoka
regarded this as a dubious idea, but the young man Clever PCs may think of trying to track Morotai with
was not willing to listen to caution, and went the spell The Ties That Bind. Unfortunately, no
walking every morning. On this particular shugenja are available who are familiar with any of the
occasion, however, he did not return. objects Morotai usually carried with him. (The
Scorpion shugenja-ko Soshi Sumiko will explain that
• To the best of Adoka’s knowledge, Morotai had she already attempted this, but was sadly not familiar
never been unreliable or absent before. enough with Morotai’s belongings to locate any of
them.)
Tracking Morotai
The PCs may decide to try to track the missing
Finding Matsu Yabu’s Warehouse
Scorpion through the streets of Toshi Ranbo. This is a The PCs should realize that their only possible hope of
difficult exercise in a city of 20,000 people, since the saving Bayushi Morotai is to locate his kidnapper.
PCs could waste weeks asking random people if they Assuming they have collected most of the available
saw Morotai, and get nowhere. However, if the PCs evidence, they have probably realized that the man they
specifically canvass along the riverside where Morotai want is Matsu Yabu.
habitually walked, they can roll
Awareness/Investigation at TN 20 to locate people If the PCs found the warehouse rental papers in Yabu’s
who saw Morotai speaking with a Lion samurai with room, or learned of it from his servant Haku, they can
pale hair. With a TN of 25 or better, the PCs find go directly to the warehouse. Likewise, the PCs may
someone who saw the Lion supporting Morotai, who have been able to pin down the correct warehouse with
was staggering as though drunk. a Sense Void spell, or by finding a spirit that remembers
where Yabu and Morotai went after they met.
The PCs might instead ask around the docks/riverside
district for anyone who has seen a Lion samurai in the If the PCs only know that Yabu and Morotai are
area matching Yabu’s description. This will require a somewhere in the warehouse area along the docks, they
roll of Awareness/Investigation at TN 25 or will probably have to search the various warehouses
Awareness/Underworld at TN 20. PCs can assist until they find the right one. However, if the PCs
these rolls. Spending at least 1 koku in bribes adds a earlier used Water spirits to track Doji Aijutso’s trip
Free Raise. A success points the PCs toward a through the Drowned Merchant River, once they have a
warehouse area along the riverside where such a Lion general area to search they can check the piers for
has been seen several times. oyster shells by rolling Perception/Hunting at TN 20.
Once they find the correct pier, a roll of
Shugenja PCs who try to find spirits that might have Perception/Investigation at TN 20 detects faint
seen Morotai will likewise have no luck unless they are spatters of day-old blood, leading back to the
speaking to Earth or Air spirits in the riverside district. warehouse’s padlocked door.
In that case, a shugenja who Communes and makes at
least two Raises for clarity will find a spirit who Otherwise, the PCs will simply have to search the
remembers a tall man with pale hair meeting with a warehouses until they find the correct one. The fact
younger man in a mask. The tall man offered the that only one warehouse is padlocked may offer a clue.
young man a drink, and then they went together down
the street into a warehouse.
The padlock (a big, clumsy Rokugani lock) can be
A shugenja with the spell Sense Void might try to use it picked with a roll of Agility/Locksmith (Lock
to search the city for emotions of fear and pain. Picking) at TN 25, or pried off the latch with a suitable
Unfortunately, in a city the size of Toshi Ranbo there object and a roll of Strength/Athletics at TN 20. The
are a couple of hundred people exhibiting such door can also be bashed/hacked open, with a roll of
emotions. If the PCs think to narrow their search down Strength/(Weapon Skill) or Strength/Athletics at TN
to just the riverside district, however, the spell can 30. However, this will make noise and alert Matsu
detect a powerful emotion of agony, isolation, and Yabu to the presence of the PCs. Shugenja may be able
terror in a warehouse near the docks. If the PC also to find ways of opening it with magic, or silencing the
thinks to check for any other emotions in the immediate

Way of Death Page 14

PCs’ efforts to open the door – the GM must adjudicate There is a wooden bench along one wall. While Yabu
such efforts, and determine whether they succeed. is here, he keeps his clothes (a Lion kimono, with the
Matsu family and Ikoma school mons) neatly folded on
Lair of a Murderer the bench. Sitting next to the clothes is a purse
containing several koku’s worth of coins and a small
Inside the warehouse, the PCs are immediately assailed porcelain bottle of Mother’s Milk, half-full. If he hides
by the stench of blood and decay. If they arrive at any from intruding PCs, these clothes and items will be left
time between midday and the following morning, they behind – he does not dare pick them up with blood all
will hear a faint, horrible mewling sound from over his body.
somewhere farther inside, and see firelight flickering
from around a corner ahead. If the PCs arrive earlier or There are no natural, kami spirits in the warehouse –
later than that time, the warehouse is entirely dark and the evil committed here has driven them all away.
silent inside. There is a single Air kansen (evil spirit) lurking here
which enjoys the aura of suffering and madness in the
If the PCs arrive here while Yabu is at work, they will place, although it has found Matsu Yabu curiously
see a horrific sight: resistant to its seductive words.
The main storage chamber of the warehouse has been
transformed into a charnel house. The floor is sticky Capturing Yabu
and foul with old blood. The walls are festooned with If the PCs alert Yabu by making noise breaking down
ragged, dark-brown tatters which, you realize, are the the door, or by shouting or otherwise alarming him
rotting skins of human beings. A rough wooden table before they see him, he will extinguish his light and
lies in the center of the room, and strapped to that hide in the darkness, attempting to either stay concealed
table is the thrashing, bloody shape of a man, tied until the PCs give up, or slip out the door behind them
down with heavy ropes at wrists and ankles. His (if they left no-one to guard the door). This will
blood covers the table and drips off onto the slimy involve an Opposed roll of the PCs’
floor. Standing over him, holding a knife, is another Perception/Investigation against his Agility/Stealth.
man, tall and muscular, with long light-gold hair. He Obviously, the spell By the Light of Lady Moon will
is naked, blood coats his body from scalp to toes, and foil his efforts.
his face is twisted into a wild, exultant expression.
The whole dreadful scene is lit by a single candle If the PCs manage to catch Yabu sneaking around, or if
sitting on a corner of the table, flickering as the they confront him by surprise in the middle of his
victim’s thrashings rock it back and forth. crime, he will not resist. He will, in fact, surrender
immediately, confess everything, and begin trying to
If the PCs arrive while Yabu is absent, there is no explain his twisted crimes. “The three sins, you see,
victim and the candle is unlit. The room is otherwise they suffuse everything, consume everyone. I saw this
the same. clearly, even as a child. But the sins are hidden
within, concealed by the skin, by the masks. I had to
The tattered skins are of widely varying ages, some cut them out, make them pure. You do understand,
rotting to pieces, some shriveled into dried husks, two don’t you?” He will continue trying to explain himself
others recent and bloody. (Yabu did not keep the until the PCs hand him over to the authorities.
partial skin from Aijutso.) There are fourteen of them
in total (if the PCs arrive after the following morning, If Yabu does succeed in getting away from the PCs (by
there is a fresh fifteenth skin, from Bayushi Morotai). hiding or sneaking out), he will swim in the river to
A roll of Intelligence/Anatomy at TN 10 or cleanse the blood from his body, then return to the
Intelligence/Medicine at TN 15 confirms they are Thousand Splendors Inn. He claims to Haku that his
human skins, with the oldest ones dating back well over kimono was soiled by a splash of mud from a passing
a year. (Rokugani forensics cannot be more precise wagon, forcing him to leave it behind.
than that.)
The Fate of Bayushi Morotai
A roll of Intelligence/Investigation at TN 20 can
determine that the newest skin is taken from a Thranish Poor Bayushi Morotai is facing a grim fate, but if the
gaijin. PCs move quickly, they may be able to spare him from
the worst of it.

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If the PCs arrive at the warehouse by nightfall, Morotai uses it), so Morotai does not remember being drugged.
still has his eyes, although the skin has been peeled Once he was being tortured, the traumatic experience
from his face. He will be bleeding badly, but this can and poor lighting make it impossible for him to
be stabilized with a roll of Intelligence/Medicine at TN remember anything specific about his tormenter, other
20 or a healing spell of any kind. Morotai will be able than gender (male).
to make a nearly full recovery from the dreadful
experience, although he will be forced to wear a full- The PCs may have some suspicious physical evidence:
face mask in future. Yabu’s rental of the warehouse, the spectacles and
sumi-e picture in his room, perhaps even the garment
If the PCs arrive between nightfall and morning, and gear left in the warehouse.
Morotai has lost his eyes and much of the skin from his
body (the later at night, the more skin has been taken). Matsu Yabu, however, will smoothly and glibly deny
Shock and blood loss have left him perilously close to any wrongdoing. A skilled courtier, he will exploit all
death. He can be saved with a roll of his advantages in the Rokugani legal system. The
Intelligence/Medicine at TN 30, or a casting of Path to following statements outline the typical defenses he
Inner Peace or Regrow the Wound that heals 12 or will employ against the evidence the PCs have:
more Wounds. In this case, Morotai is left not only
with dreadful scarring and blinded for life, but also • “What is a commoner’s word against mine? They
with severe mental trauma. He will be a grim and are all lying.”
haunted figure, stalking the courts of Rokugan in a full-
face mask reminiscent of that worn by Karasu the • “Did any of these so-called witnesses see me
Doomseeker. actually commit any crime?”

If the PCs fail to rescue Morotai by dawn, he perishes • “It is indeed a most regrettable happenstance that
in agony and madness. His mutilated body is fished out this foul criminal chose my warehouse to commit
of the Drowned Merchant River late the next day. his deeds.”

Part Four: Resolving the • “My reasons for renting a warehouse concern my
service to the Lion Clan and to my lord, and are
Case quite irrelevant to this matter.”
If the PCs managed to capture Yabu at the scene of his
• “I found that curious gaijin item in the street, and
crimes, the case is resolved swiftly. Yabu’s confession
thought it interesting enough to keep.”
is complete – he meticulously lists a total of twenty-six
victims over eight years. Akodo Torokai orders him
• “Of course I had a sumi-e print – that is why I
hanged, and his name and deeds are stricken from the
visited the shop, after all.”
records of the Lion Clan. His superior Matsu
Fujumoto, shamed by the deeds of his trusted advisor,
• “Magical so-called evidence is forbidden by the
shaves his head and retires to a monastery. The PCs
Emperor’s decree… but I am sure you know that,
have played an instrumental role in ending the reign of
samurai-san.”
a grotesque criminal.
The PCs can try to counter Yabu’s arguments as best
Accusing Without Discovery they can, but unless they can come up with a truly
If the PCs do not catch Matsu Yabu in the act, impressive feat of argumentation, it is likely they will
convicting him becomes extremely difficult, even if be forced to withdraw their accusations, costing them
they discovered the evidence at the warehouse. The much face (a loss of 5 points of Glory and 2 points of
PCs do not have the testimony of a single samurai Honor).
linking Yabu to the crimes, only the word of a few
commoners. Dueling for Truth
As a last resort, a PC can challenge Yabu to a duel to
If the PCs saved Bayushi Morotai, he will unfortunately
prove the truth of their accusation. This will only work
not be able to offer any direct identification of his
if the PC is from the Imperial families or a major family
abductor/torturer. Mother’s Milk causes a mild
of a Great Clan – vassal families, minor Clans, and
amnesiac effect on its victim (one of the reasons Yabu
ronin will not have the Status to force Yabu to accept

Way of Death Page 16

their challenge. (A PC from such lowly origins who 5 points of Glory and 1 point of Honor, and gain
holds a Status-enhancing appointment, such as Emerald Akodo Torokai as an Ally. Lion PCs also gain 1 point
Magistrate, can challenge successfully.) of Status.
If a PC defeated Matsu Ryuken in a duel, that PC earns
Since Matsu Yabu is both a courtier and a valuable an additional 3 points of Glory.
underling, and the evidence against him is so weak, his
daimyo Matsu Fujumoto will assign him a skilled
champion, a swordsman named Matsu Ryuken. Any
PC facing Ryuken in a duel will be hard-pressed to win
a victory – and the duel must be to the death, with
accusations as grave as these. In the Imperial capital, it
will not be difficult to find authorities willing to
promptly sanction such a duel.

If Ryuken wins the duel, he will kill the defeated PC –

if that PC was acting as champion for another non-
bushi PC, the championed PC will have to commit
seppuku. All the other PCs will be forced with
withdraw their charges, losing Glory and Honor as
listed above.

If the PC wins the duel, Matsu Yabu will be ordered to

confess his crimes and commit seppuku. Instead, he
hangs himself in his chambers that night, leaving
behind a rambling, insane written confession to all his
crimes.

Rewards for Completing

the Adventure
At the end of the scenario, any PCs with Shadowlands
Taint must make a Simple Earth roll with a TN of 5 +
(5 x Taint Rank). If the roll is failed, the PC acquires
one additional point of Taint.

Experience Points
Playing through the adventure: 1 XP
Good role-playing: +1 XP
PCs convict Matsu Yabu of his crimes: +1 XP
PCs save Bayushi Morotai
before he is blinded: +1 XP

Total Possible Experience: 4 XP

Other Awards/Penalties
PCs who argue with the authority of the Imperial
Guards lose 1 point of Glory. If their Honor is 3.0 or
higher, they also lose 1 point of Honor.
If the PCs accuse Matsu Yabu but are forced to
withdraw the accusation, they lose 5 points of Glory
and 2 points of Honor.
If the PCs successfully convicted Yabu (either through
catching him in the act, or winning a duel), they all earn

Way of Death Page 17

 Appendix: NPCs
Akodo Torokai, Lion Clan Samurai Rank One: May spend a Void point to re-
roll any Test of Honor, as many times as he has Void
and Emerald Magistrate points to spend. Adds Honor Rank to total of all
FIRE 3 AIR 2 attack, damage, and initiative rolls.
Reflexes 3 Honor/Status/Glory: 3.5/2.0/2.0
Skills: Battle 3, Defense 3, Etiquette 2, Hunting 2,
EARTH 3 WATER 3 Iaijutsu 3, Investigation 2, Kenjutsu (Katana) 3,
Kyujutsu 3, Lore (Heraldry) 2, Lore (Law) 2,
Theology 1.
VOID 3 Mastery Abilities: Add Defense skill rank to TN to
TN to be Hit: 15 (20 in light armor) be Hit (except when incapacitated/unaware, or in Full
School/Rank: Akodo Bushi 2 Attack).
Rank One: Ignore armor or gain a Free Advantages/Disadvantages: None.
Raise when attacking. Gain a Free Equipment: Daisho, light armor, badge of office,
Raise on first melee attack, or against bow with 20 arrows.
any opponent who declared a Raise
against him since his last turn. Add Matsu Yabu, Courtier and Sociopath
Water to total of rolls for Damage FIRE 3 AIR 3
and for Opposed Battle rolls. Intelligence 4
Rank Two: Before rolling to attack,
declares whether to increase Attack EARTH 2 WATER 3
roll or Damage by Honor Rank x 2. Stamina 3 Perception 4
May spend a Void Point to make an
Honor Roll even if one has already VOID 1
been made, and loses half normal for TN to be Hit: 15
failed Honor Rolls and Tests of School/Rank: Ikoma Omoidasu 3
Honor. Rank One: Glory rank is increased by
Honor/Glory/Status: 3.6/2.7/4.5 Awareness rank to determine if he is
Skills: Athletics 2, Battle (Mass Combat) 1, Courtier recognized (this bonus may be
2, Defense 2, Etiquette 2, Horsemanship 2, Hunting conferred on a number of
(Tracking) 2, Iaijutsu 2, Investigation (Interrogation) companions equal to School Rank).
2, Jiujutsu 2, Kenjutsu 3, Kyujutsu 2, Lore: Law 3, Free Raises equal to School Rank on
Medicine 1, Meditation 2, Storytelling 1, Theology public bragging rolls.
(Ancestor Worship) 1. Rank Two: During combat may bolster a
Advantages/Disadvantages: Benten’s Blessing, number of allies equal to Awareness
Luck (rank one), Social Position (Emerald + School Rank, allowing them to add
Magistrate)/Can’t Lie. Yabu’s Honor rank to their attack
Equipment: Kimono, traveling clothes, light armor rolls.
(usually not worn), daisho set, jitte, steed (Rokugani Rank Three: May double any Glory gain or
pony), magistrate’s badge. loss in his presence by rolling
Awareness/Storytelling (Oratory) at a
Imperial Guards (interchangeable) TN of (Target’s Glory Rank x 10).
FIRE 3 AIR 2 Honor/Status/Glory: 0.2/2.0/3.7
Reflexes 3 Skills: Athletics 3, Courtier (Gossip) 4, Deceit 4,
Defense 2, Etiquette 4, Investigation 2, Kenjutsu 1,
EARTH 3 WATER 2 Lore (Heraldry) 4, Lore (History: Lion Clan) 3, Lore
Strength 3 (Law) 3, Medicine (Antidotes) 3, Storytelling
(Bragging, Oratory) 4, Stealth 2, Theology
VOID 3 (Ancestors) 2.
TN to be Hit: 18 (23 in light armor) Mastery Abilities: Add 5 to the total of any
School/Rank: Seppun Guardsman 1 contested Social roll made against him.

