S1E2: Wrestling with the Shadows

Yoshi, Burezu, Tomo, and their Crab clan escort set off from the Spear of Dawn Watchtower and into the Shadowlands where they have their first encounter with the horrors waiting for them beyond the wall... The second episode of the Mask of the Oni adventure.

Episode 2 of the Podcast of the Five Rings podcast, hosted by Podcast of the Five Rings, titled "S1E2: Wrestling with the Shadows" was published on February 19, 2020 and runs 118 minutes.

February 19, 2020 ·118m · Podcast of the Five Rings

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

Episode Description

Yoshi, Buro, Tomo, and their Crab clan escort set off from the Spear of Dawn Watchtower into the desolate world of the Shadowlands. After departing from the wall, Hida Nagahide explained to the party that Atsumari has enlisted the aid of the Crimson Moon tribe, a mercenary tribe of the ratlike Nezumi living in the Shadowlands. After careful deliberation, the party decided to make toward the Weeping Bog. Their hopes were to cross the River of the Last Stand at a less conspicuous place that wouldn’t be watched by Atsumari’s scouts.

While crossing the river, the party was attacked by a group of drowned corpses, resurrected by the malevolent powers of the Shadowlands. There were no casualties, but it was the party’s first glimpse at the horrifying magic in store for them, and an unsettling sign that tainted creatures are beginning to amass close to the Carpenter Wall.

That night, the party camped on the Black Waste. It was an opportunity for Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo to build new friendships with their protectors and partake in Crab traditions beyond the wall.

The next day, the party chose to take a rarely traveled high road through the Twilight Mountains—a place known for its shifting cliffs, and eerie, smoke-like peaks. On a particularly dangerous pass, one of the Crab samurai lost his footing and almost fell to the valley below, however, Togashi Yoshi saved his life with a well-placed throw of his grappling hook.

While camped out in the Twilight Mountains, the party got a sight of the skulking Crimson Moon tribe traveling through the forest beneath them—a haunting reminder that the twisted forces of the Shadowlands are hunting them in their sleep.

On their third day beyond the wall, the party began to hear dark whispers in their minds, as if the mountains were speaking to them telepathically. Distracted by the voices in their heads, the party veered off course into an unknown part of the mountains and away from the road leading them to Hiruma valley.

Lost, confused, and tormented by the mountain’s dark whispers, one of the Crab escort, a samurai named Yasuki Hidekawa, unmasked and proclaimed that they were being lead to certain death. Renouncing Hida Nagahide’s authority and refusing his orders to carry on, Yasuki Hidekawa demanded to turn around. The punishment for insubordination beyond the wall is death, so Hida Nagahide, being left with no other choice, drew her sword, ready to cut Yasuki Hidekawa down on the spot.

Character and Locations Glossary

The Black Waste- Barren field at the base of The Twilight Mountains in the Shadowlands.

Bo- Humble wooden staff, roughly six feet long.

Bokken- Wooden practice sword used for sparring.

Crimson Moon Tribe- Mercenary tribe of Nezumi outriders hired by Atsumari no Oni.

Hiruma Takana- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.

Hiruma Yuto- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.

Jade- Green stone known for warding off evil spirits, oni, and the Taint of Jigoku. Vital for traveling in the Shadowlands.

Kaiu Daisoto- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.

Kuni Akari- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.

The Nezumi- (see “About the Nezumi” in episode 2 shownotes).

River of the Last Stand- River in the Shadowlands. Runs parallel to the Kaiu Wall. Site of historic battle between Shadowlands forces and the Crab clan.

Setting Sun Bridge- Bridge on the River of the Last Stand. Crab clan outpost.

Tetsubo- Long, narrow wooden club about the height of a person covered in metal studs or spikes.

The Twilight Mountains- Mountain range in The Shadowlands. Known for driving people to madness.

Unmasking- Outpouring of raw emotion. Considered highly dishonorable in Rokugani society.

The Weeping Bog- Broad delta of the River of the Last Stand. Named for its dead willow trees.

Yasuki Hidekawa- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.

Additional Info (Links)