S1E1: Tales of a Fallen Castle

The Emerald Magistrates, Soshi no Burezu and Togashi Yoshi, have been ordered to track down and kill the evil sorceress Kitsu Sokori and her servant Gaku, who have been known to conduct blasphemous magic with live captives, and who, more recently, have been implicated in a string of disappearances and murders along Rokugan’s coast.The trail of clues brought the magistrates to the house of Yasuki Keiji, a Crab Clan samurai living in Clear Water Village. There, they discovered that a woman matching Kitsu Sokori’s description had stolen a precious family heirloom from Yaskui Keiji—a centuries old map detailing the lands of the Hiruma family, and the blueprints of a fallen castle now lost to the dark powers of the Shadowlands, Daylight Castle. Keiji explained that he believes Sokori is planning to use this map to infiltrate Daylight Castle for an unknown reason. He then asked the magistrates to travel beyond the wall separating Rokugan from the Shadowlands, go to Daylight Castle, and retrieve the map. Keiji also asked the magistrates to take his nephew, Kaiu Tomo, with them on their mission as part of a coming-of-age ritual, and as an opportunity for Tomo to prove his courage to his family and honor the memory of his ancestors.Kaiu Tomo, Togashi Yoshi, and Soshi no Burezu then traveled to the Spear of the Dawn Watchtower on the Kaiu Wall—the closest entrance to The Shadowlands from Clear Water Village. There, they had an audience with Hida Hachiro, commander of the castle watchtower on the wall. After tense negotiations, Hachiro begrudgingly granted permission for the party to move beyond the wall on the condition that if the party finds any historical texts relating to Crab history or culture at Daylight Castle, these texts must be returned to him upon the party’s return. Hachiro also ordered a small retinue of samurai led by one of his most seasoned retainers, Hida Nagahide, to travel with the party in order to guide them safely through the Shadowlands.While on the wall, the party heard reports from scouts returning from the field of an oni named Atsumari—a powerful demon partially responsible for the defeat of Daylight Castle—raising an army of the dead deep in the Shadowlands.After training, studying, and living with the Crab at the watchtower for a week, the party was finally allowed passage into the Shadowlands, an escort of brave warriors at their side, and a myriad of dark rumors filling their heads… Characters and Locations/ GlossaryAshigaru- Conscripted peasants forced to serve as light infantry in times of war.Atsumari no Oni- Demon general who served in the Maw, the Shadowlands army which conquered Daylight Castle.Bayushi Tsubasa- Scorpion samurai. Personal retainer of Hida Hachiro.Bishamon- Fortune of strength.Bushi- “Warrior.” Samurai who serve their lords using martial arts.Bushido- “The way of the warrior.” The code of conduct by which all Rokugani samurai strive to live.Castle of the Emerald Champion- Emerald Champion’s seat of power. Permanent station of the Emerald Magistrates.Clear Water Village- Small community deep within Crab territory. Location of Yasuki Keiji’s estate.Daimyo- A great lord appointed to the head of a family. Answers directly to the Emperor.Daisho- A set of swords, the Katana and the Wakizashi. It is a symbol of a samurai’s status within society.Daylight Castle- (see “About Daylight Castle” in Episode 1 show notes).Emerald Champion- Commander of the Imperial Legions and enforcer of Imperial law.Emerald Magistrates- Agents of the Emerald Champion tasked with upholding Imperial law in places where local jurisdiction is uncertain.Fortune- A god.Fukurokujin- Fortune of mercy and wisdom.Fu Leng- The Dark Kami. His fall from the heavens made a bridge between Ningen-do and Jigoku, resulting in the creation of the Shadowlands.Gaku- Servant of Kitsu Sokori. Kidnapped Otomo Hiroshige. Thought to have been killed in Slow Tide Harbor.Gempukku- A coming-of-age test for young samurai. Upon its completion, the samurai will be considered an adult.Gunsō- A sergeant.Hida Hachiro- Crab samurai. Taisa of Spear of Dawn Watchtower.Hida Nagahide- Crab samurai. Gunsō of Crab ranging party.Jigoku- The realm of evil.Kaiu Wall- (see “About the Wall” in Episode 1 show notes).Kami- Elemental spirits of nature.Kansen- Malevolent spirits.Katana- A long sword about three and a half feet in length.Kitsu Sokori- Maho-Tsukai. Connected to string of crimes along Rokugan’s coast. Ordered dead by the Emerald Champion.Maho- Magic evoking dark spirits.Maho-Tsukai- Practitioners of Maho rituals.Ningen-do- The realm of mortals.Oni- Native inhabitants of Jigoku. Powerful demons with magical powers.Otomo Hiroshige- Son of an imperial noble. Rescued from Slow Tide Harbor by Emerald Magistrates.Otosan Uchi- Political capital of Rokugan. The Emperor’s formal seat of power.Oyumi- A crossbow.Rokugan- (see “About Rokugan” in Episode 1 show notes).Ronin- “Wave man” or “wanderer.” Masterless samurai who often become bandits or mercenaries.Samurai- “One who serves.” Land-owning Rokugani nobles whose lives are sworn to serve a lord.The Shadowlands- (see “About the Shadowlands” in Episode 1 show notes).Shiro Hiruma- (see “About Daylight Castle” in Episode 1 show notes).Shugenja- Priests capable of communicating with the kami.Slow Tide Harbor- Major trade hub of Rokugan. Reputation for illicit activities.Spear of Dawn Watchtower- One of twelve castle watchtowers built along the Wall. Watchtower closest to Clear Water Village.Taisa- A colonel.Wakizashi- A short sword about two and a half feet in length. The symbol of a samurai’s soul.Yasuki Keiji- Crab samurai. Uncle of Kaiu Tomo.Yasuki Ippei- Crab samurai. Quartermaster of Spear of Dawn Watchtower. Additional Info (Links)About RokuganAbout Daylight CastleAbout the Great ClansAbout the ShadowlandsAbout the Wall Art:Album Art by Dylan Munoz Music:"Ethereal Presence" by Brandon Spain"In the Dojo" by Brandon Spain"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain"Shadowlands Theme" by Brandon Spain"Dragon Theme" by Brandon Spain"Crab Theme" by Brandon Spain"Sexy" by https://www.bensound.com"Better Days" by https://www.bensound.com"Instinct" by https://www.bensound.com\"Relaxing" by https://www.bensound.com Artwork by Dylon MunozMusic by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings