S2E16: The Sprawling Giant

Tomo, Buro, Kenshi, and the samurai in their caravan have finally arrived at Otosan Uchi and have a hard time finding their way around. The party meets an incredibly helpful imperial nobleman who serves as their guide.

Featuring our friend and fellow L5R podcaster Evan Strite (Crimson Gold Agonies, Secondhand Strife) as Otomo Yasushi!

Support the show at patreon.com/pot5r to get access to the "Behind the Shoji" after-show and a bunch of other new bonus content!

--- SHOW NOTES ---

Tomo, Buro, Kenshi, Akari, Tsubasa, and Ryudo arrived in Otosan Uchi. Shortly after passing through the dilapidated walls of the outer city, Ryudo parted ways. He said he was leaving, but that he had a strong sense that they would all meet again.

The party then navigated through the confusing city streets until they reached the Road of the Most High, which took them directly to the inner city-- Otosan Uchi’s center for culture and politics. Here, they were met with zealous city guards who thoroughly investigated their paperwork and their belongings. In turn, each person was asked if they were carrying anything which could bring harm to the Emperor. Remembering Yoshi’s tainted armor, each person lied, and said they were harmless. Kuni Akari seemed outwardly uncomfortable about lying to the guards, but followed suit like everyone else. They then passed through the jade torii gate which seperated the outer from the inner city. The wards concealing the taint on Yoshi’s armor worked, and there was no indication of the affliction.

While searching for Agasha Sumiko, the samurai who the party was instructed to report to once they arrived in the city, the party was overwhelmed by the highly regimented and extremely formal way of life in the capitol. Everything seemed to have its own proper procedure, and courtly formalities were an art as much as they were necessary for survival.

After finding Sumiko’s quarters in the Chisei District, the party was forced to wait while she was summoned. While waiting, the party noticed that Akari’s discomfort had grown substantially. When Sumiko finally arrived, she introduced the party to Otomo Yasushi, who would act as the party’s guide to Otosan Uchi while they attended court. Additionally, Yasushi’s lord, Otomo Sanada, owed a great favor to Togashi Yoshi and Soshi Buro, so he invited the party to stay at the Otomo Guest House in the Forbidden City where Yasushi had been ordered to host them.

Yasushi then took the party to the Otomo Guest House so they could settle in. On their way into the Forbidden City, they noticed another jade torii gate guarding the walls of the city, and before entering, they were forced to take all their disarm their swords. Guards informed the party that due to mounting political tensions across the capital, weapons were not permitted here, unless proper authorization had been given.

Once inside the Otomo Guest House, Yasushi welcomed the party graciously, giving them a tour, and then cooking a sumptuous banquet. Tsubasa inspected the house thoroughly before recommending a location he thought would best suit storing Yoshi’s armor.

Over dinner, the party asked Yasushi’s advice on how to navigate the Imperial court, who to trust, who not to trust, and how to avoid the pitfalls of life in Otosan Uchi.  Yasushi’s advice was candid, but wise: “Trust no one,” he said, reminding the samurai that nothing is ever as it seems, and everything is about appearance. A simple error in judgment could spell the end of a courtier’s career, and scandals could ruin a clan’s reputation for generations.

After dinner, Tsubasa suggested that they all play a game. A game of coordination and reflexes that could serve as an icebreaker between host and guests. Being an expert on courtly life and all manner of games which samurai play, Yasushi won the game, but noticed that Tsubasa was watching him intently as they played. It was clear to Yasushi that Tsubasa was sizing him up, watching his footwork, studying his movements, judging his reflexes, and estimating his effectiveness in combat.

Yasushi coyly whispered to Tsubasa that he should be more subtle with his assessments, to which Tsubasa replied that he was merely doing his duty.

Album Art by Dylon Munoz

Music

"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain

"Magic Forest" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

"Ancient Winds" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

"Our Story Begins" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

"Concentration" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

"Mysterious Stranger" by Brandon Spain

"Kuni Waste Jam" by Podcast of the Five Rings

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings