Eric Farrington

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 over the mechanics. There are no large stat
Welcome to the Adventure blocks, there are a few references to potential
Rokugan has always interested me as a setting.
Target Numbers or ways to play out the
Its fusion of various Asian cultures with the
scenarios. The focus is on the places, culture,
motif’s of Feudal Japan has cast itself as a unique
and role-playing opportunity of the game. GM’s
role-playing experience. One where the virtues
can fill in stat blocks and target numbers as
of the society shaped how the game was played,
needed or desired. There maybe suggestions for
and where the players themselves had to work
running a scenario, but the details are mostly left
within the constraints society placed on them
up to the GM.
This focus seemed to naturally lend itself to role-
playing much more than “roll”-playing.
The core of this adventure is creating a small
niche in the world of Rokugan, and letting the
After listening to several podcasts and reading a
players explore it, having characters grow with it,
few adventures, I knew this was a role-playing
and ultimately letting the players shape it.
experience I wanted to try. However, I had a
difficult time getting the chance. Therefore, this
Maps are added in a stylistic approach to assist
adventure is intended to act as an introduction
the GM run the game. They are not intended to
for the Gamemaster and the Players alike to the
be used in a ‘tactical simulation” but to flavor
Legend of the Five Rings role-playing game
the encounters and set the stage. The GM is
system.
always free to adjust or change any aspect of the
game as needed.
The Legend of the 5 Rings system, has gone
through many changes. I managed to get my
NPCs are given three personality traits and a
hands on a 3rd Edition rulebook and use that as
single quirk to help the GM give each character a
my starting point. However, there are five
unique flavor. They are guides to be expanded
editions of the game that you could be playing.
upon and modified as the game needs. Rokugan
Each has different variations of the game and
and The Legend of the 5 Rings is about the
mechanics to make Rokugan come alive.
connections between players, NPCS, and the
world. Therefore, keeping track of and exploring
Therefore, as an introduction to Role-playing in
these NPCs and their relationships to the players
the world of Rokugan, this adventure glosses
is vital to the game.

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3. Cover by Canva
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 One Year in Rokugan Session Zero
This campaign pack is a short campaign of 4 Since this is an introduction adventure and
adventures. Each adventure takes place in one campaign for Legend of the 5 Rings, it assumes
of the key seasons of a year. Therefore, player most players will have zero understanding of the
characters will have experienced one year when Legend of the 5 Rings background material.
they complete all 4 adventures. The first Therefore it is recommended that the GM have a
adventure is set in Spring, the second in Summer, Session 0 to describe the nature of the game,
the third is Autumn, and the final adventure is and some of the setting. It is also strongly
set in Winter. recommended that the players work together to
create their characters at Session 0.
Each adventure is a self-contained story-line.
Each adventure allows the players to “explore” a When setting up the Legend of the 5 Rings and
bit more of their world and this niche province, Rokugan in Session 0, here are a few Key
The Valley of the Emerald Stairway. As the concepts for players to understand.
seasons progress, they explore further and
further. Each adventure is also intended to 1. The Code of Bushido
“expand” the players world and understanding of All the Players in the game are likely members of
Rokugan and the “world” of Legend of the 5 the noble lines of Rokugan and hence are the
Rings. The final adventure takes them out of the ruling class. However, as members of the ruling
Valley, to vie for the future of the province. Each class they are part of self-imposed restrictions
adventures builds on the one before, but each called the Code of Bushido. They are sworn by a
adventure can also be run in isolation. code of honor to uphold the following ideals:

A note on Time, the following is the traditional Honesty, Courage, Compassion, Courtesy,
naming conventions and timing of the Rokugan Sincerity, Duty, and Honor
months:
2. Clan, Family, and School
Season Common Month Each Player Character is part of a larger great
Spring Hare Clan that wields influence and power. However,
Dragon they are also representatives of these clans, and
Serpent their actions will reflect on the clan.

Summer Horse Each clan is made up of great families, and as

Goat such each character is a member of one of these
Monkey families either by birth or adoption. Their
actions reflect not only on themselves and the
Autumn Rooster Clan, but also their family.
Dog
Each character was also trained in a traditional
Winter Boar role by a school. The School is your family when
Rat you learning your skills. Like the Clan and family,
Ox how you use those skills is considered an
Tiger extension and reflection on the school

The One Year in Rokugan series will take us 3. The Chain of Command
through all 12 months of the year. There will be You are a small part of the Chain of Command
passing references to these months in the between the Heavens, the Emperor, the Clan,
adventures to set them accordingly.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
the Family, and down to you. Everything is
 connected. this taint and succumb to its evil, and
manipulative ways. Blood-magic also derives
It is your duty to follow the orders and from these dark kami and the evil spirit realms of
commands of your lord…. Or die trying. Jigoku.
In exchange for your loyalty, your lord offers you
everything you need. Food, clothing, weapons, Once these basic ideas are covered and
armor, and prestige. You have no need for understood, the players are ready to make their
money, you are above mere peasants, and are characters.
answerable only to your superiors.
The Party
4. The Law
This set of adventure is designed for 4-6 player
Evidence means nothing, as the word of a
characters and a GM. The party should be
samurai is above reproach. Therefore, only
composed of the following character
testimony from other Samurai has any bearing in
backgrounds:
the court of law. However, once there is
testimony against you, you are expected to
1. At least, 1 Player from the Lion, Scorpion,
confess your wrong doing.
and Crane clans
2. At least 1 Courtier, 1 Shugenja, and 2+ Bushi
Peasants and non-samurai can be killed without
3. There should be no members of the Unicorn
reason or appeal to law. However, all peasants
clan, as horses will be of little value
also have a lord, and you are ultimately held
4. The majority of the party should be Samurai
responsible by your peers and their lords for
social class
your actions.
5. None of the characters should be the eldest
children
5. The Kami
6. No more than 1 Priest and no other
Kami are natural spirits that surround and fill the
“peasant” classes
world. They take the form of the elements;
earth, fire, water, air, and void. They surround
Each character should have just completed their
and experience all things.
formal schooling and celebrated their Gempukku
within the last few months. This means they
A suitably skilled Shugenja can commune with,
have come of age and are ready to serve the
entice, cajole, or otherwise harness the Kami to
Emperor of Rokugan, their clan, and their
perform magical feats with the right prayers and
families. This can be anywhere from 16-24
invocation.
depending on their role. Therefore each
character is young.
The belief and knowledge of Kami forms the
basis of the religious life of Rokugan. They take
In addition, none of these characters are the
the form of the Seven Fortunes at a more
“favored children” of the family. They are not in
uniformed level. Meanwhile, the work of Shinsei
line for inheritance, rank or position in the
helps explain a mortals place in the world of the
family. They are the second, third, or beyond
Kami.
children. Therefore, it will be important to root
them in who their families are, who are their
6. The Shadowlands
parents, brothers, and sisters.
Dark and corrupting Kami called Kensen also
exist in the world. They have corrupted some of
Finally, use the 20 questions technique to fill the
the land south of Rokugan, and their evil
characters out fully. It will be important to the
corruption spills outward in the form of beasts
characters to have some individual goals. Now,
and spiritual impurity. Some become corrupted
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
you have a party of fleshed out characters.
Valley of the Tall Mountain Flow
Cold Blue Stream
Emerald Stairway
Stairway of the Seven
Fortunes Shrine

Flashing
Trout
Lake
Emerald Apex Village

The Oni’s Maw

Wild
Blossom
Meadow

W N Crane Seven
Lily Aki
Terrace
Lake Reservoir
Village
S E Mount Shinosato

Ever
Twilight Emerald
Forest Basin

Speckled
Rice
Lake
Five Night
Village Traveler's Shrine

White Crane Stream

Gumiko Pass
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 Pre-Gen Characters
For 3rd Edition

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

Clan: Crane Family: Kakita School: Kakita Bushi
Rank: 1 Insight: 123/1 Age: 21 Name: Kakita

Earth: 2 Water: 2 Fire: 3 Air: 3 Void: 3

Stamina: 2 Strength: 2 Agility: 4 Reflexes: 4
Willpower: 2 Perception: 2 Intelligence: 2 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Iajittsu 5 Y Bad Health (-3 Points)
Kenjutsu (katana) 1 Y Epilepsy (-5 points)
Etiquette 2 Y
Kyujutsu 1 Y
Courtier 1
Calligraphy 1 Y
Defense 2 Y

Initiative: 4/1 +10 TN To be Hit: 25

Reflexes: 20 Armor: Light +5

Honor: 3.5 Glory: 1 +2 in Umoeru Mura Status: 1

Rank 1- Way of the Crane

• May use Iajitsu instead of Kenjutsu with a Katana
• Add Iajitsu rank x2 to all Initiative Rolls
• Focus 1 additional tine in Iajitsu duels

Hits per Level: 2 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Katana- 3k2- Spend Void to increase K Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Wakazashi- 2k2- 2K2 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 Yumi- Str 3 and 300 feet - Parchment
Hurt +10 20 Arrows- 2k2 - 10 pieces of steel
Injured +15 Tonto- 1K1 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 Bo- 0K2 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Whetstone
- Bottle of Bleach
- Tea Set
Family: - Personal Seal
Kakita Otojiro- Father- Kakita Bushi - Blanket
Kakita Rinako- mother- Doji Courtier - Wide-brimmed hat
Kakita Eiji- Eldest Brother- Kakita Bushi - Kimono
Kakita Akuro- Younger Sister- Doji Courtier -Sandals

Background:
Due to health reason, you were going to go to the Doji Courtier school. Therefore, your early schooling was
focused on preparing for this path. However, when the time came to join a school you tenaciously lobbied
to join the Kakita school to continue the family tradition. After much effort, the family relented and you
joined the Kakita Dueling School. There you excelled. However, due to your health issues they took a bit
longer than normal to graduate with the help of your honored Sensei Kakita Yodo. Your grandfather was a
legendary protector of Umoeru Mura and his fame precedes you.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Bad Health – You have your wound ranks figured as if your Stamina was 1 less, to a minimum of 1
- Epilepsy – Often triggered by stress or bright lights. When triggered, make a WillpowerTN 15 test. If
failed, you suffer a seizure. To end the Seizure, make a Willpower TN20 test for each minute. While a
seizure takes place, you fall to the ground, unable to speak or move.

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Iajitsu (Reflexes)-
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Etiquette (Awareness)
• Kyujutsu (Reflexes)
• Courtier (Awareness)
• Calligraphy (Intelligence)
• Defense (Agility)

Dueling –Page 170

1. Dueling in this case is a contest of words, wits, or other artistic merit.
2. Determine your goals and objectives in the duel
3. Make a TN 5 Awareness, every raise allows you to determine 1 of the following:
1. Opponent’s Reflexes
2. Opponent’s Agility
3. Current Wound/Fatigue
4. Opponent’s Iajitsu rank
5. Opponent’s insight rank
6. Opponent’s Void
7. Opponent’s remaining Void
8. Opponent’s Honor
4. Opponents can choose to disengage
5. Each duelist chooses their opponent’s Reflexes, Agility, or Void as the Ring for the duel.
6. Both opponents have a TN of 5
7. The higher Awareness roll can choose to “Focus”, “Strike” or “Pass” To Pass gives you +1 Honor
8. If Focus is chosen, make a Ring/Skill roll (often Courtier) vs opponent’s TN. If successful, the TN for both
foes is +5, and the option passes to the other duelist.
9. If failed, the duelist “strikes”. See below.
10. You can focus once per Ring dice. If you are out of focus, you can use a Void point to focus until you are
out of Void and Ring.
11. If you choose strike, your opponent immediately makes an attack roll Reflexes+iajistus roll, with a Free
Raise for every time they choose to Focus.
12. If a duelist survives the “strike”, then they may spend any Void points they have remaining. For every
Void point spent, he does an additional dice of wounds to his foe.
13. If after the spending of Void is complete, treat it as a Skrimish/Intrigue after the initial “strike” and
expending of Void.
14. If the duelist misses, then the other gets a chance to “strike”.

Void Points
You may spend a Void point to enhance the results of a given roll. You declare the use of Void before
rolling. Page 165
- Extra Dice Rolled and Kept - Free Raise -Gain 1 skill rank
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Clan: Crane Family: Doji School: Doji Courtier
Rank: 1 Insight: 129/1 Age: 23 Name: Doji

Earth: 2 Water: 2 Fire: 2 Air: 3 Void: 2

Stamina: 2 Strength: 2 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 2 Perception: 2 Intelligence: 3 Awareness: 3

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Artisan 3 Y Bitter Betrothal (-2 Points)
Calligraphy 2 Y Lechery (-1 Point)
Courtier 3 Y Lost Love (-2 Points)
(Manipulation) Benten’s Blessing (2 Points)
Etiquette 3 Y Dangerous Beauty (2 Points)
(Conversation) Read Lips (2 Points)
Storytelling 2 Y Voice (3 Point)
(Poetry) Precise Memory (3 Points)
Tea Ceremony 2 Y Wealthy (3 Point)
Games 2 Y
Kenjutsu 2 N

Initiative: 3/1 TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 15 Armor: None

Honor: 3.5 (+2 in Crane lands) Glory: 1 (+5 in Crane Lands) Status: 1

Rank 1- The Perfect Gift

• You may add twice your Honor Rank to all Courtier, Etiquette, Heraldry, Oratory, and Sincerity rolls.
• Air Ring + School Rank you can trade in a favor for another NPC

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Wakazashi- 2k2- 2K2 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 - Tea Set
Hurt +10 - Bottle of Hair Dye
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Perfume
- Fan
Family: - Personal Seal
Doji Isao -Father- Doji Bushi - Blanket
Doji Otsu- Mother- Doji Courtier - Small Hand Mirror
Doji Sayo- Eldest Sister- Asashino Shugenja - Kimono x2
Doji Ume- Younger Sister- Pre-teen - Sandals x2
- Make-up Kit
- Fine Kimono and Sandals
- Fine Kimono and Sand
Background:
Your family is prestigious magistrates inside Clan territory. As such, you were married at a young age to Doji
Mio, but have since found your “true love” Asashino Reiko who you can not marry.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Benten’s Blessing- When you persuade, gain 1 dice, 2 if they are attracted to you
- Dangerous Beauty- Gain 2 additional rolled dice on deceit rolls against the opposite sex
- Read Lips- Perception TN 20 per minute of conversation, and +1 per foot away over 10 , max 25 ft.
- Voice- Free raise on any roll that depends on your voice
- Precise Memory- Recall facts and data with a Intelligence TN of 10 or GMs discretion
- Wealthy- 3 additional Koku in your stipend and starting outfit
- Bitter Betrothal- This character has a spouse, that causes issue per the GM
- Lost Love- Whenever you Lost Love is mentioned, you gain +5 TN until you spend a Void point to focus

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Artisan (Awareness)
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Etiquette/Conversation (Awareness)
• Storytelling(Poetry) (Awareness)
• Courtier/Manipulation (Awareness)
• Calligraphy (Intelligence)
• Tea Ceremony (Void)
• Games (Awareness)

Intrigue/Skirmish –Page 165

1. State Goals and Objectives- The PC states what they wish to accomplish and the GM consents
2. Determine Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest, modified by
Fatigue level.
3. Determine Posture-
1. Attack - Default
2. Defense-roll Awareness/skill and add result to your TN to Willpower. This impacts 1 foe per
Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN, or increase effect, opponents earn three free
raises against you.
4. Declare Raises
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Willpower/skill roll. If successful, you have
reduced their argument, and reduce they must use a different skill roll going forward
2. Called Shot- Glory 1,Honor- 2, or Status- 3 Raises - Temp reduction of .1 per raise
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both skill rolls must
beat their Willpower X5
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single skill roll you make this or
next round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Air +Insight) x5 your opponent has a -10 TN in
any subsequent rolls against, and +10 versus you until they spend a turn re-grouping.
5. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Skill vs the target’s TN to of Willpower x5. Add any
declared raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have worn them down.
6. Damage - To determine wounds, add Awareness + skill K Awareness.
7. Successful arguments – Willpower X 2 is the level of Fatigue per level. This is equal to wounds. You will
take modifiers during an intrigue equal to a Fatigue (wound ranking)
8. Once one player has removed the fatigue of their opponent, they can accomplish their stated Goal or
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Clan: Lion Family: Ikoma School: Akoda Bushi
Rank: 1 Insight: 133/1 Age: 19 Name: Ikoma

Earth: 3 Water: 2 Fire: 3 Air: 2 Void: 2

Stamina: 3 Strength: 2 Agility: 3 Reflexes: 2
Willpower: 3 Perception: 2 Intelligence: 3 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Battle (Mass Combat) 1 Y Strength of Earth (4 Points)
Defense 1 Y Large (3 Points)
Kenjutsu 3 Y
Spears 1 Y
Kyujutsu 1 Y
Lore (History) 1 Y
Storytelling 2 Y
Games 2 Y
Lore (Shadowlands) 1 N

Initiative: 2/1 + 0 TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 10 Armor: Light +5

Honor: 3.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- Way of the Lion

• Ignore armor OR gain a Free Raise when attacking
• When rolling for damage or Contested Battle roll + Water Ring
• Free raise on your first melee attack, or those who raised against you.

Hits per Level: 6 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Katana- 4k2- Spend Void to increase K Travel Pack
Nicked +0 Wakazashi- 3k2- 2K2 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +0 Yumi- Str 3 and 300 feet - Akodo’s Leadership
Hurt +0 20 Arrows- 2k2 - Back Banner
Injured +5 - Chopsticks
Crippled +10 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +30 - Whetstone
- Portable GO Board
- Sake Cup
Family: - Personal Seal
Ikoma Ukoyo Father- Akodo Bushi - Blanket
Ikoma Tsuya- Mother- Courtier - Kubi Bukuro
Ikoma Bokkai- Eldest Brother- Akodo Bushi - Kimono
Ikoma Saya- Younger Sister- Matsu Bushi in Training - Sandals
- Command Tessen
Background:
Your ancestors fought at the Battle of the Sleeping River against the Bloodspeakers. This battle fascinated
you, and as a result you learned to tell the story well before becoming a Bushi. It is this heritage that drives
you to help the Empire Therefore, you wish to act as a protector of Rokugan from enemies foreign and
domestic. .
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Strength of the Earth – Wound level penalty decreased by 5
- Large – TN -5 for social checks, by damage is 1K0 for melee attacks.

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Battle/Mass Combat (Perception)
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Spears (Agility/Reflexes for ranged)
• Kyujutsu (Reflexes)
• Lore/History (Intelligence)
• Storytelling (Awareness)
• Games (Awareness)
• Lore/Shadowlands (Intelligence)
• Defense (Agility)

Combat Resolution- Page 165

1. Roll Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest. Injury level and other
events may cause your initiative number to go up or down during the course of the combat.
2. Declare Postures-
1. Attack - Default move and attack
2. Full Defense- Half speed, roll agility/defense and add result to your TN to be hit that turn. This
impacts 1 foe per Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN to hit, or increase damage, opponents earn
three free raises against you.
3. Declare Raises
1. A Raise increase the TN by +5
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Strength/Weapon skill roll. If successful, you
have knocked the weapon from your foe. This is melee combat only.
2. Called Shot- Torso 1,Limb- 2, or Head- 3 Raises - Effects per the GM
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both attack rolls
must strike successfully.
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single attack you make this or next
round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5 to be hit
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Earth +Insight) x5 your opponent is knocked
prone
4. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Weapon skill vs the target’s TN to be hit. Add any declared
raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have hit them.
5. Damage - To determine wounds, add Strength + dice rolled by the weapon.
6. Wounds – Any time you take more wounds than a given level, you drop to the next level and begin to
take modifiers to your TNs, Initiative, and Movement.

Void Points – Page 165

You may spend a Void point to enhance the results of a given roll. You declare the use of Void before
rolling. Page 165
- Extra Dice Rolled and Kept
- Free Raise
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Clan: Lion Family: Matsu School: Matsu Berserker School
Rank: 1 Insight: 125/1 Age: 19 Name: Matsu

Earth: 2 Water: 3 Fire: 2 Air: 2 Void: 2

Stamina: 2 Strength: 4 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 2 Perception: 3 Intelligence: 2 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Battle 1 Y Brash (-2 Points)
Juijitsu 3 Y Overconfident (-2 Points)
Kenjutsu 3 Y Daredevil (3 Points)
(Katana) Strength of the Earth (2 Point)
Kyujutsu 1 Y Fascination (Cuisine) (-1 Point)
Lore 1 Y Minor Crane Ally- Heritage
(History)
Athletics 3 Y
Spears 3 Y

Initiative: 3/1 + 0 TN To be Hit: 20

Reflexes: 15 Armor: Light +5

Honor: 3.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- The Lion’s Roar

• May add your Honor rank to damage rolls
• 1 Free Raise for additional damage equal to School Rank when in Full Attack posture

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Katana- 3k2- Spend Void to increase K Travel Pack
Nicked +0 Wakazashi- 2k2- 2K2 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +0 Yumi- Str 3 and 300 feet - Spices
Hurt +5 20 Arrows- 2k2 - Back Banner
Injured +10 Tanto- 0K1 - Chopsticks
Crippled +15 No Dachi- 3K2- 6 Strength, +1K Damage - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +35 larger than human size - Whetstone
Naginata- 1K3- +1 to roll OR Keep damage - Personal Seal
Use 1 Void to +1K damage - Blanket
Unarmed – 4K1 - Cooking Pot
Family: - Personal Seal
Matsu Satoshi- Father- Akodo Bushi - Kubi Bukuro
Matsu Kaoru- Mother- Matsu Berserker - Sake Cup
Matsu Tobei- Eldest Brother- Akodo Bushi - Sandals
Matsu Kuniko- Younger Sister- Pre-Teen - Kimono

Background:
There was always tension in your household versus the way of Akodo vs the way of Matsu. You followed
the example of your mother and followed the Matsu way as it fit your personality better. However, your
eldest brother had a successful marriage with a Doji Crane Household, and now you have gained an
appreciation for Crane styles, and more importantly their cuisine. You are eager to learn more.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Strength of the Earth – Wound level penalty decreased by 5
- Daredevil – +5 bonus to athletics, and once per session can roll for foolhardy acts. 5+ result you can add
to your roll.
- Brash- TN 20 Honor roll to keep calm when insulted
- Over-confident- When faced with a superior foe, you take a Perception TN 30 to withdraw
- Fascination- You will go to great lengths to indulge in your fascination, that borders on obsession

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Battle (Perception)
• Kenjutsu/Katana (Agility)
• Spears (Agility/Reflexes for ranged)
• Kyujutsu (Reflexes)
• Lore/History (Intelligence)
• Athletics (Varies based on action)
• Juijitsu (Agility)

Combat Resolution- Page 165

1. Roll Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest. Injury level and other
events may cause your initiative number to go up or down during the course of the combat.
2. Declare Postures-
1. Attack - Default move and attack
2. Full Defense- Half speed, roll agility/defense and add result to your TN to be hit that turn. This
impacts 1 foe per Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN to hit, or increase damage, opponents earn
three free raises against you.
3. Declare Raises
1. A Raise increase the TN by +5
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Strength/Weapon skill roll. If successful, you
have knocked the weapon from your foe. This is melee combat only.
2. Called Shot- Torso 1,Limb- 2, or Head- 3 Raises - Effects per the GM
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both attack rolls
must strike successfully.
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single attack you make this or next
round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5 to be hit
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Earth +Insight) x5 your opponent is knocked
prone
4. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Weapon skill vs the target’s TN to be hit. Add any declared
raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have hit them.
5. Damage - To determine wounds, add Strength + dice rolled by the weapon.
6. Wounds – Any time you take more wounds than a given level, you drop to the next level and begin to
take modifiers to your TNs, Initiative, and Movement.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

Clan: Scorpion Family: Soshi School: Bayushi Courtier
Rank: 1 Insight:128 /1 Age: 20 Name: Soshi

Earth: 2 Water: 2 Fire: 2 Air: 3 Void: 2

Stamina: 2 Strength: 2 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 2 Perception: 3 Intelligence: 2 Awareness: 3

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Calligraphy 1 Y Insensitive (-2 Points)
Courtier 5 Y Jealousy- Deceit (-2 Points)
Deceit (Seduction) 3 Y Precise memory (3 Points)
Etiquette (Sincerity) 3 Y Quick (2 Points)
Investigation (Inter) 3 Y Read Lips (2 Points)
Acting 1 Y
Stealth 1 Y
Kenjutsu 1 N

Initiative: 3/1 + 1 Dice TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 15 Armor: None

Honor: 1.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- Weakness is my Strength

• Free Raise for every 2 Disads you know, and 4 in general in contested Social Roll
• If you succeed, you gain a Free Raise on the next Contested Social roll against them.

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Wakazashi- 2k2- 2K2 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Tonto- 1K1 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 - Coin Purse
Hurt +10 - Bottle of Hair Dye
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Wig
- Fan
- Makeup Kit
Family: - Personal Seal
Soshi Sen -Father- Bayushi Bushi - Blanket
Soshi Ise- Mother- Bayushi Courtier - Mask
Soshi Rei- Eldest Sister- Soshi Shugenja Shool - Kimono
Soshi Yui- Younger Sister- Pre-teen - Sandals
- Courtly Dress
Background:
You are following in your mother’s footsteps as you lack the gift to speak to the Kami that is sometimes
found in the Soshi. Your ancestors wrote a book on the intricacies of operating within the clan, but it was
lost to the family.. You have heard the stories and are driven to find a copy of this work to better your
ability to influence your fellows. You were a quick study and nimble on your feet, but tend to get jealous
when your peers are better at deceit than you are. You have graduated the Courtier school and are eager to
get out into the world.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Jealousy (Deceit)- Constantly vie to prove you are superior in this subject
- Insenstive-You must spend a Void point to put yourself at risk for another
- Quick- When making an Initiative Roll, add 1 Dice
- Read Lips- Perception TN 20 per minute of conversation, and +1 per foot away over 10 , max 25 ft.
- Precise Memory- Recall facts and data with a Intelligence TN of 10 or GMs discretion

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Deceit/Seduction (Awareness)
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Etiquette/Sincerity (Awareness)
• Investigation/interrogation (Varies)
• Courtier (Awareness)
• Calligraphy (Intelligence)
• Acting (Awareness)
• Stealth (Agility)

Intrigue/Skirmish –Page 165

1. State Goals and Objectives- The PC states what they wish to accomplish and the GM consents
2. Determine Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest, modified by
Fatigue level.
3. Determine Posture-
1. Attack - Default
2. Defense-roll Awareness/skill and add result to your TN to Willpower. This impacts 1 foe per
Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN, or increase effect, opponents earn three free
raises against you.
4. Declare Raises
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Willpower/skill roll. If successful, you have
reduced their argument, and they must use a different skill roll going forward
2. Called Shot- Glory 1,Honor- 2, or Status- 3 Raises - Temp reduction of .1 per raise
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both skill rolls must
beat their Willpower X5
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single skill roll you make this or
next round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Air +Insight) x5 your opponent has a -10 TN in
any subsequent rolls against, and +10 versus you until they spend a turn re-grouping.
5. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Skill vs the target’s TN to of Willpower x5. Add any
declared raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have worn them down.
6. Damage - To determine wounds, add Awareness + skill K Awareness.
7. Successful arguments – Willpower X 2 is the level of Fatigue per level. This is equal to wounds. You will
take modifiers during an intrigue equal to a Fatigue (wound ranking)
8. Once one player has removed the fatigue of their opponent, they can accomplish their stated Goal or
Objective

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

Clan: Scorpion Family: Yogo School: Soshi Shugenja
Rank: 1 Insight: 127/1 Age: 20 Name: Yogo

Earth: 3 Water: 2 Fire: 2 Air: 3 Void: 2

Stamina: 3 Strength: 2 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 3 Perception: 2 Intelligence: 2 Awareness: 3

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Calligraphy 1 Y Lame (-5 Points)
Courtier 3 y Missing Limb (-3 Points)
Etiquette 3 Y Missing Eye (-3 Points)
Meditation 3 Y Bad Health (-3 Points)
Spellcraft 3 Y Inner Gift- Lesser Prophecy (10 Points)
Stealth 3 Y Forbidden Knowledge (3 Points)
(Spellcasting) Dark Secret - Heritage
Theology 1 Y
Maho 3 N

Initiative: 3/1 TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 15 Armor: None

Honor: 1.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- Soshi’s Whisper

• Free Raise when casting Secrets of the Wind, Reflective Pool, and Essence of Air and Stealth casting
• Secret of the Wind is an Innate Ability, Affinity for Air, Deficiency with Fire
• Sense, Commune, Summon, Counter-spell
• Echoes of a Breeze (lv 2), Way of Deception (lv 1) , Hidden Visage (lv 2), Force of Will (lv 1), Reflective
Pool (lv 2), Path of Inner Peace (lv1)

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Wakazashi- 2k2- 2K2 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Tonto- 1K1 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 - Mortar and Pestle
Hurt +10 - Saki Cup
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Walking stick
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Tea Set
Family: - Personal Seal
Yogo Terumoto -Father- Deceased - Blanket
Yogoi Tamafune- Mother- Soshi Shugenja - Mask
Yogo Urako- Eldest Sister- Soshi Shugenja - Kimono
Yogo Danjuro- Younger Brother- Deceased - Sandals
- Scroll Satchel
Background:
You were born disfigured and many claim it was the family curse. Your grandfather was a Maho-Tsukai . His
rise to power in the clan was fueled by dark magic. No one must discover this truth.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Lame – Agility rolls at +10 TN
- Missing Limb – Missing a left hand, physical tests at -10 TN
- Missing Eye- Perception +5 TN, Melee +5 TN, Ranged +5TN up to 50, and +10 TN beyond 50 feet.
- Bad Health- -1 Stamina for determining wound levels
- Inner Gift- Lesser Prophecy- You sometimes have vague gifts about the future.
- Forbidden Knowledge- You gain a free raise when using Maho skill

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Etiquette (Awareness)
• Courtier (Awareness)
• Calligraphy (Intelligence)
• Meditation (Void)
• Spellcraft (Intelligence)
• Stealth/Spellcasting (Agility)
• Theology (Intelligence)
• Maho (Intelligence)

Spellcasting – Page 224

1. You must have the scroll or innate ability
2. You roll the Ring + School rank and Keep dice up to your Ring
3. TN is 10 + Level x5
4. It takes 1 turn per level of the spell to cast
5. Declared raises can be used to reduce casting time, 1 raise = 1 turn
6. The spell goes off during the final turn of the casting time
7. If you take damage while casting, roll Ring + School keep Ring with a TN equal to the damage. If failed
the spell is lost.
8. Can cast spells equal to their corresponding ring, Void can be used to cast any spell type.
9. Spell slots are gained after a full night’s rest, or meditation for 1 hour, with a TN check of 15.
10. Affinity allows a casting +1 school rank, deficiency is -1 school rank

Spells: Page 227 – Duration, Area of Effect, Range

• Sense- Total Concentration, 10’, Self, Become aware of elements around you. Raises to increase radius
• Commune – Total Concentration, 100’, One Kami, Ask 1 question, Raises for more questions.
• Counter-spell- Instant, 1 Shugenja, 100”, see page 227
• Summon- Total Concentration, Special, 10”, Can summon 1 cubic foot of an element of your choice
• Secret of the Wind- Full concentration +5 minutes, 50’, 1 Mile, Allows you to hear conversation that took
place in the area. Raise allows to increase range to 1 mile.
• Echoes of a Breeze- Full Concentration, one person, Unlimited, Carry a message to the intended target
• Way of Deception- Casual Concentration +1 Minute, 20’ cone, 10’ wide at end, Self, Duplicate makes you
hard to target. Any attack misses on a 1-5 on a d10. If you attack, the chance reduces to 1-3 on d10.
Raises to add more duplicates and increase failure by 10%.
• Hidden Visage- Casual Concentration =15 minutes, Self, Self, disguise your facial features.
• Force of Will- 3 rounds, 1 Target, 10’, Target functions are 1 wound level less. Raises 4 times reduce 1
more wound level.
• Reflective Pool- 5 Minutes, 50 feet, 1 mile, View any familiar location in a pool of water
• Path of Inner Peace- Instant, Target, Touch, Heal 1 dice but never fewer than water ring. Raise heals
additional dice of damage.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Clan: Phoenix Family: Asako School: Isawa Shugenja
Rank: 1 Insight: 126/1 Age: 22 Name: Asako

Earth: 2 Water: 3 Fire: 2 Air: 2 Void: 2

Stamina: 2 Strength: 3 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 2 Perception: 3 Intelligence: 3 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Calligraphy 2 Y Ascetic (-3 Points)
Meditation 3 Y Can’t Lie (-3 Points)
Spellcraft (Water) 3 Y Soft-hearted (-2 Points)
Theology 2 Y Clear Thinker (5 Points)
Divination 2 Y Blessings of the Elements (4 Points)
Etiquette 2 Y
Medicine 2 Y
Initiative: 3/1 + 0 TN To be Hit: 15
Reflexes: 15 Armor: None

Honor: 2.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- Isawa’s Art

• Sense, Commune, Summon, Counterspell,
• Affinity for Water
• Water- Path of Inner Peace (lv1), Reversal of Fortunes (lv 1), Near to Ice (lv 3)
• Other- Force of Will (Earth lv 1), By the Light of Lady Moon (Air lv 1), Extinguish (Fire lv 1)

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Wakazashi- 2k2 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Tonto- 1K1 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 - Tea Set
Hurt +10 - Cooking Pot
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Sake Cup
- Straw Cloak
- Wide-Brimmed Hat
Family: - Personal Seal
Asako Tadao- Father- Isawa Shugenja - Blanket
Asako Miho- Mother- Isawa Shugenja - Kiseru
Asako Junko- Eldest Sister- Isawa Shugenja - Kimono
Asako Mae- Second Sister- Asoka Courtier - Sandals
- Scroll Satchel
Background:
The family had once been well off, but a storm at sea sunk your ancestor and the family fortune. Since
then, your family has been forced to live a life of asceticism, and eschews the privileges of rank and money
in their personal lives. You were born and raised into this life of asceticism. In addition, you have spent
much of your energy in trying to help the common people of the land and learning what you can to help
heal the sick and the afflicted of your families small domain.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Ascetic- Few possession, glory and fame as a Monk
- Soft-hearted- To kill a human requires a Willpower TN 20 check, and after will have +10 TN due to guilt
for 48 hours.
- Clear Thinker- +10 TN to confuse, lie, or stall you. Feints require two raises to work
- Can’t Lie- If the character tries to lie, any listener knows it without a roll needed
- Blessings of the Elements- Water costs 1 fewer XP to raise, Determine Movement using Water +2 for 1
hour

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Etiquette (Awareness)
• Calligraphy (Intelligence)
• Meditation (Void)
• Spellcraft/Water (Intelligence)
• Divination (Void)
• Theology (Intelligence)
• Medicine (Intelligence)

Spellcasting – Page 224

1. You must have the scroll or innate ability
2. You roll the Ring + School rank and Keep dice up to your Ring
3. TN is 10 + Level x5
4. It takes 1 turn per level of the spell to cast
5. Declared raises can be used to reduce casting time, 1 raise = 1 turn
6. The spell goes off during the final turn of the casting time
7. If you take damage while casting, roll Ring + School keep Ring with a TN equal to the damage. If failed
the spell is lost.
8. Can cast spells equal to their corresponding ring, Void can be used to cast any spell type.
9. Spell slots are gained after a full night’s rest, or meditation for 1 hour, with a TN check of 15.
10. Affinity allows a casting +1 school rank

Spells: Page 227 – Duration, Area of Effect, Range

• Sense- Total Concentration, 10’, Self, Become aware of elements around you. Raises to increase radius
• Commune – Total Concentration, 100’, One Kami, Ask 1 question, Raises for more questions.
• Counter-spell- Instant, 1 Shugenja, 100”, see page 227
• Summon- Total Concentration, Special, 10”, Can summon 1 cubic foot of an element of your choice
• Path of Inner Peace- Instant, 1 Target, Touch, Heal 1 die of wounds, never less than Water ring. Raise
once to heal an additional dice.
• Reversal of Fortune- 1 minute, 1 Target, 10”, Target may re-roll any one die during the spell duration.
• Near to Ice- Casual Concentration + 1 minute, 1 Target, Touch, Target suffers no TN penalties for wounds.
This does not heal any wounds, or effects of being down.
• Force of Will- 3 rounds, 1 Target, 10’, Target functions are 1 wound level less. Raises 4 times reduce 1
more wound level.
• By the Light of Lady Moon- 5 rounds, 10’ radius, Self, If a magically concealed person/item in the area,
roll Air+School rank against a TN equal to opponent’s ring +school rank.
• Extinguish- Instant, 100’ radius, Self. Non-magical fire snuffed out. Fire spells require a raise to cast.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

Clan: Crab Family: Hiruma School: Hiruma Scout
Rank: 1 Insight: 126/1 Age: 17 Name: Hiruma

Earth: 3 Water: 2 Fire: 2 Air: 2 Void: 2

Stamina: 3 Strength: 2 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 2
Willpower: 3 Perception: 2 Intelligence: 2 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Athletics 1 Y Benten’s Curse (-2 Points)
Defense 3 Y Fleet (2 Points)
Hunting 1 Y Quick (3 Points)
Lore (Shadowlands) 2 Y Combat Reflexes (6 Points)
Stealth (Sneaking) 4 Y
Kyujutsu 4 Y Kata
Kenjutsu 1 Y Striking as Earth (2 Points)

Initiative: 2/1 + 1 Dice TN To be Hit: 17

Reflexes: 10 Armor: Ashigaru +3 Other: +4

Honor: 1.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- Dance the Razor’s Edge

• Add your Stealth Skill to your TN to be hit
• Make all Jade, Rations, and water last twice as long as normal
• Move normally while in Full Defense

Hits per Level: 6 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 katana- 3k2- Use 1 Void to add 3k3 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Wakazashi- 2k2 – 2k2 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 Yumi- Str 3 and 300’ - Black Body Paint -
Hurt +10 20 Arrows- 2k2 - Cooking Pot
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Sake Cup
- Straw Cloak
- Wide-Brimmed Hat
Family: - Grappling Hook
Hiruma Hoitsu- Father- Deceased - Blanket
Hiruma Namiko- Mother- Kuni Shugenja - Rope
Hiruma Kazuki- Eldest Brother- Hiruma Scout - Kimono
Hiruma Tokie- Second Sister- Yasuki Courtier - Sandals
Hiruma Yuriko- Younger Sister- Pre-teen - 1 Finger of Jade

Background:
Your Crab family has long been part of the war against the Shadowlands. Your ancestors fought at the
battle of the Sleeping River against the Bloodspeakers. Therefore, you have taken your studies about the
Shadowland very seriously. Being called away from the front lines of the Crab’s duty on the wall is
challenging to you, but you know your bow can be valuable wherever you are asked to go. You are more at
home out in the wilderness than you are in court.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Benten’s Curse- Etiquette skill rolls have a +10 TN
- Fleet – You may move 10’ more than the normal Water x10’ rate
- Quick- Roll 1 extra dice for initiative
- Combat Reflexes- May choose to move up or down one space in initiative order

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Kyujutsu (Reflexes)
• Hunting (Perception)
• Athletics (Varies based on action)
• Defense (Agility)
• Lore/Shadowlands (Intelligence)
• Stealth/Sneaking (Agility)

Kata –Page 193

• Striking as Earth – Prep 10 Minutes, duration 120 minutes, TN to be hit +5, but Awareness and
Percetpion roll -1 dice.

Combat Resolution- Page 165

1. Roll Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest. Injury level and other
events may cause your initiative number to go up or down during the course of the combat.
2. Declare Postures-
1. Attack - Default move and attack
2. Full Defense- Half speed, roll agility/defense and add result to your TN to be hit that turn. This
impacts 1 foe per Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN to hit, or increase damage, opponents earn
three free raises against you.
3. Declare Raises
1. A Raise increase the TN by +5
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Strength/Weapon skill roll. If successful, you
have knocked the weapon from your foe. This is melee combat only.
2. Called Shot- Torso 1,Limb- 2, or Head- 3 Raises - Effects per the GM
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both attack rolls
must strike successfully.
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single attack you make this or next
round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5 to be hit
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Earth +Insight) x5 your opponent is knocked
prone
4. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Weapon skill vs the target’s TN to be hit. Add any declared
raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have hit them.
5. Damage - To determine wounds, add Strength + dice rolled by the weapon.
6. Wounds – Any time you take more wounds than a given level, you drop to the next level and begin to
take modifiers to your TNs, Initiative, and Movement.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

Clan: Mantis Family: Yoritomo School: Yoritomo Bushi School
Rank: 1 Insight: 137/1 Age: 18 Name: Yoritomo

Earth: 2 Water: 3 Fire: 3 Air: 2 Void: 2

Stamina: 2 Strength: 3 Agility: 3 Reflexes: 2
Willpower: 2 Perception: 3 Intelligence: 3 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Athletics 2 Y Cruel (-3 Points)
Battle 1 Y Greedy (-5 Points)
Commerce 2 Y Crafty (6 Points)
Craft (Sailing) 1 Y
Defense 2 Y Kata
Kenjutsu 1 Y Striking as Fire
Peasant Weapon 4 Y
Stealth 3 (4) N
Underworld 1 (2) N

Initiative: 2/1 TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 10 Armor: Light +5

Honor: 1.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1

Rank 1- Dance the Razor’s Edge

• Can use Peasant weapons off-handed with no penalty
• No uneven penalties Rank x5, no penalty to enemy flanking or higher ground
• Add Water Ring to Damage rolls

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 katana- 3k2- Use 1 Void to add 3k3 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Wakazashi- 2k2 – 2k2 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 Kama x2- 0k2- +1k1 damage paired’ - Fishing Pole
Hurt +10 Tanto – 0k1 - Lantern
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Sake Cup
- Straw Cloak
- Fine Quality Kisero pipe
Family: - Grappling Hook
Yoritomo Tokichrio- Father- Yoritomo Bushi - Blanket
Yoritomo Isako- Mother- Deceased - Rope
Yoritomo Toki- Eldest Brother- Yoritomo Courtier - Kimono
Yoritomo Takuya- Second Brother- Yoritomo Bushi - Sandals
Yoritomo Toyoko- Younger Sister- Pre-teen

Background:
Your revered ancestor committed seppuku to maintain the honor of the family. Your father gifted you with
his Kisero smoking pipe at your graduation from Bushi school to remind you of your duty to the family
name, as he knew you were a dabbler in things samurai should best avoid.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Cruel- Your Awareness is -1 for social interactions, and 1 Honor rank lower for Honor tests
- Greedy- Bribes attempts have 2 free raises against you
- Crafty- Your skill rank is +1 for each Low skill you know. This does not impact Insight rank

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Athletics (Varies based on action)
• Defense (Agility)
• Stealth (Agility)
• Underworld (Intelligence)
• Peasant Weapons (Agility)
• Battle (Perception)
• Craft/Sailing (Intelligence)
• Commerce (Awareness)

Kata – Page 193

• Striking as Fire – Prep 10 Minutes, duration 120 minutes, Initiative rolls are +2. Roll 1 extra dice to
attack, and -1 dice to damage.

Combat Resolution- Page 165

1. Roll Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest. Injury level and other
events may cause your initiative number to go up or down during the course of the combat.
2. Declare Postures-
1. Attack - Default move and attack
2. Full Defense- Half speed, roll agility/defense and add result to your TN to be hit that turn. This
impacts 1 foe per Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN to hit, or increase damage, opponents earn
three free raises against you.
3. Declare Raises
1. A Raise increase the TN by +5
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Strength/Weapon skill roll. If successful, you
have knocked the weapon from your foe. This is melee combat only.
2. Called Shot- Torso 1,Limb- 2, or Head- 3 Raises - Effects per the GM
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both attack rolls
must strike successfully.
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single attack you make this or next
round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5 to be hit
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Earth +Insight) x5 your opponent is knocked
prone
4. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Weapon skill vs the target’s TN to be hit. Add any declared
raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have hit them.
5. Damage - To determine wounds, add Strength + dice rolled by the weapon.
6. Wounds – Any time you take more wounds than a given level, you drop to the next level and begin to
take modifiers to your TNs, Initiative, and Movement.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Clan: Dragon Family: Togashi School: Three Orders Tattooed Man
Rank: 1 Insight: 132/1 Age: 24 Name: Togashi

Earth: 2 Water: 2 Fire: 3 Air: 2 Void: 3

Stamina: 2 Strength: 2 Agility: 3 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 2 Perception: 2 Intelligence: 3 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Artisan 1 Y Ascetic (-3 Points)
Jujitsu 3 Y Hands of Stone (8 Points)
Meditation (Void) 2 Y Hotei’s Blessing (3 Points)
Theology 1 Y Bland Heritage
Tea Ceremony 2 Y
Defense 2 Y
Athletics 2 Y

Initiative: 3/1 + 0 TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 15 Armor: None

Honor: 1.5 Glory: 1 Status: 1 (Glory can not be higher than status)

Rank 1- Tattooed Men

• Can activate a Tattoo once per Insight Rank, and to turn off is Meditation TN 15 + 5 per Insight Rank
• The Cloud- May cast Commune and Sense as school rank = to Insight.
• Arrowroot- May heal Insight Rank X10 for self and others. Others, half damage healed can not be
healed by any other form of magic on you.

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Kama x2- 0k2- paired is +2k2 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 Unarmed – 2k2 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 - Tea Set
Hurt +10 - Shinsei Teachings
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Sake Cup
- Tattoo Needles
- Mortar and Pestle
Family: - Incense Brazier
Miromoto Kanjiro- Father- Miromoto Bushi - Blanket
Miromoto Natsuko- Mother- Deceased - Flint and tinder
Miromoto Kazuki- Eldest Brother- Miromoto Bushi - Kimono
Miromoto Tamiyo- Second Sister- Deceased - Sandals

Background:
You come from an unremarkable background and a minor family. The fact that you are chosen to become
one of the Tattooed Order and lifted from the ranks of the Miromoto was a surprise to you as much as
anyone else. However, you have come to peace with the many who doubted you and your calling. You
have instead looked inward and rejected much of the outside world and instead seek inner peace and
acceptance. Then, your father asked for your help.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Hotei’s Blessing- You can not lose Void points when targeted by an effect that drains Void
- Hands of Stone- Keep 2 in hand-to-hand combat
- Ascetic- Few possession, glory and fame as a Monk
- Bland- Attempts to recall you are with a +10 TN

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Athletics (Varies based on action)
• Defense (Agility)
• Juijitsu (Agility)
• Artisan (Awareness)
• Meditation/Void (Void)
• Tea Ceremony (Void)
• Theology (Intelligence)

Combat Resolution- Page 165

1. Roll Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest. Injury level and other
events may cause your initiative number to go up or down during the course of the combat.
2. Declare Postures-
1. Attack - Default move and attack
2. Full Defense- Half speed, roll agility/defense and add result to your TN to be hit that turn. This
impacts 1 foe per Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN to hit, or increase damage, opponents earn
three free raises against you.
3. Declare Raises
1. A Raise increase the TN by +5
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Strength/Weapon skill roll. If successful, you
have knocked the weapon from your foe. This is melee combat only.
2. Called Shot- Torso 1,Limb- 2, or Head- 3 Raises - Effects per the GM
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both attack rolls
must strike successfully.
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single attack you make this or next
round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5 to be hit
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Earth +Insight) x5 your opponent is knocked
prone
4. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Weapon skill vs the target’s TN to be hit. Add any declared
raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have hit them.
5. Damage - To determine wounds, add Strength + dice rolled by the weapon.
6. Wounds – Any time you take more wounds than a given level, you drop to the next level and begin to
take modifiers to your TNs, Initiative, and Movement.

Void Points – Page 165

You may spend a Void point to enhance the results of a given roll. You declare the use of Void before
rolling. Page 165
- Extra Dice Rolled and Kept
- Free Raise
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Clan: Dragon Family: Kitsuki School: Kitsuki Courtier
Rank: 1 Insight: 123/1 Age: 20 Name: Kitsuki

Earth: 2 Water: 2 Fire: 3 Air: 2 Void: 2

Stamina: 2 Strength: 2 Agility: 2 Reflexes: 3
Willpower: 2 Perception: 3 Intelligence: 4 Awareness: 2

Skills: School Disadv/Adv

Courtier 2 Y Heartless (2 Points)
(Gossip) Irreproachable (4 Points)
Etiquette 2 Y Sage (3 Points)
(Bureaucracy) Idealistic (-2 Points)
Investigation 3 Y Driven- Justice (-3 Points)
(Notice)
Meditation 1 Y
Theology 1 Y
Lore
(Law) 3 Y
Kenjutsu 1 Y

Initiative: 3/1 TN To be Hit: 15

Reflexes: 15 Armor: None

Honor: 3.5 (+1 Honor in Family lands) Glory: 1 (+1 Glory in Family Lands) Status: 1

Rank 1- The Kitsuki Method

• You may add twice your Intelligence score for all Social Skill Rolls.
• An opponent who lies to you must make a contested skill roll with Raises equal to your school rank

Hits per Level: 4 Weapons: Equipment:

Healthy +0 Wakazashi- 2k2- 2K2 Travel Pack
Nicked +3 katana- 3k2- Use 1 Void to add 3k3 - Tatami Mat
Grazed +5 - Blanket
Hurt +10 - Folding Stool
Injured +15 - Chopsticks
Crippled +20 - 1 Week’s Rations
Down +40 - Parchment and charcoal
- Fan
Family: - Personal Seal
Kitsuki Kobo -Father- Kitsuki Courtier - Wide-brimmed Hat
Kitsuki Hana- Mother- Morimoto Bushi - Flint and Tinder
Kitsuki Otsu- Eldest Sister- Tamori Shugenja - Kimono x2
Kitsuki Okichi- Older Sister- Morimoto Bushi - Sandals x2
Kitsuki Omitsu- Younger Sister – Child - Lantern
- Journal
Background:
You come from a long line of Magistrates. Your honored ancestor was a Family Magistrate, as was your
father. You have learned about justice your whole life, and as the only son have been driven to carry on the
family legacy and to become a Magistrate.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Disad/Adv- Page 106
- Heartless- Attempts to change your mind via Courtier or Deceit are +10 TN
- Irreproachable- +10 TN to bribe or seduce you.
- Sage- Free Raise on all Lore rolls.
- Driven-Justice- You will turn your back on friends, family, and even honor to gain Justice
- Idealistic- When you lose a point of Honor, lose an additional point. When you gain 5 Honor, increase it
by 1.

Skill Checks- Page 95

Roll your Trait + Skill dice. You can keep a number of dice equal to your trait. 10’s explode if kept.
• Kenjutsu (Agility)
• Etiquette/Bureaucracy (Awareness)
• Courtier/Gossip (Awareness)
• Investigation/Notice (Intelligence)
• Meditation (Void)
• Theology (Intelligence)
• Lore/Law (Intelligence)

Intrigue/Skirmish –Page 165

1. State Goals and Objectives- The PC states what they wish to accomplish and the GM consents
2. Determine Initiative- Reflexes/Insight rank with results stacked from highest to lowest, modified by
Fatigue level.
3. Determine Posture-
1. Attack - Default
2. Defense-roll Awareness/skill and add result to your TN to Willpower. This impacts 1 foe per
Insight rank
3. Full Attack - Two free raises to either lower TN, or increase effect, opponents earn three free
raises against you.
4. Declare Raises
1. Disarm- 3 Raises – You make a contested Willpower/skill roll. If successful, you have
reduced their argument, and they must use a different skill roll going forward
2. Called Shot- Glory 1,Honor- 2, or Status- 3 Raises - Temp reduction of .1 per raise
3. Extra Attack- 4 Raises- Must be directed at the same opponent, and both skill rolls must
beat their Willpower X5
4. Feint – 1 Raise- No damage, but gain 1 free raise on a single skill roll you make this or
next round.
5. Guard – 1+ Raise – Protect an ally, each raise increases your allies TN +5
6. Increase Damage – 1+ Raises – Single increase damage by 1K0, two is 1K1
7. Knockdown – 3 Raises – Exceed your foe’s (Air +Insight) x5 your opponent has a -10 TN in
any subsequent rolls against, and +10 versus you until they spend a turn re-grouping.
5. Resolve Action – Make a skill check of Trait + Skill vs the target’s TN to of Willpower x5. Add any
declared raises to the TN. If you beat the opponent’s TN, you have worn them down.
6. Damage - To determine wounds, add Awareness + skill K Awareness.
7. Successful arguments – Willpower X 2 is the level of Fatigue per level. This is equal to wounds. You will
take modifiers during an intrigue equal to a Fatigue (wound ranking)
8. Once one player has removed the fatigue of their opponent, they can accomplish their stated Goal or
Objective

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Adventure #1
The Bride with White Hair
(Spring)

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 The Hook Background for the GM
Each player’s family has received a letter from The following information is important for the
Doji Hansei asking for them to send a young GM to know going into the adventure to help
samurai to his estate to help him. Since each of them set the tone, and to divulge information as
the character’s families have a connection with needed. This is not for players in the adventure
Hansei in the past, they task the players to travel to read.
to Hansei’s country estate and assist him.
This adventure takes place in the Seikitsu
The GM should ask each player the nature of Mountains near the borders of the Crane,
each families’ relationship to Hansei. It is up to Scorpion, and Lion territory. Within the
the players, but if they are unsure here are some mountain range there is a small, hard to reach
suggestions the GM can provide: Crane province called the Valley of the Emerald
Stairway. This province is part of the Yazuki
1. The Character’s Father spent time on Spring family of the Crane Clan.
Patrol with Hansei when they were younger
Bushi Doji Hansei is a mid-tier Bushi of the Doji Family
2. The Character’s Mother spent time at the of the Crane Clan. He owns a small country
Hansei estate as a guest in the past estate and is the lord of the local area. In his
3. Hansei was a guest of the family while he past life, he had been an Emerald Magistrate and
was an Emerald Magistrate in their region a Samurai of good standing with the Doji family.
4. Hansei and the family have had profitable He has since “retired” to his country estate.
business dealings in the past Hansei has 2 sons and 4 daughters. His wife
5. The character’s older brother went to the passed away several years ago.
Bushi school with one of Hansei’s children.
6. Hansei has been a benefactor of their temple The Doji family has negotiated the wedding of
or order of monks, planning to eventually Hansei’s 4th daughter to the ruler of the Valley of
retire to it. the Emerald Stairway, Yazuki Ito. However, in the
7. A member of the family has Hansei as a pen late winter months Ito died. In the power
pal, but has never met him in person vaccum that followed, his chamberlain samurai
8. It is also possible that the player does not Yazuki Tokamosa made a dishonorable move to
know the family connection and just follows consolidate his own power in the Valley.
their orders to appear. Tokamosa was not aware of the arranged
nuptials between Doji Hansei and Yazuki Ito.
This connection is enough for the family to send
aid, but not enough to send their oldest sons and Tokamosa allied himself with a group of Ronin
daughters. Instead, they send the characters and Bandits who swept into the valley and
who should have just completed their “Coming displaced the three existing Yazuki Bushi that
of Age” Genpukku over the winter months, and were loyal to Ito. Two were killed in the take
graduated from their school. over, while a third, the aging Yazuki Daisetsu
managed to escape into the Ever Twilight Forest.
Normally, young samurai are sent off to Spring
Patrol for their first assignment. Hansei has Tokamosa, on the death of his master was
requested these samurai to help him with a planning to petition the Yazuki family head to
Spring Patrol of the Valley of the Emerald gain control of the Valley. It is a small province
Stairway on behalf of his Family Head. The of little value, and his knowledge of the area and
family has no idea where the Valley is, only that loyalty to Ito would be a spring board to the
it matters to Hansei. appointment. In Tokamosa’s mind he had until
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
the next winter court to consolidate his position.
 Of course, the nuptials to Doji Ao also makes her then Scorpion in that order. He prefers to have
potential competition for the top spot in the Bushi near him first, and then Shugenja and
Valley. Courtiers last. Any priest will be at the “foot” of
the formation.
The Valley is located between Lion and Scorpion
lands. The Lion are always eager to expand their As the Lord of the house, he arrives once all the
holdings in the name of protecting the emperor. guests are seated. He takes his place at the head
The Scorpion are naturally duplicitous and of the room.
harbor no love for the Crane. Therefore, if the
power vacuum becomes common knowledge, Dojo Hansei is a tall man, who is now stooped
these clans may also want to make a play on the slightly with age. Care lines are now present on
Valley as well. a chiseled and sharp featured face. He wears a
fine white robe, belted with a Crane Blue belt.
With the arrival of the PCs, Tokomosa will try to He wears his Daisho comfortably at his side, as if
get them to resolve his Daisetsu problem and it is a well worn fixture. He keeps his hands
have them leave the Valley. Then, he can either folded within his kimono unless he absolutely
marry Doji himself, or arrange an accident to needs to use them, which is rare. He has long
pave the way for his ascension to lordship of the white hair and a long white beard and
province. moustache as well.
• Hansei is respectful, authoritative, and stern.
On the opposite page is a map of the Valley of Quirks: None
the Emerald Stairway. This can be provided as an
in-universe tool for the players as well as for use Once settled, he says….
by the GM. It was intentionally stylized for this
purpose.

In the House of Doji Hansei

All the Character’s travel to Hansei’s country
estate by foot, and arrive within a few days of
each other. They may see each other around the
estate, but do not introduce themselves. It is
customary to allow the host to introduce the
travelers and visitors to each other. Until a
formal introduction occurs, it is expected the
players will keep to themselves. During this time
they may engage in solitary activities or interact
with the staff as they wish.

Once all the player characters arrive, they will be

invited to a dinner to celebrate their arrival, and
welcome them to the Doji Hansei Estate. The
players will all gather in a meeting room, and be
shown where to sit by the head servant.

Hansei will seat at the “head” of the formation

on a slightly raised area. To his right will be any
Crane family members, his left will be Lion and
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 “Welcome to my humble home. It brings me journey of another day or two.
great honor that your families saw fit send you
here. Each of your families and I have a long However, I have a second and more dear task for
history and they do honor to this history. you beyond your duties as Spring Patrol. I ask
that you also accompany my 4th daughter, Doji
Most of you, are young and have not been Ao to the Stone Walled Estate. She is to be
properly introduced. Please, take a moment to married to Yazuki Ito later this spring.”
announce yourself to me…. And your
companions.” At this point, the players can respectfully ask any
questions about their duty they wish. After the
He nods to the character to his right to begin the meal, the food is cleared away by the servants.
announcements. After each character Hansei then says…
announces themselves he says….
“Thank you and your family for your help. It
“I am grateful for your arrival and safe journey,” means a great deal that the relationship
and then gives a small head bow. between our families be honored in such a way.

After the introductions, Hansei signals to the Now, I am proud to have my daughter Ao
Head Servant who signals his staff. Food is entertain us.”
brought in and placed before each of you. It is
served starting with the characters closest to At this, he signals with a nod and the Head
Hansei. He is the last to be served. Each Servant opens the door. A short woman wearing
character is offered a cup of Tea, water, or saki. a white robe and blue Do that matches Hansei’s
Before the meal begins Hansei asks any Priests enters the room slowly. In her hand is a long
or Shugenja for a blessing, and then everyone necked musical instrument with two strings. She
begins to eat. has no Daisho. She is a relatively plain looking
woman, even with the traditional make-up on.
During the meal, Hansei says the following….. Her eyes are dark, and they look downward and
watch her steps. The most striking thing is her
“It is tradition for young samurai such as yourself long, straight white hair. Most of it is tied into a
to go on Spring Patrol. It is our duty to Serve, bun, but two long strands frame her face and
and this is your first duty. I am grateful that your reaches down to her waist. She carefully seats
family saw fit to send you to me, to allow me to herself outside the circle of characters.
provide you with your first Spring Patrol. After • Ao is respectful, strong willed, and sharp.
the Winter months, bandits, wild animals, and Quirk: Ao wears a social mask of submission,
worse can often find their ways into our lands. but is an empowered Rokugan woman.
Spring patrol allows us to set our borders in
place. She says….

3 days from here, is the Fumiko Pass into the “I am Doji Ao, It is a joy to meet you. You do me
Seikitsu Mountains. 2 days through the pass is and my family a great honor by escorting me to
the Valley of the Emerald Stairway. I ask you to my betrotheds household. I am in your debt.”
please make this journey and ensure the passage With that she gives a small bow.
is clear. The Valley is also Crane territory, and I
ask that you also make the journey up the valley Hansei says, “Ao, please entertain us with your
and to the Stone Walled Estate at the Village of song.”
the 7 Terraces. Offer my respect and regards to
Yazuki Ito, who is the lord of the Valley. This is a
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 She nods back and begins to play her instrument. From those grown in my lands I have devised a
She sings a song about a young woman leaving recipe to aid in sleep and to bring pleasant
her home to for the first time to go to the home dreams. I hope you enjoy it.”
of her future husband. The song starts
mournfully for leaving her family, then With another signal, the Head Servant has the
crescendos into hope for her future, and ends house servants bring in steaming kettles. Each
with an admonishment to do ones duty for player’s cup is filled. Hansei is served last, and
honor. Her playing and singing is mediocre at once served raises his glass to the party and
best. says….

After her performance ends, there is a brief “May your sleep be restful, your journey safe,
moment of silence, before Hansei bows his head and your duty fulfilled.” With that he drinks the
and says, tea. The other characters are expected to follow
suit.
“Thank you Ao. Your dedication to master your
instrument is admirable and a lesson to us all.” After the tea ceremony, Hansei excuses himself,
“I am an old man and must rest. Tomorrow you
With that, the woman bows and leaves the begin a long journey. You are welcome to stay
room. Hansei says….. and socialize as late as you wish, but I urge you
to be prudent for your duty awaits tomorrow.
“I ask that you leave the Estate tomorrow with My servant Taito can assist you for the rest of the
Ao. Therefore, we should not press our stamina evening.”
long into the night. Before we adjourn for the
evening, I have prepared a special tea. In my With that, the players are allowed to role-play
retirement, I have taken an interest in herbs. amongst each other freely as the GM allows.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 As the party leaves, Ao dutifully looks at the road
Towards a New Life ahead. Those who wish, will see that her eyes
The next day, the Players will gather in the
have welled up with tears which streak her face.
estate’s courtyard. Taito and four other servants
However, she does not look back.
await them. A large dark wood case, with two
long carrying poles awaits them. In addition, a
young woman in traveling clothes, wearing a The Journey
Daisho awaits them. She has the same plain As Hansei said, the journey to the Fumiko Pass is
features and dark eyes as Doji Ao, but her hair is 3 days.
black and cut very short, in a feathered style. A
silk scarf wraps and covers her head. At one point in their journey, the group will be
stopped by a group of young Crane Bushi (3) with
As the Players gather, Doji AO, the woman with Ashigaru (4) on a Spring Patrol. Like the Party,
the short black hair; greets them with a bow, and this patrol is also on foot. They will ask the party
a word of thanks. The chest is hers and the 4 for their travel papers, review them, and then
peasants are there to carry her belongings to her have them pass on with an apology for the delay.
new home.
At the end of the second day, the party will
Once all the PCs are gathered, Taito asks them to encounter a traveler’s house/inn. They can
wait until Hansei can see them off. They are choose to spend the night in the inn or not. The
soon joined by Hansei, who looks much like he Inn is called the Fern Frond Inn. If they stay at
had last night, only in more casual wear. the inn or choose to camp, the journey is
uneventful.
“You are all ready to set off and do your duty.
You all bring honor to your house.” He bows his As they journey, the mountains in the distance
head. will get closer and begin to loom larger and
larger in their view. At the end of the third day,
He takes Ao aside, and privately speaks to her for they will be at the foot of the mountain. From
a few moments. At the end, they give a quick here, they will be entering the Fumiko Pass. It is
embrace before separating. a rough and ragged foot path, often traversing
over bare rock, before finding the path on the
“Before you go, I have a parting gift for all of other side again. It is just wide enough for the
you,” Hansei claps his hands and servants rush peasants to carry Ao’s personal effects, but no
out to give you a warm travelling cloak, with a wider. The path has steep inclines, sharp switch
set of good walking sandals on top of it, “These backs, moves along cliff sides, and between
maybe of use to you as the Fumiko Pass is still rocky spires. Snow lingers in the places of
cold and snowy this time of year.” shadows in the path. The pass is often blocked
by fallen logs or rocks that will need to be
“I also have your travel documents” He hands moved. It is rugged going.
the Crane member of the party a rolled up scroll
that is bound with blue silk ribbon and a small The second day is noticeably colder as the PCs
wooden Crane seal. continue their ascent. Dark clouds are gathering,
and it is clear a spring storm is approaching. At
Once the courtesy’s of receiving a gift are the end of the second day, just before the storm
completed, Hansei says, “Now, be off to fulfill breaks they reach the summit of the Fumiko
your destiny. May the Seven Fortunes smile Pass.
upon you.” With that he turns and goes back to
the entrance of the estate from where he will At the peak of the pass is a small Traveller’s
watch you leave.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Shrine and log enclosure to shelter in. As they
 get there, a cold hard rain starts to fall, The Five Night Village
accompanied by a crash of thunder and the flash The Five Night Village is on the shores of
of lightening. Inside the enclosure is a small, Speckled Rice Lake. The lake itself is shallow,
stone shrine to the Seven Fortunes, with places and the edges are filled with native “wild” rice
to burn incense or leave an offering. Inside the and cultivated rice paddies. The village itself is a
shrine it is very dark, with a small central fire pit. scattering of small, thatched roof huts with small
The storm rages outside but the interior stays plot gardens next to them. A few also have small
dry, a simple fire will keep it relatively warm and pens with goats, pigs, or fowl roaming around.
there is just enough room for the party, Ao, and The huts are loosely spread out with no real
the peasants. Osana-wo thunders and flashes pattern extending out into the meadow.
through most of the night, but calms and turns
to a light snow after midnight (The hour of the The edge of the lake there is a few stone
Boar). buildings. One is a large, double-wide entry
store house, that is noticeably locked. It is a two
When the PCs awake, a light snow has fallen and story tall building with a thatched roof. There
continues to stick to the path. The rest of the are high, small windows only around the edges
journey is down hill as they descend into the of the second story. Inside, it is a large open
valley. Despite knowing the Valley is there, the area and there is no actual second floor. The
mountains block their view until they suddenly roof is supported by thick wooden beams.
turn a corner and see the Five Nights Village
about 100 yards away and the Valley of the The second is a small, stone walled house with a
Emerald Stairway winding up beyond. small stone wall enclosed courtyard. Above the
door is an etched stone crane symbol. The walls
During the Journey, the GM can have the player above the window has scorch marks, and the
make simple Awareness checks, deal with basic villagers have started to place new thatching on
obstacles, make navigation checks, and the like the roof. This building is across from the
as they wish. It is also a great chance for players storehouse, and out the back has a view of the
to role-play with each other and Ao.

General Teahouse/Inn Lay-out

First Floor Second Floor

Storage Kitchen

Guest Guest
Stairs Room Stairs Room

Door

Door Window
Window
Main
Guest Guest
Room
Room Room

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 lake. Unusually, it has a noticeable stone covered in switch backs and rough terrain. The
chimney. trail tries to parallel the Lower Crooked Courtier
Creek as much as possible. The creek itself is a
The last stone building is a small, one level inn loud, babbling brook with frequent rapids,
called the Speckled Rice Inn. It has a small tea elevation changes, and the like. It is at full flow
room, kitchen, and three large stone rooms. and rush due to recent snow melt and would be
Behind the inn is a storehouse, a residence, and impossible to cross on foot.
garden plot. The inn can hold 12 people staying
over night with 4 to a room. This is the only Inn There is a peasant “head man” in the village
in the Emerald Stairway. named Eizo. He is an older man, tall, lanky and
wrinkled. He has a stoop, and prefers to walk
In the center of town is a muddy common area with a staff to support himself. Eizo has a key to
with straw thrown down which does not stop it the storehouse lock. He will be the only peasant
from being very muddy, with a stone shrine to who will interact with the PCs. The rest will keep
the Seven Fortunes. This shrine is exposed to to themselves and dutifully try to avoid them. To
the open air, and therefore is rather worn. the Peasants, samurai are dangerous and prone
to fits of murderous anger.
By the Storehouse by the lake shore are several • Eizo is cautious, plain spoken, patient. Quirk:
small reed boats. Each is only big enough for Uses a walking staff
about three people, and they are propelled using
poles. The owners of the Speckled Rice Inn are of the
merchant class, so a social status below Peasants
The Five Nights Village has about 25 peasant even. They are Kazu, and non-descript middle
families. They tend to maintain and harvest the age man with drooping jowels; and his wife
wild and regular rice in the lake. This is the Megu, who is also middle-aged and scrawny thin.
villages main way to pay taxes. The Speckled They are both eager to get the PCs to stay the
Rice (Wild Rice) is rare in Rokugan and therefore night in their inn and will answer questions
worth twice as much as a regular amount of rice. about the geography of the valley easily.
However, it is not highly sought after as it is a Questions about the Lord or his retainers they
slightly harder rice than regular rice. In addition shrug off by saying they are beyond their station
to the rice, they maintain themselves on in the world.
subsistence gardening, livestock, and some • Kazu and Megu are fake cheerful, eager to
hunting/gathering in the valley. please, and crafty. Quirks: They are always
smiling big fake smiles.
There is no snow in the valley at this point, but
there is a lot of mud everywhere in the spring As the GM, it is best to play off any visit to Five
time. The peasants are busy repairing their huts Night Village as something in the village is amiss,
from any damage that occurred over the winter, but the players may not be able to put their
preparing equipment, and gathering fire wood. finger on it. Some clues to the situation are the
following:
The path to the Fumiko Pass leads directly into
the Five Night Village. The Village is so names as 1. The rice storehouse is locked and sealed up
it takes 5 nights to get from the village to the (Eizo will claim that is standard practice
next closest village outside of the Valley. There during the winter if pressed)
are no walls or gates to the village. However, a 2. The fire damage being repaired at the
path called the Emerald Stairway leads up the Samurai stone house (Eizo will suggest that it
valley to the next village, the Village of the Seven is an old home, and after every winter is in
Terraces. It is rugged like the Fumiko Pass, and need of repair. Winters in the valley are
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) harsh)
 1. No peasants will approach or talk to the PCs The Stone Walled Estate
unless ordered to (Not uncommon in some Further up the Emerald Stairway is the Village of
areas. Peasants can be killed outright by the Seven Terraces and the Stone Walled Estate.
angry samurai) The trail actually goes up to the Stone Walled
2. Eizo, Kazu, and Megu will all be evasive about Estate and passes through it to continue up to
the current situation (That the world of the Emerald Apex Village. Since the Estate is at a
Samurai is beyond their grasp or station) higher elevation, it can be difficult to see while
3. There are no Samurai or Ashigaru in the coming up from the Five Night Village. Instead,
village (Eizo will say that they were the first thing the travelers would notice was the
summoned to the Stone Walled Estate on seven large terraces cut into the valley wall and
urgent business) used to grow a variety of crops, but mostly
flooded for rice.
Behind the scenes, Eizo is sympathetic to
Deisatsu. He had his fellow village heads have To support the farming of these terraces is small
siphoned rice out of their storehouse to help village very similar in general appearance to Five
Deisatsu and his band survive in the woods. Night Village. Scattered wood and thatch roofed
Meanwhile, Tokomosa and his Ronin have been huts with small garden plots and small livestock
trying to find and eliminate him. pens nearby. They are small one and two room
dwellings scattered across the valley floor, and
No one in the village was aware of Doji Ao and beginning to cluster a bit closer to the Stone
the impending wedding. Walled Estate.

As the PCs travel between the Five Night Village The Stone Walled Estate is named such as the
and the Stone Walled Estate, they will see a main courtyard is surrounded by a low, three
consistent pillar of smoke coming from the area foot tall stone wall, with an open gap where the
of the Oni’s Maw. AS it rises above the valley, it Emerald Stairway goes through the estate. There
is captured by the wind and quickly dispersed. are no gates, and instead the trail simply passes
The smoke looks like that given off by a campfire. through an opening in the wall. The wall is
made of rough cut stone stacked and mortared
The Emerald Stairway

together. The top has a layer of crushed quartz

The Five Nights Village to make it glitter in the sunlight.

House

Town Square
Samurai Path to Fumiko
House Pass
Shrine

Speckled Rice Inn

Lake
Storehouse
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Storehouse
 Inside, the estate itself is smaller than that of outside. He goes and meets the PCs at the open
Doji Hansei. Oddly, the main building is made of walk way in the wall.
stone, and also sports a large stone chimney.
This not common in Rokugan, but the harsh Yazuki Shiro is one of the Ronin leaders of the
winters and conditions lend themselves to bandit group allied to Tokamosa. Tokomosa has
sturdier construction. On the side of the wall three Ronin at the Stone Walled Estate to
next to Frog Lily Lake, there is a small stone replace the three Samurai of Ito. He has allowed
house, similar to the one at Five Night Village. them to take the Yazuki name in preparation for
Next to it is the estates bathhouse, and then a his elevation to Lordship. They are:
wooden barracks building for the local Ashigaru.
Yazuki Shiro- He is a large man with a main of
On the other side of the compound is the Estate dark hair, and a flowing moustache. He
itself. The exterior walls are made of stone constantly seems to have a five o’clock shadow.
similar to the wall. There is a stone porch that is He eskews wearing a helmet, and prefers a white
open and wraps around the building, before you bandana with the words “No Mercy” written on
get to the main walls. The large entrance leads it in black. He has mismatched light armor and
to a great room that stretches the length of the wears a Daisho. However, his primary weapon is
building. At the entrance is a shrine to the Seven an Ono axe. He has a small wooden amulet that
Fortunes and the Yazuki family in the Valley. he wears openly with the Crane symbol on it.
Beyond is a large entertaining space backed by a • Shiro is boastful and full of pride, stubborn,
huge stone hearth. Off the main hall on one side and wily. Quirk: Shiro likes to drink Saki
is the Lord’s room, which is large enough to hold
a small personal study, sleeping area, and Yazuki Ochiyo – She is a tall, lanky, long-faced
personal shrine area. On the other side is a woman. She is not attractive. She wears her
guest room for up to 6 people in tight quarters, dark hair short to the chin. She also has a black
the Chamberlains room, and a newly made up eye patch over her left eye. Her arms appear too
room for the Lord’s wife. All the rooms also have long for her body, and she wears a blue robe
access straight to the stone porch as well. embroidered with the Crane symbol on the
chest. The robe appears 2 sizes too small. She
Behind the building is a large Zen garden area uses a Yari, a Yumi, regular can arrows in
with a small fish pond, garden beds, a small addition to her Daisho. She wears Ashigaru
walking path, and a bench to contemplate. The armor.
garden is not in bloom this early in spring. On • Ochiyo is angry, bitter, and fiery. Quirk: She
the opposite side of the gardens, along the back likes to read and write poetry.
stone wall is the servant’s quarters, kitchen, and
storage area. Yazuki Nori- He is a short, slim, bland man. He
would be completely unremarkable except for
The estate is patrolled by the guards in the his haircut. He has a shaved line down the
barracks. They are surprisingly slopping to the center of his scalp, with his hair long next to it.
PCs eyes. They have a mixture of armor from Two strands hang from the front and are dyed
non- up to ashigaru armor. They also have a white. He wears a stained white robe with the
variety of weapons such as Yari, Yumi, katana, crane symbol on the sleeves in blue. He wears a
and various peasant weapons. These guards are Daisho but uses no other weapons.
simply the bandits taking over for the Yazuki • Nori is introspective, reserved, and quick to
families’ ashigaru. act. Quirk: Prefers to disable and not kill a
foe
When the PCs approach, a runner from the wall
goes and alerts Yazuki Shiro in the stone house
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 Shiro will introduce himself and determine the Everyone seems genuinely surprised about the
business of the PCs. Once he hears of their marriage plans between Ito and Ao
mission, he will ask them to wait a moment The Storehouse of the Seven Terrace Village is
while he collects the Chamberlain. He will then locked, Shiro has the key
hurry off to the main building and return with There is evidence of recent bloodshed near the
Tokamosa. barracks and stone house by Crane Lily Lake
Shiro, Ochiyo, and Nori will keep their distance
Tokamosa is a slightly heavier man. He is BUT an eye on the PCs as they roam, but will not
middle-aged with a perpetual frown lines set engage them.
into his face. He is dark hair cut in a traditional
style. He is wearing a simple blue robe with a As Five Night Village, the peasants will be
white belt. The back of the robe has a large reluctant to talk to the PCs and avoid them
Crane symbol. He does not openly wear a unless forced to talk. If asked questions, they
Daisho, but has his Wakazashi and a fan. will confirm Tokamosa’s story about Ito, but
• Tokamosa is crafty, careful, and charismatic. beyond that claim that the affairs of Samurai are
Quirk: He does not like to get his own hands beyond them. No one is willing to talk about the
dirty literally and metaphorically Chamberlain’s plan. However, talking to a
peasant/servant will reveal they are extremely
Tokamosa will be advise them of the sad news, uncomfortable talking with the PCs.
that Yazuki Ito has passed on. His body was
cremated according to his wishes, then scattered Seven Terrace Village
across the valley three weeks ago. The valley
The Seven Terrace Village is behind and
was still snowed in at the time. He passed away
connected to the Stone Walled Estate. However,
from disease. Tokamosa is very apologetic about
unlike other Villages, it is spread out and up
the wasted trip and offers to let the PCs and Ao
along the edges of the Seven Terraces that the
stay for a few days before travelling home.
peasants farm on the side of Mount Shinosato
(Named after the first Lord of the valley). The
He will personally get them settled into the guest
Seven Terraces are irrigated by water captured
room, and offer Ao the quarters Ito prepared for
from snow run off in the Aki reservoir. The
her. He will also invite the PCs to join him in the
Reservoir is a deep, man-made lake that has
great hall for dinner that evening. From there,
intricate irrigation ditches that lead water to the
the PCs are free to roam and investigate as they
terraces below. It is an ingenious system and the
wish for a few hours.
flooded terraces are used to grow rice and other
crops.
As the GM, continue with the something is amiss
theme. The players may uncover some of the
The peasant houses are much like those found in
following clues:
the Five Night Village. They are small one or two
bedroom wooden walled, and thatched roofed.
The peasants and servants are very tight lipped
Outside is small garden plot and livestock
and avoid the PCs as much as possible
enclosures. Goats, sheep, poultry, and pigs are
The “guards” are very poorly maintained, or
common in small numbers. There are about 22
disciplined. They also avoid talking to the PCs
families living in this village.
like the peasants. They will quickly excuse
themselves to their duties whenever possible.
There is a shrine located at the base of the Seven
The stream of campfire smoke is clear in the
Terraces to the Seven Fortunes. Unlike other
distance
villages, there is no real town square as most
events occur in the courtyard of the Stone
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
Walled Estate instead. At the base of the Seven
 courtyard of the Stone Walled Estate instead. At Dinner with Tokamosa
the base of the Seven Terraces there is also a
That evening, Tokamosa will gather the PCs, Ao,
sturdily constructed 1 story storehouse.
and his Ronin in the estate’s main hall. He and
his Ronin sit on one side, while the PCs and Ao
The peasant elder in the village is an old man
sit on the other. A roaring fire is in the hearth,
called Yoson. Like many village eldars he is
and a servant stands by to tend to it.
stooped and aged. However, he does not use a
walking stick, and moves very slowly. He is
Before the dinner begins, Tokamosa will formally
mostly bald with a few wild wisps of white hair
introduce himself to the PCs and Ao, and then
that tend to accent any move of his head. His
formally introduce the Ronin. He will ask for the
hearing is not what it used to be.
PCs to do the same. He will thank them for their
• Yoson is sharp, polite, and quiet. Quirk: Likes
journey and bringing Ao to the Estate. To Ao he
to wade around in the water of the Seven
will formally welcome her and offer hospitality.
Terraces bare foot.
At that point, the servants will serve dinner and
provide a meal of grilled trout and speckled
(wild) rice mixed with white rice. Saki is freely
available as well.

The Stone Walled Estate

Patio

Ashigaru Chamberlain’s Ao’s Guest

Barracks Room Room Room
Servant
quarters

Great Hall Garden

Bath
house Courtyard Kitchen

Lord’s
Room Storage
Samurai House
House

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

Seven Terrace Village
To
Emerald
House
Apex

Reservoir
Stone
Town square Seven

Aki
Walled
and shrine Terraces
Estate
Store
House
To Five
Night
Village
During the course of the meal the conversation our villagers. Shiro and I were about to launch a
can be free flowing. However, as some point manhunt to find these bandits but then Ito grew
Shiro will bring up the following: ill and passed. Since then, we have been unable
to go out and evict these dogs from the valley.
“That ragged dog is still out there. I can see the
smoke from his campfire for the past several Thankfully, you are here on spring patrol. This is
days. He is taunting us to come out and find exactly why you came. Perhaps you can evict
him. Chamberlain, I beg you to let me take out a these parasites and make your patrol a success?
squad of men and deal with this thief.” How glorious that would be!”

If pressed Tokamosa will relate the following: If the PCs are hesitant, Tokamosa will try to a
paint a picture of fulfilling duty, honor, and glory.
“This winter was a particularly harsh one. It If that does not work, he will even offer a small
vexed Ito and he was concerned for his villagers. reward in bags of speckled rice. Shiro and the
He personally travelled to the three villages of other Ronin will also try to goad the PCs into
the valley to check on their food supplies. That helping by questioning their honor or adherence
is probably when he got sick. to Bushido.

He found that the Storehouse of Five Nights If they accept, Tokamosa will be delighted. He
Village had been broken into and looted. will end the evening by asking Ao to perform for
Someone had made off with the grain. Of everyone. She will politely decline as she is still
course, we gathered some men and tried to in a bit of shock at recent developments and in
track down the culprit, but a recent storm ruined no mood to play. At this point the GM can open
the trail. the dinner up to further role-play or end the
dinner and move onto the next step of the
We began to receive reports from the other adventure.
villagers of strange men in the Valley. They stole
livestock, raided the storehouses, and harassed
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 Two people can barely walk side-by-side, and
The Manhunt instead the group staggers itself out. It is slow
The next day, the PCs will see Shiro and a group
going. To the processions left is the Crane Lily
of 12 guards gather in the courtyard of the Stone
Lake, where a white crane can easily be seen
Walled Estate between 8 and 10 am, the Hour of
standing at the lakes opposite edge. As the
the Dragon. The guards have an assortment of
group proceeds the Upper Crooked Courtier
weaponry, ranging from Yari, to katana, to Yumi,
stream roars down the mountain on their left.
to other peasant weapons. They also have a
mish-mash of armor. Their discipline is shabby,
After two hours, the group comes across a game
and they are formed up into sloppy and uneven
trail leading to the south west and towards the
ranks. They talk freely amongst themselves.
creek. The trail is nothing more than a narrow
They are long limbed, rangy, and feral looking.
beaten path, only wide enough for 1 through the
However, they seem eager to get out into the
rocks and under brush. Shiro points at it, and
field.
then leads the way down the trail. It winds its
way to the creek side, and there a log lays across
Shiro will wave to the PCs and gesture for them
the stream. It is not immediately clear if the log
to join him in front of the “soldiers”. When they
fell there on its own, or if it was placed there.
arrive, he will nod to them and turn to address
However, it is wide enough for the group to cross
the men (even if the PCs never agreed to help
the raging, swollen creek below.
Tokamosa).
On the other side of the creek, the forest rises
“The Chamberlain has been fortunate enough to
and casts dark shadows along the bank. The
secure the help of these honorable samurai from
edge of the forest is shrouded in brush. Visibility
outside the valley. They have pledged to help us
into the woods is nearly impossible. Before the
hunt down the last of these bandits once and for
group begins crossing, Shiro points to the forest
all. With their help, I have no doubt we will be
and says, “That is the Ever Twilight Forest. It is
victorious!”
said that the sun is afraid to go there, and the
trees keep their secrets.” The other soldiers
The soldiers openly eye the Samurai up and
seem unnerved at the forest, and reluctantly go
down, and begin to chitter amongst themselves.
across the fallen log, with Shiro shouting
Their confidence seems to grow.
encouragement and insults at those who delay
such as:
“Look to the horizon! <Shiro points to the rising
column of smoke on the far side of the valley>
“Hurry up dog, do you want to keep the Fortunes
you can see where they dishonor us. We shall go
waiting?”
forth and slaughter them like lambs!”
“Steady feet there, like to plodding rocks!”
“We must make haste, do you wish to be in the
With that, Shiro raises his Ono above his head
forest at night fall?”
and shouts a war cry. His soldiers follow suit.
With that, Shiro turns to the PCs and bows low
As the GM, you should play up this area as being
to them, “Please do me the honor of
very forbidding, as if danger is right around every
accompanying me out of the estate.”
corner; like the PCs can expect a rain of arrows
to fly from the tree line as they cross. You may
With that, the small group of soldiers and
want to have PCs make Perception checks at
samurai will troop out of the North West side of
random, but have them observe only flittering
the estate and begin their journey up the
shapes, shadows rustling, and the crack of a twig
Emerald Stairway. The path is similar to the path
branch. The roar of the Upper Crooker Courtier
leading to the Stone Walled Estate and is rugged.
Creek makes hearing anything difficult. As the
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 GM, you may also ask the PCs to make simple the bushes the terrain becomes rugged and hilly.
Agility checks to move across the log without It is tough going.”
slipping. Use the crossing as a time to heighten
the PCs wariness of a trap or ambush. Despite After the break the men spread out again and
your forbidding atmosphere, the crossing is then exit the forest. On the other side, the land
uneventful. rises abruptly up, and is covered by exposed
rocky patches and straggling trees. Behind the
As you move closer to the forest, Shiro stops and hills towers a great grey wall of rough stone, with
has his men change formation. He spreads them mountains visible beyond. It is the Rugged Rock
out into a thin picket line. As GM, you will want Ridge that separates the valley from harsh rocky
to ask where the PCs place themselves along the mountains beyond, it is the edge of the Valley of
line. Shiro is at the center, and his men are the Emerald Stairway.
space apart about 10 to 15 feet. The PCs can
choose to stay spread out, or do something Each soldiers chooses their own path, and begins
different, however, if they stay clumped up he to pick their way up the steep and rocky hillside.
will hiss at them to spread out. It is too They keep one eye at their feet, and another at
dangerous to stay together. the horizon. The only sounds are the struggling
grunts of men, a canteen slapping a thigh, and
With that, the small group will thrash through the clatter of small stones falling away under
the brush and enter the forest. Once inside the foot. The occasional cry of a hawk causes the
perimeter of the forest, the underbrush thins out men to stop and squint skyward. Fear is
greatly. The forest floor is a soft cushion of pine palpable as the troupe crests a ridge, and then
needles, cones, and leaves. Walking across is begins on the next one. After 45 minutes, Shiro
strangely quiet, with the occasional snapping of signals for everyone to get low. The smoke from
a twig, or rustle of a fallen branch. The animals the fire is clearly just over the next ridge. The
still as you approach. Visibility is poor, like a dim men begin to secure their gear to avoid loose
twilight with the canopy or the forest broken by noise, remove their packs and extra baggage to
the occasional, distinctive ray of sunshine. It store here, and other preparations.
smells very musty and the air is stagnant and
hard to breath in the forest. In addition, the PCs At this point, Shiro will call the PCs to where he
will notice that the forest floor begins to slope is at. There he will have whispered council with
steadily upward, making you walk uphill. It is a them.
tiring walk.
“The bandits are over that ridge. They are being
After another two hours the small group stops led by a ronin. Do not under estimate them for
for a short lunch and water break. The group is they have caused trouble in the valley this
at the edge of the forest. A row of brush grows season. You are great Samurai from beyond our
along the forest line. The group huddles up for small valley, please go forth and help rid us of
their lunch just inside the woods. The soldiers these bandits. We will surround the ridge and
are tired and somber. There is little banter, and make sure none escape. Are you ready?”
any that occurs is in a harsh whisper. Every scrap
of metal, bang of chopstick on bowl, or If pressed, Shiro will remind the PCs that the
unnecessary noise draws winces and pained bandits raided the storehouses of the villages
expressions from the men. and stole their supplies. This will lead to hunger
and depravation in the Valley until a new harvest
From the woods edge, Shiro points to the is gathered. They may even raid again if they are
column of smoke, “It is about an hour away now. not stopped now! Shiro is insistent that the
We will need to be wary. On the other side of Samurai go over the top of the ridge and attack
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) the bandits.
 The Bandit Camp The PCs may attack immediately, in which case
Over the ridge is a small plateau nestled the 6 men will grab their Yari to fight back, while
amongst the hills. It is in a slight depression with Deisetsu will also jump to the defense. If the
a gentle slope, behind it the ridgeline is much attack is a ranged attack, the men will get to
higher. The clearing is still rocky with scrub their tents and grab their Yumi bows to shoot
grasses and a small tree for shade. Beneath the back. No matter the attack, Deisetsu will
tree are four small tents organized in precise announce himself and challenge the enemy
circle. All the tents have the Crane logo stitched samurai to fight in personal combat.
into the side. Not far from the tents is a small
stack of burlap bags, that are full of rice. The “I am Yazuki Deisatsu of the Crane Clan, the Lord
burlap bags also have the Crane symbol stitched of the Five Night Village, I challenge you to face
into them. There is also a small barrel with a bag me like a true samurai!”
tucked into it. It is clearly full of speckled rice.
The center of the camp is a small fire, with a If the PCs do not attack, but simple approach and
stack of wood near it. parley, Daisetsu will be glad to meet them. He
will be wary, but upon seeing a member of the
Around the camp are 6 fit men in blue ashigaru Great Clans will offer them a place to warm
armor and they all wearing matching outfits, themselves at the edge of the fire. He will offer
they are a bit worn but match none-the-less. the PCs water from his canteen and a bowl of
They are doing various tasks such as stacking the speckled rice. He will be apologetic that he can
kindling, folding linens, washing out cooking not offer more. He will then introduce himself
pots, etc. Their Yari spears are stuck in the and ask for the others to introduce themselves.
ground nearby, where they can grab them when He will not ask their business unless it is offered,
needed. They talk and laugh amongst and he will not share his story unless asked.
themselves as they go about their work. Unlike Otherwise, he will try to be a good host.
the soldiers with you, they seem well built and
take pride in their appearance.

With them, is an older man who is tending to the

fire. He clearly wears a daisho at his waist. He is
broad shouldered and well built. He wears light
samurai armor that is blue with white trimmings.
The crane motif is obvious in his helmet, that sits
beside him on the ground. He is clean shaven.
However, his look is stern and uncompromising
even as the men around him make jokes and
laugh. This is Yazuki Deisetsu, the last samurai
of the Yazuki household in the Valley of the
Emerald Stairway.
• Deisetsu is dedicated, loyal, and stubborn.
Quirk: He despises Ronin

At this point, the PCs will typically do one of

three things:
• Attack Deisatsu and his party at once
• Try to talk with Deisatsu
• Something completely unpredictable!

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

The Bandit Camp

Rice
Tent

Tree

Fire

Firewood

If it is clear that the PCs and Deisatsu are no secretly been supporting them with food
longer fighting, or have stopped fighting Shiro donations from their storehouses. Since then,
will make his move. 4 of his men will start to fire he has been looking for a way to topple the
Yumi arrows at the people in the camp. From Chamberlain and regain control of the Valley.
there, the other 8 bandits will charge from the Deisatsu is not aware of the Chamberlain’s plot
surrounding ridge line and attack. Shiro himself to take over the valley, only that Ronin and
will try to target Deisatsu and kill him. If Shiro is Bandits have taken over. He is familiar with Shiro
injured or 6 or more Bandits are killed, Shiro and as the bandit leader that attacked him in his
his men will flee. If the PCs pursue, they maybe home at the Five Nights Village.
able to catch a handful of the Bandits, but Shiro
will escape. Deisetsu’s testimony is not sufficient to indict the
Chamberlain, as he is personally unaware of any
Yazuki Deisetsu was a samurai loyal to Yazuki Ito. wrong doing at this point. Deisetsu assumes that
He was the lord of the Five Night Village. After the Chamberlain was killed along with his fellow
Ito’s sudden death he was caught up with the Samurai by the bandits. Learning of Tokamosa’s
bandit surge in the Valley of the Emerald treachery will enrage him and he will want to
Stairway. The bandits attacked his home, and he storm to the Estate and challenge him to a duel.
was able to fight his way out and escape across
the lake and into the woods. Later, he was able By the time the battle is over and accounts
to gather a few Ashigaru who escaped the purge settled between Deisetsu and the PCs, it will be
while out on patrol. Since then, they have made about the hour of the Goat, or about 3 pm.
a camp and acted as a “resistance” to the Ronin
and bandits. The local villages have even
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 On the approach, the Stone Walled Estate seems
Return to the Stone Walled surprisingly quiet. The normal watch fire is lit in
Estate the courtyard, and guards stand waiting at the
After learning the “truth” from Daisetsu, the PCs entrances. A single light comes from the
will eventually need to return to the Stone Chamberlain’s room, and smoke comes from the
Walled Estate to determine the truth of what is main hall.
happening in the Valley of the Emerald Stairway.
If Deisetsu is still alive, he will go with the PCs If the PCs approach and announce themselves as
along with any surviving Ashigaru. If they leave Deisatsu wishes, the guards will stop them and
immediately, they will get to the Stone Walled ask their business. If the PCs hesitate, Deisatsu
Estate with no further issues by the hour of the will say calmly…
dog, about 8pm and just after night fall.
“I am Yazuki Deisatsu of the Crane Clan, the Lord
As the GM, you can raise the stakes for the of the Five Night Village. I seek audience with
players by having any Courtier or Courtier skilled the Chamberlain to discuss our differences as
characters realize that Tokamosa will see Ao as a samurai.”
potential rival for control of the Valley. He may
wish her harm and they are not around to The guards will eagerly usher the samurai into
protect her. This may increase their sense of the courtyard, and ask them to wait while they
urgency or dread. summon the chamberlain. They will go inside
the hall, and then a gong will sound. From there,
The players may wish to delay their return to the Bandits will begin to pour out of the barracks
Stone Walled Estate due to the time they will house and the great hall. The exact number is
arrive. That is fine, however if they do so they not relevant. Any time the PCs enter the
will find that the tree they crossed the Upper courtyard area or even get to the entrance of the
Crooked Courtier Creek on has been pushed hall, the same result will occur. They will get
away and into the stream from the other side of swarmed by enemies.
the river. In addition, when they show
themselves, they will come under fire from Have everyone roll Initiative. The GM should
Ochiyo and about 8 bandits with Yumi. They will play this encounter as the players make an attack
wait until the PCs come out of the Ever Twilight roll with a TN of 20, every two raises above the
forest before they attack. Thankfully, Deisetsu TN will slay an additional bandit. Let them
knows another ford across the creek BUT it will describe how they kill the bandits, and the GM
take them an additional time to get there and will describe how the bandits manage to hurt the
back to the Stone Walled Estate. This will also PCs. If the TN is not met, the PCs take 1 wound
cause them to return by night fall of the for every number they miss the TN by, if they are
following day. on Full Attack they take 2 per point missing the
TN. Do this until the total party output of TNs is
over 300.
Night of the Sharp Blades
If the PCs leave immediately or wait, either way
For example, PC 1 may score a TN of 32 that is
they will arrive at the Stone Walled Estate by
enough to kill two bandits. PC 2 scores 18, the
Night Fall. As the PC’s approach Deisatsu will
PC takes 2 wounds, PC 3 scores 22 and slays a
insist that they approach like true samurai. In
bandit, and PC 4 scores a 20 barely killing a
the open and ready to declare themselves to
bandit. Their total TN for the round is 92.
their foes. The PCs may dissuade him to allow
Narrate how the Ashigaru and Deisatsu also cut
them to approach in secret first, but he will have
there way through some bandits with an
none of that skulking around like rats.
ashigaru getting injured.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 Once the battle gets to 100+ TN, raise the stakes From this point onward, let the PCs know that
by having them see Shiro, Ochiyo, and Nori enter they can either continue to target the Bandits, or
the combat. In between PC attack rolls have the choose to go after any of the Ronin. For bandits,
following actions happen. Ochiyo will pepper they follow the procedure as above. Otherwise,
Deisatsu with arrows from her Yumi from the they can attack a Ronin per the normal attack
entrance of the Estate house. Make it clear the procedures from the Main rules. If the total TN
Daisetsu is badly injured. Then have Nori quickly against the bandits goes above a total of 300+
cut down two of the Ashigaru that are TN, the bandits are considered scattered with
accompanying the PCs. Shiro should then face those left fleeing.
off against Deisatsu in personal combat. If PCs
try to intervene, let them know that there are If 2 of the three Ronin are killed, the bandits will
too many bandits swarming around and they will also scatter and flee, taking the last Ronin with
need to cut through them first. them. As before, as the last Ronin flees, the PCs
attempts to stop them are thwarted by a bandit
Through the swarming combat, you can see getting in the way or taking the hit instead. Once
Deisatsu and Shiro square off. It is as if the battle the Bandits are scattered, the PCs can make their
parts around them! Deisatsu takes up the One- way to the Estate house.
legged Crane stance, while Shiro takes up the
Way of the Earth Elemental Kata. You are The Chamberlain’s Last Gambit
distracted as the Chamberlain’s men throw
The PCs burst into the Great Hall, and they see
themselves recklessly at you. You dance away,
the Chamberlain standing calmly near the
blocking and swinging as you go. When you have
hearth, with a Yari leveled at Ao. Ao is sitting
a chance, you glance back and see Deisatsu on
with her back to him and playing her instrument
the ground, with Shiro’s Ono buried in his chest.
and singing a song. She has her white wig on,
Deisatsu fell as he lived, a true samurai. He is
and is wearing a beautiful robe of fine white silk
now dead.
with sky blue trim. The song she sings is about a
Crane migrating across the mountains to find his
place in the world. Her singing and playing is
ragged, as her eyes dart to those of the PCs. It is
clear that she is scared and knows that the
Chamberlain could kill her. As you enter, the
Chamberlain watches you intently and slowly
smiles.

Tokamosa says, “Hush child hush. You are great

samurai indeed. I thank you for your help. It
seems like your Spring Patrol was a complete
success! You managed to drive off the bandits
and Ronin attacking this valley. The Yazuki Bushi
gave their lives admirably and honorably. Now,
there is room for new defenders and families to
continue to protect the valley, perhaps a new
joint custody between Clans overseen by the
Crane?”

If the samurai try to flank him or move on him,

he will gently nudge Ao in the back with the Yari.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 She will give a small cry of pain. Is anyone pulls
out a scroll or makes similar aggressive action he
will do the same and say, “It would be a shame if
this young girl’s life was cut short due to a hasty
decision.”

Tokamosa will attempt to negotiate with the PCs

for them to join him in his bid to take control of
the Valley. He will praise them, threaten them,
and cajole them to get his way.

After a few tense minutes of negotiating Ao says,

“I am a Doji, and I will serve my clan as best I
can”

Tokamosa responds, “What does a child know of

duty?” be betrothed to the former Lord, and none of
the other Samurai of the household still live.
With that, Ao pushes herself back onto the Yari.
Tokamosa’s eyes go wide in shock and he drops If she is dead, the PCs will need to decide how
the Yari stumbling back. Ao falls away with a best to proceed. They have no technical power
crimson splotch on her chest that is blossoming in this situation, but a case could be made for
outward, her white wig falls to the ground as she the highest ranking Crane to take over
tumbles behind it. Tokamosa begins to blubber temporarily until a new Lord is appointed.
about how this was not how it was supposed to
happen. If Ao does not receive magical healing There are still a few loose ends the players may
within minutes, she will die by bleeding out. The be concerned about:
remainder of the story assumes she survives.
• There is still the loose Ronin and remaining
At this point, the PCs can attack. They can kill bandits in the valley to deal with
him or take him prisoner, their choice. Amongst • Getting word back to Doji Hansei about his
them, there is enough testimony to absolve Daughter’s marriage
them of guilt and reveal the Chamberlain’s plan. • Completing the sweep of the valley up to the
His negotiating at the end sealed his guilt from Emerald Apex village and Stairway of the
testimony. Seven Fortunes Shrine
• Reporting the situation in the Valley back to
Take a few beats to let the import of what the Crane Clan
happened sink in for the players before moving
to the conclusion. These could create another session of adventure,
or you could narrate these open items away to
move into spring.
Conclusion
It is up to the PCs how they want to wrap up the Depending on how this session went, the PCs
situation. They are technically on Spring Patrol. can earn the following:
They are expected to return and report on their • Experience Points- 3-4 depending on Role-play
Patrol to the Hansei Estate. If Ao is alive, she can • Status- +0.2 Overall and +0.5 for in the Valley
stay and become the de facto ruler of the Valley • Glory- +0.2 Overall and +0.5 for in the Valley
of the Emerald Stairway, as she was intended to • Honor- Varies depending on what happened
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 Adventure #2
The Missing Priestess
(Summer)

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Setting the Stage Background for the GM
After the events of the Spring, your some of your The following information is important for the
party returned and reported back to Doji Hansei GM to know going into the adventure to help
about the results of your Spring Patrol and the them set the tone, and to divulge information as
fate of Ao. The shock was noticeable on his face needed. This is not for players in the adventure
at this turn of events. He quickly wrote to his to read.
superiors in the Doji family for further
instructions. In the meantime, he asked for your This adventure takes place in the Seikitsu
party to return to the Valley of the Emerald Mountains near the borders of the Crane,
Stairway to support and protect his daughter. Scorpion, and Lion territory. Within the
mountain range there is a small, hard to reach
In the meantime, the rest of your party Crane province called the Valley of the Emerald
maintained order in the valley. Where possible, Stairway.
potential bandits were tracked down and
executed. However, the loose Ronin were still at This province is part of the Yasuki family of the
large. Perhaps they left the valley looking for an Crane Clan. However, in Adventure #1 – The
easier life, or perhaps they were in hiding still. Bride with White Hair (Spring) the lord of the
Either way, the valley was largely quiet. The provinces had died. The PCs had escorted Lady
remaining samurai have managed to recruit a Doji Ao the bride-to-be of Ito into the Valley.
handful of 6 Ashigaru to act as watchmen and With his death and the events of Adventure #1,
Estate guards, however their training is basic and Lady Ao is now the de facto ruler of the province.
incomplete at this stage. Since that time, she has been trying to lead the
province with the help of the PCs.
The new harvest has been planted for the season
and the peasants have been busy tending to With the arrival of Summer and the wandering
growing the crops. The few merchants and tinkers and merchants, a dark menace has
tinkers that come to the valley have begun to arrived in the Valley of the Emerald Stairway. A
travel up the Fumiko Pass, stay the night or two wandering trinket seller has slowly made his way
at the Five Night Village and set up market to up the valley. However, he intended to do more
trade. After a few days, they make the journey than just sell trinkets.
back down. A few small caravans a month make
the treacherous journey. The Speckled Rice Inn Zenshin was a shugenja who was touched by the
is at its busiest of the year. Only a very few creatures of the shadowlands and corrupted to
tinkers or merchants will make the full ascent up their evil cause. He has been drawn to the Valley
the valley to the Emerald Apex Village. in order to desecrate the Stairway of the Seven
Fortunes Shrine. He has been slowly making his
The PCs have spread themselves to the various way up the valley in disguise.
villages to act as the temporary Lords and
protectors. Let the PCs decide who goes to At this point, he has arrived at his destination
which village. For the most part, their days have and quickly over-powered the shrines lone
been quiet as they watch for signs of bandits, caretaker, the priestess Jun. Now, fueled by his
monitor the planting, and ensure the peasants dark and foul corruption Zenshin has begun his
know their place. Let the PCs describe what they plan to destroy the shrine and corrupt the Kami
spend their days doing. there.

