S2E1: The Emperor's Order

Kaiu Tomo, Soshi no Burezu, and Kuni Akari have spent the past month recuperating in Clear Water Village from their adventure into the Shadowlands. Along with them is Bayushi Tsubasa, who has been recruited to help the party—a favor owed to him for helping them prepare for their previous mission.

While there, Soshi Buro spent his time helping Kuni Akari with the wound she sustained at Daylight Castle as well as forging a mask—a rite of passage for all Scorpion samurai. Kaiu Tomo started his duties as governor of Clear Water Village and crafted himself a yumi made of an enigmatic dark wood that his uncle had begun selling at port.

One late summer day, the party received a letter inviting them all to the Emperor’s winter court in the capital city, Otosan Uchi. Their purpose at court is threefold: first, to tell their story so the emperor may hear it firsthand; second, to show Togashi Yoshi’s armor to the emperor; and third, to head a council which will determine the final resting place of the armor.

Upon hearing this invitation, Kuni Akari suggested they seek out her father, Kuni Chiyagi, who lives in the Kuni Wastes. She says that he may know a way to open a permanent link between themselves, and Togashi Yoshi. Their time is short though, as Yoshi’s armor will be a necessary component in her father’s work, and they may never have access to it again. 

While preparing to leave and enjoying their last night in town, they met a boisterous Lion bard named, Ikoma Kenshi. He had heard the tale of the party’s journey beyond the wall, and wished to meet the folk heroes for himself. Kenshi, recognizing Tomo, Buro, and Akari’s fame as a stepping stone for his own personal glory, asked to join them on the road in exchange for music and entertainment.

That same night, Buro received a letter from his father, daimyo Soshi Bantaro. In his letter, Bantaro dismissed his son’s accomplishments and demanded that Buro return home for his own winter court. Conflicted and angry, Buro wrote a letter back to his father, ignoring the daimyo’s request and insulting his honor.

Kaiu Tomo, Soshi no Burezu, Kuni Akari, Bayushi Tsubasa, and the newly recruited Ikoma Kenshi now travel deeper into the Crab lands, to the Kuni Wastes, in search of a way to bring the Martyr Monk, Togashi Yoshi, back to the realm of the living… unsure of whatever that may entail.

Credits

Album Art by Dylon Munoz

Music:

"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain

"Timpani" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Tsubasa's Theme" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Sake House" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Background Harp" by Podcast of the Five Rings

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings