The Dragon’s Heart

A One-Round Multi-Rank Adventure for Heroes of

Rokugan (Champions of the Emerald Empire)

Part Three (Final) of The Hidden Temple

by Rob Hobart

A command from Togashi Yokuni places you on the trail of a missing daimyo from the Dragon Clan.
Standing against you: a thousand-year conspiracy.

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

Scenario detail copyright 2005 by the author and Alderac Entertainment Group. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED. This scenario is intended for tournament use only and may not be reproduced without
permission.
A four-hour time block has been allocated for playing
this game. The actual playing time should be about three
and a half hours.
It is a good idea to ask each player to put a name tag
in front of him or her. The tag should have the player's
name at the bottom, and the character's name, race, and
gender at the top. This makes it easier for the players to
keep track of who is playing which character.
The players are free to use the game rules to learn
about equipment and weapons their characters are
carrying.
Some of the text in this scenario is written so that
you may present it as written to the players, while other
text is for your eyes only. Text for the players will be in
bold italics. It is strongly recommended that you
paraphrase the player text, instead of reading it aloud, as
some of the text is general and must be adapted to the
specific situation or to actions of the player characters.
GM's Information
THIS SCENARIO SHOULD NOT BE RUN COLD!
Please read the scenario thoroughly before attempting
to run it.
This adventure is a Multi-Rank adventure. This means
that it has two sets of statistics for NPCs, one for low-
end parties (Ranks 1, 2, and 3) and one for mid/high-
end parties (Ranks 2 through 5).
All bulleted information is just that, pure information.
Feed it to the players through an NPC when
appropriate. Sometimes, reading it straight just doesn’t
sound right.
The world of Rokugan is a cross between feudal Japan
and China. It is set in an age of honorable samurai,
serving their Lords (Daimyos) and Empire. Remember
that family names come before personal names. Akodo
Toturi is from the Akodo family and his personal name
is Toturi.
A note on female designations: If a samurai has the
designation of –ko, then the samurai is a female. For
example, if you see Samurai-ko, then this denotes a
female samurai.
A note on commerce in Rokugan: Samurai are not
supposed to care about worldly possessions, especially
money. A samurai pays a commoner as if the money is
meaningless, a concession to the commoner’s silly
needs. Between samurai, the exchange of money and
merchandise is an exchange of “gifts.”
The Dragon’s Heart
Glory and Honor Awards and
Penalties
This adventure contains suggested Glory and Honor
awards (and penalties) for dealing with the challenges
presented herein. However, at times the players may
take extra actions which the GM judges worthy of
additional reward – or punishment. The following may
be considered as guidelines:
• Performing an act of selfless, sacrificial loyalty to
one’s daimyo or clan: +1 point of Honor.
• Abiding by the tenets of bushido when one could
gain an obvious advantage from breaking them: +1
point of Honor.
• Betraying or disobeying your duty, Clan, or family:
lose 1-10 points of Honor and Glory, depending on
the severity of the failure.
• Crying out in pain when injured: lose one point
each of Honor and Glory.
• Using sneaky, underhanded, or treacherous
methods when at an Honor rank higher than zero:
lose 1-5 points of Honor.
• Using poison: lose 1-10 points of Honor,
depending on the circumstances (there is always an
Honor loss for using poison).
• Performing a socially acceptable public act of
extreme courage and skill: +1 point of Glory.
• Drunk, insulting, or otherwise ill-mannered in
public: lose 1-5 points of Glory.
• Made ronin: Glory drops to zero.
Adjusting for Party Strength
This is a Multi-Rank adventure, and contains two sets
of statistics for the villains: one for Low-End parties
(School ranks 1-3, average 2) and one for High-End
parties (School ranks 2-5, average 3.5).
The Skill and Trait roll TNs listed in the module are for
high-end parties. For a low-end party, reduce the TNs
by 5.
The GM may need to make additional “tweaks” for
parties which lie at an extreme end of the power curve.
Suggested tweaks are listed below:
Low End Party (most/all characters Rank One):
• There is no chance of encountering Korekado in
the Oni’s Eye room.
• Shimura does not have pepper-powder.
• The Kolat bushi guarding the Records Hall are
normal, not Elite.
High End Party (average party Insight Rank is Four
or higher):
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• Add 1 to the Kenjutsu and Kyujutsu skill ranks of
the Kolat bushi.
• The Kolat Assassins are Insight Rank 4, have Fire
of 4 and Earth of 4, and know both Techniques.
Adventure Summary and
Background
Almost two years ago, Mirumoto Hitomi departed her
lands on a quest for vengeance against her sworn
enemy Hida Yakamo, who slew her older brother
Mirumoto Satsu. Yakamo has never given the duel a
second thought, but Hitomi has spent all her youth
dreaming and preparing for the day when she could
face Yakamo and kill him.
Others, however, have their own plans for Hitomi.
Togashi, the lord of the Dragon Clan, realized at her
birth that she was destined to play a vital role in his
own ultimate fate. After her gempukku, he gifted her
with the Ancestral Swords of the Dragon Clan. He
knows now that when they next meet, it will be the
answer to his own riddle, the solution to the one fate he
has never been able to see – his own.
There is another group which also recognizes Hitomi’s
importance. The ancient conspiracy known as the
Kolat has long plotted for a way to eliminate Togashi,
who they regard as one of their greatest enemies. The
clues surrounding Hitomi suggested that she might
offer the opportunity they had been seeking for so long.
Shortly after Hitomi began her quest, the Kolat
kidnapped her. For more than a year and a half she has
been imprisoned in the dungeons of the Kolat temple,
suffering torture and brainwashing, as the conspiracy
attempts to remake her into a weapon against Togashi.
The lord of the Dragon Clan is, of course, well aware
of Hitomi’s status, and knows it is tied to his own fate,
and to that of the Kolat. Now the time has come for
that fate the reach fruition. Togashi has chosen two
instruments for his decision: the PCs are one, and the
other is Matsu Hiroru, the “White Ninja,” scourge of
the Kolat and the Living Darkness alike.
IMPORTANT NOTE on RUNNING THIS
SCENARIO: In order to run this scenario, at least one
of the PCs must have the White Ninja as an Ally. This
can be acquired in the adventures A Question of Honor
or Fires of Retribution, or the mini-mission “The White
Ninja” in the interactive Winter Court: Kyuden
Bayushi.
The Dragon’s Heart
If none of the PCs have the White Ninja as an Ally,
they cannot play this adventure, since Togashi will not
approach them.
Also, PCs who have the cert “Owned by the Kolat”
cannot play this adventure. Togashi will not approach
them.
Introduction
The scenario begins with the PCs in the Lion city of
Toshi Ranbo. Chronologically, this scenario takes
place after Unmaker’s Shadow – if the PCs participated
in that adventure, they are most likely now on the way
to the Imperial Capital in hope of performing the ritual
to destroy the Shadow. PCs who have not yet played
Unmaker’s Shadow are in Toshi Ranbo for their own
reasons – most likely the recent tentative peace
negotiations between the Dragon, Phoenix, and Lion
Clans.
The city of Violence Behind Courtliness is still and
tense in the mid-day autumn sunlight. Lion troops
stand guard at several points around the city, rigid in
their armor, unmoving even as sweat trickles down
their faces. A few weak-looking clouds drift across
the sky, unable to do more than offer brief respite
from Mother Sun’s blazing heat, as the unseasonable
drought bakes the moisture out of the land. An aura
of tension and fear seems to lie on the small city even
more heavily than the heat. Courtiers shelter in the
shadows of the castle walls, fanning themselves
rapidly as they speak in low voices. On the southern
horizon, dark smoke smudges the sky – the armies of
the Crab have broken through Beiden Pass, crushing
the Scorpion garrison there, and are marching across
the Plains of Battle.
The PCs are, for the moment, unable to travel closer to
the Imperial capital – the Lion authorities have blocked
the roads toward Otosan Uchi. They are also cracking
down on travelers from other Clans, so the PCs may be
facing some difficulties, depending on their
background:
• Lion, Phoenix, Crane, and Dragon PCs will be
facing relatively little difficulty (other than the
inability to travel on to the capital), since the city
was, until recently, the site of peace negotiations
between those four Clans.
• Imperial PCs will be completely unrestricted – the
Lion will respect them, but ask that they wait
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 before traveling to the capital, so that they can be
escorted in safety.
• Unicorn PCs and Minor Clan PCs will be treated
with greater suspicion, but are still left more-or-
less free to do what they wish.
• Crab and Scorpion PCs will be under great
scrutiny, due to the actions of Hida Kisada and the
current war between the Lion and Scorpion. All
such PCs are watched closely and subjected to
continual harassment, provocations, demands for
travel papers, etc. If any Crab PC is an outspoken
supporter or advocate of Kisada, the Lion will
attempt to arrest that PC as a traitor against the
Emperor.
• Ronin PCs will find their lives largely unchanged,
other than the general heightened scrutiny of Lion
Clan magistrates in these dangerous times.
• Any PCs who acquired the 8-point Bad Reputation
from the adventure Faith in My Clan will be
treated significantly worse, and will be subjected to
frequent insults and harassment from the Lion
troops and authorities.
The Inn of the Brooding Tempest
Since most of the PCs are travelers, they will likely be
staying at the Inn of the Brooding Tempest, which is
the only Inn in Toshi Ranbo (it is a quite small city,
more of an oversized fortress, with an internal
population of less than 500). The Inn is quite crowded,
due to the closure of the roads, with a couple of dozen
non-Lion samurai and the same number of merchants
and other wealthy commoners. The PCs, as recently
arrived travelers, will quickly become a focus of
attention, as the stranded guests press them for the
latest news and information. In turn, they will share
whatever news they have on the state of the Empire:
• The number one topic is the Crab advance through
Beiden Pass. The Scorpion have occupied the Pass
for weeks, as part of their war against the Lion, but
the Crab were able to force it easily. There are
rumors that the Scorpion army there may actually
have joined the Crab, or at least failed to offer
more than token resistance.
• The Lion have abandoned their efforts to relieve
the Scorpion siege of Kenson Gakka (now entering
its fourth month) and are moving much of their
remaining strength to block the Crab advance.
The Dragon’s Heart
• The other half of the Northern War (the Dragon
against the Phoenix) seems to be at a standstill. A
few weeks ago, the Dragon daimyo Mirumoto
Yukihera was killed in a challenge by his cousin
Mirumoto Daini, who has assumed the leadership
of the family. Elsewhere, the Dragon Clan has
been driven from the lands of the Unicorn, and has
also suffered heavy losses in the Phoenix
Mountains.
• The ronin army of Toturi the Black is reported to
be marching south through Phoenix lands, moving
toward the Imperial capital at Otosan Uchi. Rumor
has it that Toturi is razing everything in his path,
and a few gossips even claim, improbably, that he
is now calling himself “Emperor Toturi I.” Lions
dismiss such nonsense, of course, and proclaim
that if Toturi is foolish enough to threaten the
Imperial capital, he will be destroyed.
• A vast force of Naga have been advancing up the
Drowned Merchant River. They were previously
battled to a standstill by the one surviving Imperial
Legion, the Fists of the Emperor, but that Legion is
now force-marching toward the Imperial Capital to
deal with the threat from Toturi.
• Rumors are circulating of a horde of Dark Moto
sweeping up toward the Unicorn lands.
• A Shadowlands force is loose in the central
Empire, and recently devastated both Shiro Kitsuki
and Shiro Sano Kakita. Many blame the Crab
Clan’s civil war and military ambitions for
allowing these dark creatures to invade the Empire,
and the rumors of Hida Kisada allying with the
Shadowlands have gained new currency.
A Kami’s Voice
As the PCs absorb the news (and perhaps share some of
their own), they become aware of a lone samurai sitting
in the far corner of the Inn. Despite the crowd, nobody
is sitting close to him, and the other guests do not seem
to notice his presence. Even the Inn staff avoids him
without realizing they are doing it.
Once the PCs realize the stranger is here, they cannot
seem to look away. He appears to be a tall, powerfully-
built man, wrapped in a heavy dark green cloak and
hood. He is looking directly at the PCs, and they catch
glimpses of golden eyes that seem to flash with an awe-
inspiring inner power. If any of the PCs are Ise Zumi,
or have met Togashi before (in the adventure A Walk
Through the Mountains), they feel a chill run up their
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backs as they realize this is the same being. The other
sounds in the room seem to fade out, and the PCs are
unable to look away from the cloaked figure.
Togashi does not move, but the PCs seem to hear his
voice, deep and powerful, inside their minds. “It is
time to fulfill destiny. The one who so many seek has
been found, and she will solve my riddle. You must
seek her out, and bring her to me, in the city of
Heibeisu.”
It should be obvious from context that Togashi is
referring to Mirumoto Hitomi, who has been missing
for over a year. However, Togashi will not confirm
this directly – if a PC asks for more information, he
replies only: “You already know who it is you seek.”
Heibeisu is a trade-hub city in the Dragon lands – PCs
who have played A Walk Through the Mountains have
visited it before. Other PCs can identify it with a roll of
Lore: Dragon/Intelligence at TN 10,
Commerce/Intelligence at TN 15, or Simple
Intelligence at TN 25.
Dragon PCs cannot refuse – the power of their Clan
Champion and founding Kami is irresistible. Other
PCs must decide whether to obey Togashi’s command
or not – refusing is possible, but requires an effort of
will (no roll, just a role-played effort).
Assuming at least some of the PCs are willing to obey
Togashi, he will provide them with some vital
additional information: “You must seek the one who
wears white, who fights in the Shadows. He is the
key. He awaits you at the Shrine of the Ki-Rin.”
PCs who have seen or heard about the White Ninja in
the adventures Damning Evidence, A Question of
Honor, or Fires of Retribution will immediately realize
who Togashi is referring to. If there are any PCs in the
group who have played none of those adventures, they
call roll Lore: Ninja/Intelligence at TN 20 or
History/Intelligence at TN 25 to recall stories of a
“white ninja” over the last few years.
Togashi will not provide any other information, and
immediately after delivering his orders, he seems to
vanish, leaving the chair empty. The noise of the room
returns, and the PCs stir and look around as though
awakening from a deep sleep.
Where is the Shrine of the Ki-Rin?
PCs who have played the adventure Fury of the
Elements have visited the Shrine of the Ki-Rin before,
The Dragon’s Heart
and will know that it is a remote and isolated place,
located on the southwestern side of the Phoenix
Mountains. If none of the PCs have played that
adventure, they can roll Lore: Phoenix/Intelligence at
TN 15, Theology/Intelligence at TN 10, or
History/Intelligence at TN 20 to recall its location.
(Way of the Land for Phoenix lands will also work.)
As a last resort, the PCs can seek out a monk in Toshi
Ranbo (even a small city like this will have one or two
monks tending to its shrines). Any monk will know the
locations of major shrines such as this one.
Part One: The Shrine of
the Ki-Rin
From Toshi Ranbo, about five days of travel overland
will take the PCs to the steep, jagged, heavily-forested
western foothills of the Phoenix Mountains. Nestled at
the base of an especially imposing peak is a torii arch
guarding a path that climbs into the mountains.
The path ascends in a long, winding route that varies
between shaded forest and open rocky ledges. It is
mostly a smooth slope but switches to stairs at the
steepest points. Twice, it spans deep gorges on narrow
rope-and-plank bridges. The path is narrow – just wide
enough for one horse or two men. Cold wind whirls
around the PCs as they ascend, and it seems as though
they hear the vague voices of spirits on the breeze – or
perhaps that is just an illusion. Climbing the path takes
about half a day.
After many hours you approach the peak of the
mountain. The path turns and cuts steeply up
between two great boulders. At the top, you pass
under another large torii arch and emerge onto a wide
flat space. A couple of acres of open ground are
covered in grain fields and vegetable gardens, and
close to you are what appear to be a few peasant huts.
Beyond, at the far end of the flats, is a large complex
of buildings – clearly a monastery and temple –
nestled against the spiked peaks of the mountain. You
can see a few people in peasant garb working in the
fields and gardens. The entire scene seems peaceful
and harmonious.
The peasants will prostrate themselves and remain
bowed while the PCs approach the Shrine. If the PCs
pause to speak with the peasants, they are extremely
respectful and subservient. (If any PCs look for Chu,
the old man whose daughter was replaced by a bog hag
in Fury of the Elements, they learn that he died of a
fever last winter. The peasants are philosophical about
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it: “He had lived long, samurai, and the loss of his
daughter left him with nothing.”)
If any PCs ask about a “White Ninja,” about strangers
visiting the shrine, or anything similar, the peasants all
look at each other nervously. “There is a man who
came here yesterday morning. He came out of the
mountains. Dressed all in white he was, samurai-
sama, but it was all dirty and covered in blood. He
was badly hurt, and his hands and feet looked as
though he had been climbing over rocks for days.
The monks are caring for him now, I think.”
Visiting the Monks
The monks of the shrine will greet the PCs and
welcome them. There are a total of about forty monks,
of both genders and all ages from children to tottering
oldsters (although most are in the 20-40 age range).
They are followers of the Order of Seven Fortunes, the
branch of the Brotherhood of Shinsei which focuses on
revering the Fortunes. Many of them come out to see
the visiting samurai, their expressions openly curious.
Once the PCs explain why they are here, the abbot of
the shrine will quickly arrive.
Kou the Abbot is a slim, middle-aged monk with a
kindly, gentle, slightly effeminate personality. He
welcomes the PCs effusively. Once they explain at
least some of their reason for being here, the abbot’s
face will light up with interest and excitement. He will
willingly tell the PCs all he knows, answering their
questions eagerly.
• A man stumbled into the village yesterday
morning, dressed in a white hakama and gi,
“almost like the way ninja are supposed to dress,
except for the color.” He carried a kusarigama,
which Kou refers to diplomatically as “a most
unusual weapon.” (It is typically used by pirates
and ninja.)
• The monks have the garments and weapon in their
care. “The garment is most remarkable. It seems
to be made of something other than silk, and
shimmers oddly in the light.” The monk is
genuinely curious about the clothing, and will be
more than willing to show it to the PCs.
• The man was badly injured, having lost much
blood from a serious puncture wound to the lung,
apparently from a dart or a slim arrow. The wound
was poisoned, and the man has been suffering
greatly. “We have sought to purify his body, with
both herbal treatments and the manipulation of his
The Dragon’s Heart
ki, but the poison is most virulent. It seems to have
damaged him inside, in ways we cannot heal. It is
surprising that he still clings to life at all.”
• The injury appeared to be about two days old.
“Truly, a man of iron will, to have gone that long
with such an injury untreated.”
• If the PCs ask where the man came from, or refer
to the peasants’ mention of his hands and feet, the
abbot nods in puzzlement. “It appeared that he had
been climbing through the mountains, using
nothing more than hands and feet. His hands were
greatly worn and bloody, and his feet were almost
as bad, despite his sandals.”
• The man has refused to give his name, claiming
that to do so would endanger the monks. He has
also refused to explain where he came from or how
he became injured.
Visiting Hiroru
If the PCs wish to see the man, Kou will lead them into
the main residence hall of the shrine. One of the
monks’ cells has been converted to an infirmary for the
unfortunate. (If they wish to see the man’s “strange
garment” and weapon, those are being kept in the
abbot’s residence, next to the Shrine itself.)
The wounded man lies on a futon, shuddering and
tossing like a kobune riding a storm. His skin is pale
and gray-tinged, stretched taut over muscle and bone,
and sweat has soaked him and plastered his hair
against his scalp. A stick has been tied between his
teeth with a length of silk, and he bites down on its
fiercely as his face distorts in a rictus of pain. Silk
bandages are wrapped around his hands and feet.
Matsu Hiroru will recognize any PC who has him as an
Ally, and will turn toward them, eyes widening, and
struggling weakly to remove the stick-gag from his
mouth. He is too weak to untie the gag on his own –
the PCs will have to help him, or order the monks to
remove it. As soon as the gag is removed, Hiroru will
start trying to explain the situation.
Three days ago he finally located what he believes
(correctly) to be the hidden headquarters of the Kolat.
It is in a concealed valley in the Phoenix Mountains,
two days travel north of here. Scouting the valley, he
discovered a river that offered underground access to
the place. However, soon after finding it, he was
attacked by a team of Kolat assassins, which had
apparently been tailing him for some time. He
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managed to kill them all, but suffered a hit from a
poisoned blowgun dart. He fled south, climbing
through the mountains, and wound up here.
Note that Hiroru will not be able to simply recount
all of this to the PCs. He is semi-delirious, maddened
by days of a slow, agonizing death, and it will be a
bitter struggle for him to convey this information.
Often he will be unable to speak more than a couple of
words, as he is convulsed in agony. The PCs will have
to frequently ask questions and guide him back on topic
when he lapses into delirium or loses the thread of the
conversation.
• He will not name the Kolat directly, referring to it
as “them” or “the ones we hunt.” If the PCs
become confused and think he is speaking of the
Shadow, he will snarl in impatience. “No..! The
other ones… men!”
• He describes the headquarters as “tall building…
sloped, four sides, rises to a point. Tall as a
castle.” (A pyramid.)
• He warns that the place is very secure. “Guarded,
many troops. Ronin. Only one gate.”
• He will eventually remember the entrance he
found. “River. Goes… under the ground. Inside.
Dark. Saw boats.”
• If the PCs mention his equipment, his eyes will
briefly light up. “Take it. Use it. Protect you…
from shadows, in the dark,” he gasps.
Presumably, the PCs will ask him for directions to the
place. Hiruro mutters and fumbles for a while, then
holds up one pain-twisted, bandaged hand. “Brush,” he
croaks. “Ink.” If the PCs can provide him with brush,
ink, and paper, he will shakily draw out a map to the
Hidden Temple of the Kolat.
Hiroru will also try to tell the PCs his name. “Hiroru,”
he whispers, urgently. “Matsu. Tell… sister. Warn
her. And say… died with Honor.” PCs can roll Lore:
Lion/Intelligence at TN 15 or Heraldry/Intelligence
or Courtier/Intelligence at TN 20 to recall stories of
Matsu Tsuko’s younger brother, who disappeared
mysteriously over ten years ago. He was said to be one
of the finest students of Akodo Kage, and vanished
after a confrontation with his sensei that left Kage with
a severe slash to his arm.
Hiroru will not die right away – he will linger for
several more agonizing days – and the PCs can speak
The Dragon’s Heart
with him further if they miss important information the
first time.
Treating Hiroru
A PC who rolls Poison/Intelligence at TN 20,
Herbalism/Intelligence at TN 20, or Medicine/
Intelligence at TN 25 can diagnose that Hiroru has
been afflicted with a poison which has damaged or
destroyed several of his vital organs, including his
kidneys and liver. Consequently, spells which would
normally be helpful, such as Hands of Jurojin or
Regrow the Wound, will not repair the damage – it is
too extensive. Regrow the Wound or Path to Inner
Peace will, however, ease his pain somewhat, allowing
him to enjoy a short period (a half-hour or so) of peace
and rest, as well as to speak more clearly and
coherently.
Some PCs may have access to more powerful curatives.
The kiho “Chi Projection,” and the Pale Oak Healing
Draught, will have an effect similar to Path to Inner
Peace (temporary reduction in pain, greater mental
coherence), but for a longer period, several hours.
There is one spell powerful enough to actually heal
Hiroru and restore him to function: the Rank 6 Water
spell Peace of the Kami. If a shugenja in the party has
that spell, Hiroru can be saved. Once retrieved from
the brink of death, Hiroru will be eager to go back,
avenge his near-death, and try to infiltrate the Hidden
Temple. He will be more than willing to accompany
and guide the PCs.
Whether temporarily or permanently healed, a more
coherent Hiroru can share some additional information:
• The pyramidal building was located in a large
valley which also contained a substantial farming
community. He estimated that over 300 people
lived there, not counting whoever lived inside the
pyramid.
• There was only one entrance to the valley, a
narrow mountain path guarded by many bushi.
Other bushi guarded the single gate which led into
the pyramid.
• Hiroru judged the bushi who defended the valley
to be tough, well-trained, and well-equipped. He
saw at least fifty, and assumes many more were
garrisoned inside the pyramid. He will strongly
recommend against a direct assault.
Page 7
• He found the valley by searching the mountains
after trailing several Kolat agents into the general
area. Unfortunately, he was being followed
himself by an assassin team, which caught up with
him shortly after he reached the valley.
• Prior to his encounter with the assassins, he
noticed that the small river which watered the
valley emerged from a tunnel close to the pyramid.
He swam up the river a short way, and saw lights
and moored boats ahead, suggesting it could be a
way into the pyramid. He withdrew to plan for a
more careful visit, but was attacked immediately
thereafter.
• He is sure that no one alive followed him from the
valley. (He is also sure nobody was able to follow
him with magic: “I have protections against such
things.”)
• Hiroru came to the Shrine of the Ki-Rin because it
was the nearest settlement in the area. It took him
a little less than two days to reach the Shrine,
although he is not confident of the time – he was
delirious with pain during the latter half of the
journey.
• Hiroru can share more information on his crystal
hakama and gi (unless he is completely healed, in
which case he simply wants it back). He describes
it as “a legacy of my Clan” and says it can protect
the wearer against “those who walk in the dark.”
He will identify them as “Goju” if the PCs show
any indication of knowing what he is talking about.
If he has not been cured, he will urge the PCs to
take the crystal garment with them, to keep it out
of the hands of his enemies.
• If any of the PCs are Lions, Hiroru will ask to
speak with them privately. “I was once one of
you,” he tells them. “My honor was betrayed.
Beware, lest yours be so as well. Not all in our
Clan are as they appear to be.” He will not provide
any further information.
• If Hiroru is not cured and any of the PCs are Matsu
with Glory of 4.0 or better, he will give them a
chop marked with the name “Matsu Hiroru” and
ask them to give it to his sister. PCs can identify
the name (Matsu Tsuko’s brother) with a roll of
Lore: Lion/Intelligence at TN 15,
Heraldry/Intelligence at TN 20,
Courtier/Intelligence at TN 20, or History/
Intelligence at TN 20.
The Dragon’s Heart
Hiroru’s Equipment
The white hakama and gi which Hiroru wore when he
arrived at the Shrine are being kept at the abbot’s
residence. They shimmer and seem to shift slightly
under light, and are difficult to focus on for long. They
are clearly made of something other than silk, and feel
both smooth and very tough to the touch. The garments
are actually woven from crystal, a fact which a PC can
ascertain with a Simple Perception roll at TN 20. The
garments cannot be worn over (or under) armor,
although they can be worn beneath normal clothing.
The weapon which Hiroru carried is a kusarigama –
essentially a kama on a chain, with a heavy weight on
the other end of the chain. The weapon is not used by
samurai, but can be recognized with a roll of Lore:
Ninja/Intelligence (or other suitable Lore skill, such as
Lore: Weapons or Lore: Fighting Styles) at TN 15.
The weapon uses the Ninjutsu skill.
Part Two: Through the
Mountains
If Matsu Hiroru was able to make a map for the PCs,
they can follow it directly to the hidden valley of the
Kolat. (Needless to say, if the PCs were able to cure
him, he will guide them personally.) No rolls will be
needed to reach their destination, although they will
still face the hazards of mountain travel (see below).
If the PCs failed to ask Hiroru for directions, and don’t
think to go back and speak with him again, they will
have to find a way to backtrack his trail. This will
require four rolls of Hunting/Perception at TN 25 or
Investigation/Perception at TN 30 (Simple
Perception at TN 35) to follow him all the way back to
the Valley. Creative use of magic can help, but spirits
are few and far between once the PCs get away from
the Shrine, so the frequent trick of “cast Commune
every half-hour to track him” won’t work here.
Communing with Air or Earth with at least eight Raises
will invoke a major Wind or Mountain Kami which
will remember Hiroru, and can substitute for one of the
four rolls.
• A spell or ability which can track people (such as
The Horse’s Nose or the Wolf tattoo) can track
Hiroru’s path successfully. Each casting of The
Horse’s Nose will substitute for one tracking roll.
No rolls are needed for a PC with the Wolf tattoo.
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• Spells which allow communion with animals (such
as Nature’s Touch) might, with four or more
Raises, be able to find an eagle or other mountain
animal which saw Hiroru. This will substitute for
two rolls.
• A spell which can reveal hidden things, such as By
the Light of Lord Moon, can substitute for a
tracking roll.
It takes two days of travel through the mountains to
reach the Hidden Valley. This is not a safe or pleasant
journey, as the PCs clamber up and down the jagged
slopes, sometimes pushing through dense trees and
other times clambering over bare rock. The PCs will
need to bring food and water, since there is none to be
found in these remote peaks.
Hazards of Mountain Travel
If any of the PCs have the skill Mountaineering, they
can make a skill roll (with the Intelligence trait) once
per day at TN 15 to travel safely through the
mountains. (TN 10 if the PCs make a point of bringing
mountaineering equipment, such as ropes.) Each such
roll will ensure the safe travel of two PCs, plus one per
Raise. If none of the PCs have Mountaineering, they
can substitute Climbing, Athletics, or Hunting as
Related Skills (no explosions).
A shugenja PC may be able to come up with creative
ways of using magic to ensure safe passage through the
mountains. This should be considered equivalent to
making a Mountaineering roll.
If any of the PCs are not protected by Mountaineering
rolls, they must roll Simple Agility at TN 15 once each
day they are in the mountains. Any PC who fails such
a roll will suffer a fall and injuries resulting in 3k2
Wounds. A PC who suffers a critical failure (fails the
roll with three 1’s) plummets off a sixty-foot cliff
(unless roped to another PC) and suffers 6k5 damage.
Part Three: The Hidden
Valley of the Kolat
Regardless of whether they follow Hiroru’s map or
managed to find his trail, the PCs will eventually find
their way to the Valley of the Kolat. The White Ninja’s
path leads across the saddle between two mountains
and then down a steep, narrow cleft rimmed with
jagged rocks, twisted and stunted trees, and small tufts
of grass clinging to the cracks in the stone. The descent
is steep and nerve-wracking, requiring care and effort
The Dragon’s Heart
from the PCs. Each PC will need to roll either
Mountaineering/Agility at TN 10, Climbing/Agility
at TN 10, Athletics/Agility at TN 15, or Simple
Agility at TN 20. PCs who are using
climbing/mountaineering equipment gain a Free Raise
on the roll, and they can gain an additional Free Raise
by roping themselves together.
A PC who fails the roll will suffer a tumbling fall that
inflicts 3k2 damage. (A PC who takes more than 25
points of damage suffers a broken bone, either an arm
or a leg.) If the PCs are roped together, the other PCs
need to make Simple Strength rolls to hold on and
prevent their comrade from falling. The TN of these
rolls is equal to the Water x 5 of the falling PC, but the
PCs get a Free Raise for each one of them who is tied
to the same rope. If all of the PCs fail their rolls, all of
them fall.
Shugenja PCs may be able to find ways to make this
descent easier or safer, or to rescue falling PCs before
they take damage. The GM must adjudicate such
efforts – creativity should be rewarded.
Several hundred feet down the cleft, the PCs finally get
a clear view of what lies below them:
Peering between the jagged rocks and stunted trees,
you see below you a deep valley, sheltered within the
mountains which rise on all sides. You can see farms
and rice fields, and a river winding between them. At
one end of the valley you can make out what appears
to be a very narrow pass, guarded by a small stone
tower. Closer to hand, almost directly below you, is a
much larger structure, of a strange and alien design.
It appears to be a great stone building, with four
triangular sides rising to a point. You can see some
sort of gate or entrance in one side of the great
structure. As you watch, a group of mounted men
leaves the gate and sets out across the valley,
following a well-maintained road toward the distant
pass.
In order to reach the valley floor, the PCs will have to
descend for another hour, working their way down
through the cleft to ground level. So long as they do
not actively draw attention to themselves (such as by
casting flashy spells or shouting), the PCs will go
undetected – the Kolat Bushi in the valley have been
conditioned by a thousand years of safety to believe
themselves completely safe.
The layout of the valley is shown on Map #1, The
Hidden Valley.
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The Farms: there are about 300 peasants living in the
valley, growing food to support the Hidden Temple and
its garrison. Although these people look and dress like
normal peasants, they are all dedicated life-long
members of the Kolat. If the PCs are foolish enough to
approach them, they will play the role of frightened,
humble peasants while trying to lull the PCs into a
sense of safety. (PCs who are suspicious of the
peasants’ sincerity must make Contested Rolls of their
Investigation/Perception against the peasants’
Sincerity/Awareness roll of 4k2.) The peasants will
not fight, but as soon as they have the chance they will
send warnings to the Kolat Bushi at the Guard Tower
or the Temple.
The Road: A well-maintained road, covered in
crushed white gravel, runs from the Temple to the
narrow pass which exits the valley. Couriers ride in
and out on this road a couple of times a day. Anyone
who travels on the road will be clearly visible, even at
night, due to the pale color of the stone.
The Pass: The only way out of the valley, other than
climbing through the mountains or floating on the river.
The pass is extremely narrow (single-file only), but
smooth and well-maintained, making it safe for
mounted travel. It takes a total of five days to follow
the road through the mountains to the Dragon Heart
Plain, where it emerges into a small, innocuous, empty
valley. Well-stocked roadhouses are located
approximately ten hours’ travel apart on the road. Each
roadhouse is garrisoned by a squad of five Kolat Bushi,
who will attack anyone who cannot correctly answer
their challenge. (The PCs will have no way of learning
the correct passwords.)
Guard Tower: Positioned to control access to the
Kolat valley, this three-story stone tower is topped with
a gaijin-type crenellated battlement, giving those
standing watch cover against any missile fire from
below (three extra Raises to hit them). There is only
single entrance to the tower, a heavy wooden door
barred from the inside. The road passes directly below
the tower before plunging into the pass.
The tower has a garrison of 18 standard Kolat Bushi, of
whom six are on duty at any given time. Six others are
off-duty but awake, and can be ready for action (but not
in armor) in five rounds, while the remaining six are
sleeping. The tower is commanded by a Kolat officer
named Itsuhara, a grimly competent man with shaggy
hair and a bristly goatee beard.
The Kolat Temple: This pyramidal structure is about
as tall as a ten-story Rokugani castle. It sits atop a
The Dragon’s Heart
stony mountain outcrop at one end of the valley. The
only entrance is a single gate which passes between two
squat two-story towers with gaijin-style crenellated
battlements. Each tower is manned at all times by five
Kolat Bushi, and a Kolat Officer and a Kolat Shugenja
are available as immediate reinforcements for the gate
area if someone suspicious approaches.
The gate itself is a massive iron portcullis, opened with
a pair of wheels in the two tower-tops (so an attacker
must control both tower-tops to open the portcullis).
Lifting the portcullis requires an Athletics/Strength
roll at TN 50 (no more than two people can combine
their efforts on this).
Beyond the portcullis is a twenty-foot corridor of bare
stone, with murder holes in the roof (accessible from
the two gatehouse towers). At the end of the corridor is
a double-valved oaken door, reinforced with steel
bands, and blocked from the inside with an iron
crossbar. Getting through this door would require ten
rounds with a battering ram (minimum 8 combined
Strength to carry it).
In the event of an assault on the gates, massive
reinforcements will be available from inside the
Temple. There are a total of 116 Kolat Bushi, six
Officers, eight Shugenja, and 18 Kolat Asassins inside
the Temple (not counting the Masters themselves). A
third of the bushi and officers are fully armed and
equipped at all times, and will respond to an assault
within a few minutes. All the rest of the bushi, as well
as the shugenja, will be available within a half-hour
(the time it takes to don light armor).
Smart PCs will realize the futility of attacking a fortress
on their own, and will investigate the river instead.
The River: A narrow but deep stream, about thirty feet
wide and ten to twenty feet deep, with a powerful
current. The river emerges from a low cave opening
(roof about six feet above the water level) in the side of
the rocky hill where the Temple perches. Downstream
from the Temple, several small streams have been
diverted from the river to water the rice fields.
Beyond the rice fields, the river plunges between steep
crags, becoming a white-water torrent which forges
through the mountains and eventually emerges into the
Valley of the Two Generals, where it wends its way
southward to eventually merge with the Drowned
Merchant River.
Page 10
Following the River
Smart PCs will presumably look for the river cave-
entrance which Hiroru told them about. If Hiroru was
healed and accompanied them back, he can show them
the location himself. Otherwise, the PCs will have to
remember his story and look for it. The cave can be
spotted from the foothills of the mountains with a
Simple Perception roll at TN 10. Alternatively, the
PCs can find the cave simply by following the river,
although this will make them visible unless they do so
at night.
If the PCs enter the valley during daylight, they will
need to roll Stealth/Awareness at TN 20 to avoid
being spotted. If even one PC fails the roll, they will be
noticed, and a squad of ten Kolat Bushi, led by a Kolat
officer and a Kolat shugenja, will be sent out to deal
with them. (This force will also be sent out if the PCs
are reported by the valley’s peasants.)
If the PCs go into the valley at night, they will be safe
from detection so long as they avoid brandishing lights
or making loud noises (e.g. shouting).
In order to enter the cave, the PCs will have to swim
the river, or find some way to travel above the water
(such as flying magic). The GM should consider PC
efforts in light of the following guidelines:
• Swimming upstream against the current is difficult,
since the river flows swiftly. Two rolls of
Athletics/Strength at TN 15 will be needed. A
failed roll means the PC is swept back downstream
and must start over. A PC who wishes to “tow” or
otherwise assist another PC will need to make two
Raises on the roll.
• PCs could improvise a raft, log, or other floating
device to aid themselves in swimming. This will
reduce the TN for the Athletics roll to 10.
• The sides of the cave are sheer (no riverbank or
shallow area), so walking or wading will not be an
option. However, a non-athletic PC could tread
water and work his/her way along the wall of the
cave by hand. This will be slow, but will require
only two Simple Strength rolls at TN 5.
• Shugenja PCs can get themselves or others into the
cave with spells such as Call Upon the Wind,
Hands of Clay, etc. (Wings of Fire will not work,
since it requires gliding down from a higher
elevation.)
The Dragon’s Heart
The Underground Bay
Once the PCs make their way up the river, they will see
lamplight ahead of them. Smart PCs approach
cautiously, but there is no need – the Kolat do not keep
any guards here, since they consider it a secure
location.
The river has widened here to a broad underground
pool. A stone ledge runs along one wall of the cave,
about three feet above the water level. A wooden pier
sticks out from the ledge into the water, and three
small boats – about the size of fishing boats, but
longer and slimmer in design – are tied up at the pier.
A pair of lanterns hanging from posts shed soft light
on the scene. You can see a dark archway in the wall
between them.
The archway leads to a tunnel hewn through rock and
earth, shored up with heavy wooden beams. It ascends
in a series of staircases and ramps to the Temple
Dungeon (see Map #2, the Hidden Temple).
Part Four: Inside the
Hidden Temple
It is assumed in this adventure that the PCs will be
entering the Temple’s lower level via the river. A
direct assault on the Temple’s front gates is essentially
suicidal, given the resources deployed to defend them.
(See “The Hidden Temple” in Part Three above for
details of these defenses.)
Likewise, PCs who attempt to ascend from the
Temple’s dungeons to its upper levels will be entering
heavily-trafficked residential areas where it is
impossible to go unnoticed. Reaching the top floors,
where the Masters themselves reside, will be utterly
impossible – there is only one central stairwell which
climbs to those levels, and it is strongly guarded.
Over-aggressive PCs who try to explore or invade the
upper Temple should be allowed a chance to see the
error of their ways and flee before they are
overwhelmed by the scores of Kolat bushi defending
the place.
There are a total of 116 Kolat Bushi, six Officers, eight
Shugenja, and 18 Assassins inside the Temple (not
counting the Masters themselves). A third of the bushi
and officers are fully armed and equipped at all times,
and will respond to an assault or alarm within a few
minutes. All the rest of the bushi and the shugenja will
be available within a half-hour (the time it takes to don
light armor).
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The 18 Kolat Assassins living in the Temple are not
officially part of the building’s defenses, but will be
available to hunt down and kill any PCs who are
detected in the Valley (see Part Five: Escaping the
Valley).
The Upper Floors
In the unlikely event that the PCs are aggressive or
foolish enough to try to explore the upper floors of the
Temple, the GM can use the following information as a
rough guideline to what they find.
The Main Floor: Located above the dungeon, and
accessed from the front gate. Houses barracks,
facilities, and training dojos for the Kolat bushi and
their officers. Also contains quarters for the servants
who maintain the Temple, and stables for horses. To
get to the upper floors, the PCs will have to work their
way to the center of this floor, where a heavily-guarded
staircase (six bushi on duty at all times) leads up.
The Second Floor: Home to the Kolat shugenja and
Kolat Assasins, along with their libraries and dojos.
The Third Floor: Guest quarters for higher-ranking
Kolat members when they visit. Several mid-level
Kolat operatives are staying here at any given time.
Contains guest rooms, baths, dining rooms, etc. A full
squad of ten elite bushi guards the stairs to the fourth
floor.
The Fourth Floor: Quarters of the Kolat Masters.
Presently, only Kage, Korekade, and Al-Hazaad are
here.
The Fifth Floor: A single meeting room, where the
Masters gather to discuss and plan.
Construction and Design
The Temple is constructed of stone, with massive
oaken beams reinforcing the ceilings. Doors in the
dungeon level, except where otherwise noted, are all of
reinforced heavy oak, and if locked will require a
battering ram or several blows with a heavy weapon
(ono, dai tsuchi) to break down, or a
Locksmith/Agility roll at TN 25 to pick them. All
hallways and stairwells are lit with gaijin metal-and-
glass lanterns, typically spaced about fifty feet apart
(leaving shadowy areas in between). Most rooms have
several such lanterns hanging from iron rings in the
ceiling, offering plentiful light.
There are small air vents located along the edges of the
ceilings in the dungeon’s larger rooms. These measure
The Dragon’s Heart
only about eight inches by four inches, and have
several bends along their length (so no light can get
through). The outer ends of these vents are scattered
around the base of the Temple, positioned to catch the
prevailing winds which pass through the valley.
Consequently, the lower levels always have fresh air.
Obviously, these tiny passages cannot be used to enter
or leave the Temple, but a clever party might be able to
come up with some other use for them.
Stairs Up: There are two stairwells which lead from
the dungeon up to the main first level of the Kolat
Temple. At the base of each stairwell is a guard room
with two fully-equipped Kolat Bushi standing sentry.
A pull-rope is located next to the stairs, and if the
guards are attacked, one of them will try to pull the
rope and sound the alarm. If the alarm is sounded,
troops from upstairs will respond within five minutes.
Aside from the guards, these rooms are empty except
for lanterns on the ceiling. Open archways lead to the
barracks where the guards and their replacements stay
(the other guards will respond to noise within five
rounds). Doors lead elsewhere in the dungeon – these
are kept closed, but are not locked unless the alarm is
sounded.
Guard Barracks: Located next to the Stairs Up, these
two chambers each contain four plain futons, chests for
clothing and personal effects, and racks for weapons
and armor. There are two off-duty guards resting in
these rooms at all times, and they will respond to noise
within five rounds. A small toilet/washroom is
adjacent to each barracks.
Inner Guard Post: This room controls access to the
most sensitive portions of the dungeon – the records
rooms and the chamber of the Oni’s Eye. A single
heavy door leads into those areas, and is kept locked.
Two Elite Kolat bushi stand guard by the door at all
times.
During the day, a noncombatant clerk (with a key to the
door) is posted in this room, sitting on a tatami mat
beside a writing desk. The desk has a writing kit and a
rack of scrolls, some blank and other filled with
writing. Everyone who enters the records rooms or the
chamber of the Oni’s Eye is recorded on a scroll, and
any documents removed or added to the records are
likewise recorded.
If the clerk is here, it is possible that clever PCs may be
able to bluff and pretend to be Kolat functionaries sent
to collect records or information. This will only work
if none of the PCs are wearing armor or openly
Page 12
carrying battlefield weapons. They will have to role-
play convincingly and then roll Sincerity/Awareness at
TN 25 to pull this off. In such circumstances, the PCs
will be allowed to “sign in” and enter the records area.
It is more likely that the PCs will be obvious intruders.
In this case, the clerk will try to flee to one of the
“Stairs Up” areas and spread the alarm. The two
guards will stay and fight to the death.
PCs who look through the clerk’s scrolls (which are
always here, even at night) can easily deduce that there
is some kind of library or records room beyond the
door. They can also roll Investigation/Intelligence at
TN 25 to discover some names in the scrolls that might
seem familiar: Emon, Akae, and Kage.
Storage Chambers: These four rooms contain stores
and supplies, of the sort which could be found in any
Rokugani castle: foodstuffs, barrels of water, bales of
silk, spare clothing, lumber, tools, lamp oil, and so
forth. The room marked “weapons storage” contains
bundles of arrows, racks of spears, swords, and other
melee weapons, and suits of light armor.
Creative PCs can potentially make good use of this
gear. However, it should be noted that if the PCs are
inside the Temple during the day, servants will
occasionally come down to this level to get supplies
from these rooms – this could be unfortunate if the PCs
are trying to avoid being noticed.
Main Torture Chamber: This large, low-roofed
chamber is a massive torture complex, with a vast array
of pain-causing gear, such as racks and frames,
drowning tanks, a large charcoal-fired hearth for the
heating of branding irons, and so forth. The variety and
quality of torture gear is both awe-inspiring and
horrifying, and there is abundant evidence of its
frequent use (bloodstains, foul odors, etc).
An alarm rope is located next to each entrance to this
room, for use in case a prisoner escapes.
If the PCs approach this area during the day, three of
the Junior Torturers will be hard at work, inflicting pain
and misery on an equal number of prisoners from the
Holding Cells area (see below). If the PCs come at
night, only a single Junior Torturer will be at work,
applying his expertise against one hapless prisoner.
In either case, the Torturers are cowards and will try to
sound the alarm and flee out whichever corridor the
PCs did not use to enter the area. They fight only if
The Dragon’s Heart
cornered, but will use vicious and unfair tactics, such as
hiding behind a prisoner strapped into a whipping rack.
Junior Torturers’ Quarters: These five small rooms
each house one of the five Junior Torturers who work
under the authority of the Breaker, Shimura. Typically,
during the day one of them will be sleeping, while at
night four of them are asleep. Each chamber contains a
futon, a chest with personal effects, and a rack of
scrolls in which each Torturer keeps meticulous records
of his work on the various prisoners. PCs who read any
of these documents will be able to identify dozens of
individuals around the Empire who have been broken
or brainwashed by the Kolat in recent years.
Torture Auxiliary: This room contains supplies,
tools, and other supplementary gear for the Main
Torture Chamber. One wall is also completely covered
in packed scroll-shelves – the accumulated records of
hundreds of years of torture and brainwashing. These
scrolls contain a horrifying record of the Kolat’s cruel
use and abuse of countless individuals throughout
history.
The small chamber adjacent to this room is a
toilet/washroom.
Holding Cells: These two areas each contain ten
small cells, sealed behind heavy iron doors. (The
Torturers have the keys.) The cells are cruelly plain
and utilitarian – there are no windows, and they contain
no lights or furnishings, nothing but a stone sleeping-
bench and a chamberpot. The cells of Kyuden Kokai,
the Imperial prison, seem luxurious by comparison.
There are currently a total of twelve prisoners held in
these cells. Seven of them are commoners, but there
are also five samurai: a minor Otomo courtier, a bushi
from the Phoenix, a Crane artisan, and two Lion bushi.
All of them are weak, badly hurt, exhausted,
demoralized, and incapable of taking action in their
own defense unless healed – in game terms, they are all
at the “Down” Wound rank. In addition, three of them
are potentially hazardous to the party:
• The Phoenix bushi, Shiba Kotetsu, has been driven
psychotic (checking the Torturer’s records will
show that they have given up on him as a
“hopeless case”). He will frenziedly attack anyone
who heals him enough to function.
• One of the peasants and one of the Lion bushi,
Matsu Gotaru, are near-completed “sleeper
agents.” They will help the PCs until a Torturer or
Page 13
 a Kolat Master speaks their trigger-phrases,
causing them to turn and attack the party.
Breaker’s Workroom: A heavy double-door leads
into this chamber, where Shimura the Breaker, Kolat
Master and torturer supreme, works on his most
important subjects. There is torture equipment in this
room as well, but most of it is smaller and more
delicate than the gear in the main torture chamber –
designed to cause a maximum of pain with a minimum
of permanent scarring. The centerpiece of the room is
an elaborate wooden rack, designed to hold a single
prisoner helpless while the Breaker works on their
nervous system.
If the PCs arrive in this room during the day, Mirumoto
Hitomi will be strapped into the rack while the Breaker
works on her. At night, Hitomi is in her cell and the
Breaker is in his quarters, most likely asleep.
Special Cells: These two cells are where the Breaker
keeps those he is giving his special attention. They are
similar to the regular cells (stone bench, chamberpot,
no light) but only the Breaker has keys to them. At
present, Hitomi is the only prisoner held in this area –
the Breaker is almost finished with her, but doesn’t
have a new “subject” yet.
The Breaker’s Quarters: The Breaker is the only
Kolat Master who lives on this level, rather than in the
upper floors of the Temple pyramid. Shimura’s room is
elaborately luxurious, with a large and comfortable
futon, scandalous high-quality artworks, polished
wooden furniture, a writing desk with the finest ink,
and so forth. A scroll-shelf covers one wall, and
contains both the Breaker’s personal writings and
meditations on torture and brainwashing, and the
collective wisdom of past Kolat Masters on the same
topic. (Reading any quantity of this material is an
extremely unsettling experience, and could potentially
cost Honor. Reading it thoroughly will grant a free
rank in the Torture skill.)
A weapons rack in the room has a very impressive
daisho set whose sheaths are lacquered in Dragon
green-and-gold. These are the ancestral blades of the
Dragon Clan, and can be recognized with a roll of
Lore: Relics (or similar) with Intelligence at TN 15,
Lore: Dragon/Intelligence at TN 20, or
History/Intelligence at TN 25. The blades cannot be
drawn by anyone who is not of the Mirumoto family.
The adjacent room is a toilet and washroom, and
contains a luxurious marble tub for soaking.
The Dragon’s Heart
At night, Shimura the Breaker will be in his quarters,
either sleeping, taking a relaxing bath, or making a few
notations in his personal writing. If attacked, he will
try to blind the PCs with his pepper-powder (see his
statistics under “Bad Guy Stats”) and escape.
Hall of Records: This large chamber contains
numerous floor-to-ceiling shelves, packed with
thousands of scrolls (as well as a few hundred gaijin
books with leather covers). The chamber is very well-
lit, and also has several reading tables.
Looking through these scrolls and books is a daunting
task – the collective records of a thousand years of
conspiracy. Even figuring out where to start looking
for something would require an hour’s work and a
Research/Intelligence roll at TN 30. It is unlikely the
PCs will have time to learn anything here, although
they can try to take some of the scrolls if they wish.
Clever PCs may think of trying to recover scrolls
relating to agents of the Kolat...
Trapped Door: This door leads to the Oni’s Eye, and
can only be safely opened with a key carried by the
Kolat Masters (if the PCs defeated the Breaker, his ring
of keys will include the key to this door).
The door is not actually “locked” – although there is a
prominent keyhole in the front, the door can be opened
without unlocking it. However, if the door is opened
without first turning the correct key in the lock, a
pressurized spray of acidic vapor will spray from a set
of small holes in the wall above the door. This caustic
vapor will inflict 3k3 damage immediately, and causes
continued burning on exposed skin and membranes,
inflicting an additional 1k1 damage per round for three
more rounds. (Sluicing down all exposed skin with
water will end the damage immediately.) A PC who
takes 25 or more points of damage from this trap will
be blinded until their eyes can heal, a process requiring
about two weeks. (The spells Regrow the Wound and
Peace of the Kami will repair vision immediately.)
PCs who examine the door beforehand can roll Simple
Perception at TN 25 to notice the small circular vents
above the door. A roll of Traps/Intelligence at TN 15
or Engineering/Intelligence at TN 20 can deduce that
the door contains some kind of trigger device. Actually
disarming the trap will require a roll of
Locksmith/Agility at TN 30.
Chamber of the Eye: Beyond the trapped door, a
long staircase descends to a rough-hewn cavern
containing the legendary Oni’s Eye – a gigantic perfect
Page 14
sphere of some sort of crystalline substance, fifteen feet
in diameter, radiating a soft white glow.
Anyone who looks into the Oni’s Eye for at least ten
minutes can roll Meditation/Willpower at TN 25 to
get a real-time vision of a location somewhere in the
Empire (the GM should choose something recognizable
to the PCs). Actually controlling what they see will not
be possible – it requires weeks of focus and study to
master the Oni’s Eye to that extent.
If the PCs come here during the day, there is a 50%
chance that Korekado, the Kolat Master shugenja, is
here looking into the Oni’s Eye with an avid
expression. Although he is fascinated by the Eye’s
visions, he will still notice intruders unless all the PCs
who enter the room make Stealth/Agility rolls at TN
25.
Mirumoto Hitomi
The daimyo of the Mirumoto family is pale and thin,
her eyes sunken and rimmed with shadows. The scars
of torture cover her skin, and her hair has been crudely
shaved, leaving an ugly stubble across her scalp.
Nevertheless, any PC can recognize her for who she is
by rolling Lore: Dragon/Intelligence at TN 10,
Heraldry/Intelligence at TN 15, or
Courtier/Intelligence at TN 20.
Hitomi is in very bad mental condition. Over a year of
torture has all but broken her, and she barely
remembers anything of herself. Initially, she will
confuse the PCs with her tormenters and shrink away
from them, muttering and whimpering (especially if
they arrive while she is strapped onto the rack in the
Breaker’s workroom). “No more, no more,” she
whispers. “Make it stop, please.”
• If a PC speaks her name or otherwise identifies
her, she will go very still. “Yes,” she whispers.
“Hitomi. I was Hitomi.” Her voice rises with an
edge of hysteria. “I don’t know anymore. They
won’t let me be Hitomi. Won’t let me!”
• Hitomi will not be capable of any other coherent
speech except to plead for her swords (see below).
Hitomi and the Swords
Hitomi clings to one thing: she must have her swords.
“He gave them to me,” she whispers. “They are here.
He gave them to me. I cannot lose them. They are
here. He has them, the hurting man, he has them.” If
the PCs attempt to remove her from the Temple without
retrieving the Dragon Ancestral Swords, she will
The Dragon’s Heart
become resistant, then hysterical and violent, to the
point of actually fighting the PCs.
If the PCs have not yet located the swords, Hitomi will
continue to insist “they are here” and “he has them, the
one who brings pain,” which may be a hint to search
the Breaker’s quarters. A shugenja who is (or used to
be) part of the Dragon Clan can roll Simple
Intelligence at TN 20 to know enough about the
swords to locate them with The Tie That Binds.
If the PCs bring her the swords, Hitomi clutches them
desperately, like a drowning victim reaching for air.
Slowly she calms, and a measure of focus and intellect
returns to her haggard face. “I remember… I remember
my brother. Daini-kun? Is he well?”
Once she has the swords back, Hitomi will be
functional enough to speak with the PCs in a coherent
fashion:
• Her last clear memories are of setting out to
confront Hida Yakamo and avenge her brother
Satsu. “He murdered my brother, smashed his face
with a tetsubo in what should have been an
honorable duel.” She will deliver a slightly
unhinged glare at any Crab PCs.
• Hitomi was drugged while stopping at an Inn for
the night. She remembers eating dinner, feeling
strange and dizzy, and then waking up in the
dungeon here.
• She does not realize how much time has passed,
and will be shocked to learn that the year is now
1124 of the Imperial calendar. “So… so long?”
An expression of horror and disbelief crosses her
face. “He said I would never leave. He said I
would be here forever…” If the body of the
Breaker is anywhere nearby, she spits on it.
• If the PCs share with her some of the recent events
in the Dragon Clan (the rise and fall of Mirumoto
Yukihera, and the departure of the Agasha
dissidents), Hitomi will clench her fist around the
hilt of her sword. “My fault,” she mutters. “All
my fault. I must return.”
• If the PCs mention that Togashi sent them, or that
she is expected to return to him, Hitomi turns pale.
“I dreamed of him…” she shudders violently. She
will agree to go to him at once.
Once she has her swords back, Hitomi will be
functional enough to assist the PCs in escaping the
Page 15
Temple and Valley, or even to fight if need be
(although her skills have grown rusty).
Part Five: Escaping the
Valley
Once the PCs have rescued Hitomi, or given up on
trying to enter the Temple, they will face the problem
of how to get out of the Hidden Valley without being
hunted down and killed by the Kolat.
If the PCs took actions outside which attracted
attention, such as approaching the peasants or