Only the timely intervention of the Valley’s

protectors can stop him in his plan.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 In the meantime, I ask that you continue to act in
Adventure Hook the best interests of the Clan, family, and people
The PCs have been requested to return to the
of the Valley there. You have my authority to
Stone Walled Estate to hear the instructions
continue as acting lord until the true ownership
provided by the Doji family about the
can be settled. I am sure your honorable
administration of the Valley for the rest of the
companions will be able to assist you further.
season. It is assumed they arrive around the
same time to get the news. When at the estate,
May your wisdom be guided by the Seven
they can stay in the Guest rooms, former
Fortunes.
Chamberlain’s room, and the Samurai quarters at
Doji Kyoji
the Estate. Ao has taken up the quarters
Doji Hatamoto”
prepared for her by the former lord, Yasuki Ito.
Ito’s quarters have remained empty since his
With business settled, it is now up to the PCs to
passing in late winter.
Role-play any additional parts of the evening
away and draw the reading of orders to a close.
Ao is happy to see all the PCs gathered in place
again and eagerly invites them to join her for
The next day, the PCs are preparing to leave back
dinner. For each of them, she offers a small gift
their respective villages. As they are saying
of arranged wild flowers for their quarters
good-bye to Ao, an exhausted villager runs to the
gathered by the peasant women of the Seven
gate asking the speak to Lady Doji Ao. The
Terrace Village to thank the Samurai for their
guards quickly come and get you and Ao asks the
help.
group to accompany her.
That evening, you all gather for the reading of
At the gateway, a tired peasant awaits. He
the instructions in the great hall of the estate.
humbly bows very low to you as a group and
The hearth is not lit, as the summer is relatively
says,
warm. In fact, the doors and windows are open
to let in the cooling, moist, night air. Ao begins
“Lady Ao, I humbling ask your assistance on
by welcoming and thanking all the PCs for
behalf of Doshin Tokie.
returning and settling in for a meal. After the
meal, she has the letter brought to her and she
The Priestess Jun has not been seen for several
opens it and reads it to the PCs.
days. Fisherman claim to have seen bad Omens
in the lake. Others claim to have witnessed
“Lady Doji Ao,
smoke rising from the Stairway of the Seven
Fortunes Shrine.
I am very sorry to hear about the news of your
future husband, and the state of his holdings. I
Doshin Tokie humbly asks that your great
am very grateful that you, along with your
samurai come and assist us with this mystery.”
companions; were able to restore order and
unveil the truth about the former Chamberlain
The elderly Priestess known as Jun travels the
Yasuki Tokamosa. This shows your devotion to
Emerald Stairway in the warmer months.
duty and our family.
Normally, she spends her days tending to the
Stairway of the Seven Fortunes Shrine. Indeed,
The situation in the valley is precarious. This is
that is where her small cottage is located.
traditional Crane lands, but in the court both the
However, in the summer she travels from the
Scorpion and the Lion Clans are pressing claims.
Stairway of the Seven Fortunes Shrine, down the
The situation of ownership and therefore
Valley, and all the way to the Traveller’s Shrine
Lordship will take some amount of time to
on a regular cadence. She decorates, re-chisels,
unravel.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 and maintains the shrines found at the center of With that, Lady Ao will ask the PCs to go and
each village. investigate the disturbance to the Shrine. Such a
disruption could have grave import to the
Jun is an older woman, but her body has been harvest for the season. Without the divine grace
made hard by the burdens of life at the edge of of the fortunes, all in the Valley could be in peril.
civilization. She has long, wild unkept black hair
and a twinkle in her dark brown eyes. Her face The PCs can prepare for the journey at this time.
has many age lines and she has well developed They know that the Emerald Apex village is 1 day
smile and laugh lines in her face. travel by foot towards the top of the valley. They
• Jun is carefree, fun, and talkative. Quirks: also know that the Stairway of the Seven
She loves to sneak sweets Fortunes Shrine is another 1 day up into the
mountains. Lady Ao advises them to leave as
Remind the PCs that they have seen and soon as possible.
interacted with Jun in their time in the Valley.
They have seen her in the squares of their The Journey to the Emerald Apex Village
respective towns cleaning the town shrine, The PCs will find a winding and crooked path
helping with the planting, hauling in a net with over rough terrain up the mountain. They will
the fisherman, and even offering a blessing to use the Emerald Stairway Trail, which keeps the
the PCs themselves. Perhaps narrate a flashback Upper Crooked Courtier Creek on their left. As it
where Jun offers a PC a bit of warm advice about is summer now, the creek flows rapidly and
handling a peasant situation. constantly, but it is not a raging torrent like it is
in Spring time. There are small pools and eddies
The peasant stays bowed low and awaits to be that are home to Cranes, frogs, and fish.
excused. He will answer any questions the PCs
ask, but has very little additional knowledge of The trail itself is just wide enough for two people
the situation. The PCs know that Doshin Tokie is to barely walk side by side. Rocks, brush, and
the head women of the Emerald Apex Village. trees line the path. There are times where the
trail walks over large, exposed rocks, and
following the path can be unclear. However,
their journey is safe and secure.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 • Her face has many age lines and she has well
An Encounter on the Road developed smile and laugh lines in her face.
As the PCs travel up the Emerald Stairway, they
• He frequently meets her on the Emerald
will be met by Jojin and his apprentices coming
Stairway Path in the warmer seasons, she
down from the village. The Valley’s lone smith,
travels between the shrines of the Valley and
Joji and his apprentices have been travelling the
maintains them.
Emerald Stairway between villages, staying for a
• He had heard the rumors of bad omens, a
few days and then moving on to the next village.
baby goat born still born, a de-formed fish
The one smith manages to supply the needs of
caught in the lake, and a crane flying
this small valley. Joji is an older man with a well-
backwards over the mountains. He did not
kept black moustache and beard. His arm
put any stock in them.
muscles are over developed from years of
• He met a small, hunched, bushy eye browed
smithing. Despite his facial hair, he keeps his
man in the village he did not recognize. The
head shaved.
man tried to sell him a wooden Crane
• Joji is sullen, determined, and stubborn.
medallion on a wood beaded necklace, but
Quirks: Is not not fond of his job, but does
Joji refused. He had no need of such trinkets.
his duty.
• Tokie paid him for his services in three square
meals and a bit of dried fish and a canteen of
He has three younger apprentices who are 12,
saki that his apprentice is carrying back with
15, and 17. They stay quiet and behind their
them. It should last all of them a few days.
master. The two older boys are carrying a large
• Joji had not seen Jun during his time at the
oden box on poles, while the younger has a back
Emerald Apex Village, but he was not looking
pack full of supplies. Jojin himself carries only
for her either.
his hammer and tongs at his waist.

When the group sees the Samurai approaching,

His apprentices will stare agape at the Samurai,
they will gladly yield the road and bow
but if anyone looks directly at them, they will
respectfully. Like most peasants in the Valley,
quickly bow their heads and shut their mouths.
they are wary of Samurai. However, Joji is a
They do not speak, and if asked questions will
respected smith and craftsman who knows his
look to Joji to speak for them.
value to the Valley.

If the PCs stop, they can ask questions of Joji. He The Emerald Apex Village
and his apprentices have recently left the This is the smallest village of the Valley, with
Emerald Apex Village, their work done there. about 18 families living there. The houses are
The Fisherman of the village needed a new much like the houses found in the Five Night
anchor crafted. He keeps small workspaces in Village and the Village of the Seven Terraces.
the Emerald Apex and Seven Terrace Village as it Unlike the other villages, they tend to be
is too heavy to move his main forge from the clustered along the shore of Flashing Trout Lake.
Five Night Village. He has spent the last few days Everyone here is a fisherman first, and a farmer
in the Emerald Apex Village, and is not returning second.
back down the valley.
The main building at the center of town is a
If asked about Jun or the Emerald Apex Village, small stone house for the town’s Samurai. It is
he will say the following: like the ones found elsewhere in the villages. In
• Jun is an older woman, but her body has been front of the Samurai’s house is small worn down
made hard by the burdens of life at the edge dirt square, with a shrine to the Seven Fortunes
of civilization. She has long, wild unkept black in the center of it. On the opposite side of the
hair and a twinkle in her dark brown eyes.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
square is a small single level storehouse where
 the village keeps its supplies and taxes for the No one has seen Jun pass through the area in the
winter. last month, which is unusual this time of year
Two days ago some of the shepherds in the Wild
The town elder is an old fish wife named Tokie. Blossom Meadow reported seeing a column of
She is an elderly woman with grey and white smoke from the area of the Shrine.
hair. She still has a thick head of hair and wears After hearing this report, Tokie sent a messenger
it back in a bun. However, her hands are clawed to Lady Ao to gain her assistance
due to a life time of untangling nets and fishing
lines, and of little use to her now. In addition, If a wily Shugenja should wish to commune with
she has blurred vision. the Kami, they will confirm that something
• Tokie is wise, quiet, and loyal to the village. moved through the area in the last few days that
Quirks: Tokie is fond of bird watching, but caused a commotion. The commotion was
has a hard time seeing them, so she enjoys caused by agitated energy associated that
listening to them. disturbed the native Kami. It is unclear is this
was actual Kansen or simply Kami bent towards a
The path between the Seven Terrace Village and dark purpose.
Emerald Apex village takes 1 day of travel. It is a
rugged trail barely wide enough for two similar In addition, if the PCs investigate or talk to other
to the trail between the Five Night Village and peasants in the village, they will find them
the Stone Walled Estate. reluctant to get involved with Samurai affairs,
claiming such concerns are beyond them.
When the PCs arrive, the peasants are mostly However, if pressed they can share information
out fishing on the lake, with the village mostly that backs up what Tokie and Joji could share.
abandoned. A few women will be working
around their huts preparing for their husbands to If the PCs wish, they can travel to the Wild
come home. Soon, they will be greeted by Tokie Blossom Basin and look for themselves. Indeed,
who will bow to them and say…. higher up the basin towards the Grey Eagle
Cliffside, they can see thin streams of smoke
“Thank you for coming great samurai. The climbing to the sky. However, with their own
humble peasants in this village are filled with eyes it looks more like the smoke from a camp
concern that we have lost the divine grace of the fire than anything more dangerous. The area is
Seven Fortunes and the Kami. We all pray that lush with golden tall grass, wild flowers, and
you can help.” small green shrubs. The closer the PCs move
towards the Grey Eagle Cliffside, the steeper the
Here is what Tokie knows about the current grade becomes, until finally the valley terminates
situation: in a jagged, towering grey cliff of stone. This is
the edge of the Valley.
Tokie knows what Joji knew on the journey up
The only new people in the village over the past Emerald Apex Village
few days was:

in the village over the past few days was:

• Joji and his Apprentices Lake Samurai
• A dark eye-browed, itinerant peddler House
with bushy eye-brows selling wooden Shrine
trinkets and jewelry
• His name was Zeshin
Square Store
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
House house
 The Stairway of the Seven
Fortunes Shrine
There is a long, curvy, rough, and crooked path
up the side of the valley and into the edges of
the Mountains. There are many switchbacks and
sharp bends. Along the way at various bends are
small shrines to one of the seven fortunes. Each
one offering different wisdom and blessings.

Once you reach the top, there is a small ledge After the introductions he will say, “Like many
with a larger shrine carved into the exterior of others, I assume you have come to the shrine to
the mountain face for all Seven Fortunes. On pray for good fortune and guidance?”
this ledge is a small temple for meditation and
rest before returning down to the valley. There If asked about Jun he will say: “Oh, Jun you say?
is also a small village style house and wooden My priesthood did not tell me I was going to be
storehouse where Jun the keeper of the shrine replacing a fellow monk. They only told me to
lives. She is supported by food donations from come here and take care of the Shrine. I do not
the villages across the Valley. know where she is. Can I offer you some food?”

The path up to the shrine takes 1 day to travel. It Zenshin will be very kind to the Samurai and try
is only wide enough for one person at a time and to offer them spiritual guidance. However, he
is very rugged. Pilgrims frequently need to rest will evade questions about his specific
at each of the shrines before continuing up the brotherhood or order by asking what favors the
rugged trail. Samurai would seek from the Seven Fortunes
instead. He will offer them food, and ask if they
When the PCs arrive at the summit, where the wish to stay the evening camped on the ledge.
Shrine is located they will find a small campfire However, he will try to keep the PCs from the
burning in the center of the small ledge. There is Storehouse, and instead insist on serving them
a hastily stacked pile of wood next to it. Next to himself.
the fire is a small man wearing a well-worn,
peddlers cloak. He is short, rounded, and has Any Samurai that tries to meditate or inspect the
very dark and bushy eye brows. The man has carvings in the side of the Mountain will
wild dark hair, that he keeps covered in a turban experience a strange dizziness to their senses.
like hat. His eyes are dark and always shift This causes them to nausea and unsteadiness on
around as if searching. He looks swarthy and their feet instead of inner peace. Shugenja who
animal like. He is unarmed. try to commune with the Kami will find them in
• Zenshin is cunning, cruel, and spiteful. Quirk confusion, ill, and not eager to respond. They
is that he is tainted by the shadowlands and flee and flutter around the area, in a state of
hiding it with cunning. agitation but unsure why. A Perception check
with a TN of 20 will allow a PC to see that the
When the man sees the PCs, he will jump up in mountainside has been subtly vandalized.
surprise; and then greet them warmly.
If a member of the group subjects Zenshin to
“Welcome, great samurai. I am Zenshin. I am jade, he will recoil in horror, and then accuse the
the new keeper of the Stairway of the Seven Samurai of ill intent. However, if the Jade
Fortunes Shrine.” He will bow low, “Who might touches him it will blacken and reveal he is
you be?” tainted by the Shadowlands.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 and treacherous. I would expect nothing less.
Confronting Zenshin Do you wish to camp out on the ledge, or do you
Zenshin will attempt to fool the Samurai into
wish to take you rightful place in the traveler’s
leaving the Stairway of the Seven Fortunes
lodge?”
Shrine by making them feel that all is well and
normal. He will lie effortlessly and be a good
Once it is clear that the PCs are intending to stay
peasant to the PCs Samurai. He will lie, shift the
the evening, he will prepare them a meal and ply
subject, and subtly re-direct the investigation
them with Saki and strong liquor. He attempts to
however he can, without out right making it
lull them into a sense of security and comfort,
obvious that he is avoiding the main issue, the
perhaps even getting them drunk.
disappearance of Jun. Zenshin will try to make
the PCs feel like him coming to the shrine is
Prior the PCs arriving, Zenshin had kidnapped
routine and normal and that he does not know
Jun. He is holding her captive in the storehouse.
where Jun is.
She is bound and gagged and placed inside a
barrel. He has been cutting her and draining her
For example, if the PCs try to go into the
blood, so she is exhausted and fatigued. Zenshin
storehouse he will say something like, “This is a
is then using the blood to corrupt the Shrine
task far below you great samurai. All this lowly
with blasphemous calligraphy and runes.
peasant to assist you. You must crave more saki,
allow me to fulfil my place in the Heavenly order
When the PCs are asleep, he will attempt to
and serve it to you.”
ambush them in the night and attack them.
Zenshin is a shugenja himself, but a peasant
If the PCs wish to stay the evening he will
practitioner who was corrupted by Kensen and
respond thus, “Of course, the journey up is long.
eventually Jigoku. He has an affinity with Earth

Stairway of the Seven Fortunes Shrine

Mountainside Mountainside

Store House

Campfire
Temple
House

Cliff Side
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 and a deficiency with Water. He has two Shrine. She offered him a meal, which he
Shadowlands minor powers that he will use to accepted. After dinner as it grew late, she
his advantage, the first is Blackened Claws and tucked returned to her room. Later, she was
second is Unholy Vision. awoken by the shadow of a beast above her.
After that, she remembers only bits and pieces
Zenshin will try to wait until evening to attack. of being in a confined space, being force fed
He will try to snuff out any light source with the water, pain, and being bled. Indeed several deep
Extinguish spell, then use Way of Deception on cuts on her arm attest to where Zenshin drew
himself, and then attack using the advantage of blood.
his Vision and Obsidian Claws. He attacks in the
night like an enraged animal, snarling, slashing, An inspection of the Shrine by Jun in daylight
and a whirlwind of claws. If injured, he will try to quickly reveals where Zenshin made his
use Force of Will to keep going. blasphemous runes. It is clear to Jun that
Zenshin was trying to defile the Shrine for some
After his initial attack, he will withdraw into the nefarious purpose. If left alone to his own
night and try to separate the party, and attack devices, who knows what darkness would have
them one or two at a time. He will do this by befallen the Valley. Jun will set about cleaning
throwing stones to distract them to other up the shrine with a bucket and sponge herself.
contradictory locations around the ledge and She does not expect the PCs to help her because
isolate and kill them. of the prohibition of touching dead flesh.
However, if they do she will be happy to ritually
As the GM, it is important to note that this is not purify them afterwards.
a stand-up fight. It is a guerrilla attack from the
darkness. It is more a scene from a horror movie There are still a few loose ends the players may
than an action movie as the PCs have little or no be concerned about:
visibility. Zenshin will target light sources with
magic or ranged attack, he will try to confuse • If Zenshin escapes, they may wish to try and
PCs, and he will appear from the darkness with track him down and kill him.
an attack, and then retreat. His Unholy Vision • Jun herself may now be the victim of
allows him to see clearly when the PCs can not. Shadowlands corruption
They should feel scared and hunted by a wild • They may wish to try and uncover what
animal. Play this up during the combat. Zenshin was trying to accomplish with his
sacrilege
If he goes to the level of Hurt, he will withdraw • They may wish to investigate if any other
and attempt to get back to the storehouse. If shrines in the valley were desecrate
not stopped he will drag Jun out and threaten to
kill her if not allowed safe passage away. Once These could create another session of adventure,
safely away, he will kill her anyway with his claws or you could narrate these open items away to
and try to flee into the night. If Jun was move into the next season.
discovered and freed, he will attempt to slink
away into the darkness and there is not a lot the Depending on how this session went, the PCs
PCs can do to stop him. can earn the following:
• Experience Points- 2-3 depending on Role-play
Conclusion • Status- No gain in Status
If Jun is freed, she will tell the PCs about the dark • Glory- +0.1 Overall and +0.5 for in the Valley
stranger who arrived late in the day at the • Honor- Varies depending on role-play

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Adventure #3
Reap What You Sow
(Autumn)

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Setting the Stage Background for the GM
The time for harvest has come to the Valley of The following information is important for the
the Emerald Stairway. The peasants are busy GM to know going into the adventure to help
harvesting their crops and bundling it up for the them set the tone, and to divulge information as
storehouse. Dried fish and salted goat meat is needed. This is not for players in the adventure
being prepared and tucked away. Winter is to read.
coming, and the food that the peasants make
today will feed them through the long, dark, cold This adventure takes place in the Seikitsu
winter months. Firewood is beginning to stack Mountains near the borders of the Crane,
up next to village huts and storehouses. It is a Scorpion, and Lion territory. Within the
busy time, a time when everyone has a job to mountain range there is a small, hard to reach
do. Crane province called the Valley of the Emerald
Stairway.
The leaves are starting to change in the Ever
Twilight Forest, at least for those trees with This province is part of the Yasuki family of the
leaves. It is mostly still dark green evergreens, Crane Clan. However, in Adventure #1 – The
with the occasional splash of vibrant yellow, Bride with White Hair (Spring) the lord of the
orange, or reddish color. The meadows are provinces had died. The PCs had escorted Lady
beginning to fade into tans, instead of lush Doji Ao the bride-to-be of Ito into the Valley.
greens. With his death and the events of Adventure #1,
Lady Ao is now the de facto ruler of the province.
The creeks and lakes are at their lowest points. Since that time, she has been trying to lead the
The fresh water from the snow melt is long past. province with the help of the PCs.
The Crooked Courtier Creek is easier to cross
now than ever. The birds that can are beginning Now that Lady Ao and the Doji family are in
to migrate out of the valley to warmer climates. charge, it is up to them to properly administer
The animals busily prepping themselves for the province for the Crane Clan. The most
winter by storing away food too. important thing the Lord of a province must do is
to get their allocated tax into the authorities in
A chill wind has begun to blow down from the time. TO do this, Lady Ao must rely on her
mountains and into the valley. At night time a trustee retainers; the PCs.
small fire or extra blanket is needed to keep the
chill away. Of course, the lordship of the Valley of the
Emerald Stairway is being disputed by two rival
Let the PCs share what they have been doing Great Clans. The Lion and the Scorpion Clan
since their encounter with Zenshin at the both see the death of Yasuki Ito as a chance
Stairway of the Seven Fortunes Shrine. They may transfer the Province from the Crane Clan to
have used the time to learn some new skills from their own. In order to bolster their claims, it is
Lady Ao, left the valley to practice with a sensei, important for them to delay the arrival of the
patrol the valley, manage their village, learn Taxes to the Crane on time. The delay will cast a
about the local geography, etc. shadow over Lady Ao’s abilities and make the
rival Clan’s cases more compelling. Keep in
mind, these rival clans do not want bloodshed.
This is simply political moves ahead of the winter
courts.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 The Adventure Hook the Hatamoto of the Doji Family has provided
me backing to continue to guide the
The Player Characters are summoned once again
development of the Valley of the Emerald
to the Stone Walled Estate from their villages.
Stairway, at least until the Winter Court
Lady Ao has asked an audience with them, and
determines the future of this province for good.
as acting Lord of the Valley of the Emerald
Stairway she is to be obeyed. At this point, the
Prior to the Winter Court, this Province’s taxes
GM will know how to RP this situation and the
will be due. It is with great honor and joy that
adventure will leave only high level details.
we will deliver these to the Crane officials at the
Hansei Estate. This is not only our duty, but also
This visit is much like previous visits, with Lady
our pleasure. Successful delivery of these taxes
Ao welcoming them in the courtyard, inviting
will only strengthen the Crane Clans claim to
them into the Great Hall, a dinner, and then a
continued rulership of these lands.
poetry reading with Lady Ao asking one of the
PCs to read. For gift’s Lady Ao has provided each
As I am sure you all know, the Lion Clan and the
of the PC’s with a warm blanket for the winter,
Scorpion Clan have both made claims to this
sewn by the women of the Seven Terrace Village.
Province with the death of Yasuki Ito. A failure
to deliver our proper and rightly gathered taxes
Once the courtesies are out of the way, Lady Ao
will strengthen their arguments that one of them
gets to the meat of the gathering.
would better administer the Valley of the
Emerald Stairway. Therefore, we must show
“You have all been admirable and loyal Samurai
them that we are the right and proper Samurai
to your Clan, your families, and to me. For that I
to lead this province going into the Winter Court.
am truly blessed by the Seven Fortunes and the
If we fail, all that we built here could be in
Kami. I have also been blessed that Doji Kyoji
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) jeopardy.
 Here is what I need you, my loyal Samurai; to do. as a fallen tree blocking the Emerald Stairway, or
You must travel to each of the villages, collect bad weather that could slow down the group’s
their portion of the taxes, and take it out of the progress. At each village, there should also be
Valley to the Hansei Estate. The journey should some role-play with each of the Doshin (or
take approximately 9 days, but we have 12 days Elders) of the village as they proudly offer up
to complete this task. The Doshin of each village their taxes to the Samurai. As the GM, you
are busily assembling there tithe, and should should stress the urgency, and force the players
have it ready for you to escort at their village to keep careful track of the time they are taking
storehouse. to move across the Valley in the autumn.

The Emerald Apex Village will have 1 cart of rice, Each “cart” of rice is actually a large trunk.
the Seven Terrace Village will have 3 carts of rice, Attached to each trunk is two heavy bamboo
and the Five Night Village will provide 1 cart of poles that extend out each side. Two men on
Rice, and 1 cart of Speckled Rice. The villages each side can hold the poles and carry them in a
have assigned 4 men to each cart to carry them variety of positions. This is the easiest way to
up and through the Fumiko Pass and all the way navigate their cargo over the rough terrain of the
to my father’s estate. Emerald Stairway and the Fumiko Pass.

It is your job to ensure that the carts make it to The PCs should have all the Taxes gathered and
their destination unharmed. I, my Father, and all begin their ascent up the Fumiko Pass relatively
the people of the Valley are counting on you. Do easily and on time. This is Autumn, so the pass
you understand?” could see a heavy snow fall at any moment. Let
the players know that dark, leaden clouds are
After assigning the task, Lady Ao bids everyone a hanging ominously above them as they begin
good night, as their long journey begins their ascent. The Peasants are filled with
tomorrow. foreboding and a chill wind is sweeping in from
the mountains.
Collecting the Tax
It is up to the PCs to determine which route they
wish to take to collect their tax. They may not
recall, but it takes:

• 1 day to travel to the Emerald Apex Village

from the Stone Walled Estate
• 1 day to travel to the Five Night Village from
the Stone Walled Estate
• The Seven Terraced Village is at the Stone
Walled Estate
• From Five Night Village it takes 1 day to get to
the Traveler’s Shrine
• From the Traveler’s Shrine it takes 2 days to
leave the mountains down the Fumiko Pass
• From the edge of the Fumiko Pass, it takes 3
days to get to the Hansei’s Estate

The collection of the Taxes from the villages in

the valley should have no true difficulties. As the
GM, you can intersperse some challenges such
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 • Akodo Kafu is proud, quick to criticize, and
Encounter at the Traveler’s eager to do his duty. Quirks are that Kafu
Shrine likes to lightly tease those he respects
As the end of the first day up the Fumiko Pass
looms, the caravan should be approaching the With him are 5 Bushi samurai with various
Traveler’s Shrine. The snow has held off, but the weapons and Yumi. Behind the fallen logs are
peasants expect it to break over the night and hidden 1 Shugenja and 1 more Bushi with a Yumi
cover the Pass on the way down. This could (Matsu Shotaro and Kitsu Suko). If violence
cause a delay. occurs they will pop out of hiding and use ranged
attacks, while the other Samurai castle up in the
As the caravan approaches the pass, the lead Traveler’s Shrine and gather their Yumi. Once
elements will notice a large Mon (or flag) posted the enemy is depleted, they will move out to
outside the Traveler’s Shrine. It bears the symbol finish off stragglers up close and personal.
of the Lion clan. As they approach closer, they However, they have no wish for actual violence
see that 6 Lion Samurai have gathered on the unless forced upon them.
path outside the Traveler’s Shrine. In addition,
two large logs cross-block the pathway down the The Bushi are:
Fumiko Pass. • Akodo Akahito – Male- Yari, Katana, Yumi – A
dour warrior
A Bushi in a fur trimmed cloak, wrapped around • Ikoma Kei – Male- No-Daichi, Katana, Yumi –
samurai armor raises his hand for you to halt. Boisterous and full of life
His Mempo is open, revealing a youthful face, set • Matsu Yodo- Male – Ono, Katana, Yumi- Hot-
in a stern glower. He shouts out to the caravan. temper and angry
• Matsu Shotaro- Male – Katana, Yumi - Fierce
“I am Akodo Kafu of the Lion Clan, son of Akodo and focused
Katai. Under his order, I hereby command you to • Akodo Yuya- Female- Yari, Katana, Yumi-
return to your valley and villages. So it is Demure and lady-like
ordered by the Lion.” • Ikoma Fusae- Female- Naginata, katana, Yumi
– Hungry and dull
As GM, it will be important to point out to the • The Shugenja is Kitsu Suko- Female,
PCs that these are Bushi from another Clan, and Proficiency Fire, Deficiency Air- Katana – Light
therefore not Ronin or Bandits to be simply hearted and brave
swept aside with violence. To do so complicates
the delicate political matters facing Lady Ao and If the PCs do not attack which the GM should
the status of the province. In addition, there is a encourage them NOT to do for the following
good chance that there is still a Lion clan reasons:
member of the PCs. Strongly encourage them to • Akodo is part of a Great Clan and they are not
resolve this matter with diplomacy and courtesy. at war
• There is a fellow Lion in the party (probably)
Akodo Kafu is a young samurai and the third son • Bloodshed would only complicate Lady Ao’s
of his father, Akodo Katai. He is a Bushi and position
openly wears his Daisho with pride. In addition, • The status of the Valley is in doubt, and the
he uses a Yumi when needed. He is of average Lion is making a claim on it
build, clean shaven, and a smooth head with
only his samurai top-knot. He has a youthful Akodo Kafu’s orders are simple. He is to lock
look, with big, brown eyes and soft features. down the Valley and not let anyone in or out
until the onset of winter. Therefore, he and his
troops have carried up supplies and set up camp
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 in the traveler’s Shrine. Kafu will gladly share the GO, a challenge of strength, a skill challenge, or
Shrine with the PCs, but will not let them go some other creative contest. This could be an
across the log roadblock without some sort of honorable way past with minimal bloodshed.
confrontation, verbal that could escalate to
martial. However, Kafu is under the same Assuming the PCs manage to bypass Akodo and
political constraints as the PCs are. his troops peacefully it is still another two days
down the Fumiko Pass and out of the mountains.
It is up to the PCs to determine how to negotiate The snowfall and recent snows should be
their way past the roadblock and try to avoid presented as a challenge, but not one that will
violence. They can do this with persuasion, stop the party. Perhaps some avalanche
guile, or some other tactic. It is important to dangers, downed trees, or large drifts for them
also remind them that they have a tight time to bypass with some quick thinking and a dice
frame, so they cannot spend forever negotiating roll or two. Nothing that will delay them too
passage. much, but just increase the sense of threat and
urgency to achieve their goal.
The peasants have shabby tents, blankets, etc. to
keep them warm. They also have winter At the Fern Frond Inn
weather gear in their packs. They set up their Once at the bottom of the Pass, it is still three
tents and small campfires in the clearing around days to the Doji Hansei estate. At the end of the
the shrine. The party and the Lion can all fit second day in the plains, the PCs will arrive at
inside the log enclosure of the traveler’s Shrine, the Fern Frond Inn, a teahouse and Inn. As they
but it is a tight fit. Thankfully, some of the approach, they will find a Sedan Chair blocking
Samurai need to go out on guard duty, and the road. Before it, will be a four Scorpion Bushi
rotate in and out so there is room huddled close in matching red and black armor. All of them
around the central camp fire. have their Mempo over their faces. They stand
in a straight line across the road, just outside the
During the night, the party can negotiate passage Teahouse. As the PCs and their party get close
with Kafu and do general role-playing with the they all raise their hands in unison, gesturing for
Lion samurai. The Lion are not hostile and some them to stop. They make no sound.
are eager to share stories and socialize with their
peer samurai. This is a good chance to role play, The Sedan Chair and its poles blocks the main
and the basic character of each samurai is road making running the gauntlet nearly
located above with their names. impossible on foot. It is in Scorpion clan colors
of red and black. On the side is gold filigree, and
During the night, the snowstorm breaks and a the entrance to the chair is covered in a
heavy snow falls on the area of the valley. It tantalizing, semi-transparent white silk. The
blankets everything in snow about ankle deep. Scorpion Clan Mon is prominent on the side of
This will make tracking and such much easier the Chair.
unless an effort is made to cover your tracks. It
is also accompanied by snow. Once the PCs stop, the silk drapes part, and a
beautiful, graceful woman steps out in a stylishly
If by the next day, the PCs have not negotiated a cut red kimono, with her long dark hair pulled up
way past Akodo Kafu and his samurai, you may in a bun, and two long strands of jet black bangs
want to remind them that the Lion Clan is well hanging down and framing her face. A gold head
known for their martial warrior spirit and tactical piece adorns her head, and she carries a golden
skills. This could make a duel a good resolution boned and white lace fan. Bright green eyes
of the crisis, however the duel does not need to flash out above her semi-transparent, white silk
be one of swords. It could also be a game like veil. She is a striking figure on the road.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 “I wish to have a drink with (insert name of Her 4 guards are:
either Crane of Scorpion clan PC in the group) at
the Fern Frond Inn. I would hate to think such • Shosuro Danjo – Katana, Yumi- Brooding and
noble samurai as yourself would deny me?” calm
• Bayushi Takao- Katana, Yumi – Young and
With that, the PCs have another choice. They inward, he is Shoko’s younger brother
were planning on halting in the area for the • Shasuro Utamara- Katana, Yumi- Watchful and
night, so this does not seem like it should delay protective
them further than planned. • Shosuro Ryochi – Katana, Yumi- Careful and
precise
Once the PC comes forward, the woman will say,
“I know it is not protocol, for I know you but you She continues, “I hope you do not mind the
do not know me. Please allow me to level the imposition, but I have heard of your exploits, and
playing field. I am Bayushi Shoko of the Scorpion your travels and wish to share a drink with you. I
Clan, daughter of Bayushi Sumitomo.” As she expected you were planning on stopping at the
talks, you get a glimpse of the curve of a cheek, Fern Frond Inn anyway.” None of her questions
the brush of her lips, and the line of her jaw come off as questions. They are more coyishly
behind her veil. Her fan covers herself modestly, stated statements of fact.
and when she is done speaking she bows
demurely. Shoko will insist that the PCs stay at the Inn with
• Bayushi Shoko is passionate, mysterious, and her. If they consistently refuse, she will cast her
sly. Quirk is she can handle her liquor. gaze downwards and say something like, “I only

The Traveler’s Shrine

To the
Valley of the Emerald
Stairway Traveler’s
Shrine

Log
To the base of the Barricade
mountains
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 wished to help you with Lady Ao’s claim to the main hall and the stairs below. A room is in each
Valley at the Doji Court. However, I understand corner, and there are two windows on each side.
your misgivings and duty. Perhaps next time
then?” That night, the three Shosuro will attempt to
sneak out of their room, climb down from their
If the PCs do stay with her, she will take the hand window, and approach the PCs camp. There,
of the PC she called forth and gently guide them they will attempt to locate the bamboo poles
into the inn’s teahouse room. She will sit at a used to carry the cargo, and sabotage them by
table for two with the PC, and her entourage will breaking them. The three Shosuro have
sit at a different table, all where they can see removed their armor and are moving in dark,
Shoko. If other PCs join her and her “friend” she peasant style clothing. They have only Jo staffs,
will look dejectedly at them with a sigh, but a blowgun (the darts coated with some sleeping
otherwise not object. Shoko would prefer the drug) and some well protected vials of acid on
PCs sit at another table. Shoko will order Shochu their person. These vials will be poured on the
for the table, which is a very strong alcoholic bamboo to eat them away and break them in
drink. It is stronger than Saki. The other half and make them unusable for the journey.
Scorpions will not fraternize with the PCs, and
stay stiffly on duty. This night time encounter can happen even if the
Scorpions at the Inn are bypassed. Since it was
As Shoko and the PC(s) talk, she will keep the late, the PCs will not be able to get much further
Shochu coming. She will also have it sent to the than the inn, so can still be the victim of the
PCs table. For the most part, Shoko just wishes night raid.
to waste time, learn about the PC, and talk with
the PCs. If she can, she will try to get the PCs If discovered, they would rather flee than fight.
drunk on Shochu to try and dull their senses for They will only fight if one of them is captured, to
the evening to come. try and free them. They would prefer to sneak
into the darkness and woods around the inn and
Here is what Shoko will talk about: return later to their rooms.
• Want to know about the PCs exploits in the
Valley If the intruders are detected, the GM should run
• The PCs current travels this as more of a night time chase encounter
• About their family than a combat encounter. Have characters make
• Their plans with Lady Ao Agility, Stamina, or Perception ring tests at
• Questions about Lady Ao various points to keep sight of, catch up to, or
• She will constantly deflect questions away avoid night time hazards like trees and holes.
from herself, with questions back at the PC Ideally, the PCs will uncover and drive off the
• She will let on that Takao is her brother, and Scorpions before they can carry out their plans
here to keep a watchful eye on her to sabotage the bamboo poles. However, the
GM may prefer for them to succeed, before
Later that evening, she will excuse herself as it is being discovered to add more challenge to the
getting late. She and her entourage will retreat adventure. If the Scorpions are captured, and
to their rooms in the inn. The PCs can get rooms brought to Shoko, she will act like she was
in the Inn, or stay outside with their baggage. unaware of their mission and reprimand them
The peasants will set-up camp in the clearing seriously.
outside the inn, along with the cargo. The Inn is
a two story building with the tea house below If the Scorpions are successful in their night time
and the inn upstairs. There are four rooms, big activities, the next day the peasants will go to
enough for 6 in each room. They lead into a slide the bamboo carrying sticks into the rice
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 cargo, but they will break when they try to lift • Steal the loot
the boxes. New poles will need to be sourced • Vengeance on the PCs
before the journey can continue! Once the • Make the PCs look bad by making off with
breaking poles are discovered, Shoko will gladly some of the Taxes
offer the poles of her Sedan Chair to “help” the
PCs, but it will only help carry 1 box of cargo. To this end, narrate that the PCs are moving
They are only 1 day away from the Hansei Estate, through a small copse of woods on the last leg of
so depending on how long the journey took, their journey. They know that once they round a
they may have time to go get poles, return, and few more bends in the road, the Hansei estate
then still make it in time will be in sight. At a shallow curve in the road,
there is old growth woods creeping close on
The Scorpions are only trying to hinder the PCs both sides. The outside of the turn has a small
from completing their task. Therefore, they will rise where the road was cut through the slope.
“help” how they can in order to gain a debt from Have the PCs make Perception ring tests.
the PCs. In addition, they will not try to stop the
PCs from continuing on their journey. If passed, roll for initiative, as something seems
wrong here. If failed, from out of the woods a
A Final Challenge? barrage of Nagi-Yari come from the woods, they
are targeting the Peasant bearers of the taxes
From the Fern Frond Inn, it is only 1 day to the
first. A few are struck and fall, and the cargo
Hansei estate. If the GM wishes, and there is still
crashes to the ground. This Naga-yari barrage
time in your session, the PCs could also be
will be the bandits opening moves.
attacked by bandits on the last day of the
journey. Have the bandits led by any of the
remaining Ronin from the first adventure. They
are trying to accomplish two things:

General Teahouse/Inn Lay-out

First Floor Second Floor

Storage Kitchen

Guest Guest
Stairs Room Stairs Room

Door

Door Window
Window
Main
Guest Guest
Room
Room Room

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 The Bandit Ambush Site

Woods

Raised
Trail Ground

Woods
meet them about half a day out from Hansei’s
From there, bandits can come storming out of
estate.
the woods. Let the PCs know that they look
familiar. For the Bandit attack, you can run it as
This should be led by Doji Hanshiro; the son of
a traditional melee, or as the Bandits in the
Doji Hansei. Hanshiro will have ornate blue and
Stone Walled Estate in adventure #1; as an
white armor, no helmet and flowing white hair.
attribute check. In the second round of actions,
He is young, thin and lithe, and wields his
have the Ronin emerge and try to break open
weapon with speed and grace. He has piercing
the cargo and spill the contents. The PCs will
grey eyes and is clean shaven. He and his patrol
have to get to them and stop them, but bandits
will ride up and help finish off the last of the
are in their way. If Failed, the Ronin gets to the
bandits once the Ronin is eliminated or flees.
box and tries to smash it open, and spill rice out
• Doji Hanshiro is honorable, impetuous, and
on the ground.
protective. Quirk he is a skilled rider and
equestrian who enjoys riding.
As a suggestion to the GM, make it close to raise
tension. As an alternate to normal melee, PCs
After the bandits have been run off, Hanshiro’s
could have to choose to move and potentially
mounted patrol will pursue them while he stays
making Stamina tests with a TN of 15 or getting
back to talk with the PCs. He will introduce
hit for every raise they miss the TN by. Getting
himself, and find out who they are and their
to the Ronin should be a costly choice, however
purpose in the area. Once he finds out, he will
after two turns of moving they should be able to
offer to escort them the rest of the way to the
get to the Ronin. The Ronin vs. PC battle should
Hansei Estate. If any of the grain is spilled, he
be a traditional melee.
will not have much to say on the matter and
counsel the PCs to speak with his father. If
Have a Crane patrol turn up and help scatter the
peasant bearers are killed, he may offer the help
remaining bandits. Even if you as GM elect to
of some of his men; but only if the PCs can not
not have the bandit attack, then have the patrol
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
carry it themselves.
 As you know, both the Lion and the Scorpion are
Arrival at Doji Hansei’s Estate making a claim on the Valley of the Emerald
Eventually, the party will make it to Doji Hansei’s Stairway. It is expected that the head of our
estate. They will either make it on time and with family, the Doji Kurohito will mediate on this
the taxes, or late and without all the taxes. manner at his winter castle. Representatives
There are a number of combinations in between. from both the Lion and the Scorpion will be
attending. Of course, I do not know the
Either way, Doji Hansei will be there to meet the thoughts of our Lord, but I imagine he would be
PCs as they come into his estate. He will be interested in hearing of this tale.
dressed in a light, sky blue robe, with the Crane
symbol stitched in white across the bottom of If you do not object, I shall write to him and let
the robe. He will have a white belt. He will be him know how things advance. Now, if I do not
eager to meet with the PCs and talk to them, but impose as it is late, can you tell me of how Lady
will restrain himself in the traditional manner out Ao is managing?”
of dignity and respect for the way things are
done. He will eagerly listen to the PCs and encourage
them to expand or extrapolate on some key
Hanshiro will hail his father and say, “Great lord, I pieces. When the tale is complete, he will nod
have returned with the caravan from the Valley his head and clap once in appreciation. He will
of the Emerald Stairway.” thank the PCs.

Hansei will nod in acknowledgement, invite the “I have one last key bit of news. Doji Kurohito
PCs to rest, and that his staff will take and will want a full accounting of the going’s on in
process the taxes from here. Afterwards, they the Valley of the Emerald Stairway, what
are invited into his home to join him for dinner. happened after Ito’s death, how the season has
Hansei will be silently impressed with any PC progressed, and the delivery of the taxes. He will
who stays with the taxes until they have been want to hear from Lady Ao herself, and of course
placed in the estate’s storehouse. In theory, you her closest advisors.” At that, Hansei produces a
could end the scenario here depending on the small sheaf of paper with immaculate calligraphy
scene, or you could move onto the following letters on it. He hands them to you.
epilogue, GM’s choice based on time.
“Lady Ao and her retainers are being summoned
The following is a typical Rokugan dinner scene to Doji Kurohito’s winter court at his palace.
that the GM should be getting adept at Role- Despite your recent travels, I urge you to leave
playing. At the dinner, Hansei will be joined by early tomorrow and take this news back to Lady
Hanshiro as well. He will start with a delightful Ao. She needs to prepare her testimony and
meal, offering saki, tea, or other beverages to make arrangements for when she is away. This is
the PCs. He will offer each of them a new pair of exciting and troubling news I ask you to bear
walking sandals as theirs were worn heavily in with you. It is at the Winter Court where the
their travels as a gift. After dinner, he will invite future of the Valley of the Emerald Stairway will
Hanshiro to share the story of how he found the be decided.”
PCs and then ask the PCs to share the story of
their journey. He will kindly let the PCs ask some questions of
the summons, the Winter Court, etc. After a few
After catching up he will say, “I appreciate what questions, he will apologize and excuse himself.
you have done on you journey. The road was It is getting late and he needs to rest from the
hard, and there were many obstacles in your long day. He encourages you all to stay as late as
path. I am happy to see you made it this far. you wish, but reminds you of the journey you
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) need to embark on yet again.
 Hanshiro will bow to the PCs, “I wish to • What is their relationship going forward with
personally give my thanks and gratitude for being Akodo Kafu and his underlings?
loyal retainers for my sister. I know that you • What is their relationship with Bayushi Shoko
come from all various houses, and this may not and her underlings?
have been your intended path, yet you do honor • Did they capture or defeat the last Ronin from
to the Doji of this household; and to yourselves.” the Valley of the Emerald Stairway, or are they
yet a potential thorn in their side?
Conclusion These could create another session of adventure,
The GM can then give the PCs time to role-play
or you could narrate these open items away to
as much as they wish with each other and
move into the next season.
Hanshiro, before calling it a session.
Alternatively, the GM could just end scene and
Depending on how this session went, the PCs
narrate out.
can earn the following:
Experience Points- 2-4 depending on Role-play
There are still a few loose ends the players may
• Status- No gain in Status
be thinking about:
• Glory- +0.3 Overall and +0.2 for in the Valley
• Honor- Varies depending on role-play

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Adventure #4
In the Court of the Crane
(Winter)

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Setting the Scene Background for the GM
You made the journey back just in time, as an The following information is important for the
early autumn snow storm fell upon Fumiko Pass. GM to know going into the adventure to help
However, you and your party made it back to the them set the tone, and to divulge information as
Stone Walled Estate without further incident. needed. This is not for players in the adventure
Despite the snow in the pass, the valley itself is to read.
chilly with only a small coating of snow. The
Speckled Rice Lake and Crane Lily Lake are not This adventure takes place in the Seikitsu
frozen over, but many of the locals predict that Mountains near the borders of the Crane,
Flashing Trout Lake probably is. The deciduous Scorpion, and Lion territory. Within the
trees long ago lost their leaves, and the harvest mountain range there is a small, hard to reach
was finished. Crane province called the Valley of the Emerald
Stairway. This province is part of the Yasuki
The villagers rely on the stockpiles of the family of the Crane Clan.
storehouses to help them through the winter.
They spend their time gathering firewood, This province is part of the Yasuki family of the
mending their clothes, repairing tools, and Crane Clan. However, in Adventure #1 – The
various other indoor activities. For a peasant, Bride with White Hair (Spring) the lord of the
the winter is the most leisurely of times as there provinces had died. The PCs had escorted Lady
is little to do. It is a time to do the tasks indoors Doji Ao the bride-to-be of Ito into the Valley.
that the crops would not allow time for. With his death and the events of Adventure #1,
However, the increasing cold makes outdoor Lady Ao is now the de facto ruler of the province.
activities treacherous, and being exposed Since that time, she has been trying to lead the
outside for long can be harmful. One must province with the help of the PCs.
prepare and be bundled up.
The PCs and Lady Ao have now been called to
As usual, let the players share what they have the Winter Court of the leader of the Doji Family
been up to for the past two months since in order to resolve the rightful lordship of the
returning to the Valley. How have they dealt Valley of the Emerald Stairway once and for all.
with the changing season, and the coming cold?
.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 Lordship of the Valley is being contested by four that helped you track on top of the snow
groups: without sinking called a snow shoe? Walking in
it was awkward and not normal, but with
• Lady Ao and the PCs practice you were confident you could master it.
• The Yasuki Family by the sister of the former
lord, Yasuki Yae. Like the trip to the Valley of the Emerald
• The Lion Clan led by Akodo Kafu Stairway, the Lady Ao is all business. She has
• The Scorpion Clan led by Bayushi Shoko shed her white wig, and goes with her short,
feathery, black hair. She wears heavy, winter
Lord Doji Kurohito and his Hatamoto will decide clothing around her, but her daisho is clearly
the fate of the competing claims during winter visible and well maintained over it. A thick dark,
court at Lord Kurohito’s castle. However, Lady peasant scarf wraps around her head. She
Yae plans to make the decision a fait accompli by expertly straps on her own snow shoes, as she
eliminating her competition before the final has been practicing with them in her garden.
decision is reached.
Thus prepared you set out to bring Lady Ao to
This is a session full of intrigue, political the Doji Court. The journey through the valley
maneuvering, and murder. It is up the PCs to was bitterly cold, and required frequent stops.
avoid diplomatic faux pas, show their honor, The sleds were difficult to maneuver and
highlight their achievements, and avoid losing required careful, precise driving so they would
face while interacting with their rivals and peers. not skid out of control on the steep terrain. It
The majority of the challenge in this session will took twice as long as usual to get to the Five
be social and political rather than violence and Night Village, and you were forced to travel late
magic. into the night to reach the warmth of the
Speckled Lake Inn. The roaring fire that Megu
and Kazu made was worth it.
The Adventure Hook
As soon as you arrive home, Lady Ao took the
You were reluctant to set out again, but Lady Ao
news and began to prepare. She had you gather
was insistent. You left early and made the
documents, verify totals, review expenditures,
treacherous Trek up the Fumiko Pass. It was not
and begin to recall and review your testimony.
easy. Snow drifts blocked your path and you had
She also began writing letters furiously, but
to dig your way through them. Ice covered parts
thankfully those were being taken and delivered
of the trail that were not buried in snow, and
by peasants. You mostly got to stay warm in the
that was almost worse as the ice made footing
Stone Walled Estate.
treacherous, you were forced down onto one
knee too many times to count. Again you had to
As the month of the Boar carried on, the
travel late into the night to reach the Traveler’s
peasants of the Seven Terrace Village were busy
Shrine. Unsurprisingly, it was abandoned and
preparing for your departure to the Court of Doji
you had to take time to shovel snow away from
Kurohito. The laid in supplies, made some sleds,
the doorway to enter. Again, the warmth of the
and prepared winter gear. Despite the dropping
fire was welcome, but it was not enough to
temperatures and terrible conditions, you were
shake the chill from your bones.
going to have to lead Lady Ao out of the Valley.
Finally, during the opening week of the month of
Finally, you made the treacherous descent down
the Rat, Lady Ao was ready. The food had been
the mountains. As you went, the trail got easier.
packed in one sled, winter weather and shelter
Ice and snow turned to mud. You never thought
another, and her documents in a third. The
you would be so thankful for the rocky trail, as it
peasants provided you with strange footwear
kept you out of the mud. On the second day
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 down, you took the skies off the sled, and added At the Castle of Lord Kurohito
the wagon wheels. The ground was dry and
You make your way to the actual castle walls,
supportive enough now. Eventually, exhausted
and ride into the building. Your horse’s hooves
you reached the base of the mountains and built
clomp noisily as you cross the wooden bridge,
camp. The air was still chill, but it was nothing
and echo around the gatehouse. As you enter
compared to the cold of the Fumiko Pass. This
the courtyard, you see that the castle is a series
was almost pleasant in comparison.
of buildings, with several smaller, three story
buildings surrounding a larger central building.
After two more days of travel, you sighted
In addition, there are various out buildings
horseman on the horizon. The Mon of Doji
scattered around the grounds. As you approach
Hanshiro was clearly visible. The half- dozen
the center of the courtyard, several young Bushi
horseman rode up to you and their leader,
in blue and white armor run forward and take
Hanshiro greeted you all warmly. He brought
the horses by the bridle. Hanshiro and his men
extra horses and wagons with him.
slide easily from the saddles. As you look closer
at the Bushi holding the bridle of your horse, you
“I apologize, but Doji Hansei is ill and can not
realize he is only just past his coming of age
make this trip. He has sent me in his stead. Will
ceremony.
you break bread with me and drink tea in
fellowship before we continue?”
As small entourage of samurai in robes and
wearing only wakazashi approach, their white
The chill, crisp air and frosty mornings eventually
and light blue robes rustling. The lead Samurai
give way. You can feel warm breezes coming
has a large, black, formal hat and carries a fan.
from an unknown coast ahead. The climate,
He is a short, slightly rounded man. His round,
even in winter is much more temperate, and you
clean shaven face looks to still have baby fat in
can shed your heavy traveling cloaks, and replace
the cheeks. He introduces himself to Lady Ao as
them with lighter fare. The Horses and wagons
Doji Nobiyuri. “I am Doji Nobiyuri, the advisor to
make travel much quicker as you quickly gobble
Doji Kyoji, the Hatamoto of this castle. I will be
up miles as you cross fallow fields, flooded rice
your personal advisor during Winter Court. I will
patties, bridges over gullies, over streams, and
help you navigate the processes and
through thickets of woods. Occasionally, you
documentation necessary for the Court to
pass a checkpoint with the symbol of the Crane,
function fully. It is my honor to serve you Lady
but a quick review of documents soon has you
Ao.”
on the way again.
• Doji Nobiyuri is industrious, eager, and
meticulous. Quirks: He has a passion for
Eventually, you crest a small rise and see a white
paperwork and order
and blue tiled castle in front of you. Beneath is
sprawls a large mass of buildings; a city. The
Lady Ao directs him to the appropriate wagon.
great banners of the Doji clan hang over the
Nobiyuri and his men begin to unload the troves
sides of its walls. As you approach, you are
of records and carry them to one of the smaller,
amazed at it size, it is larger than anything you
three story buildings adjacent to the castle.
have even been in before. The banners on the
Nobiyori carefully documents what is taken,
battlements are twice your height. The great
places a wax seal on each container, and then
gate is decorated with Crane motifs as you pass.
places a wax seal on an inventory scroll. He
Inside is a swirl of color and a press of people,
hands it to Lady Ao and bows low.
and you can smell hundreds of people and
horses packed into a small area instantly.
Nobiyuri says, “Thank you for submitting these
Buildings of various makes, colors, and flying
records. We will ensure that they are collected,
100’s of banners line the main through fare that
Quyen leads
authenticated, and provided to the court when
to#42271658)
Dinh (Order the main castle’s gate.
 called upon Lady Ao. Now, please allow me the
pleasure to showing your to your residence for • Doji Utamara – Yari, Yumi, Katana- Proud and
your stay during the Winter Court.” Honorable
• Daidoji Juzaburo- Tetsubo, Katana- Large of
With that, Nobiyuri leads you to a series of single body and appetite, Silent type
story buildings near the base of the castles wall. • Yasuki Ashihei- Yumi, Katana- Unassuming and
They are all modestly decorated, wooden walled bland
buildings, with small porches in the front. He • Doji Masutaro- Yumi, Katana- Energetic
gestures 1 for Hanshiro and his riders, one for perfectionist
the PCs, and one for Lady Ao. Inside, they all • Kakita Yuya- Female- Katana – Graceful and
have a small kitchen, a corner shrine, living elegant
space, and room for 6 people to sleep. He also
points out the communal bathhouse at the end Lady Ao will be spending time with Nobiyuri and
of the row. On the other side of the Bathhouse Hanshiro and that will only leave a few limited
are several more apartments like this one. times for her to connect with the PCs. She is
Looking around, you see that each wall of the eager to spend some time with her brother, and
castle has a similar arrangement. tends to have him over for diner. Nobiyuri is
frequently a guest around lunch time, as he
Nobiyuri bows again, “These accommodations prepares and discusses the Court with Lady Ao.
can not match the comforts of home, but my
masters all hope they will suffice.” With that, he As the PCs are out and about, there is the
points out the bath house and excuses himself, “I potential for them to get into trouble. Before
must not supervise the inbound processing of they do so, make sure they hear Lady Ao’s voice
your records for the Court. The sooner this is in their heads before they act, “Any unbecoming
accomplished, the sooner the Family Daimyo can behavior that occurs under the eyes of Doji
hear your request. I will return with a progress Kurohito’s retainers will only make our efforts at
update around dinner. Now, make yourself court more difficult. We must be on our best
comfortable. You will be summoned for an and most honorable behavior.”
audience when all is ready.”
The PCs that leave the apartment area to
With that, Nobiyuri leaves and allows the party practice, pray, use the bath house etc. will
to get settled in. eventually notice that the castle is filling up with
guests for the court. Most of them are fellow
Cranes, who they may or may not know. As GM,
Old Friends Arrive It might be fun to have some of their fellow
As is customary, the PCs are free to roam the
family members or connections attend the
castle or go into the city. They are free to come
Winter Court as well.
and go as they please. The GM should ask the
players what they are doing in their down time.
They will also notice some familiar faces. They
Notice, it is customary to not introduce
will see Akodo Kafu sitting on the patio of his
yourselves to any of the fellow guests until the
guest house and playing GO with one of his
official Court kick-off. However, they are free to
subordinates. His entourage includes the Lion
talk with peasants, servants, or their own party
clan members that were with him in the Fumiko
as they wish. The party includes Lady Ao,
Pass last fall (assuming they were not killed last
Hanshiro, and the riders he came in with. The
fall, replace as needed).
five riders are all Crane bushi from Hansei’s
residence.
Akodo Kafu is a young samurai and the third son
of his father, Akoda Katai. He is a Bushi and
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 openly wears his Daisho with pride. In addition, In addition to Kafu, the PCs will also find that
he uses a Yumi when needed. He is of average Bayushi Shoko is preparing for Winter Court. The
build, clean shaven, and a smooth head with PCs will see her conversing with her aid Soshi
only his samurai top-knot. He has a youthful Hana as they travel about the courtyard. They
look, with big, brown eyes and soft features. may also find her on her front courtyard fanning
• Akodo Kafu is proud, quick to criticize, and herself lightly while reviewing documents, which
eager to do his duty. Quirks are that Kafu she will quickly shuffle away if the PCs approach.
likes to lightly tease those he respects
Shoko is a beautiful, graceful woman who always
Kafu’s entourage are: wears the stylish fashions. She has long dark
• Akodo Akahito – Male- Yari, Katana, Yumi – A hair pulled up in a bun, and two long strands of
dour warrior jet black bangs hanging down and framing her
• Ikoma Kei – Male- No-Daichi, Katana, Yumi – face. A gold head piece adorns her head, and
Boisterous and full of life she carries a golden boned and white lace fan.
• Matsu Yodo- Male – Ono, Katana, Yumi- Hot- Bright green eyes flash out above her semi-
temper and angry transparent, white silk veil. She is a striking
• Matsu Shotaro- Male – Katana, Yumi - Fierce figure.
and focused • Bayushi Shoko is passionate, mysterious, and
• Akodo Yuya- Female- Yari, Katana, Yumi- sly. Quirk is she can handle her liquor.
Demure and lady-like
• Ikoma Fusae- Female- Naginata, katana, Yumi She is accompanied by her normal Bushi
– Hungry and dull entourage who wear matching Red and Gold
• Kitsu Suko- Female Shugenja, Proficiency Fire, armor. (Replace as needed for any casualties
Deficiency Air- Katana – Light hearted and during the Autumn adventure):
brave
• Shosuro Danjo – Katana, Yumi- Brooding and
His reaction to the PCs being at the Winter Court calm
will greatly depend on how their last interaction • Bayushi Takao- Katana, Yumi – Young and
ended in the Funiko Pass in the Fall. If the PCs inward, he is Shoko’s younger brother
ended the confrontation honorably, he will be • Shasuro Utamara- Katana, Yumi- Watchful and
happy to see them and eager to re-acquaint protective
himself with them. If the interaction ended in • Shasuro Ryochi – Katana, Yumi- Careful and
conflict or was bypassed via less than honorable precise
means, he will ignore them as best he can. If it
can not be avoided, he will be cool and polite In addition, a young Scorpion woman who
with them at best, veiled insults at worst. appears to be an attendant or assistant also
accompanies Shoko. However, she also carries a
Kafu and his entourage are at the Winter Court Wakazashi on her waist, belaying her Samurai
to press their Clans claim to the Valley of the caste status. She is also tall, slim, and wears
Emerald Stairway. The Lion claim is based on the fashionable attire that compliments that of her
needs of the Lion clan to produce enough Koku tutor. She has black hair that frames her face
to supply the armies of the Emperor. Therefore, down to the chin. She also carries a steel spined
when Yasuki Ito died with no heirs it was their white fan. Like Shoko, she also wears a veil, but
chance to press for an integration from the hers is dark red and adorned with gold charms.
Crane to the Lion. Their claim has no historical Her name is Soshi Hana
backing, and is relatively weak.

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 • Shoshi Hana- Female- Shugenja- Proficiency discovery of the valley, and using it as a shelter
Air, Deficiency Earth- War Fan- Quick witted, many generations ago, before the Crane had
sarcastic, and hard. Quirks: Likes to secretly even attempted to settle it. In addition, a
smoke a pipe while in private Scorpion engineer helped the Crane build and
design the Seven Terraces and the Aki reservoir
The Scorpions response to the PCs will also hinge according to a contract in the Scorpion’s
upon how they were treated during the last possession. Therefore, the productivity and tax
adventure. If the PCs either outwitted by the revenue of the valley is only possible thanks to
Scorpions, treated honorably, or parted on good the efforts of the Scorpion Clan and therefore
terms, then Shoko will feign being surprised and should be transferred to them instead of the
happy to see them. She will invite them to join Crane. The diary is legitimate but could be
her for dinner and drinks. If there was describing any Valley in the Sheitsku Mountains
bloodshed, disrespect, or dishonorable actions thus making it a weak source of legitimacy. The
towards the Scorpions, they will feign surprise engineering contract is a forgery of a high
and act very professionally and formal around quality. However, Shoko is unaware that it is a
the PCs. fake.

The Scorpions are also here to press their claim Encounters with both of these “old friends”
to the Valley of the Emerald Stairway. Their should allow space for some role-playing and
claim rests on two things, the first is that the friendly competition or encounters prior to the
valley was supposedly discovered by a Scorpion start of the Winter Court.
traveler who was lost. His journal, clearly
recounts the

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 bangs that the PCs first met her with. She has a
Court Begins with a Ball beautiful sky blue and white robe that is off set
After three days, the PCs and Hanshiro are
by simple pearl earrings and accessories. Her
summoned to Lady Ao’s guest house. They
face is adorned with the traditional make-up of a
gather in the front room. It is a bit cramped as
noble woman. In her belt is tucked a simple,
Hanshiro and Nobiyuri are also present. They
utilitarian wakazashi. A very light hint of berry
are all sitting around a small table and sipping on
surrounds her
tea. When the PCs arrive, they are greeted
warmly by Hanshiro who offers them Tea.
Hanshiro is also adorned in blue and white, with
Several rice paper wrapped packages sit on the
the Crane symbols upon each lapel on his broad
table.
shouldered kimono. He has also either put on a
wig, or dyed his hair white for the occasion. His
Nobiyuri starts, “The day has finally come. The
belt is white, and his Daisho is tucked simply
Lord has announced that tonight will be the
beneath it.
opening banquet of the Winter Court. Of course,
all the guests in the castle have been invited to
Nobiyuri has on his large, black hat with the long
attend. I will act as your squire, and announce
brim. He also wears a fine sky blue kimono with
when you arrive. I recommend you wear your
white stripes across the sleeves. An ornate
best attire as this will be your first chance to
wakazashi is tucked into his white belt, and he
meet the other dignitaries, the Hatamoto, and
carries a long staff with a white, wood-carved
potentially even the Lord himself.”
Crane at the top.
Lady Ao nods, “I suspect that none of you have
Evening is setting in, and the light is getting dim.
much finery. Afterall, the valley is a poor
The group sets across the courtyard, and
province. However, you have been loyal and I
Nobiyari leads them to the large, main building
am grateful for your service. Therefore, I have
of the castle. At its base, a set of large, wooden,
taken the liberty to procure you fine Kimonos for
and ornately carved double doors stand open.
the evening.” With a nod, Hanshiro rises and
Light fills the interior from lanterns, and the buzz
hands the packages out to each PC with a bow.
of crowd noise washes out.
Lady Ao continues, “Please, open them.” Within
There is a small line, and your party queues into
each package is a fine quality, silk kimono. The
it. You can hear each small groups cryer shout
GM may want to allow each PC to describe what
out their names and titles as they enter. A pair
their kimono looks like.
of tall Bushi block and unblock the path inside
with a naginata, their blades shine in the
“I have no doubt, you will make me all proud. It
banquet hall’s light. Their armor is the finest you
is imperative that we demonstrate the highest
have ever scene, with white and silver the
level of honor, respect, and dignity while at the
contrasting colors, and breastplates with a
banquet this evening. Any mistake, and we
serene lakeside scene with a crane etched into
could lose standing in the court, and erode our
them. Crane themed mempo’s covered their
claims to the Valley of the Emerald Staircase.
faces.
That could be detrimental to our lordships there.
Now go. Prepare yourselves, we will all meet
Finally, your group gets to the entrance as long
here before going to the banquet hall.”
shadows reach out from the towers of the castle.
Lady Ao nods to Nobiyari as the great naginata’s
With that the PCs separate until they return just
slide open. Your group enters and Nobiyari’s
prior to the Banquet. Lady Ao is prepared for the
voice booms out impossibly loud, “Lady Ao the
evening with her white haired wig with the long
daughter of Doji Hansei and bride-to-be of Ito
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 Yasuki of the Valley of the Emerald Stairway is Nobiyori opens his fan to conceal his mouth and
accompanied by Doji Hanshiro the son of Doji says, “The talk of court if the fate of the Valley of
Hansei has arrived accompanied by…… <he then the Emerald Stairway. There are many other
introduces each of the PCs, including who they important matters to be discussed, but that is
are the son of>.” the one everyone is gossiping about. Beside you
Lady Ao, the three other claimants to the Valley
When Nobiyari is complete, he quickly leads the are here.”
small group to a table off to the side and back of
the Banquet Hall. The hall itself seems huge, Nobiyori nods his head slightly towards the
three times as tall as you, with huge wooden various parties, “Akodo Kafu is pressing the claim
pillars holding it up along the edges and spaced from the Lion clan perspective. Bayushi Shoko
around the room itself. The walls have various from the Scorpion clan perspective, and Yasuki
painting and artwork that you can not make out Yae from the Yasuki family of the Crane clan. She
due to the people in the way. Large, elaborate is the sister of Ito Yasuki, the former lord of the
paper lanterns hang from the ceiling above each Valley. She is married to Yasuki Eiichi, who has
table. his own extensive properties but wishes to add
the Valley of the Emerald Stairway to his list of
You notice that the hall is all ready very full. properties.”
There is a swirl of colors, mostly the white and
sky blue of the Crane, but also the greens and Yasuki Yae is an older woman with white hair,
yellow of the Dragon clan, the red and black of but it is unclear if it is dyed or just natural. The
the Scorpion, the gold and browns of the Lion, make-up covers her age lines well and she is
and small splashes of other clan colors amongst dressed in finery. Eiishi is a tall, thin, balding
those gathered. There is a low rumble of man also with white hair and sharp features. He
conversation as each table mingles. You is also dressed in finery with a Daisho at his belt.
estimate there are over 100 people in the hall. With them sits another older man, however
short, stocky, and built like a fortress wall. He
At the head of the hall is a raised dais, with a sky also has white hair, and a lined face, with a
blue carpet leading to the top of it. At the top drooping white moustache. He also wears a
sits several ornately dressed older men. The Daisho. Despite their finery you had overlooked
distance makes it hard to see them clearly, but her table many times as nothing there had really
they are all wearing Crane colors. In the center, attracted your attention before.
on a slightly raised stool sits another man, but he • Yasuki Yae is jealous, resentful, deeply
is obscured by a large white, semi-transparent unhappy. Quirks: Her smile looks like a
screen. Nobiyori leans over to Lady Ao, and grimace.
whispers loud enough for the table to hear, “The • Yasuki Eiishi is greedy, eager, and stuck-up.
man behind the screen is our host and Lord, Doji Quirks: Jingles his coin purse when nervous
Kurohito, and to his left is Doji Kyoki his chief • Yasuki Aritomo is steady, dedicated, and
Hatamoto. They will be hearing your case.” does what must be done. Quirks: Prefers not
to talk
For PCs with Courtesan or Etiquette skills, they The man with Eiishi is their loyal retainer
will quickly notice that the attendees attention Aritomo. He has been with the couple since he
has shifted to four tables. One of which is your had his coming of age. They think of each other
table, the other has Akodo Kafur and his as a family, since they have been together so
entourage, the third is Bayushi Shoko’s table, and long. He is their Yojimbo and loyal bushi.
the fourth is a Crane woman at it head, and a
pair of older Crane Samurai. At this point, Doji Kyoki stands up at the front of
the hall, and raises his cup high. It takes a few
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) moments, but the dull roar of the banquet hall
 falls silent as the tables see his gesture. Once Shortly after the games end, Lady Ao rises and
silence fills the hall, he says; “On behalf of our states that she is ready to retire for the evening.
host, Doji Kurohito welcomes you all to his At that, she and her entourage (including the
humble estate. He is honored by your presence PCs) retire to their chambers.
and wishes all of you a successful and joyful
winter season here. Cheers!”

With that, everyone toasts and drinks up. The

Hatamoto continues, “Our hosts bids you to
enjoy your feast, and afterwards, there will be a
short performance, and then games. Enjoy your
evening.”

From there, servants burst out of side rooms and

begin to bring plates of food to each table.
There are several types of fish, small birds, rice,
and various vegetable dishes. Each table has its
fill of food and more. Saki, tea and Shuchu flows
freely. After dinner, the servants slide the plates
away as unobtrusively as possible.

Before the diaz, Noh actors take their position.

With the thunder of drums, the play begins. The
actors pose, gesture, and prance, all to the
accompaniment of the drums. The performance
is precise and excellent. It tells the tale of a Your Day in Court
Samurai who full of pride, takes a bride that The PCs and Lady Ao then get to wait around in
leads to the downfall of his clan when it is the castle until their day in court comes. At the
discovered she had been betrothed to another. castle, the main Banquet Hall is open for
Yet, he refuses to let her go and his household Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner. Many of the
pays a terrible price for disobeying his master for courtiers gather here during the day to await
love. The performance lasts an hour, and seems their turn to see Lord Kurohito. While in the hall
to be well-received by the audience; mostly they engage in gossip, games, political
Cranes. maneuvering, poetry reading, impromptu plays,
calligraphy, and other past times in small to large
After that, the actors rush away, and servants go groups. It is an opportunity for the players to
to the front and begin to set-up various games of engage in various challenges and activities and
skill. A small group of musicians who begin to get a feel for the lay of the land.
play as background music accompanies the
games. There is a bobbing for apples in a barrel, The GM should ask the PCs what they are doing
throwing knives at targets on a wall, slicing while they wait. This could be anywhere from
apples on strings with katanas, throwing rings exploring the city, going to visit with Yasuki Yae
over saki jugs, and more. The tables break up and Eiishi, practicing their Katas, visiting the local
and go to participate in various games. At this shrine, meeting with Shoko, playing GO with
point, the PCs can also move to interact with anyone they can, sparring with the Akodo Kafu
other NPCs, each other, play games, etc. After retinue, etc. Nothing too detailed and still
another hour the games disappear, and the keeping them relatively available.
servants continue to serve saki and drinks.
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 After three days, Nobiyuri appears where Lady group of scribes and servants to facilitate the
Ao is. He bows low to her and whispers to her proceedings. Beyond them is a small raised
behind his fan. She visibly stiffens and says, “Our platform. On it sits Doji Kyoki, and three other
appointment is upon us. We have two hours to Hatamoto you do not know. Behind them is a
prepare, and then Nobiyuri will lead us to the silken screen with a large imprint of a crane on it,
audience chambers. Please be ready outside our and the screen you can see a pair of feet sitting
guest house at that time.” on a short stool. The shape of Lord Kurohito is
blurred by the screen.
PCs with Perceptions of 3 or better will also
notice that Akodo Kafu and Bayushi Shoko are Doji Kyoki raises his fan and says, “Welcome to
busily preparing themselves as well. the court of Lord Doji Kurohito of the Crane Clan.
I recognize and acknowledge the delegations of
At the appointed time, Nobiyori arrives at the Yasuki Eiishi of the Crane, Doji Ao of the Crane,
guest house dressed in the formal wear of his Akodo Kafu of the Lion, and Bayushi Shoko of the
office. His robes are white over sky blue Scorpion. Thank you for coming, and we are all
leggings. He is wearing a large black hat and is eager to hear your case concerning……” he
carrying a fan with the Crane symbol on it. Lady pauses for a moment as he glances down at
Ao is also wearing a fine white robe with delicate some notes, “The claimants to ownership of the
Crane symbols stitched across the hem, and Valley of the Emerald Stairway.”
along the back. She also has a Crane fan with
her, but in white and blue. A simple light blue With that he bows, as do his fellow Hatamoto.
head peace adorns her white wig. The rest of those assembled also bow and then
Nobiyori gestures for you to take your seats.
Nobiyori escorts the party around the large
castle, through a side doorway, and up several Doji Kyoki, “We call upon Akodo Kafu to make his
flights of stairs into the heart of the main castle. claim.” He gestures towards the Lion with his
You pass various Bushi guards, and soon you are fan.
lost in the maze of rooms and corridors.
Eventually, your group settles in a waiting area, Akodo Kafu stands, “Thank you Hatamoto Kyoki,
outside of two large doors covered in Crane you do us honor in hearing our case. We look to
motifs and symbols. You can hear the murmur the wisdom of Lord Kurohito to help us settle
of voices on the other side. this dispute in our favor.

With you in the waiting area is Akodo Kafur and As you know, the Lion have long been the
his full entourage, Bayushi Shoko and her protectors of the Empire, and form the bulk of
assistant/maid, and Yasuki Yae and Eiishi. Each his divine majesties’ armies. This is a great
group stands slightly apart from each other, but honor, but it is a heavy one. Many times, the
eyes each other suspiciously over their fans, or strength of the Lion has been needed in the past
from the corners of their eyes. to secure the Empire and we will be ready and
eager to do so again.
After an uncomfortably long wait time, the great
paper doors slide to the side. A group of other To help us in this cause, the Lion need to be able
samurai from the Crane clan exit. The guards to feed their great armies. We humbly seek to
manning the doorway signal to Nobiyori and he expand our territory and food base to the Valley
leads your small group in followed by the Yasuki, of the Emerald Stairway. This will help us
the Akodo, and finally the Bayushi. In front of produce the foodstuff we need to continue to be
you is a large open area with sitting matts able to support the Empire with the strength of
arrayed in a semi-circle. On the other sides is a our arms. It is not unprecedented for such a
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) transfer to occur. Previous examples can be
 transfer to occur. Previous examples can be “In addition,” a servant provides an additional
cited,” with that Akodo nods to the servants, document to the Hatamoto to review, “You will
who shuffle some paperwork and then provide a see that the famed Seven Terraces and Aiki
document to the assembled Hatamoto to review. Reservoir were constructed with the aid of
Akodo waits until all have had sufficient time to Scorpion engineers. As this is the primary
review it and return it to their servant. agricultural output of the Valley, it would not be
possible without the Scorpion Clans assistance.
“Therefore, we look to the wisdom of Lord The value of the valley we see today, is only
Kurohito to follow these precedents and award made possible by the gifts bestowed upon it by
the Valley of the Emerald Stairway to the Lion. the Scorpion.”
The death of Lord Yasuki Ito without heirs or wife
is unfortunate. However, the location of this “These two pieces of evidence show that the
province near our borders will allow the Lion to Scorpion claim to these lands is strong. We
easily maintain and manage it. The production initially discovered the Valley that is in dispute,
of this valley will allow the Lion to continue to be and we were responsible for making it a
the Emperor’s Yari in battle.” productive province. Therefore, without the
Scorpion; the Valley of the Emerald Stairway
With that, Kafur bows and sits down. Hatamoto would be of value to no one. It is befitting that
Kyuki nods, “Thank you for your testimony in this the Valley be approved as official Scorpion
matter Akodo Kafu. You do your clan proud. territory.”
Next, we will hear from Bayushi Shoko of the
Scorpion clan.” The various Hatamoto’s nod, as Doji Kyoki says,
“Thank you for a well spoken testimony by
Bayushi Shoko unfolds herself slowly and Bayushi Shoko of the Scorpion. Your testimony
carefully from her sitting position. She bows and evidence are powerful. Next, we will hear
gracefully, and then speaks, “Thank you great from Yasuki Yae.”
council for allowing our testimony. I am sure
your wisdom will grant the Scorpion clan’s claim Yasuki rises slowly, again those trained in the
of lordship.” courtier’s arts recognize the movements of an
accomplished courtier and orator, “I am Yasuki
“Please take a moment to review the first Yae, the sister of Yasuki Ito. I am honored that
document in our case. You will see that the this court has taken up my claim, and will sit in
Valley of the Emerald Stairway was first judgement. I have no doubt Lord Kurohito will
discovered by the Scorpion Clan, thereby be wise in his decision.
allowing to claim the area by first discovery,” A
servant brings some documents to the Hatamoto I am the only living relative of the former Lord
who review them and pass them along, “The Ito. Lord Ito was the descendant of a long line of
Scorpion traveler was lost in the mountains, and Yasuki who were given lordship of the Valley of
only the timely discovery of the Valley allowed the Emerald Staircase 10 generations ago. I can
them to weather the bad weather. You can read too, have this blood line in my veins.”
for yourself how the geography described
matches that of the traveler.” A servant shuffles documents and then hands
them to the tribunal for review. It is the ancestry
Courtiers and Courtier skilled observers will and official titles documents.
notice that Shoko is using some of the powerful
oratory tricks of a trained Courtier. Her physical “Inheritance laws are straight forward in the
placement, gestures, enunciation, and cadence Empire. The property is awards the oldest living
are all textbook examples of the Courtier’s skills. heir of the family, who inherits the title. As we
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 all know, Ito dies without a blood heir. That
makes me the oldest living family member, and No matter what the PCs decide, the GM could
therefore the rightful new Lord of the Valley of also remind them that anything they thought of,
the Emerald Staircase. I thanks this court for their opponents may also be trying to do to the
their compassion and wisdom to do what is right PCs.
in this case.”
Here are what the alternate factions are
With that, Yasuki Yae finds her place. The planning:
Hatamoto’s nod before Hatamoto Kyoki Shoko is planning on getting one of the PCs
continues the proceedings, “We now ask for Doji publicly drunk at the Banquet Hall
Ao or her representative to make their case.” • Shoko will try to recruit her fellow
Scorpion from the party to help her
At this point, Lady Ao will nod approvingly to the • To diminish Lady Ao’s reputation at
groups Courtier (or designated speaker) to make Court
their case. The GM should ask the player to • Potentially get them into a drunken
outline their general argument and role-play the honor duel
general idea of what they say, and then to make Kafu feels his hand is weak, and has no real plan
a Courtier roll. There is no Target, but the higher to strengthen it
the better. • Kafu will also approach any Lion of the
party for aid in strengthening his claim
After the PC presents their case, Doji Kyoki will • He is trying to find fellow Lion’s of
nod and say, “Thank you for providing a sufficient rank at Court to help sway
compelling testimony to this court. Lord Kurihito the hatamoto.
will contemplate what all have said and deliver Yasuki Yae is planning to kill off the rival
judgement before the end of the Winter Court. claimants
His judgement is binding and is backed by the
goodwill of the Emperor himself. You all
provided compelling testimony, and for that we
are all honored and humbled. You are dismissed
until summoned.”

With that, Nobiyuri stands up and leads you out

of the castle and back to the guest houses. At
this point, the GM may want to encourage the
PCs to speculate on their chances, and any next
steps they wish to take. If they are unsure, here
are a couple ideas that you could seed into the
conversation:

• You could get one of the parties to voluntarily

withdraw their claim
• You could try to debunk their evidence via
investigation
• You could publicly get their status/glory/honor
diminished to diminish their claim
• You could research more/new evidence to try
and strengthen your own claim
• You could recruit allies to enhance your claims
Quyen Dinh chances
(Order #42271658)
 The First Domino Falls • Kafu had been working the court, trying to
Allow the PCs a day or two to start trying to gain some favor and backing for his claims.
enact their plan, whatever it is. Let them start He and his entourage had been bustling from
whatever the process looks like via Role-play and guest house to guest house trying to build up
other actions. In addition, Shoko will also start some support.
to nose around and attract the attention of • His efforts had not seemed to yield much fruit
whatever PC is easiest to lead on, due to being • Kafu had been receiving messages, invitations,
stupid, clan affiliation, or other reasons. Akodo and letters from home over the last few days
Kafu will also try to connect with the Lion in the • Before leaving, he received a hand written
party for intel on the PCs plans to strengthen letter that he had taken with him on his
their case. In the meantime, the various events travels out to the Swaying Reed Saki House
at the Banquet Halls will provide the PCs • Kafu specifically asked his entourage to stay
opportunity to try and enact their plans and may back when he went into the city
involve various challenges and skill rolls. • They did not approve of these
instructions and strenuously objected,
On the third day, have the following happen: but orders are orders
• He did not come home that evening, and the
The PCs find out from either Lady Ao, Hanshiro, entourage found out about his death when
or Nobiyuri that Akodo Kafu was found everyone else did.
murdered. He was stabbed in the back and left • Everyone in the entourage can vouch for
for dead in an alleyway in the city outside the where they were over the evening, as they
Swaying Reed Saki House. Lord Kurihito has sent waited patiently for a summons from their
for Emerald Magistrates to investigate, but they commander, and played a lot of GO.
are not expected to arrive for another several • They expect to be recalled back home to the
days. home of their Lord after the Emerald
Magistrates have arrived and interrogated
The PCs may wish to investigate or they may not. them
There are three logical routes to investigate, the • Having their commander killed is a great
first is to work with Akodo Kafu’s regular dishonor to them all
entourage at their Guest House. The second
route is to investigate the Swaying Reed Saki
House. The third is to investigate the body of The Swaying Reed Saki House
Akodo Kafu in the City morgue. The Swaying Reed is near the outer walls of the
city. It is in a poor neighborhood, where Eta and
Peasants live. They are mostly day laborers and
Akodo Kafu’s Entourage itinerant peddlers. The area is run down, dirty,
With the death of their leader, and son of their and full of malnourished and poorly clothed
lord; the Lion Retinue is in shock. Akado Akihito workers. It is clear that they barely make it by
has taken charge as the senior Bushi. He has from Lord Kurohito’s rice stipend.
asked all of his samurai to stay in lockdown at
the Guest House in order to avoid tampering The Swaying Reed is a two story building that
with the evidence or crime scenes. Of course, matches the general design of Teahouses and
some of his followers are less than happy with Inns across Rokugan. You can use the General
these orders, but orders are orders. Teahouse Map in Adventure #1 to get a feel for
the place. It is owned by a widower named
If the PCs interview the Lion’s they will gain the Raicho. Her husband disappeared about 5 years
following information: ago, and most assumed it was due to gambling
debts. Raicho took over the Saki House after his
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) disappearance.
 Raicho has crooked teeth, an unhealthy palor, Here is what Raicho knows:
and long, stringy black hair. She tries to keep it • Akodo Kafur did not actually come to her
up in a bun, but loose straggles always seem to establishment that night
fall out. She wears a well worn and plain looking • He was outside, doing a poor job of sticking to
robe, with a leather apron. Her handful of the shadows
employees are in no better shape. • In the evening, a crowd of dock workers came
• Raicho is desperate, reluctant to help, and in, so she lost track of what the samurai was
afraid. Quirks: Her black hair keeps falling doing
out of her bun, and she is always trying to • Later she saw him talking with a man hunched
tuck it back up or behind her ears. over and in a cloak about something
• Kafur went down the alleyway, and the other
If the PCs ask her questions, she will be reluctant man followed
to talk. After all, peasants can be killed by a • She is not sure, but as the turned she thought
Samurai for any reason. She will claim, as most she saw a daisho on the stranger
peasants do; that the affairs of Samurai are • Raicho did not hear about the killing until the
above her concern. Raicho half expects the next day, when she awoke and the city guards
authorities to blame her for Akodo Kafu’s death were crawling all over the alleyway near her
and be done with the matter. If the PCs threaten place
her, she will say just as much to their face, and
bend down for the blow on her neck. If they do
not threaten her and treat her with respect or
offer a bribe she will be much more willing to
talk.

General Teahouse/Inn Lay-out

First Floor Second Floor

Storage Kitchen

Guest Guest
Stairs Room Stairs Room

Door

Door Window
Window
Main
Guest Guest
Room
Room Room

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 The Body of Akodo Kafu identify their dead, before Okakura has them
In Rokugan, it is forbidden for Samurai and taken to the crematory and burned.
others to touch dead flesh. Such jobs are left for
the lowliest caste, the Eta. Some families such At the back of the room, is a solid door that he
as the Kuni or Kitsuki have methods of opens. Inside, is a small shrine at the back to the
investigation that make use of the body, but Seven Fortunes. There are four sturdy wooden,
many do not. Instead, the testimony of a padded beds. Three are empty and the fourth
Samurai is worth more than any physical has the body of Akodo Kafu. His body is rigid
evidence that can be found. and pale. His armor is still on, and his Daisho is
neatly displayed on a rack at his feet. Incense
It is impractical for the authorities to leave dead burns in a small table at his bedside, and below
bodies out in the street to be collected by their the table is a small chest. On the table is a rolled
families. Therefore, the city will often take such up scroll.
bodies to the morgue. The Morgue is staffed by
Eta, and his under the responsibility of the city Samurai that come into the morgue are
magistrate. obviously treated better than peasants. Families
have 5 days to collect the body before Okakura
If the PCs go alone, they will encounter Diadoji has them cremated. Unlike Peasants, Okakura
Okakura who is the Samurai in-charge of the keeps the ashes at the front desk for later
morgue. He was tasked with this assignment to retrieval.
atone for impolite behavior towards some
visiting Mantis clan delegates to the city that If asked Okakura can offer the following
involved throwing them bodily from the city for information by referring to the scroll on the table
gambling. Okakura is a very large, round, and about Akodo Kafu:
strong man. He has close cropped black hair He was killed by a strike to the back with a
and is clean shaven. His head looks more like a bladed weapon
cinder block with a scowl than a head. He wears The assailant was skilled with a blade, as he
dark blue armor with white accents. struck the weak spot in the armor with precision
• Diadoji Okakura is rigid, stubborn, and eager and most likely speed
to be gone from this place. Quirks: He does Akodo Kafu had not drawn a weapon and there
not like Mantis clan after the incident. were no signs of struggle at the scene
Some personal effects can be found in the chest
When the PCs arrive, Okakura will ask them to that were on him at the time
state their business. Without a representative of • A handful of coins
the Lion with them, Okakura will not let them • A portable GO board
enter and see the body. However, if one is there • Tanto knife
or there are orders from a high level Crane he • Saki cup
will comply. • Personal seal
• Small scrap of a note that reads:
From the front office, Okakura will lead them “Information to help your case.
down a corridor. The room smells like death, Swaying Reed Saki House. Hour of the
with a heavy scent of perfume over it. On each Boar. Come alone.”
side of the room are bunk like niches with bodies
covered in sheets. The occasional arm or foot Okakura will not let the PCs take anything for
hangs off the slabs. A few Eta can be seen Kafu or the morgue in general.
scrubbing up a body or sprinkling it with incense.
Peasant families have three days to claim or The PCs can investigate all three locations over
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 the course of the day, or split up. It will take all Hana has ragged breathing and is hot to the
day to complete their investigations as they need touch, she is feverish and simply mumbling. A
to navigate the city, follow-through on protocol, healing spell will help her recover from injury,
etc. They should return to the guest houses later but not cure the poisons effects. With no
that evening. healing, she will die within minutes, if healing
magic/medicine check is used she will live
The Second Domino Falls another 6 hours, but be unable to communicate
If they investigate, they will arrive in time for fully. If magic is used to clear the poison than she
dinner. They will be summoned to Lady Ao’s will be unconscious and asleep for 8 hours
rooms for a communal meal. Nobiyuri and before regaining consciousness at a weakened
Hanshiro will also be there. At the dinner, the state.
three will politely avoid discussing what
happened to Akodo Kafu and steer conversations Nobiyori will offer to go alert the authorities.
away from the topic to trivial frivolities like Hanshiro will wish to stay with his sister to
flower arranging techniques or the like. After protect her.
dinner, Lady Ao will ask Hanshiro to sing and he
will sing a short song about the a lonely sentry in Eventually, Crane authorities will arrive led by
the rain and at night. Afterwards, she will have Hatamoto Kyoki. If Hana is still alive, they will
the peasants bring Saki and say, “Now, I am take her to the infirmary. If Hana was stabilized
ready to talk about the fate of Akodo Kafu. by the PCs she will survive under Crane care.
Please share with me what you have learned?” They will also go and investigate the Scorpion’s
guest house and discover that the rest of the
At this point, the PCs might be a bit on edge Scorpion are all dead. They collapsed either at
about what could happen to Lady Ao. Nobiyuri the dinner table, or nearby. Soshi Hana was the
and Hanshiro will advise them that as long as only one to survive.
they are in the castle, they are safe. The place is
crawling with guards and samurai everywhere. If Hana survives, the PCs may wish to interrogate
To get to Lady Ao would take an army. As long as her. If so they will find out the following:
she stays in the castle grounds she will be safe. The retinue has spent the day reviewing the
documents they had provided to the Hatamoto
At this point, Hanshiro’s samurai will be heard in the case.
shouting outside. You recognize the sound of They had been visited by Yasuki Aritomo. The
Kakita Yuya giving clear and precise orders. You two had shared a drink and a game of GO,
will want to ask the PCs what they wish to do? mostly in private.
Hanshiro will move in front of his sister and put That night, the group gathered for dinner as was
his hand on his katana. Nobiyori will slink away normal practice
to a corner. She had avoided eating the sparrow, as she did
If the PCs open the door they will see Kakita Yuya not care for it. However, the others were eager
supporting Soshi Hana as they approach the to eat her share, especially Bayushi Takao.
house. The rest of Hanshiro’s samurai have Takao was the first to report feeling ill, and then
fanned out behind her and are scanning the he collapsed, then the others started to as well.
courtyard, their weapons gripped tightly in their She was starting to feel warm and a brain fog.
hands. If they do not go outside, Yuya will slide She got up and made it out the door, but doesn’t
the door open and pull Shoko in after her. The recall anything after that.
Scorpion will be slumped over Yuya’s shoulder
with labored breathing. If Hana does not survive, the PCs may wish to
investigate the Scorpion Guest House. If they get
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 there before the Crane authorities they will find Dinner with Hatamoto Ryoki
the Scorpion clan dead. Most of them are at or After the deaths of Akodo Kafu and Bayushi
near the house, their food still warm. Shoko (and entourage) the court is abuzz with
Communing with the Kami will reveal the sudden rumors and concern. Crane patrols increase in
turn of events and that it was quick. The Kami and outside of the castle. In addition, the great
are still disturbed by the events. gates of the castle are sealed and access to the
city is restricted to only those with the proper
Other investigation will reveal that the Scorpion paperwork form the hatamoto’s or the Lord
were reviewing the documents of the diary and Kurohito himself. Everything is locked down until
the engineers reports from the Valley of the the Emerald Magistrates arrive.
Emerald Stairway. The originals are at their
guest house, and a careful review using Lady Ao gathers the PCs again, and Nobiyori tells
Caligraphy or similar skill will reveal that the them the following, “Hatamoto kyoki wishes to
engineers reports is a forgery, as it uses one dine with Lady Ao and her entourage and Yasuki
character form that post-dates the supposed Yae and her entourage in his private dining hall.
dates of the documents. You will need to be ready in 1 hour, and I will
lead you there.”
If the PCs get there after the Crane authorities
have gotten involved, they will have locked down At the appointed time, Lady Ao, Hanshiro, and
the guest house with two young samurai guards. Nobiyori meet the PCs in their finery. Nobiyori
No admittance except by the order of Hatamoto leads them through a maze of passages and
Kyoki. They wish to preserve the crime scene doorways until you finally open one, and step
until the Emerald Magistrates arrive in three into a dining hall outfitted and ready. Hatamoto
days time. kyoki rises and greets you by holding up a cup.
Yasuki Yae, Yasuki Eiishi, and Aritome are all
ready seated

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)

 .Kyoki says, “Welcome to my table. I am you requires a higher TN than a simple nasty
honored to have such esteemed guests with me barb about her age. The purpose of this
this evening. I hope we can overlook the tension encounter is to experience Rokugan politics up
between us. Please, have a seat.” close and personal. Handling the situation well
can lead to a better result for their case, than the
You and your entourage sit across from the opposite.
Yasuki’s. Lady Ao reaches into her sleeve and
pulls out a small paper, written delicately in her
own hand. She says, “I hope it is not too much Fire in the Castle
trouble, but I have composed a small Haiku for At this point, the PCs should be keeping pretty
you Hatamoto Kyoki. Of course, he refuses it close tabs on Lady Ao while possibly doing some
three times before accepting it. The hatamoto investigative work on her behalf. Let the PCs tell
quietly reads it, folds it up in his hand, reflects on you what they do for the next day. It is still
it a moment, and then bows to Lady Ao. about 2 days until the Emerald Magistrates
arrive. They may try to get into the Scorpion
“A true gift of beauty and insight from your own guest house to investigate, visit with Hana if she
hand. I am honored,” now let us all drink this is still alive, escort Lady Ao to the Banquet Hall,
fine Saki that Lady Yae brought for us to enjoy skulk around the Yasuki guest house, etc.
together!” He claps his hands, and the servants
bring out the saki and pour it for everyone at the That night, after another dinner together the
table. “A toast, may the Seven Fortunes shine on group settles in to rest for the evening. That
us all, and bring us our heart’s true desire.” With night, at the hour of the Ox, about 3:00 am the
that the hatamoto takes a hearty gulp of the PCs are awoken by a commotion outside. One of
saki, and is followed suit by the other NPCs. Hanshiro’s samurai. Doji Utamura; begins
hammering on the door and shouting. “Fire, fire
Kyoki is trying to get a feel for each of the in the castle!”
potential claimants and probe with questions
about Bushido, the teachings of Shensei, and As the PCs run out, Utamara points to the bath
other topics of the educated in Rokugan. house in your row. It is indeed on fire, and the
Through the rest of the evening, Lady Yae will flames are spreading fast. Crane samurai are
take every chance she can to try and slight Lady running to grab buckets, as are your own guards.
Ao and her claims with the help of Eiishi. You look around, but do not see Lady Ao with
Aritomo will stay silent through the entire meal. you yet. Hanshiro stumbles out of his
Lady Ao will politely ignore the barbs thrown her guesthouse with a hastily thrown on robe and his
way and weather them by changing the subject Daisho. He immediately does what comes
or focusing on answering Kyoki. Of course, the natural and starts giving orders.
PCs can respond as they wish.
Let the PCs know the fire is spreading fast in this
As GM, you may want to role-play as the dry wood and paper buildings. Lady Ao is still
hatamoto and Yasuki, and when the PCs respond not out of her guest house, and it is only a
have them give you the general feel of the matter of minutes before it could spread to her
response, and tell you if they are using any of location. Your guest house is also getting
their skills while doing it. Have them roll and the perilously close to starting up as well. Hanshiro,
higher the better, trying to get TN of 15 or more his samurai, and the guards seem focused on
to be successful with their intent, more getting the fire out. Then have everyone roll for
complicated intent will require greater rolls. For Initiative to establish action order so you as GM
example, insinuating that Lady Yae is involved in can help control the chaos. PCs may want to try
the murders without having it reflect poorly on to help put out the fire, go for Lady Ao, use the
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
 distraction to attack Lady Yae, or do something Once the PCs escape with Lady Ao, the house is
else. This could be a time where the party gets completely on fire, or the attackers have suffered
split up a bit with them all doing different things. injuries up to Hurt they will try to flee into the
night. A hole in the roof and rope is dangling
When the PCs go to get Lady Ao, have them find from the wall. They will attempt to flee up the
the door to her room is jammed close. It is a rope, onto the wall, and into the city below.
simple matter to smash through the paper door. They will use the fire and the darkness to hide
Inside they will find Lady Ao in her bed while two their escape.
dark shapes hovering above her. They turn as
you bust in and you see that they have painted The attackers are of course Eiishi and Aritomo on
their faces and hair black with soot. They are behalf of Yae and their own fortunes. Their
wearing light armor, that has been padded and identity can be revealed if either one is killed,
secured for stealth. One is holding a vial in one the PCs manage to clear the soot from their
hand, and rag in the other. One is short and built faces, or they are captured. If their identity is
like a fortress wall, while the other is tall and revealed they will attempt to fight to the death,
lanky. and preferably die within the fire so their bodies
will be consumed by the flames to destroy the
As the GM, play this battle as time is of the evidence.
essence! The fire is spreading rapidly and in a
few turns will catch and consume the room you Lady Ao has been poisoned, but only knocked
are in. This battle will take place in darkness and out for a few hours. She can not be awakened
smoke, until the place catches on fire. Provide unless magic is used to clear out poison.
mods to Target Numbers as needed, but this However, this poison is not deadly like that used
should be a desperate fight. The PCs should be on the Scorpions. After a few hours, she will
forced to use a guard or grapple actions to keep awaken on her own. She will be disoriented,
the shadowy shapes from attacking Lady Ao. weak, but unhurt.
This will stop the PCs from being able to focus on
either grabbing Lady Ao, or hurting the attackers.
Guest House Lay-out
Escape Rope
Kitchen

Lady Ao’s Bed

Door

Bedroom Shrine

Common Area

Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658) Window

 These could create another session of adventure,
Conclusion or you could narrate these open items away to
Once the identity of the attackers is revealed, move into the next season.
the PCs can take it to the Crane authorities.
Their testimony is enough to implicate Yasuki Yae Depending on how this session went, the PCs
and the rest of her retinue. If the identity of the can earn the following:
attackers was revealed due to death, she will not • Increase 1 Insight Rank
resist; the fight having gone out of her. • Experience Points- 4-6 depending on Role-play
• Status- Status goes up +0.5
If it is revealed by some other way, she will deny • Glory- +0.5 Overall
the accusations vehemently and remind the • Honor- Varies depending on role-play
Crane Authorities about all the dishonorable or
shady things the PCs have done while in the The PCs can not return to the valley until Spring
castle. If their conduct was not dishonorable, as the Fumiko Pass will be closed with snow.
she will claim she knew nothing of Eiishi and They can spend the rest of the Winter Court
Aritomo’s actions and demand that they be building skills, training with their sensei,
forced to commit seppuku or be executed in improving their Rings via training and study, or
shame. If the PCs have no other testimony or building relationships with NPCs. In spring the
evidence to back up their claims, the authorities PCs can return to the Valley of the Emerald
will assume that Yae had no idea, and allow her Stairway, and onto the new adventures that
to go home with a cloud hanging over her. await them there.

Once Yae’s actions are revealed, it is only a

matter of days before Lord Kurohito proclaims The End
that Lady Ao, with her loyal retinue will rule the This is the end of the One Year in Rokugan
Valley of the Emerald Stairway. The PCs are Campaign: The Valley of the Emerald Stairway.
assigned to be her retainers and vassals going
forward, despite coming from various clans. I hope you enjoyed the campaign. Hopefully,
They are allowed to maintain their clan names in you now have a strong understanding of Rokugan
their new assignments. Official decrees and and how to build exciting adventures using the
documents are signed and sent across Rokugan Legend of the Five Rings games. Through this
proclaiming the new status quo. campaign you have dealt with Samurai, Ronin,
the Shadowlands, Kami, Shugenja, Bushido, the
There are still a few loose ends the players may Great Clans, Courtiers, Testimony, and Winter
be thinking about: Court. These are the key ingredients that make a
game of Legend of the Five Rings a unique and
• Perhaps they wish to visit and pay their rewarding experience.
respects to Kafu or Shoko’s family this spring?
• Did any of the Yasuki Yae’s retinue survive? The Valley of the Emerald Stairway can be a great
Do other relatives want revenge? base for your campaign to continue. Each
• If Soshi Hana survived, what is her character is still young, and has room for growth.
relationship to the PCs? Perhaps they are selected to become Emerald
• Are the Lion and Scorpion Clans satisfied with Magistrates next? Perhaps Lady Ao needs them
the outcome of Winter Court? to go out into the world and find suitable
• Are the Ronin of the Valley completely marriages? It is up to you what comes next for
handled? the second year in Rokugan.
• Is Zenshin still a threat to the shrines of the
Valley? Thanks for playing and I hope you and your
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)
group have fun!
Quyen Dinh (Order #42271658)