Challenge, Focus, Strike!
Adventure Hooks for Legend of the Five Rings
VOLUME VI: CFS OF THE WEEK #66 THROUGH #79
Written by Isawa Nazomitsu (Scott Stockton) z Compiled & Edited by Pirate Spice (Sean C. Riley)
Following is the sixth volume of a series of documents collecting the
esteemed Isawa Nazomitsu’s “CFS of the Week” feature in the L5R RPG
GMs section of AEG’s gaming forum (www.alderac.com/forum).
For the sake of further organizing these, I have attempted to give each
hook a title (also taking inspiration from suggestions on the forum). The
hooks themselves are presented in the order that they were originally
posted, edited for brevity and typography. In addition, you will find
several headings denoting a category of scenarios, grouped by theme.
Some entries may include a section entitled “Shout.” These are simply
extensions of the CFS presented to add more complications or hooks.
– Sean C. Riley (a.k.a. Pirate Spice)
Animals
The Countdown to Creatures Book continues for its fourth straight month
(fifth if you count Oni Month). We've met naga allies, come to terms with
our ratling neighbors, and faced hordes of raging goblins. This month
we'll deal with creatures of a different sort.
Animals.
In this day and age odds are good that you don't deal with animals on
a regular basis unless you have pets. In a setting with vast areas of
wilderness like Rokugan, however, encounters with wild animals are a
daily occurrence. Tigers, wolves, and bears all roam the forests and
fields. Snakes and spiders lurk in the grass.
And there are animals still more dangerous as well.
66. The Sapphire Chef
CHALLENGE
The player characters and their families are invited to feast at the home of
the locally renowned Crystal Chef. If the party has played through CFS of
the Week scenario #39 they may already know their host, for it is none
other than their old ally Kawachi.
Kawachi has come quite a ways since the party saw him last. He has
mastered several new recipes and proven his skills to several influential
figures. Needless to say, the food he prepares is quite delicious and
everyone enjoys themselves.
FOCUS
After everyone has enjoyed a fabulous meal, Kawachi makes his request.
A high-ranking lord from the Crab Clan has challenged him to prepare a
special dish. Stories tell of a great tsu fish—the king of all tsu fish—that
lives in the middle of a distant swamp. The chef who could make sashimi
from such a beast would surely be worthy of the title "Sapphire Chef" and
might even be invited to cook for the Champion himself.
While he has some skill with a knife, Kawachi is much less adept at
combat than he is at cooking. Once again he turns to the PCs for help, asking
them to accompany him on his mission to find and kill the "King Tsu Fish."
STRIKE
The King Tsu Fish is a formidable beast. It dwells in a muddy swamp
dotted with grassy hummocks and several deep pools, similar to the areas
favored by its smaller cousins. Unlike normal tsu fish, however, this
extraordinary specimen measures almost 20 feet in length. While the
party may be unable to move effectively through the muck, the King Tsu
Fish has no such trouble, and it's spines and jaws present a significant
hazard to samurai who get too near.
Feel free to assign the King Tsu Fish whatever stats you like. If you
decide it is simply an oversized freak of nature you can leave its traits
and skills relatively low. On the other hand, if you want to present it as a
truly unique and legendary creature you can give it as much power as it
needs to present a suitable challenge for the party.
The mission isn't over once the King Tsu Fish is defeated, either. Kawachi
still has to clean it, gut it, and prepare a suitable dish of sashimi. Which
won't be easy while he remains in the swamp. Likewise, moving the
immense carcass is also sure to be a difficult undertaking. And don't
forget that time is of the essence. After all, seafood is best when fresh.
A quick Google image search for "mudskipper" will turn up a number
of interesting pictures if you want to show your players exactly what the
beast they're facing looks like. These two are my personal favorites, but
there are plenty of others to choose from.
And in case you're wondering, yes, they are in fact edible.
67. Hunting Hana
Last week we faced a wild, ravenous force of nature. This week we'll
tackle something a little closer to home. It's up to you to decide which one
is more difficult.
CHALLENGE
The PCs are asked to entertain a favorite relative of their commander or
supervisor. The guest, named Lady Eriko, is a figure of some standing. Her
entourage includes a trio of body guards, a number of servants, a private
physician, and a lady in waiting. As far as Eriko is concerned, however,
the most important member of her party is Hana, her pet (see below).
FOCUS
Once Eriko settles in, things go relatively smoothly, and she begins to
enjoy the player characters' hospitality. Sometime after lunch, however, a
servant approaches the player characters with bad news. Hana is nowhere
to be found. While a search of the room she was being kept in is
underway, it appears that she has escaped and is currently roaming
around the building unwatched.
If the PCs insist on keeping Hana nearby, you may have to alter the
situation a little. Even animals have minds of their own, and a pet that is
forced to stay put will often attempt to do anything but sit still. A loud
noise might startle her into taking flight. Or a momentary distraction could
offer her all the time she needs to slip free from her handler and go exploring.
STRIKE
Hana could be anywhere in the building, the grounds, or even the
surrounding countryside. A single room offers numerous hiding places
for a small animal, and a armory or storage room alone could take hours
to search. Not to mention the fact that Hana is likely to flee from any
strangers to try to catch her. Wherever she is, the PCs had best find and
recover her, for the wrath of an angry pet lover can be grave indeed.
As always, you can adjust the age and background of Eriko as
appropriate to play upon the character traits of your players. If they are
kind and considerate types, you could make Eriko a young child. For
more selfish groups, an attractive maiden of marrying age might be a
better. If your players are respectful (or fearful) of authority, Eriko could
be an older woman, or even the daimyo's sister.
While one might expect Eriko to keep a traditional pet like a cat or
dog, there's no reason why she couldn't have taken a liking to some other
type of animal. While size is a consideration, there are a number of
animals that have the potential to be kept as a pet, and Hana might be
any of the following: cat, dog, rabbit, ferret, fox, monkey, piglet, mouse,
chicken, parakeet, songbird, falcon, turtle, frog, lizard, snake, cricket,
praying mantis, stag beetle, scorpion…or any other animal you think
might be suitable and/or interesting.
You could also introduce additional complications. What if Hana is
not really a normal animal, but a shapeshifting spirit from Chikushudo?
Or the magically controlled servant of a shugenja from a rival clan?
What are her intentions toward Eriko, and what can the player characters
do if it turns out that Hana is not the loving pet she appears to be?
Or, what if Hana cannot be found at all? Do the player characters tell
the truth and admit their failure, or do they try to find another similar
creature to take her place. One frog looks just like any other frog, right?
And what if Eriko is so impressed by how attentively the party treats
Hana that she decides to leave her in their care for a whole week?
68. Runt of the Litter
As the dominant species on the planet, we have the capability to do with
other creatures as we will. Whether we choose to be kind or cruel, their
fates are in our hands, and the choice we make reveals a great deal about
who we really are.
CHALLENGE
A commander who is allied with the PCs asks them for a favor. His duties
require him to travel far afield for the next few months, and he would like
them to look after one of his prized hounds while he is gone. Although
most of the dogs he keeps are currently undergoing training to serve as
war dogs, one animal in particular requires special attention. Named Chibi,
the small dog is too weak to serve alongside his brothers and sisters. Nonetheless,
the commander hopes the party members can find some use for him.
FOCUS
While Chibi's parents were strong and fearless hunting dogs, he does not
seem to share their natural instincts. He is small, weak, and uncoordinated.
He has no natural skill in fighting whatsoever, and runs away from
anything that seems the least bit threatening. Despite his failings,
however, Chibi is a friendly and affectionate companion. He is intelligent
and can be taught to perform tricks, will play gently with children, and
even has a way of lifting people's spirits with his bright gaze.
STRIKE
After the PCs have had some time to bond with Chibi and get used to
having him around, a message arrives. The commander who owns Chibi
has been asked to provide half a dozen dogs to his lord, who is known as
an avid fan of dog fights. His first inclination is to send Chibi, as a weak
hound is of no use to him, and he would prefer to send as few of his best
animals as possible. Chibi would not last long in the arena against a
vicious fighting dog, and to send him to the lord's home would most
likely mean his death. To keep him around, however, serves no visible
purpose, and if the PCs hope to convince the commander to send another
dog in his place they will have to come up with some very good reasons.
You can, of course, change Chibi from a dog into another kind of pet. A
young falcon, foal, or lion cub would also be suitable. Just remember that
some types of animals are more likely than others to win people's hearts.
A cowardly fighting fish might be an interesting concept, but it is unlikely
to have many opportunities to get the player characters to warm up to it.
Don't like pets? Want to drive home the unfairness of Rokugan's caste
system? Change Chibi into a friendly eta servant named Chobei and send
him to the estate of a cruel, uncaring daimyo. This has the advantage of
enabling Chobei to speak and interact with the characters, but it also
means that he is fully aware of his lot in life and is expected to accept it.
A helpless animal like Chibi, on the other hand, can do nothing but trust
in the party members to protect him. And they would never betray his
faith in them, right?
In either case, it is possible that you will find players who are
completely unconcerned with the fates of those beneath them. Eta and
animals are all the same anyway, so why should one be concerned with
what happens to them? One way to get around this is to set up a situation
where the PCs in question are indebted (or feel that they are indebted) to
their charge. Perhaps Chibi's barking warns of an assassin in the night.
Or maybe he finds some lost item in the grass. He could even make a
brave stand against an enemy who seeks to do the PCs harm. In any case,
it will be harder for PCs to turn a blind eye on the fate of someone who
has helped them before.
And if they do, then they certainly have no cause to complain when
one of their social betters does the same to them.
69. Who Hunts the Hunter?
Having been busy for the past few days, I return to the forum to find some
ideas similar to the adventure I planned for this week already circulating.
Where others would pit the players against tainted monsters, however, I
find mundane creatures more than sufficient. Nature is, after all, both
beautiful and deadly.
CHALLENGE
The PCs are asked to visit a village deep in the wilderness. The village is
near a gold mine which is usually quite busy. Recently, however, there
have been few shipments of gold from the mine, and no word as to why
production has dropped off. It goes without saying that this situation
cannot be allowed to continue, and the PCs are to locate and correct the
problem with all due haste.
FOCUS
Upon their arrival, the PCs learn that a great tiger has been sighted
prowling the forests near the mines. The peasant laborers are deathly
afraid of the beast, and ask the player characters for help in trapping or
killing it. The maneater has already claimed the lives of several men,
dragging sentries into the woods and wiping out entire hunting parties.
STRIKE
The tiger is larger, stronger, faster, and smarter than any other wild cat
the characters have encountered before. It is able to recognize traps, find
weak points in the party's defenses, and plan ambushes. Although it
attacks only when it feels secure that it has the upper hand, its superior
wilderness skills give it all the edge it needs to make short work of
anyone who enters its domain.
Including overconfident parties of samurai.
Just having the tiger launch an all-out attack against the player
characters will make for a short and relatively uninteresting game
session. If possible, try to get the PCs into a game of cat and mouse with
the animal - albeit one where both parties play the parts of the cat and
the mouse simultaneously! Building the tension up over the course of
several encounters does wonders for making the eventual showdown
much more exciting.
As always, you can change the type of animal terrorizing the village.
An enraged bear or wild lion would be just as deadly as a tiger. For a
further challenge, you can also increase the number of animals present.
Two tigers hunting as a team could present a big problem for samurai
who venture into the forest without making sure everything is safe first.
You could even give the animals the Kharmic Tie advantage in relation to
each other to represent their cooperative tactics. If you want to give your
players an encounter that they'll never forget, put them up against a pack
of lions or wolves, giving the biggest member of the pack techniques from
the Akodo War College school.
For more information on maneating hunters, I recommend the story of
the tsavo lions who inspired the movie "The Ghost and the Darkness."
Even for skilled hunters with rifles, these two beasts were fearsome
opponents. Imagine how much more deadly they'd be against a village
full of peasants.
70. Follow That Bird!
When I started writing these CFS of the Week scenarios, I considered the
time-honored tradition of having the PCs deal with the escape of a
shipment of monkeys. Since I came up with that idea, however, Eindrachen
presented his own version of such a scenario and beat me to the punch.
My first inclination was to scrap the idea entirely rather than cover an
idea that had already seen light. But then I began to wonder if there was
some animal that would be even more interesting to chase around a small
castle than monkeys.
This is the result.
CHALLENGE
A noble of some standing (perhaps the exotic animal loving Eriko from
CFS #67) asks the player characters to look after her estate while she
attends to some family business. She is expecting a special delivery from
the Unicorn Clan soon, and is loathe to leave such an important matter to
her servants. It's a new addition to her already impressive menagerie, but
the PCs should be able to handle things with no problem.
FOCUS
True enough, the delivery arrives within a few day's time. It is a strange
and terrible beast from the Burning Sands, captured especially for
inclusion in the noble's menagerie. The creature resembles a long-necked
bird, like a stork or crane, but is much larger than any natural bird within
the Empire. The Rokugani name given to the animal is "dacho," but the
people of the desert call it an "ostrich."
As you may already suspect, the animal is not in a mood to go
willingly into its cage.
STRIKE
The ostrich is a formidable animal. It measures 8 feet tall and may weigh
up to 300 pounds. It can kick with incredible force, and while it can only
strike out at targets in front of it, its long legs enable it to attack anyone
within 6 feet. Combined with 12 foot strides, this makes standing in front
of the animal a dangerous idea at any distance. It will often try to eat
anything it can swallow. It can run at speeds of up to 30 mph for 15
minutes, so woe be to those who let the ostrich escape the estate grounds.
 If the PCs fail to secure the ostrich or inflict lasting harm upon it they
will face dire consequences, as the rare animal cannot be easily replaced.
If they manage to keep it healthy and happy, however, they may find their
services well-appreciated (and possibly called upon again in the future).
While you may use any stats you wish for the ostrich, I would recommend
making it at least equal to a hawk or eagle. While they are incapable of
flight, their incredible speed and large size gives them an edge in combat,
so the end result is about the same. You could even give them a free raise
or two on kick attacks, to represent the fury of their fearsome strikes.
Remember that the ostrich is in an unfamiliar environment, and may
be threatened or surprised by any number of things. While the bird may
become aggressive if threatened, it is unlikely to fight to the death or
engage in prolonged combat unless pressed. However, that doesn't mean
that it can't wreak other kinds of havoc. Having to explain why they let
the ostrich tear up the moss garden or chase the servants around the
courtyard is not something the PCs are going to look forward to.
There are websites that offer advice for the care, handling, and
control of ostriches. While most player characters would know nothing of
these procedures, they may be useful for game masters who wish to
determine how successful a given course of action stands to be. For
example, the proper course of action to take when faced with a territorial
ostrich may surprise you.
The Shadowlands
With its sweltering heat and driving rains, can there be any doubt that
July is Shadowlands Month? Of course not! After numerous requests, I'm
glad to bring you four long-awaited adventure scenarios featuring
danger, terror, and corruption in Rokugan's most dangerous locale.
But that's not all! The four scenarios presented this month are
designed to be used either individually, or as part of an extended mini-
campaign. Together they form a saga that will take your players into the
depths of evil and, hopefully, bring them back out again.
71. The Obsidian Idols: An Idol Threat
It all starts with a request from the Imperial guard.
CHALLENGE
The player characters are asked to visit the home of Bayushi Nayami and
see if anything is amiss. An advisor to the Imperial families specializing
in traps, fortifications, and security tactics, she has been out of contact
with her daimyo and her superiors for quite some time. The idea that
something could cause such a loyal servant of the Empire to suddenly
become lax in her duties is quite worrisome, and the PCs are ordered to
find out exactly what has befallen her.
FOCUS
When the party arrives at Nayami's estate, they are greeted by a shocking
and unsettling sight. The entire complex, as well as much of the
surrounding area, has been corrupted by the Shadowlands Taint. Plants
and trees are sick and twisted. Dogs, rats, and crows appear more like
monsters than like animals, and may attack the party without provocation.
The servants and sentries who remain are either raving madmen or broken
shells of their former selves.
It is, in short, just like being in a slice of the Shadowlands that has
been uprooted and replaced in the middle of the Empire.
STRIKE
The center of the corruption (which can be located by either spiritual or
mathematical means) is the family shrine in the heart of the house. There,
the PCs may find a small obsidian idol, carved in the shape of a man in
armor. While there was once writing on the statue, it is no longer
readable. The idol radiates magic, and is the unmistakably the source of
the taint that is affecting the area. Unfortunately, the idol cannot be
moved or destroyed through normal means. Some other way of rendering
it inert must be found.
And the longer it remains in the shrine the wider its influence grows.
While you can change Nayami's family name or gender as you wish, it is
recommended that you have her train in a school that involves indirect
ways of dealing with enemies. The Kaiu Engineer School, the Bayushi
Saboteur School, the Daidoji Harrier School, or the Ikoma Spymaster
School would all be appropriate. The reason for this advice will become
apparent in future installments.
It's also worth noting that Nayami may have used her specialized
knowledge of traps and security in certain areas of her own home. While
not every room or hallway will be trapped, it is certainly possible that she
has taken special precautions in especially private areas.
Players may be hesitant to venture into an obviously dangerous area
without proper protection. One way to set their minds at ease is to give
them direct assurance that the taint is not yet strong enough to affect
them unless they spend a prolonged period of time in the area. Another
way to motivate them to act quickly, rather than calling the Jade
Magistrates and waiting for back-up, is to impress upon them the importance
of their mission. They must learn what has become of Nayami before vital
clues are lost or ruined. Or before the problem spreads further.
Even after the obsidian idol is located, the problem may not be ended.
Can the estate ever be purified again? If so, how long will it take? Are
any other homes in Rokugan suffering the same troubles? What about the
peasants and animals that have gone loose into the Empire? What trouble
will they cause for those who are unprepared to deal with them?
S HOUT
Although the party finds no sign of Nayami anywhere in the estate
grounds, they do come across a servant who has managed to retain some
of his mental faculties. He tells them that the trouble started not long after
a general from the Crab Clan paid Nayami a visit. The two spoke for
quite some time, and when the Crab departed Nayami gave him some
weapons and several koku of rice. In return, he left the obsidian idol that
has wrought so much damage on the household.
The Crab's name was Kuni Kuroshige. He took a unit of soldiers into
the Shadowlands not long after completing his business with Nayami.
If anyone knows what is going on and how to deal with it, it is him.
WHAT A BOUT TAINT IMMUNITY?
Mirumoto Kuro: Rats and crows have been specifically said to be
immune to taint in the official canon. In fact [it is] said most vermin were
immune.
Isawa Nazomitsu: That was actually supposed to be a hint for any
players versed in Shadowlands Lore. The fact that Obsidian Idols can
inflict the Taint regardless of regular immunities would hopefully tell the
players that the Idols are doing more than just radiating Taint. In
retrospect I could have made that a little more clear.
72. The Obsidian Idols: Compassion & Mercy
If you have not already played through last week's adventure, but still
wish to go through the entire campaign, it is relatively easy to set up.
Simply have an influential figure send the party into the Shadowlands to
complete some mission. If you want to be completely direct, the assigned
task might even be to find and bring back either Kuni Kuroshige or
Bayushi Nayami.
If you just want to spice up a trip through the Shadowlands with an
interesting encounter, however, no special preparation is necessary.
Simply start the screaming.
CHALLENGE
The PCs are sent into the Shadowlands on an important mission. While
they have enough supplies to last them through their expedition and
subsequent return to civilization, their resources are limited, and time is
of the essence.
FOCUS
On the third day of their journey, the player characters spot a humanoid
figure propped up against a jagged outcropping of rock. It appears to be a
ronin with a traveling pack beside him and a sword across his lap. His left
leg ends in a stump, which has been bound with a blood-soaked bandage.
He waves to the party, and calls to them for help as they move by. If they
are hesitant to approach he shows them the jade finger he wears to prove
that he is not tainted and beseeches them in the name of the Fortunes.
It's worth noting that making a large amount of noise has the potential
to be very dangerous in the Shadowlands.
STRIKE
The ronin was wounded by some sort of giant centipede monster (which
may either have died on his blade or still be in the area, depending upon
your preference). He has enough food, water, and jade to last him quite
some time. However, he is unable to move under his own power, and has
no chance of getting back to civilization on his own. And it should go
without mentioning that the party could definitely make good use of the
jade he holds. They can try to save him, give him a clean and honorable
death, or take his jade and leave him to waste away.
His fate is completely in their hands.
You will, of course, want to give the ronin a name, identity, and
personality beyond "some poor victim." By giving the player characters a
chance to interact with him and get to know him as a person, you make
their decision as to what to do with him much more important and
meaningful. The way you present him can also have an impact on what
course of action your players ultimately choose. I have deliberately
refrained from giving any information regarding what type of person the
ronin is for exactly this reason. You may tailor his behavior and
mannerisms specifically toward your players.
While this type of choice typically has no right or wrong answer, you
may wish to present further consequences for player characters who are
especially foolish. If the ronin is treated poorly, he could return to
torment the party as an undead samurai or a tainted ghost. If the party
decides to split up, you can have the characters who stay with the ronin
discover that he is actually a bog hag, and is far from helpless.
Alternately, player characters who risk their own lives and safety in
delivering the wounded ronin back to the Kaiu Wall before continuing
their mission (even though doing so will mean a loss of supplies) may
gain themselves a loyal ally.
If your players are mature enough to explore difficult situations, you
can adapt the scenario somewhat. Start with an attack by an ogre, oni, or
other monster. By the time the fight is over, place a trusted companion (or
even one of the player characters themselves) in the situation the ronin
was in: wounded and unable to travel. The debate over how to deal with
such a complication should be much more intense when the players have
a personal stake in the outcome.
S HOUT
Some time before he was wounded, the ronin noticed a well-armed unit of
samurai patrolling the Shadowlands. He did not call out to them because
he feared them to be tainted, as they wore carved statues of black stone
around their necks rather than jade.
If asked, the ronin reveals that the only structure in the area worth
occupying with soldiers is an old watchtower called Kousei Bougyo
Fortress. It was once a major staging point for offensive movements
against the Shadowlands Horde, but it is now little more than a supply
station for scouts and sentries.
For so many men to gather there now is most unusual.
73. The Obsidian Idols: Shared Burden
Shadowlands Month continues with another scenario useable either on its
own or as part of a longer campaign. If you've played through both of the
previous scenarios presented this month, your players are probably
already aware that something strange is going on and that the mysterious
obsidian idols have some connection to the problem. This week they get to
find out exactly what's going on.
If you haven't played through either of the last two weeks' adventures,
you can still use this scenario with a minimum of preparation. The most
difficult part is getting the party into the Shadowlands. You could have
them happen across Kuroshige's fortress during an unrelated mission, or
perhaps send them into the Shadowlands with orders to re-establish
contact with his unit. From there it's simply a matter of hinting at the
sinister nature of the obsidian idols and getting their suspicions aroused.
Now, let's meet the good soldier who has Tainted the Empire.
CHALLENGE
The party comes upon Kousei Bougyo, a heavily defended fortress about
a week's journey into the Shadowlands. There, they meet Kuni Kuroshige, a
veteran soldier and skilled shugenja who has dedicated his life to fighting
the Shadowlands. His specialty is striking at disorganized groups of
monsters while they are still in the process of marshaling their forces, and
disrupting the armies that march on the Kaiu Wall. While he welcomes
the player characters, he seems uneasy about their presence in the fort.
FOCUS
If the player characters know about Bayushi Nayami or the obsidian
idols, it is possible that they may confront Kuoshige directly. Even if they
have stumbled into the situation unaware of the deals Kuroshige has
made, it should not take them long to notice that a large number of the
samurai in the fortress are wearing carved obsidian statues around their
necks instead of fingers of jade. If they investigate further they can learn
the horrible truth.
The obsidian idols are talismans empowered with sympathetic magic.
Each idol is part of a matched set. One idol from each pair is kept in the
family shrine of a samurai somewhere in the Empire. The matching idol
is worn by a member of Kuroshige's army. While worn, the idols block
any Taint the bearer may be exposed to, protecting them completely. The
Taint blocked in this manner is not prevented; it is simply redirected to
the area where the other idol is being kept. This is what happened to
Bayushi Nayami when she pledged her assistance to Kuroshige, although
she did not know exactly what her promise entailed.
STRIKE
Every day that Kuroshige and his men remain in the Shadowlands the
Taint spreads deeper and deeper into Rokugan. While their campaign
against the Horde has saved the lives of numerous Crab samurai stationed
along the Kaiu Wall, it has also caused a blight on the Empire. Kuroshige
believes that the other Clans owe the Crab their support, and that his plan
serves the greater good. Those who have become Tainted against their
will, however, may think otherwise.
It is entirely possible that some or all the player characters (especially
members of the Crab Clan) may be sympathetic to Kuroshige's cause.
Why shouldn't the rest of the clans share the heavy spiritual burden that
the Crab bear every day of their lives? The final decision is theirs, of
course. But even if they choose to let the deception continue, there will be
problems for them to face. If they remain at Kousei Bougyo Fortress they
will have to take part in its defense, holding off assaults by goblins, oni,
and other monsters. If they return to civilization, they may find peace for
a while, but eventually the obsidian idols scattered around the Empire
will cause scores of households to fall to the might of Jigoku.
On the other hand, if the player characters decide to put a stop to
Kuroshige's plan, there are a number of ways they can do so. They could
convince him that his plan is dishonorable, or tell him stories of how
unprepared the other residents of the Empire are to deal with the Taint.
They could appeal to his sense of honor, or shame him for resorting to
trickery in order to get the samurai he spoke with to accept the idols into
their homes. They could even try to remove him by force if they wish.
And then they just have to repeat the process for each of the Crab
soldiers under Kuroshige's command.
Even if the player characters believe they can face down an entire
fortress of armed and desperate Crab samurai, don't forget that they are
still in the middle of the Shadowlands. There is no one to help them if
things get out of hand, and nowhere for them to go if they make
themselves completely unwelcome within the fortress.
S HOUT
Eventually, the player characters will find their supplies running low, and
be forced to return to the safety of the Empire. If they have convinced
Kuroshige or any of his soldiers to discontinue their use of the obsidian
idols they will be forced to return as well, as their remaining jade stores
are not large enough to last much longer.
Not far from the fortress, they find the massacred body of one of
Kuroshige's men. It looks as if he has been torn limb from limb by a wild
animal. However, no animal could have written the bloodstained note that
accompanies the body.
No one goes home alive.
-Nayami
TAMERLAN’S SUGGESTIONS
Tamerlan: If a character feels sympathetic with the Kuni´s plan, will
it change their mind, if one of the obsidian-carrying soldiers is the
neighbour of the PC´s family?
Isawa Nazomitsu: It doesn't even have to be the neighbor himself.
That's the beauty of Kuroshige's plan. He doesn't have to convince a
Crane to march into the Shadowlands. He just has to convince the Crane
to keep a small token in his home and "pray to the Fortunes for the
protection of this samurai." Then he can take his trained Crab soldiers
into the Shadowlands and let the Crane worry about the Taint.
Tamerlan: Finally, what happens if one or more pendants have been
lost in battle (or maybe the soldiers themselves have become Lost) and
must be regained to save the homelands of the fallen soldiers?
Isawa Nazomitsu: A lost pendant would be devastating. You'd either
have to find the remains of the owner or discover some way to end the
enchantment.
As for a soldier becoming Lost, they'd be safe from worry as long as
they kept their pendant active. But what if Kuroshige was mistaken? Or
lying? What if the pendants and idols merely hide the Taint? Is he on a
suicide mission, or is his plan to protect the Empire just a cover for
something else?
74. The Obsidian Idols: Hostile Territory
Shadowlands Month concludes with a trip through the deadliest place in
the Empire, made under the watchful eye of a vengeful madman. If you
have already played through the three previous adventures presented this
month, you should be all set for the big finale. If you haven't gone
through them all in order, some preparation may be required.
If the party knows nothing of Bayushi Nayami or Kuni Kuroshige's
obsidian idols, your first challenge is getting them into the Shadowlands.
This can be done as part of a scouting mission, a quest to recover a lost
item, or an effort to rescue besieged samurai. Once the party has finished
the main part of their mission, you can simply present Bayushi Nayami as
a victim of Shadowlands Madness who attacks the party simply for being
in the wrong place at the wrong time. It takes a little bit of the personal
edge off of her actions, but it underscores the terrible and brutal nature
of the Shadowlands
If the player characters know about the trouble at Nayami's estate but
have not met Kuni Kuroshige, you can play this week's scenario as
written. The fact that the player characters are untainted and have homes
to return to is enough to draw Nayami's wrath.
Finally, if the party encountered Kuni Kuroshige without first learning
about Nayami it may be necessary for Kuroshige to explain who Nayami
is and why she is so angry. He will be sure to recognize her, and once
that point of exposition is revealed you should be able to play through
this adventure as written.
Before we begin, I'd like to point out that different people have
different ideas about PCs getting Tainted. Some GMs refuse to pull
punches. Others neglect to build up any sense of danger. Some players
are devastated when their beloved characters are Tainted even a little.
While my own style is to take the PCs right to the edge of ruin before
letting them escape to safety, you may prefer to run your game differently.
Just make sure everyone at the table is comfortable with the same play
style before you start. It may save you from hard feelings later.
That said, on to the carnage.
CHALLENGE
The party is on their way out of the Shadowlands. They have limited
supplies, are traveling through terrain outside the Crab Clan's control, and
are pressed for time. Every hour they delay could cost them dearly, as
jade, fresh food, and clean water are all running low, and the
Shadowlands are the very definition of "hostile territory."
If the party has already met with Kuni Kuroshige and convinced him
or some of his soldiers to discontinue using the obsidian idols, they may
be accompanied by a force of anywhere from thirty to forty men. This
figure may be lower if they managed to sway the opinions of only a few
samurai in the fortress. At the worst they will be traveling on their own.
FOCUS
One of the player characters' companions lets out a cry of pain.
Investigation reveals that he has stepped in a small hole, with spikes
wedged in the bottom at such an angle as to prevent him from freeing
himself without great pain. In addition to the injury to his leg and the
possibility of his wound becoming infected, the group will have to deal
with the transportation of a member who cannot move quickly.
The trap is not a natural feature of the Shadowlands. It is the work of
Bayushi Nayami. Driven mad by her desire for revenge and the Taint that
she has already contracted, she is determined to see the group dead or
Tainted before they can reach the Kaiu Wall.
STRIKE
As the party continues their desperate flight, they encounter more traps,
obstacles, and setbacks. Time is running out. As their numbers and
supplies dwindle, the party and any others who may be traveling with
them stand a dangerously high chance of becoming Tainted before they
reach the safety of the Kaiu Wall. Unless something is done to deal with
Nayami, her sabotage will continue to impede the player characters'
progress at every turn. Can she be avoided? Defeated? Reasoned with? Or
is only a matter of time before the darkness inevitably consumes their
souls?
It's a long way home.…
Nayami is deadly serious about her threat. She knows that she is too far
gone to be allowed home, but no longer cares. Her only pleasure in life is
striking out at others, and laughing at their pain in an attempt to forget
about her own.
Nayami uses traps both to slow the travelers' progress and to increase
their chances of becoming Tainted. Snares, rock slides, deadfalls, sprung
spear traps, pits (with or without sharp spikes at the bottom), and shallow
holes to catch and injure victims' legs are all appropriate, as they
maximize the chances that the victim will be exposed to the Shadowlands
Taint eventually. She might also try to steal or befoul supplies, and while
she is not foolish enough to engage a group of samurai directly, she just
might try to make a few ranged attacks from a suitable ambush point. And
if there are any natural hazards, monsters, or Lost in the vicinity, Nayami
will be sure to steer the player characters in the appropriate direction.
As mentioned in this month's first CFS scenario, there are other
schools which would allow Nayami to hinder the progress of her victims
besides the Bayushi Saboteur school. She could use the skills of a Shosuro
Assassin to move about unseen, strike from the darkness with the
accuracy of a Tsuruchi Archer, or even use the underhanded tactics of a
Daidoji Harrier in her quest for revenge. If you want to make her a more
threatening opponent, give her a few Shadowlands Powers dealing with
stealth and secrecy.
If you're interested in the types of traps that might be used in such a
situation, check out the following website:
www.rogueturtle.com/articles/avoidtraps.php
If you have played through CFS of the Week scenario #72 and have an
appreciation of irony you can break the leg of one of the party members.
Did they ignore the pleas of the ronin from before, or put him out of his
misery because they were in too much of a hurry to carry him back to
safety? Will the PC espouse the same course of action when his own life
is on the line?
Of course, Kuroshige still has the obsidian idols. Using those would
eliminate the time pressure that the army is facing. But it would cause
more Taint to spread through the Empire. Can the player characters live
with themselves knowing that their safe escape has ruined the life of
another? And even if they decide not to use the idols, what do they do if
other members of the group feel otherwise?
There are no easy answers in the Shadowlands.
Potpourri/Variety
People have asked me where I get my inspiration. To be honest, I don't have
any one source. I just keep my eyes and ears open for things that strike my
fancy, and ask myself "How could I use that?" whenever I find something
cool or interesting. So this month I'd like to showcase some various
adventures based on different sources. A CFS potpourri, if you will.
75. Ikebana Dance
Today's scenario is based on a heartwarming story of modern origins. An
internet flash animation, to be exact. You can find it here:
www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/224148. Just how can this tale be
adapted to Rokugan, you ask? Read on.
CHALLENGE
The player characters are lucky enough to find themselves in a large town
on the day of a major festival. Before they can enjoy the celebration,
however, their host asks them for a favor. She is having a dinner party
tonight (which the PCs may or may not be invited to attend, at your
discretion) and has ordered an ikebana piece from a local artisan to serve
as a centerpiece. Unfortunately, it has not yet been delivered. If the party
members could go and retrieve the flower arrangement, she would be
most appreciative.
FOCUS
The artisan lives on the other side of the city, quite some distance away.
He has been swamped with orders for floral displays, and is in the middle
of putting the finishing touches on the piece that the player characters
seek when they arrive. The ikebana arrangement is quite large and
extremely ornate. It is also very fragile and delicate. The artisan warns
them that any rough handling (including being carried while running or
while riding on horseback) is likely to disrupt the subtle and beautiful
balance of the flowers, which could render the piece useless.
STRIKE
To make matters worse, a number of obstacles stand in the player
characters' path as they make their way across the city. Peasants, servants,
merchants, and samurai alike are all rushing about hurriedly making last
minute preparations for the festival. Some of the inhabitants of the city
may even have begun celebrating early. The streets are crowded with
people, and getting an easily-crushed item like an ikebana display across
town in one piece would take a legendary effort.
Did I mention that it absolutely has to be there in time for the party?
There are a number of other problems you could throw at the player
characters as they try to keep the flower arrangement in one piece.
Overly friendly drunkards, panicked horses, young ladies rushing to
dance practice, and collapsing scaffolds are all problems one could face
in trying to cross a city in the throes of a festival. And woe betide the
player characters if they're forced to do battle while protecting the
flowers from harm. Why, I couldn't think of a worse (better?) time for an
old rival to show up and start pushing people around.
You can find information on ikebana and some beautiful pictures of
flower arrangements at the following website: http://www.nihonkoryu.org/en/.
Keep in mind that a large part of the appeal of ikebana is that the way the
vase, flowers, and other elements are arranged enhances their beauty. A
missing petal or leaf may go unnoticed, but a bent branch or stray
blossom could throw the entire thing out of harmony.
And we wouldn't want that, now would we?
76. Waiting for Godo
Like last week's scenario, today's adventure is inspired by another work of
fiction. Is it a book? A movie? Can you guess the source? Don't rush. I'll wait.
CHALLENGE
The player characters are sent to a sake house in a small town to meet a
man named Godo. He could be a traveling magistrate, a retainer, a
samurai or courtier returning from a mission, a wandering merchant, or
even a spy with valuable information. Whatever the case may be, the
party is instructed to go to the sake house and wait for him.
FOCUS
Since Godo is scheduled to arrive at the sake house in the middle of the
night, there's not much for the player characters to do but wait. The town
itself is mostly quiet and peaceful, with most residents retiring to their
homes once evening comes. Of those who are awake, most make their
way to the sake house to drink or chat with their neighbors.
STRIKE
There is no Strike in this adventure.
If Godo ever arrives, he conducts his business with the player characters
and goes on his way.
If Godo fails to show up, the player characters are eventually contacted
by a messenger who informs them of what has happened. If Godo has
been delayed, they may be forced to wait another night. If Godo is unable
to come at all, the player characters are given a new assignment.
In the end it doesn't really matter whether they complete their mission
or not. The entire adventure is just an exercise in role-playing, to see what
the player characters get up to while they are waiting for Godo.
Some people who may enter (and leave) the sake house over the
course of the evening include:
• An old man named Sonoda. One of the regular customers of the
sake house, he knows quite a bit about the inhabitants of the town
and can identify most of them on sight.
• Shutaro, a great general who is escorted by a handful of his
advisors. He is passing through the town on his way to a great
campaign, and stops only for a short rest.
• Haruki, a young boy on the cusp of his gempukku ceremony, eager
to experience a true battle. He wants to meet General Shutaro and
join his army as a soldier.
• Haruki's father, Haruhide. He is looking for his son, and trying to stop
him from running after General Shutaro. He could arrive before or
after Haruki comes by the sake house, and does not stay overly long.
• A strange lady in traveling clothes. She claims to be a messenger named
Ryoko, but she is actually an assassin seeking to kill General Shutaro.
• Yuta, a shugenja from the local temple. He has a special present for his
girlfriend, and has snuck away from his duties in order to deliver it.
• Niimai, another shugenja from the local temple. He has come to warn
his friend Yuta that the master of the temple is coming to look for him.
• Abbot Osho, the master of the temple where Yuta and Niimai are
studying. He is searching for Yuta and recites a constant litany of the
punishments he will inflict upon the young man once he finds him.
• Yuta's girlfriend, Ai, is a delicate flower of a girl. She comes late,
and may miss Yuta if he has already fled from Abbot Osho.
• Daisuke, a samurai stationed in the town. He has been gambling,
and has lost a great deal of money. He's in the sake house trying to
work up the courage to face his wife.
• Hiroshi, another samurai who has been gambling. He's feeling
good, since he just took most of Daisuke's money and offers to buy
drinks or food for everyone in the room.
• Daisuke's wife, Tachiko, also comes to the sake house. She's looking
for her no-good wretch of a husband, and is ready to make him suffer.
• Kero, a crazy old monk in torn robes who alternately claims to have
been a great warrior, a wise scholar, or a nobleman who was
dishonored by a rival's slander.
• Any other interesting characters you want to include. The player
characters will likely spend a lot of time in the sake house, so it is
possible for them to encounter any number of individuals, each with
their own goals and motivations.
The number one danger in this scenario is that the player characters may
become bored. They aren't really doing anything besides sitting around
talking to the locals. Sure, there are things going on, but none of them
involve the player characters directly unless they choose to become
involved. The PCs may feel that having to wait is a signal to do nothing,
and become disengaged. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep
things happening and draw the party into the events as they unfold.
Hiroshi or Daisuke may challenge the player characters to a quick game
of dice in which to pass the time. Haruhide might ask the player
characters to pass on a message to his son if they see him, or Yuta may
beseech them to send Abbot Osho on a wild goose chase across town. A
drunken brawl might break out, or even a deadly battle if Ryoko and
Shutaro cross paths.
If you're really lucky, you may be blessed with the type of players who
welcome any opportunity to get into their characters' skins. If your
players are content to converse among themselves in-character for an
hour or so, by all means, let them do so. If you need to give them a little
prodding you can use Sonoda as a mouthpiece to start a conversation or
ask questions when things start to get slow.
For those who wish to remain true to the spirit of the original source
material it would be appropriate to have Godo send word that he has been
delayed and have the party remain in town another night. If you're feeling
really devilish you could leave the PCs for weeks, playing out night after
night of their conversations with the other characters who come by.
You know, if your players are into that sort of thing....
So many adventures begin with the PCs meeting in a tavern. I wonder
how many end there as well.
S O WHAT’S THE SOURCE MATERIAL ?!
It is a Samuel Beckett play called Waiting for Godot. In fact, Bayushi
Mifune, Kakita Shisumo, skip, Mirumoto Kuro, and Toku Yojiro
discussed Beckett and his work a great deal on the forum, which inspired
Nazomitsu to introduce a new set of sake house denizens:
• Mifune, Shisumo, Kuro, Yomitoba, and Yojiro, who are loudly
debating how to classify the works of the playwright Bunjin III.
While some believe he belongs in the Minimalist School of Ikoma
Tradition (like his teacher, Bunjin II), others claim he is an early
founder of the New Classical style that arose following his adoption
into the Shosuro family. Members of the group drift in and out of
the conversation, occasionally running home to check dates and
references. They may ask the PCs for opinions and support, or to
pass on messages to other members of the group in the event that
they miss each other in their constant comings and goings.
77. A Woman Scorned
Potpourri Month continues with a scenario inspired by the storytelling
techniques used in the movie Memento. While having seen the movie will
in no way lessen the enjoyment a group can take from this week's
adventure, a passing familiarity with the way in which the story is
organized will greatly aid those who attempt to run the scenario. Notes
on the movie and the unique editing used in it can be found here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_%28film%29
STRIKE
It is almost midnight in the home of the Scorpion governor. Outside, a
storm is raging.
Tozai takes the party members aside and attempts to apologize for the
dishonorable scenes that they have witnessed, but his words are cut short
by a servant's scream. In the hallway, a pair of guards have been slain,
and a trail of bloody footprints leads towards the garden maze. Two more
sentries rush forward and report that Hideko, Setsuko, and Chifune
cannot be found.
If the player characters hurry to the garden they can just make out the
fleeing figure of the killer through the driving rain. She holds a sword in
one hand, and pulls a struggling hostage along with the other. As she
enters the labyrinth, a flash of lighting illuminates her face, revealing her
to be none other than....
CHALLENGE
The player characters are sent to the home of a Scorpion governor named
Tozai to deliver some documents, secure his approval of the trade
agreement detailed within, and return the signed papers to their daimyo.
While Tozai is quite busy, he invites the PCs into his home until he is
able to look over the details of the treaty.
Tozai shares his home with three women. His wife, Hideko, is loyal
and dutiful in all things, but she receives little attention from her husband.
Rumors say that she had an affair some years ago that ended the love
between them. Tozai's assistant, Satsuko, is the new focus of his
affection. While the two are not officially married, she manages to secure
the influence and respect due a governor's wife. Naturally, this causes
quite a bit of strife between Satsuko and Hideko. Hideko and Tozai's
daughter, Chifune, is fast approaching her gempukku. While she is unable
to do anything about the stress that is tearing her family apart, she is
acutely aware of it.
Although Tozai acts as if nothing is wrong, tensions run high in his
household. It turns out that Satsuko is pregnant, and if she delivers the
son that Tozai has always wanted it is likely that the boy will be made his
heir. Should this happen, Hideko and Chifune stand to lose a great deal of
status, and may even be expelled from the family. While no one speaks of
the situation openly, there is an atmosphere of dreadful anticipation in the
air, as it is only a matter of time before things come to a head.
FOCUS
A few days after the player characters' arrival, an incident occurs at
dinner. One of the women (your choice as to who) makes a snide
comment about one of the others. Tempers are strained to the breaking
point and an argument breaks out. Tozai does his best to deal with the
unsightly incident, but things escalate to a point where even he cannot
control himself. Harsh words are bandied about, and the things that are
said are not easily forgiven. Eventually, all three women storm off.
There are a number of ways to present this scenario, each with their own
strengths and weaknesses. Simply playing through the three stages in
chronological order like a traditional CFS adventure is the easiest, and
no extra preparation is required. Or, you can spice it up and try
something different. While non-linear storytelling can be difficult, it can
also be an interesting experiment to try with your players. Instead of
worrying about where the characters end up, you can spend more time
investigating how they got there.
One method is to play through each stage in reverse chronological
order, starting with Strike, moving on to Focus, and finishing with
Challenge. While this order of events is easy to organize, you run the risk
of losing your players' interest. There's really no need for them to care
about their first meeting with Tozai's family when they already know who
will live and who will die.
Alternately, you can start with the Focus, play through a few scenes to
give the player characters a chance to form friendships or rivalries with
the various members of the household, go back to the Challenge to play
through when they first met, then end with an abrupt cut to the Strike and
the subsequent conclusion. This keeps things relatively simple, but still
offers some interesting opportunities for role playing and character
development.
Another technique is to run the adventure in several different stages.
Begin with the start of the Strike, and play through the scenario until the
moment just before the PCs get their first glimpse of the killer. Then give
them a flashback, going either all the way back to the Challenge or just to
the start of the Focus (covering the Challenge in a subsequent flashback).
Play up to an hour or so before the point where you started the
adventure, setting the stage for the Strike (which you already played
through when you started). Finally, you finish the showdown you started
at the beginning of the adventure, revealing the identity of the assassin
and letting the player characters decide what they will do.
The major danger with running an adventure in non-chronological
order is mistakes in continuity. If you play through the battle scene in the
Strike first and none of your PCs are wounded, you'll have some trouble
if one of them gets stabbed when you're flashing back to the Focus. Or
breaks the sword that he was (will be?) using later. Or decides to leave
the group and go hide in the stables.
There are three ways you can avoid such problems. The first is to keep
combat and dice rolls to a minimum. Dice don't care that you're running
a flashback. They'll maim and kill and lop off limbs without remorse. If it
looks like things are about to get bloody, try to stop the violence before
the dice hit the table.
The second point is to leave yourself a cushion of "off camera" time
before and after each section of the story you play through in a flashback.
If you start the Focus with everyone in the audience chamber at noon, try
to make sure that you finish the Challenge at least an hour or two before
that. Then, even if your players are nowhere near the audience chamber
at the end of that flashback, you can say that they made their way there
somehow in the intervening period.
Finally, enlist the help of your players in telling the story. Tell them
up front that this adventure is somewhat experimental, and they'll need to
work with you in order to ensure their maximum enjoyment. If you
explain the nature of the scenario's non-linear organization you can even
let them add some of their own details. Perhaps they have their own ideas
for scenes that may happen in flashbacks, developing details you never
considered. And if worse comes to worse you can always give free Void
Points to the first player to find some feasible way to correct timing-
related errors.
The identity of the assassin and her hostage are up to you to decide.
Any of the three women in Tozai's life could have reason to seek the death
of any of the others. Hideko and Setsuko could easily be driven to kill
each other out of jealousy. Setsuko might try to murder Chifune in order
to ensure that her child is the only possible heir to Tozai's estate. And
either Hideko or Chifune could try to kill the other in an attempt to frame
Setsuko for the killing. Or perhaps two of the three have made a deal and
are working together. Maybe it's part of a maho ritual. Maybe it's just the
first in a series of killings that will stop only when Tozai himself is dead.
Maybe it's someone else entirely. Who knows. It's all up to you.
78. Portents & Signs
Following the strange theme set by last week's adventure, we delve
further into the oddities of time. This scenario was originally inspired by
the video game Chrono Trigger, but somewhere along the way it mutated
into a cross between Shadow of Memories and The Butterfly Effect. I
hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.
CHALLENGE
The player characters bear witness to a great tragedy. It could be the
death of an important figure, the fall of an entire family or clan, a terrible
disaster, or even a war that tears the Empire apart. Whatever it is, the
damage it wreaks is so great that recovery is all but impossible.
FOCUS
Just as all hope seems lost, the player characters awaken to find that their
vision was just a dream. The fact that each of them remembers the same
dream, and can recall it in perfect detail, however, hints at deeper truths.
As they go about their business, they notice other details that correspond
to their shared vision, each of which unfold just as they did in the dream.
The nightmare was not simply a dream. It was a premonition of the future.
STRIKE
If the player characters do nothing it is entirely possible that the tragedy
they witnessed will come about. If they try to change the course of future
events and bring about a new outcome, they have a new dream the next
time they sleep. Depending on their actions they may well succeed in
changing the events that lay ahead. But will the changes they make be for
the better?
The exact nature of this adventure can vary quite a bit depending on the
type of crisis you decide to use and its underlying causes. A revolt or
coup might occur due to any number of factors, each of which must be
resolved before the danger passes. Likewise, a dark conspiracy's evil plot
might have several components that hinge on numerous contingencies.
And who can know what minor influences could contribute to a daimyo's
eventual decision to declare war. The old rhyme about the kingdom being
lost "for want of a nail" could certainly hold true here.
Whether or not you wish to reveal the source of the characters' visions
is up to you. It is within the power of a greater kami or Oracle to grant
such premonitions. Perhaps the PCs have been selected to serve as
agents of a powerful force for good ("striving to put right what once went
wrong") such as the Water Dragon or the Seven Fortunes. Or maybe they
are being led astray by some darker intellect. Maybe the very act of
trying to prevent the tragedy they have seen ultimately brings it about.
If you want to be especially hard on your players, you can reinforce
the idea of kharma and balance. Each time they change the course of
events to avoid one tragedy, they set themselves on a path leading to
another. In saving their loved ones they may damn the Empire. There is
no such thing as a completely happy ending. They can only choose the
outcome they believe is the least terrible.
Unlike most time travel stories and adventures, time continues to
move in only one direction throughout this scenario. The characters can't
go back and try again if they mess up. There is, however, the possibility STRIKE
for failures to be corrected through further adventures. If they are unable Unfortunately, while this is happening, the PC _____________________.
to convince a general not to embark on the mission that ends in his death [check Table 4]

(leaving the Clan helpless against the assault of their rivals) they may
still be able to gather allies to stand with him, or even ride ahead and
attempt to slay the necromancer that will ambush him. Just remember
that the effects of their actions will not be clear to them until the next time
they slumber. Simple actions can have wide-reaching repercussions, and
a lot can change in a single day. Even more so if the party members find
themselves assigned to the night shift of guard duty.
79. CFS Creation Tools
Editor’s Note: I have to jump in here and just express the awe I’m in at
the incredible job the great Isawa Nazomitsu did on this installment.
What you’re about to read aren’t so much CFS scenarios unto themselves,
but rather they are tools for quickly generating a CFS with your own
input. My hat goes off to you, Nazomitsu-san. This is just brilliant.
Course A: The Random CFS Generator
First, get a 10-sided die. Roll it four times, and check the results in the
table below. No need to re-roll 10s.
TABLE 4: WHAT COMPLICATION OCCURS ?
Roll Complication
1 …has another important mission
2 …is in the middle of a week-long cleansing ritual
3 …currently lacks a weapon/kimono/other necessary item
4 …is being targeted by two other NPCs with similar agendas
5 …cannot take direct action against the NPC without offending his
superiors
6 …has temporarily lost his voice/mobility/stamina/sight/etc.
7 …is being watched for suspicious actions by magistrates
8 …is unable to discover the NPC's identity
9 …is the victim of a case of mistaken identity
10 …has a deeply personal connection to the NPC
Course B: Challenge–Focus– ___________
(verb)
Just fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

CHALLENGE CHALLENGE
Select one or more of the PCs. The PCs are called to a shrine to meet Anaume, a __________________
(adjective)
A(n) _________________________ __________________________ .
[check Table 1] [check Table 2]
___________ from the ___________ Clan. The __________ messenger
(a profession) (an animal) (adjective)

TABLE 1: WHO IS THE NPC? who approaches them is clearly ___________ , but knows nothing more
(an emotion)
Roll NPC
than the message he was told to deliver: "In the name of _____________
1 …influential courtier… (a famous Rokugani person)
2 …powerful shugenja…
please _____________ as soon as possible."
3 …samurai from a rival clan… (verb)
4 …young clansman…
5 …mysterious woman… FOCUS
6 …monk advisor… When the PCs arrive they find Anaume lying in a pool of ____________.
7 …ninja infiltrator… (a liquid)
8 …ronin… The ___________ corpses of _________ ____________ (s) lie on the
9 …maho-tsukai… (adjective) (a number) (a profession)
10 …rich merchant… floor with her. The room is _________ , but undisturbed, and it looks as if
(adjective)
TABLE 2: WHAT DOES THE NPC DO ?
they were in the middle of __________________ when they died.
(verb ending in -ing)
Roll Action
1 …gives the PC a valuable gift Before she dies, Anaume gasps "Sacred ________________ ... stolen.
(noun)
2 …challenges the PC to a duel or contest
3 …attacks the PC unexpectedly _______________ ... in ______________ ... ______________ days."
(an unpleasant event) (a place) (a number)
4 …warns the PC not to trust his sensei
5 …begins following the PC around
6 …asks the PC for a favor STRIKE
7 …offers to reveal useful information to the PC The PCs must somehow track down the _________________ s who killed
(a profession)
8 …invites the PC to dinner
9 …sends the PC on a dangerous mission Anaume and ________ them. On the way, they must also avoid a group
(verb)
10 …tries to tempt/trick/threaten the PC into revealing important
secrets of ____________ s who want to question them, and ________ a horde of
(a profession) (verb)

FOCUS _________ zombies. If they fail, the entire _________ will be plunged
(adjective) (area)
The NPC in question is actually trying to_________________________ .
[check Table 3] into __________________ .
(something scary)

TABLE 3: WHAT IS THE NPC REALLY UP TO ?

Roll Plot
Course C: Choose Your Own Challenge-Focus-Strike
1 …kill the PC Any manner of making choices will do. Roll a die, flip a coin, pick the choice you
2 …woo the PC like the best, or use any other system to choose your own way through this course.
3 …test the PC P ARAGRAPH 1
4 …dishonor the PC (or the PC's family, or sensei)
SET U P: The governor of the province is building a new fortress, and the
5 …spy on the PC (or the PC's family
PCs have been dispatched to gather workers and resources from the local
6 …distract the PC from a plot against the PC's family (or daimyo,
area. Following a small path from their last campsite, they come to a road
or sensei)
running North and South. A short distance to the North, the road
7 …see the PC indebted to his/her own family
intersects another road running East and West, forming a crossroads.
8 …protect the PC from a curse
• If the PCs want to go North, go to Paragraph 2
9 …manipulate the PC into taking action against someone else
• If the PCs want to go South, go to Paragraph 3
10 …steal something from the PC
• If the PCs want to go East, go to Paragraph 4
• If the PCs want to go West, go to Paragraph 5
• If the PCs want to go back the way they came, go to Paragraph 12
• If the PCs want to wait at the crossroads, go to Paragraph 27
P ARAGRAPH 2
CHALLENGE: Heading North, the PCs arrive at a bustling town on the
banks of a river. Barges from upriver bring bushels of rice here to be
tallied, taxed, and stored. A sake house near the docks looks like a good
place to find laborers or ronin in need of work. There is also a warehouse
where supplies could be requisitioned in the governor's name.
• If the PCs want to look for laborers in the sake house, go to Paragraph 6
• If the PCs want to get supplies from the warehouse, go to Paragraph 33
P ARAGRAPH 3
CHALLENGE: Heading South, the PCs follow the road through a heavily
wooded area. After some time they reach an ancient temple in the middle
of the forest. The monks who tend the temple do not seem to be around.
Behind the temple there is a massive rock outcropping with a large crack
running through it. It looks like the crack might open up into a larger
cave, as there is a large banner to the side. There is also a small path
through the brush, leading to the East.
• If the PCs want to enter the temple, go to Paragraph 22
• If the PCs want to investigate the cave, go to Paragraph 24
• If the PCs want to follow the small path, go to Paragraph 19
P ARAGRAPH 4
CHALLENGE: Heading East, the PCs reach a small fishing village on the
coast. The port holds a handful of ships, all of which appear to be in a
state of disrepair. Near the gates, a traveling merchant struggles to load a
heavy box onto a wagon. Inside the village's central courtyard, a number
of peasant fishermen have gathered, engaged in some sort of heated discussion.
• If the PCs want to talk to the merchant, go to Paragraph 10
• If the PCs want to listen to what the peasants are saying, go to Paragraph 8
P ARAGRAPH 5
CHALLENGE: Heading West, the PCs come to a small village. As they
approach, they notice the fields are empty and silent. By the time they
reach the settlement they can see it has long been abandoned. Most of the
buildings stand empty. One large manor house, however, shows signs of
recent use. On the other side of the village, the stables are set back away
from the road, and appear to be undamaged. There is also an artificer's
shop tucked behind the remains of what was once the marketplace.
• If the PCs want to enter the manor house, go to Paragraph 30
• If the PCs want to check the stables, go to Paragraph 14
• If the PCs want to look in the artificer's shop, go to Paragraph 26
P ARAGRAPH 6
FOCUS : As they near the sake house, the PCs can hear commotion
coming from within. There are definitely a number of people inside, but it
sounds like they're in the middle of something intense.
• If the PCs barge in with their weapons ready, go to Paragraph 16
• If the PCs open the door and check inside before entering, go to
Paragraph 21
P ARAGRAPH 8
FOCUS : Approaching the mob of peasants, the PCs notice that most of the
men and women in the group wear severe expressions. Some are even
holding weapons. A man at the front is speaking animatedly, and upon seeing
the PCs approach cries out "The only language they understand is violence!"
• If the PCs react with hostility, go to Paragraph 11
• If the PCs try to find out more about what is going on, go to
Paragraph 25
P ARAGRAPH 9
STRIKE : Slipping in through the back entrance of the warehouse, the PCs
hear a loud giggling. As they move among the sacks of rice, the sound
gets louder and louder. Finally, they catch a glimpse of the culprit. A fat
mujina is gorging itself on uncooked rice, while two others throw handfuls
of the food around like children. If left to their own devices, the creatures
will ruin the area's food stocks, and must be stopped.
P ARAGRAPH 10
FOCUS : The merchant looks up upon hearing the PCs approach and humbly
asks them if they might lend a hand in holding his wagon still while he loads
the box upon it. The maneuver only takes a moment with the PCs' help, and
the smiling merchant thanks them profusely. In return for their help, he offers
them their choice of two presents: a medicine box with many small compartments
filled with various herbs, or an umbrella gilded in silver. He is quite insistent,
and will not be satisfied until the PCs accept one of the two items.
• If the PCs take the medicine box, go to Paragraph 31
• If the PCs take the umbrella, go to Paragraph 20
P ARAGRAPH 11
STRIKE : The man at the front of the crown declares that the men and
women of the village should no longer submit to the governor's rule. He
accuses the governor of having gained his position through dishonorable
means and decries his plans to build a new fortress as nothing more than
wastefulness. The mood turns dark very quickly, and unless the PCs do
something to sway the crowd's opinion they may find themselves facing a
peasant uprising.
P ARAGRAPH 12
RESOLUTION : Heading back the way they came, the PCs eventually reach
the outpost they departed from. The governor's aide is displeased to see
them return so soon and wastes no time in dressing them down. Failure to
perform such a simple task as rounding up workers is a grave disgrace
indeed, and the PCs are soon assigned other, less demanding duties.
The End. (You can start over from Paragraph 1 if you so wish.)
P ARAGRAPH 13
STRIKE : The chanting stops as soon as the PCs knock on the temple door,
and a voice beckons them to come inside. Upon entering, they find a
wizened old monk engaged in meditation. The monk tells the PCs that he
has been waiting for them, and offers a riddle: "Which is the true self?
The self of the body, or the self of the mind?" If the PCs can argue for
their answer to the monk's satisfaction, they will gain the blessing of the
Fortunes, and find that the rest of their mission (and anything else they
may attempt in the next day or so) goes smoothly.
P ARAGRAPH 14
FOCUS ( CONTINUED): The stables are empty. The odor of hay and
horses has long since faded, and all that remains to indicate that this
building was once used are some discarded tools and dried droppings.
• If the PCs want to enter the manor house, go to Paragraph 30
• If the PCs want to look in the artificer's shop, go to Paragraph 26
P ARAGRAPH 15
STRIKE : Venturing down the left branch of the cave, the PCs find themselves
in a straight, gently sloping passageway. Once they have gone far enough
into the cave for the light from the entrance to grow dim, a dark shape
drops down from the ceiling behind them and blocks their escape. It is an
oni! The foul monster has been terrorizing the area for some time, and
eliminating it will make the job of moving workers and supplies through
the area much easier. But first the PCs must fight their way out of its lair.