attacking the front gates, it is unlikely that they ever
made it into the Temple at all. In such a case, their sole
objective will be to escape alive. Assuming they are
not simply killed by the Kolat bushi, they will soon be
the targets of a team of six Kolat assassins, who will
attempt to track them down and slay them. The
assassins need a roll of Hunting/Perception at TN 20
to locate the PCs’ trail. If the PCs are trying to conceal
their tracks or otherwise evade pursuit, the Assassins
must make Contested Rolls of their
Hunting/Perception against the Stealth/Intelligence
of whichever PC is put in charge of covering their
tracks. (A PC may use Hunting as a Related skill for
this roll.)
If, as is more likely, the PCs successfully infiltrated the
Temple via the underground river, they will have more
options, especially if they managed to keep the alarm
from being sounded.
If the Kolat did sound the alarm, and the PCs got
out of the Temple, the Kolat will respond aggressively:
• Four patrols of Kolat bushi, numbering six each,
will be immediately sent out to search the valley.
They will attack any strangers on sight.
• After an hour, a six-man assassin team will be
dispatched to track the PCs as above.
If the PCs prevented the Kolat in the dungeon
from sounding the alarm, they will have some time
before other Kolat discover what has gone wrong. At
night, it will be at least six hours before the damage is
discovered. During the day, it will be two hours.
Either way, once the attack is discovered, the Kolat will
react as above (sending out patrols and an assassin
team).
The Dragon’s Heart
Escaping Through the Mountains
PCs who wish to retrace their steps back up the cleft
into the mountains will face the same challenge as
when they came down – each PC will need to roll either
Mountaineering/Agility at TN 10, Climbing/Agility
at TN 10, Athletics/Agility at TN 15, or Simple
Agility at TN 20. As before, PCs who are using
climbing equipment gain a Free Raise on the roll, and
an additional Free Raise can be gained by roping
themselves together. Note that Hitomi will need to roll
as well, and that Wound penalties apply.
As before, a PC who fails the roll will suffer a tumbling
fall that inflicts 3k2 damage, and suffers a broken bone
if the damage totals 25 points or more. If the PCs are
roped together, the other PCs need to make Simple
Strength rolls to hold on and prevent their comrade
from falling. The TN of these rolls is equal to the
Water x 5 of the falling PC, but the PCs get a Free
Raise for each one of them who is tied to the same
rope. If all of the PCs fail their rolls, all of them fall.
Once again, Shugenja PCs may be able to find ways to
make this ascent easier or safer, or to rescue falling PCs
before they take damage. The GM must adjudicate
such efforts – creativity should be rewarded.
The ascent will take about three hours, plus an
additional hour for each PC who falls. If the Kolat is
alerted during this time, the PCs may be spotted.
• During the day, the PCs will be automatically
spotted unless they are making an effort to conceal
themselves, using either Stealth or magic.
• At night, the PCs will not be spotted unless they
are carrying lights, shouting, or otherwise making
themselves noticeable.
Escaping with Magic
Powerful shugenja may be able to escape the valley by
flying or otherwise exploiting the power of the Kami.
Exceptionally powerful shugenja may be able to take
some or all of the party with them. The GM must
adjudicate such efforts.
Escaping on the River
Smart PCs may realize that the river offers the swiftest
and easiest way to escape the valley.
The three boats which are kept below the Temple can
hold up to eight people (although this puts them
somewhat low in the water). There are two oars on
Page 16
each boat, but no mast or sail. The PCs can guide the
boats easily enough through the valley, and can reach
the far end of the valley and enter the mountains within
half an hour.
Alternatively, clever or desperate PCs can simply ride
on pieces of wood or other improvised floating devices.
Truly desperate PCs can attempt to swim/tread water
and float downstream, but this will require an
Athletics/Stamina roll at TN 15 for every half-hour the
PC spends in the river.
• If the PCs travel on the river during daylight, or if
the Kolat has been alerted to them, they will be
spotted and will come under attack from at least
two patrols of Kolat bushi, who will attempt to
take them out with arrow fire.
• If the PCs travel at night, they will not be noticed
so long as they avoid lights and loud noises.
Once the PCs pass into the mountains, their
trip will become more hazardous. The waters are
swift and rough, often turning into white-water rapids.
Handling boats effectively in the swift current will
require two PCs using the oars. One PC (can be an
oarsman or not) will need to roll Sailing/Intelligence at
TN 20, or else both oarsmen will need to roll
Athletics/Strength at TN 15, in order to keep the boat
from running aground and capsizing. It will take a total
of four successful checks of this sort to navigate
through the mountains, which takes about six hours.
Swimming in these difficult waters, either by choice or
because of a capsized boat, will require an
Athletics/Stamina roll at TN 15 to reach the shore, or
TN 20 to swim downstream safely. PCs with a piece of
wood or other floatation device will get a Free Raise on
their rolls. If a PC is swimming downstream, it will
take a total of eight rolls to get safely through the
mountains (swimming is more difficult than boating).
PCs who fail a swimming roll will begin to drown,
taking 1k1 per round until they can succeed in an
Athletics/Stamina roll at TN 25.
The White Ninja Escapes!
If Matsu Hiroru accompanied the PCs, he will be
confident of his own ability to escape the Valley for a
second time. If the PCs seem uncertain of their own
ability to escape, or if they are all taking the riverboats,
Hiroru will suggest that he go his own way, and may
offer to carry some of any of the documents or
evidence that the PCs may have retrieved. “Better that
The Dragon’s Heart
we ensure at least some if this makes it out, rather than
trust it all to the same route,” he argues.
If the PCs agree to Hiroru’s proposal, he will
successfully escape the valley, taking with him
whatever the PCs might entrust to him.
Part Six: Heibeisu
The city of Heibeisu is located directly across the
Dragon Heart Plain from the Phoenix Mountains. The
PCs will have little choice but to strike out across the
plains, since the mountain roads to the north are still
officially a war zone (albeit one currently free of major
combat, due to the autumn weather and current peace
talks). The PCs will spend four nerve-racking days
crossing the Plain, a vast, empty, dry grassland without
major human settlement.
During this journey, allow each PC to make a Simple
Perception roll at TN 25. PCs with Shadow
Corruption get a Free Raise on the roll. A successful
roll notices a region of an acre or two which seems
oddly colorless, the grass grayish and brittle. The
Shadow is beginning to infest the mortal world,
preparing to unravel it like a ball of string.
During this time, the PCs are being scryed by the Kolat,
probably by Korekado himself (unless the PCs killed
him), and Akodo Kage is racing to reach Togashi ahead
of them. PCs with the ability to sense the use of magic
in their vicinity (such as Dragon PCs with Elemental
Attunement) may be able to notice this with a Simple
Awareness roll at TN 20. Likewise, shugenja PCs can
attempt a Contested Spellcraft/Awareness roll to
notice the Kolat magic. The Kolat will Counterspell
any PC attempts to employ similar detection/scrying
magic against them.
Ahead of you, crouched at the base of the Dragon
mountains, is a large town – almost a city. This is
Heibeisu, a major trade hub, where in the past the
merchants of Dragon, Phoenix, Lion, and Crane
would meet and exchange their wares. Now, however,
the roads leading to the city are empty. The great
trade market at the city’s edge stands nearly
abandoned, only a couple of small Scorpion caravans
in attendance. A dreary autumn rain turns the air
blue-gray, finally ending the autumn drought which
has plagued the northern Empire.
When the PCs reach the city gates, the guards will ask
their travel papers. It is quite possible the PCs will
have none, in which case the guards bristle with
suspicion. Several of them will stare suspiciously at
Page 17
Hitomi, who stares back with an unbalanced, slightly
vacant expression while clutching her katana-hilt. • If any of the PCs ask what he means by his “lord,”
he smiles. “Surely you do not need to ask me that,
• It is possible that some PCs may announce samurai-sama. After all, it is by his command that
Hitomi’s name and identity in an effort to secure you are here.”
cooperation. The guards will react with disbelief.
“You expect us to believe this ronin is our • If the PCs ask about the “other guest,” he smiles
daimyo?” Hitomi will not help her cause with her and nods. “Indeed, I have been honored with
own strange behavior. many visitors this day. He arrived but a couple of
hours before you.” He will not say more, except to
Further problems will be circumvented, however, when confirm that the other guest is a well-reputed
a senior Dragon officer steps forward, regarding the samurai.
PCs carefully, and asks their names. Once they answer,
he orders them to visit the residence of Togashi Okuta As the PCs enter the modest rock garden behind the
to the north of the city. “You are expected,” he says, house, they see the following scene:
bowing politely. The other Dragon troops look baffled,
but do not question their superior. A tall, muscular man is seated on a tatami mat laid in
the middle of the garden. He is dressed in a simple
To the House of Togashi Okuta but beautiful hakama and kimono, both green. His
North of Heibeisu are farmlands, watered by small head is shaved bald, like a monk, and the image of a
mountain streams curling down from the jagged slopes mighty dragon coils up his shoulder onto his smooth
above. Here and there are small, stunted patches of scalp. He turns to you with a placid expression, and
his eyes blaze with golden light. You have no doubt
trees, outriders from the thicker woods which cloak the
this is the same person who spoke with you at the Inn
lower slopes of the mountains. Small farming villages,
of the Brooding Tempest – Togashi Yokuni,
housing a hundred people or less, are located at
Champion of the Dragon Clan.
crossroads and near stream-forks. Occasionally, the
PCs pass a samurai’s residence, a fine-quality house
Seated opposite Yokuni, facing him, is a fit, athletic
and grounds surrounded by a low stone wall.
older man, his head shaved down to stubble, and
wearing a beard which has turned mostly white. He is
The house of Togashi Okuta is located about six miles
dressed in a plain, unadorned kimono in the brown-
north of the city walls, near the outer edge of this
and-gold of the Lion Clan. A simple tanto is tucked
farming zone. A modest house compared to others the
under his obi. He looks around at you with an
PCs have seen, it has a thatched roof and looks more
unsurprised expression.
like the dwelling of an especially prosperous commoner
than a proper samurai’s residence. There is no wall
PCs who have played the adventures Satsume’s
surrounding the building, and a humble vegetable
Tournament or Soul of Akodo, or the Chrysanthemum
garden is planted in front. By the time the PCs reach it,
Festival Interactive, recognize the second man as Kage,
the worst of the rain has passed, and intermittent
formerly Akodo Kage, sensei of the Akodo school. As
patches of blue sky are peeking through the cloud
soon as he sees Hitomi with the PCs, Kage will clear
cover.
his throat and speak in a clear voice:
As the PCs walk up the gravel path to the door, a
“Truth’s path is a sword
shaven-headed man in a plain green kimono steps out,
The blade cuts my palms and heels
smiling and holding his hands out in welcome. A tattoo
Still I will not fall”
of a Crow is visible on the side of his head, and his
hands have the rough appearance of someone who has
Hitomi’s eyes suddenly go blank. In a movement
studied both the ways of hand-to-hand combat and of
almost too swift to see, she draws both her swords,
manual labor. “Honored samurai, be welcomed in my
takes two steps forward, and plunges them together
house! I am Togashi Okuta, servant of the Dragon
into Togashi’s chest.
Clan. My Lord awaits you in the rock garden, behind
my house, along with my other guest. Come, come.”
Golden blood spurts out of the wound, glowing with
He ushers them all forward, showing gentle deference
the light of the Heavens. The Dragon Champion
to Hitomi. “This way, honored lady. Watch your step,
lurches to his feet, uttering a long groan. For a
the ground is a bit uneven.”