Way of Death Page 18

Advantages/Disadvantages: Ally (Matsu
Fujumoto), Apparent Honor (3), Blackmail (several),
Clear Thinker, Heartless, Wary/Antisocial, Benten’s
Curse, Cruel, Dark Secret (serial killer), Driven (to
kill beautiful men), Forsaken.
Equipment: Wakizashi, sharp knife, kimono, court
dress, sandals, bottle of Mother’s Milk, 4 koku in
assorted coins.

Matsu Ryuken, Skilled Lion Duelist

FIRE 3 AIR 3
Agility 4 Reflexes 4

EARTH 3 WATER 3

VOID 4
TN to be Hit: 24 (29 in light armor)
School/Rank: Akodo Bushi 3
Rank One: Ignore armor or gain a Free
Raise when attacking. Gain a Free
Raise on first melee attack, or against
any opponent who declared a Raise
against him since his last turn. Add
Water to total of rolls for Damage
and for Opposed Battle rolls.
Rank Two: Before rolling to attack,
declares whether to increase Attack
roll or Damage by Honor Rank x 2.
May spend a Void Point to make an
Honor Roll even if one has already
been made, and loses half normal for
failed Honor Rolls and Tests of
Honor.
Rank Three: Two attacks per round, and
Water bonus from Rank One
technique is now doubled.
Honor/Glory/Status: 3.6/3.7/1.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Battle (Mass Combat) 1, Courtier
1, Defense 4, Etiquette 2, Horsemanship 2, Iaijutsu 4,
Jiujutsu 2, Kenjutsu 4, Kyujutsu 2, Lore: Heraldry 2,
Meditation 2, Storytelling 1, Theology (Ancestor
Worship) 1.
Mastery Ability: Add Defense Rank to TN to be
Hit.
Kata: Fury Without End (L5R Rulebook page 199).
Advantages/Disadvantages: Inheritance (swords),
Quick.
Equipment: Kimono, excellent daisho set (+1
unkept damage die to both weapons), light armor (not
worn for dueling), 2 koku.

Way of Death Page 19

Critical Events Summary
For tables running at Origins 2006 only.

Did the PCs convict Matsu Yabu for his crimes?

Did they rescue Bayushi Morotai before nightfall?

If not, did they rescue him before dawn?

Way of Death Page 20