P ARAGRAPH 16
STRIKE : Bursting into the sake house with their weapons at the ready, the
PCs find the establishment full of drunken sailors in the middle of a
boisterous song. They have intruded on an impromptu festival giving
thanks to the Seven Fortunes. Their rude behavior will be forgiven,
however, if they join in the festivities and perform some sort of art
(singing, dancing, poetry) in praise of the Seven Fortunes. If they refuse,
a negative reputation is sure to follow them throughout the area.
P ARAGRAPH 17
STRIKE : Venturing down the right branch of the cave, the PCs follow the
twisting passageway down a steep slope. After several minutes, the
cavern comes to a dead end. The journey is far from fruitless however, as
a large pile of glittering gold coins lays upon the cave floor. There is
more than enough money to aid the governor, or do anything else the PCs
might wish. Indeed, a creative samurai could find any number of ways to
put that much money to good use....
P ARAGRAPH 18
STRIKE : Opening the door to the artificer's shop, the PCs find the main
room filled with trinkets, fetishes, clockwork devices, and other strange
items that demand closer inspection. Once they have ventured past the
threshold, the door slams shut on its own. A cool breeze blows through
the room, and an eerie glow comes from the deepest recesses. The shop is
haunted by the ghost of its former owner. Her creations could be put to
good use, but she must first be convinced to depart the world of the living.
P ARAGRAPH 19
RESOLUTION : Making their way down the small path, the PCs find
themselves tramping through a densely overgrown section of the forest.
Brambles tear at the hems of their kimonos, and biting insects swarm
around their faces. Finally, they manage to break through the underbrush
and emerge onto a well-groomed path.
 It is the path they started on when they first embarked this morning,
leading to the crossroads! They've managed to go in a circle and waste an
entire day, gaining nothing for their trouble but tired feet.
The End. (You can start over from Paragraph 1 if you so wish).
P ARAGRAPH 20
STRIKE : The merchant gives the PCs the silver umbrella and bids them
farewell. Before long, he has trundled off down the road and is out of sight.
Some time later, the PCs are approached by a big, burly, mountain of
a man who accuses them of stealing his family treasure. He seems quite
upset, so the PCs will have to come up with an excellent story to explain
how they came to possess stolen goods.
P ARAGRAPH 21
STRIKE : Opening the door to the sake house, the PCs are greeted by the
sight of two gangs, each about a dozen men strong, in the middle of a
heated argument. The criminals have their weapons drawn, but remain
locked in a standoff, glaring at each other with open hatred. As the PCs
enter, one of the men cries out "He's got reinforcements! Get 'em!"
Bloodshed is likely to ensue.
P ARAGRAPH 22
FOCUS : While the temple stands strong, it has seen better days. The red
paint is cracked and faded, and the ornamentation is in disrepair. Nonetheless,
as the PCs approach the door, they can hear a low chanting coming from inside.
• If the PCs knock, go to Paragraph 13
• If the PCs open the door and go right on in, go to Paragraph 32
P ARAGRAPH 23
STRIKE : The man remains in a kneeling position as the PCs approach, and
as they come closer they can see tears streaking down his face. If addressed,
he identifies himself as a provincial magistrate named Umikaro. Having
failed to find and destroy the mysterious monster that has victimized the
local peasants, he intends to commit seppuku. The death of such a
talented man will be a great loss to the entire region, and he would be a
great ally if he could be convinced to live.
P ARAGRAPH 24
FOCUS : As the PCs climb up the short path to the cave, they can see that
the banner by its entrance is marked with the kanji character for "bravery."
From here, they can see that the crack in the rock is much larger than it
appeared from the path, and extends quite some way into the earth. After
a few feet the cave splits into two branches. The left branch appears to be
smooth and level, while the right branch drops down sharply.
• If the PCs want to go down the right branch, go to Paragraph 17
• If the PCs want to go down the left branch, go to Paragraph 15
P ARAGRAPH 25
STRIKE : The man at the front of the group continues to speak, calling out
to the PCs. "Mighty samurai, we are simple folk. We are not skilled in the
art of war like you. Please, help us to defeat the pirates who prey upon
our village. We beg you." At these words, every man, woman, and child
in the mob drops to their knees, imploring the PCs for aid.
P ARAGRAPH 26
FOCUS : The artificer's shop appears to be much more secure than the
surrounding buildings. Several wards against evil have been hung on the
walls, and the windows are boarded up. Despite these precautions, the chain
on the front door is not secured by any lock. A gong lies flat on the ground
in front of the shop. A faded sign next to it reads "Please ring for service."
• If the PCs open the door and go right on in, go to Paragraph 18
• If the PCs set up and ring the gong, go to Paragraph 28
P ARAGRAPH 27
FOCUS : The PCs wait at the crossroads for some time, without seeing any
other travelers. At long last, they spot a merchant pulling a wagon down the
road from the North. He appears to be in a hurry, and in his haste he
manages to tip a number of boxes off the back of his cart. At the same time,
they also notice a lone man wandering down the road from the West with
his head bowed. Suddenly, he falls to his knees, and makes no move to get up.
• If the PCs want to help the merchant, go to Paragraph 10
• If the PCs want to check on the kneeling man, go to Paragraph 23
P ARAGRAPH 28
STRIKE : After ringing the gong outside the artificer's shop, the PCs hear a
shuffling sound coming from within. It continues to get louder and louder,
until the door of the shop flies open to reveal a gigantic clay soldier. The
automaton will obey any orders it is given, but the deep crack in its head
sometimes causes it difficulty in parsing complex commands. Still, if the PCs
are able to puzzle out some method of using it, it could be an invaluable resource.
P ARAGRAPH 29
RESOLUTION : Huh? What are you doing here? You must have made
some kind of mistake. Rocks fall. Everyone dies. The End.
P ARAGRAPH 30
FOCUS : The front gate to the manor house is only slightly ajar, but it is a
simple matter to push it open completely. Like the other houses in the village,
it is empty and abandoned. Or so it appears at first glance. In a secluded
corner of the courtyard a young man can be found kneeling on the ground,
facing away from the PCs. He appears to be deep in thought or contemplation.
• If the PCs wish to call out to the man, go to Paragraph 34
• If the PCs wish to approach the man more closely before revealing
themselves, go to Paragraph 23
P ARAGRAPH 31
STRIKE : The medicine box contains several exotic combinations of
medicinal herbs, with about three doses of each mixture. A note on the
top of the box boasts such wonders as "enhanced strength," "incredible
reflexes," "imperviousness to fire," "sleeping medicine," "deadly poison,"
and other strange effects. Unfortunately, the part of the note identifying
which combination provides which effect has been torn off. The only way
to determine what the herbs do is to test them through trial and error.
P ARAGRAPH 32
STRIKE : The chanting comes to an abrupt stop when the door to the
temple is opened. As light streams into the ancient building, the PCs can
see a group of hooded figures gathered in a circle around a family of
bound and gagged peasants. Their unholy ritual interrupted, the
bloodspeakers turn upon the PCs and prepare to do battle. If the PCs win,
the peasants will sing their praises to the rest of their village. If the PCs
lose, they are likely to find themselves being sacrificed as well.
P ARAGRAPH 33
FOCUS : As they approach the warehouse, the PCs find a large group of
guards and sentries gathered outside. Everyone's attention seems to be on
the building itself, with their eyes locked on the doors and windows.
Upon seeing the PCs, one guard calls out to them: "You're agents of the
governor, right? You've got to help us! There's some crazy monster inside."
• If the PCs want to go in through the front door, go to Paragraph 35
• If the PCs want to go in through the back door, go to Paragraph 9
P ARAGRAPH 34
STRIKE : The man looks up as soon as the PCs call out to him. Rising
slowly to his feet, he hobbles towards them. He introduces himself as
Sunechi, a samurai who was stationed in this village by the former governor.
He explains that he took leave from his post some months ago to visit his
family in a distant land. While he was gone, the village was destroyed by
bandits. Since his return, he has spent his days praying for forgiveness.
As heart-rending as this story may sound, it is all a lie. Sunechi is
actually a pennaggolan. Once the PCs have settled in and accepted his
hospitality he will strike. It has been a long time since the last villager
died at his hand, and he is very, very hungry.
P ARAGRAPH 35
STRIKE : Slipping in through the front entrance of the warehouse, the PCs
catch a quick glimpse of three men with painted faces and red kimonos.
Before they can act, however, the intruders dart into the recesses of the
building with uncanny speed. The three criminals are incredibly skilled
acrobats, and will use their amazing skills to evade capture as well as they
are able. The PCs will have to be both clever and lucky to catch them.
Editor’s Note: Paragraph 7 was corrupted by the Shadowlands, and had
to be destroyed.