The Dragon’s Heart Page 18

moment, you do not see a man, but a great Dragon,
writhing in agony.
Hitomi drops to her knees, screaming and clutching
her head. “No, no! What did you do to me?” she
shrieks.
As a parenthetical note, any PC who rolls Lore:
Dragon Clan/Intelligence at TN 25, or
Poetry/Intelligence at TN 30, will recognize the poem
which Kage recited as Mirumoto Hitomi’s gempukku
poem. (All Mirumoto are required to write a poem as
part of their gempukku ceremony.)
Fate of a Kolat Master
Kage, his mission completed, will turn and flee,
running through the trees behind the house. The PCs
must decide immediately whether they are pursuing
him or remaining here with Hitomi and Togashi.
If some of the PCs pursue Kage, they must defeat him
in a Contested Athletics/Agility roll in order to catch
up and have a chance of slaying him. If they lose the
Contested roll, they catch only a glimpse of his escape:
You emerge from the trees to see something in the sky,
dwindling quickly into a speck. You cannot be sure,
but it appears to be two men riding on a piece of
flying cloth. You cannot tell whether one of the men
is Kage, but within moments, the strange sight
vanishes into the distance.
If the PCs beat Kage on the Contested roll, however,
they see the following:
You emerge from the trees to see a remarkable sight.
Just ahead of you, Kage is climbing onto what
appears to be a thick, exotically-colored tatami mat,
floating a few feet off the ground! Another man, a
gaijin in strange clothing, is already seated on the
mat, and at a shouted command from him the floating
cloth turns and begins to travel swiftly away.
The gaijin master of the flying carpet is Al-Hazaad, one
of the Kolat Masters. The PCs will have a total of three
actions before the flying carpet is out of sight. During
the first action, it is only about twenty yards away, and
PCs who make a running jump can roll
Athletics/Agility at TN 25 to catch hold of the carpet
(this may prove unwise if they cannot hold on, though).
On the second action, the carpet is 100 yards away.
On the third action, it is 250 yards away. After that it is
out of range.
The Dragon’s Heart
The Fate of a Kami
If any of the PCs remain with Togashi and Hitomi, they
witness the following scene:
Togashi sets one hand on Hitomi’s scarred head.
Golden blood bubbles past his lips as he struggles to
smile. “Do not… grieve. You… are the answer… to
my riddle.” He turns toward you. “There is… one
thing more… which must be done.” He gestures to
the swords still lodged in his body. “Pull these free.”
It is possible that some PCs may try to treat Togashi’s
injuries. Any such efforts, even with high-rank spells,
will fail. Togashi has met his fate. Mortals can change
their own destiny, but they cannot change the destiny of
a Kami.
Pulling out the swords will require a Simple Strength
roll at TN 10. As the blades come free, a great gout of
golden blood spills free from the terrible wound… and
mingled with it, a small black scroll. Togashi lifts the
scroll with a faltering hand and holds it out to the PCs.
“Take it. It will… be needed soon… against my
brother.” Whichever PC takes the scroll gains the cert:
“Bearer of the Twelfth Black Scroll.”
He smiles one last time. “Do not… fear… my children.
Fear is… a sin. The time… of Gods… is ending.
Your time… the time of Man… begins. Embrace it.”
The great Dragon’s eyes drift closed, and a golden light
pulses from his body as his soul slips away.
All the PCs who remained behind are bathed briefly in
the light of Togashi’s soul. In order to accept its power
into their bodies, they must roll Simple Void at TN 25.
Those who succeed gain the cert for “Togashi’s
Touch.”
Hitomi’s Fate
Mirumoto Hitomi, touched by Togashi’s soul, finally
calms. She has regained her own mind, and will
immediately begin to prepare for seppuku. “I have
slain my lord,” she says quietly. “I am a samurai.
There is no other path for me.” If any of the PCs are
Dragon, she will ask one of them to be her second.
Otherwise, she performs the ceremony alone – and
flawlessly. She asks the PCs only one boon: to take her
swords to her brother, Daini. “He will need them. Tell
him what has happened. And tell him… not to fear.”
Epilogue
After the adventure is over, one final event takes place.
As the PCs are traveling away from the scene of
Page 19
Togashi’s death, they encounter a dusty, weary-looking
Miya courier, riding a pony which looks about to drop
from exhaustion.

The Miya has come from Otosan Uchi, the Imperial

capital. He has fled the arrival of Toturi the Black,
whose ronin army is besieging the city.

Rewards for Completing

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

Experience Points
Playing through the adventure: 2 XP
Good role-playing: +1 XP
PCs find the Hidden Valley: +1 XP
PCs rescue Mirumoto Hitomi: +1 XP

Total Possible Experience: 5 XP

Honor
All PCs who witness the final deaths of Togashi and
Hitomi receive +1 Honor. Dragon PCs gain +2 Honor.
PCs who have the Kolat as an enemy gain +1 Honor if
they manage to retrieve documents or other evidence
from the Hidden Temple.

Glory
None intrinsically awarded for this adventure.

Other Awards/Penalties
The PC who takes the Black Scroll gains the cert
“Bearer of the Twelfth Black Scroll.”

All PCs who are in the presence of Togashi at the

moment of his death gain the cert “Togashi’s Touch.”

If any PC took Matsu Hiroru’s clothing, that PC gets

the cert for “Matsu Hiroru’s Crystal Outfit.”

The Dragon’s Heart Page 20

 Appendix #1: NPCs
Matsu Hiroru, the “White Ninja”
FIRE 4 AIR 4
Reflexes 5

EARTH 3 WATER 3
Willpower 4 Perception 5

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 25 (+15 when wearing White Ninja outfit)
School/Rank: Matsu Bushi 4
Honor/Glory: 1.2/1.5
Skills: Athletics 4, Defense 4, Etiquette 1, Forgery 3, Hunting 6, Iaijutsu 2, Investigation 4, Jiujutsu (Kaze-do) 7,
Kenjutsu 6, Kyujutsu 7, Locksmith 5, Lore (Kolat) 3, Lore (Ninja) 6, Manipulation 7, Mimic 6, Ninjutsu 7, Oratory
3, Poison 2, Seduction 3, Sincerity 6, Sleight of Hand 3, Stealth 5, Tantojutsu 4.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Blackmail (several), Crafty, Quick/Dark Secrets (many), Major Enemies (many).
Equipment: If Hiroru wears his crystal “White Ninja” outfit, it grants the following benefits: +15 to TN to be hit,
+10 to rolls to resist Shadow Corruption, cannot be seen by anyone with 3 or more points of Shadow Corruption
unless he wishes to be, and can spend a Void point to “go chameleon” and fade into the landscape. He carries an
excellent kusarigama (kama on a weighted chain) which does 2k3 damage and can also entangle an opponent.

Matsu Gotaru, imprisoned Lion bushi

FIRE 2 AIR 2
Agility 3 Reflexes 3

EARTH 2 WATER 2
Strength 3

VOID 2
TN to be Hit: 15
School/Rank: Matsu Bushi 1
Rank 1: The Lion’s Roar. When in Full Attack, creates Fear equal to School Rank +1.
Honor/Glory: 3.5/1.0
Skills: Athletics 3, Battle 2, Defense 2, Iaijutsu 2, Kenjutsu 4, Kyujutsu (Archery) 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Death Trance/Brash
Equipment: None.

Imprisoned Peasant
FIRE 1 AIR 1
Agility 2 Reflexes 2

EARTH 1 WATER 1
Stamina 2 Strength 2

VOID 1
TN to be Hit: 10
School/Rank: None
Honor/Glory: 1.3/0
Skills: Athletics 2, Craft (farming) 4, Hunting 1, Nofujutsu (peasant weapons) 2, Stealth 2
Advantages/Disadvantages: Social Disadvantage (heimin)
Equipment: None.

The Dragon’s Heart Page 21

Shiba Kotetsu, imprisoned Phoenix bushi
FIRE 3 AIR 2
Intelligence 4 Reflexes 3

EARTH 2 WATER 2

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 15
School/Rank: Shiba Bushi 1
Honor/Glory: 2.5/1.3
Skills: Archery 3, Defense 2, Etiquette 1, Iaijutsu 2, Kenjutsu 4, Meditation 2, Naginata 3, Shintao 2, Sincerity 1,
Tea Ceremony 1.
Equipment: None.

Mirumoto Hitomi, Doomed Hero

FIRE 4 AIR 3
Intelligence 5

EARTH 4 WATER 3
Perception 4

VOID 4
TN to be Hit: 15 (25 when armed, 45 when using the Dragon Ancestral wakizashi)
School/Rank: Mirumoto Bushi 4
Honor/Glory: 2.2/8.0
Skills: Athletics 4, Battle 4, Defense 5, Heraldry 3, History 4, Horsemanship 3, Jiujutsu 5, Iaijutsu 5, Kenjutsu 7,
Kyujutsu 3, Law 3, Lore (Crab Clan) 3, Lore (Shugenja) 2, Meditation 1, Shintao 3, Wrestling 4, Yarijutsu 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Ambidextrous, Benten’s Blessing, Death Trance/Dark Fate, Dark Secret (Kolat
brainwashing), Driven (to kill Hida Yakamo), Unluck.
Equipment: None while in the Kolat dungeon. Her swords are kept in the Breaker’s quarters. (See Appendix #4
for details of her daisho’s abilities.)

Kage, Retired Lion Sensei and Kolat Master

FIRE 4 AIR 5
Intelligence 6 Awareness 7

EARTH 6 WATER 4
Perception 6

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 25
School/Rank: Akodo Bushi 5
Honor/Glory: 4.2 (0.5)/6.2
Skills: Acting 8, Athletics 6, Battle 8, Commerce 7, Courtier 4, Defense 8, Etiquette 4, Intimidation 4, Investigation
4, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 10, Kenjutsu 10, Law 3, Lore (bushido) 4, Manipulation 10, Oratory 3, Shintao 5,
Sincerity 6.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Apparent Honor (4), Blackmail (many), Crafty, Major Allies (many), Natural
Leader/Dark Secret (Kolat Master), Proud, Sworn Enemies (too many to count).
Equipment: Kimono, fine tanto (2k2).

The Dragon’s Heart Page 22

Shimura, the Breaker, Kolat Master
Shimura appears to be a hunched old man, bald with a fringe of long tangled hair around the sides of his head, and
dressed in dark shapeless robes. He was once a Kuni but no longer shows any sign of his former affiliation.
FIRE 3 AIR 3
Agility 4

EARTH 2 WATER 2
Willpower 5 Perception 6

VOID 2
TN to be Hit: 15
School/Rank: None, but treat as Insight Rank 4 for resisting magic.
Honor/Glory: 0/0
Skills: Calligraphy 3, Herbalism 8, History 7, Intimidation 9, Investigation 9, Knife 5, Medicine 9, Poison 8,
Research 5, Torture 10.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Ambidextrous, Clear Thinker, Higher Purpose, Major Allies, Voice/Dark Secret
(Kolat Master), Insensitive, Social Disadvantage (when outside the Hidden Temple).
Equipment: Robes, sharp knife (0k2 damage), pouch of pepper-powder. This powder will puff out in a fine cloud
ten feet in diameter – those inside, if they do not immediately close their eyes and hold their breath, will be choking
and blinded for 1-10 rounds, effectively helpless.

Junior Kolat Torturers (4)

FIRE 2 AIR 2
Intelligence 3 Awareness 4

EARTH 2 WATER 2
Willpower 3 Perception 3

VOID 1
TN to be Hit: 10
School/Rank: None
Honor/Glory: 0/0
Skills: Athletics 2, Herbalism 3, Intimidation 5, Investigation 4, Knife 3, Medicine 3, Poison 3, Research 3,
Sincerity 4, Torture 6
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret
Equipment: Knife (2k1), clothing.

Korekado, the Magician, Kolat Master

Korekado is a grizzled, middle-aged man dressed in the tattered robes of a Phoenix shugenja. His face is badly
scarred and one eye blinded by old magical experiments gone awry. He shaves badly, and a scruffy beard covers
his chin. His motor skills are poor, and he carries a cane to help himself walk.
FIRE 2 AIR 4
Intelligence 6

EARTH 2 WATER 3
Willpower 5 Perception 6

VOID 5
TN to be Hit: 20
School/Rank: Isawa Shugenja (Air) 5.
Honor/Glory: 2.5/4.3
Skills: Bojutsu (cane) 3, Calligraphy 7, Defense 2, History 10, Investigation 9, Lore (Forbidden Knowledge) 10,
Medicine 3, Meditation 6, Research 10, Shintao 4, Sincerity 3, Spell Research 6, Stealth 3, Theology 8.

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Spells: Sense, Commune, Summon, all Air spells in the L5R Player’s Guide (all Rank One and Rank Two Air spells
are Innate Abilities), all Rank One Fire and Water spells in L5R Player’s Guide.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Higher Purpose, Magic Resistance (two ranks), Major Allies/Compulsion (Oni’s
Eye), Dark Secret (Kolat Master), Lame, Missing Eye.
Equipment: Robes, cane (0k1), scroll satchel.

Al-Hazaad, the Qolat, Kolat Master

Al-Hazaad is a tall, imposing man with brown skin, black hair, and vaguely Arabic features. He wears a carefully
groomed moustache and goatee, and dresses in silken loose-sleeved garments and a turban. He wears a scimitar at
his waist.
FIRE 5 AIR 5

EARTH 4 WATER 3
Perception 4

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 34
School/Rank: Senpet Warrior 4
Rank 1: When armed, add weapon skill to TN to be Hit.
Rank 2: Two attacks per round with scimitar.
Rank 3: Adds School Rank to TN of any hostile magic directed against him.
Rank 4: May make one attack on a round when he is in Full Defense, but it must be against the foe he is
defending against.
Honor/Glory: n/a
Skills: Acting 5, Athletics 8, Bard 5, Calligraphy 9, Commerce 3, Defense 6, Forgery 8, History (Burning Sands) 8,
Horsemanship 5, Investigation 10, Kenjutsu 4, Lore (Burning Sands) 10, Medicine 5, Sincerity 6, Scimitar
(specialized weapon skill) 9, Stealth 5, Yomanri 7.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Absolute Direction, Major Allies (Qolat), Clear Thinker, Higher Purpose, Perfect
Balance/Black Sheep (gaijin), Dark Secret, Obligation (to Rokugani Kolat).
Equipment: Clothing, scimitar (2k2 weapon), flying carpet. The carpet obeys his mental commands and travels at
incredible speeds (about fifty miles an hour)

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 Appendix #2: Low-End Villains
Kolat Assassins (interchangeable)
FIRE 3 AIR 3

EARTH 3 WATER 2
Perception 3

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 15
School/Rank: Kolat Assassin (Insight Rank Two).
Honor/Glory: 0/0
Skills: Acting 5, Athletics 4, Cipher 4, Defense 4, Hunting 3, Investigation 3, Jiujutsu 4, Kenjutsu 4, Meditation 4,
Sincerity 4, Stealth 5, Tantojutsu 4.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat).
Equipment: Clothing (“ninja” outfit), ninja-to, tanto, garrote (0k2, uses Jiujutsu).

Kolat Bushi (interchangeable)

FIRE 2 AIR 2
Agility 3 Reflexes 3

EARTH 2 WATER 2

VOID 2
TN to be Hit: 15 (20 in light armor)
School/Rank: None (treat as Insight Rank 1 for resisting magic).
Honor/Glory: 0/0.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Defense 3, Hunting 3, Iaijutsu 2, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 3, Kenjutsu 3, Kyujutsu 3, Stealth 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat), Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Daisho, light armor, bow and 20 standard arrows.

Kolat Elite Bushi (interchangeable)

FIRE 3 AIR 3
Reflexes 4

EARTH 3 WATER 2
Strength 3

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 20 (25 in light armor)
School/Rank: None (treat as Insight Rank 2 for resisting magic).
Honor/Glory: 0/0.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Defense 4, Hunting 3, Iaijutsu 3, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 4, Kenjutsu 4, Kyujutsu 4, Stealth 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat), Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Daisho, light armor.

Kolat Officer (interchangeable)

FIRE 3 AIR 4
Intelligence 4

EARTH 3 WATER 3

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 VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 20 (25 in light armor)
School/Rank: None (treat as Insight Rank 3 for resisting magic).
Honor/Glory: 0/0.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Battle 4, Defense 4, Hunting 4, Iaijutsu 4, Investigation 4, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 4, Kenjutsu 5,
Kyujutsu 4, Sincerity 4, Stealth 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat), Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Daisho (fine katana, 3k2), light armor, bow and 20 standard arrows.

Kolat shugenja (interchangeable)

FIRE 2 AIR 4
Intelligence 4

EARTH 3 WATER 3
Willpower 4 Perception 4

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 20
School/Rank: Ronin Shugenja 3
Honor/Glory: 0/0
Skills: Acting 3, Calligraphy 2, Defense 3, Etiquette 3, Investigation 4, Law 3, Meditation 3, Sincerity 3, Spellcraft
5, Stealth 4, Tantojutsu 3.
Spells: (Air 1) Cloak of Night, Quiescence of Air, Way of Deception, Wind-Born Slumbers, (Air 2) Call Upon the
Wind, Mists of Illusion, Whispering Wind, (Air 3) Essence of Air, Forgotten Murmurs, (Water 1) Path to Inner
Peace, Reversal of Fortunes, (Water 2) Reflective Pool, (Earth 1) Earth’s Stagnation, Force of Will.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Innate Abilities (Earth’s Stagnation, Wind-Born Slumbers)/Dark Secret (Kolat),
Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Kimono, scroll satchel, tanto.

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 Appendix #3: High-End Villains
Kolat Assassins (interchangeable)
FIRE 3 AIR 4
Agility 4

EARTH 3 WATER 3
Willpower 4

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 20
School/Rank: Kolat Assassin (Insight Rank Three) – Choose one of the following two techniques:
Tiger’s Claw technique: May make an extra attack each round against an unaware opponent, and gains a
Free Raise on any attack against an unaware opponent.
Steal the Light technique: May take two Raises on an attack roll to deliver an attack (with a weapon or
hand-to-hand) which keeps only one die of damage, but leaves the opponent either deaf, dumb, or
mute for a number of minutes equal to the assassin’s Water ring.
Honor/Glory: 0/0
Skills: Acting 5, Athletics 5, Cipher 4, Defense 4, Hunting 4, Investigation 4, Jiujutsu 4, Kenjutsu 5, Meditation 4,
Sincerity 4, Stealth 5, Tantojutsu 5.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Quick/Dark Secret (Kolat).
Equipment: Clothing (“ninja” outfit), ninja-to, tanto, garrote (0k2, uses Jiujutsu).

Kolat Bushi (interchangeable)

FIRE 3 AIR 3

EARTH 3 WATER 2
Strength 3

VOID 2
TN to be Hit: 15 (20 in light armor)
School/Rank: None (treat as Insight Rank 2 for resisting magic).
Honor/Glory: 0/0.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Defense 3, Hunting 3, Iaijutsu 2, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 4, Kenjutsu 4, Kyujutsu 4, Stealth 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat), Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Daisho, light armor, bow and 20 standard arrows.

Kolat Elite Bushi (interchangeable)

FIRE 3 AIR 3
Agility 4 Reflexes 4

EARTH 4 WATER 2
Strength 3

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 20 (25 in light armor)
School/Rank: None (treat as Insight Rank 3 for resisting magic).
Honor/Glory: 0/0.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Defense 4, Hunting 3, Iaijutsu 4, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 5, Kenjutsu 6, Kyujutsu 4, Stealth 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat), Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Daisho, light armor.

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Kolat Officer (interchangeable)
FIRE 4 AIR 4
Intelligence 5 Reflexes 5

EARTH 4 WATER 3
Strength 4

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 25 (30 in light armor)
School/Rank: None (treat as Insight Rank 4 for resisting magic).
Honor/Glory: 0/0.5
Skills: Athletics 3, Battle 4, Defense 5, Hunting 4, Iaijutsu 5, Investigation 4, Jiujutsu (hand-to-hand) 5, Kenjutsu 6,
Kyujutsu 5, Sincerity 4, Stealth 3.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret (Kolat), Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Daisho (fine katana, 3k2), light armor, bow and 20 standard arrows.

Kolat shugenja (interchangeable)

FIRE 3 AIR 5
Intelligence 4

EARTH 4 WATER 4
Perception 5

VOID 3
TN to be Hit: 25
School/Rank: Ronin Shugenja 4
Honor/Glory: 0/0
Skills: Acting 3, Calligraphy 2, Defense 3, Etiquette 3, Investigation 4, Law 3, Meditation 3, Sincerity 3, Spellcraft
6, Stealth 5, Tantojutsu 3.
Spells: (Air 1) Cloak of Night, Quiescence of Air, Way of Deception, Wind-Born Slumbers, (Air 2) Call Upon the
Wind, Mists of Illusion, Whispering Wind, (Air 3) Essence of Air, Forgotten Murmurs, (Air 4) Call Upon the Wind,
Dominate the Mind, (Water 1) Path to Inner Peace, Reversal of Fortunes, (Water 2) Reflective Pool, (Water 3) Path
of the Scorpion, (Earth 1) Earth’s Stagnation, Force of Will, (Earth 2) Tremor.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Innate Abilities – Earth’s Stagnation, Wind-Born Slumbers/Dark Secret (Kolat),
Social Disadvantage (ronin).
Equipment: Kimono, scroll satchel, tanto.

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 Appendix #4: Ancestral Swords of the Dragon
The Ancestral Swords of the Dragon Clan can only be drawn by a member of the Mirumoto family – anyone else
will find they cannot even pull the blades from their saya.

The wielder of either or both blades will instantly know the School and Rank of any opponent.

The katana is a normal 2k2 weapon, but grants wielders an additional 1k1 damage for each rank they hold in the
Mirumoto Bushi or Mirumoto Swordmaster school.

The wakizashi is a normal 1k2 weapon, but grants wielders an additional 5 to their TN to be hit for each Mirumoto
School rank they have.

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Map #1: Hidden Valley of the Kolat

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Map #2: The Dungeon of the Hidden Temple

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