S2E3: Homecoming

Tomo, Buro, Kenshi, and their traveling companions met face to face with Akari’s father, Kuni Chiyagi. Akari told her father that she had hoped he could help bring back the spirit of Togashi Yoshi using his armor in a binding ritual. Considering everything that the heroes had done to save Rokugan and protect his daughter, Chiyagi agreed to help them, however, the secrets of his order cannot be given away freely, and he would need something from each of them in exchange for this knowledge. He went on to explain that the only people who could complete this ritual would be those who knew Yoshi in life. These brave individuals would have to project themselves into Jigoku, find Yoshi, and bring him back to his armor where he could be bound.

Tomo offered food and supplies from Clear Water Village to aid Bright Spring Fort in exchange for these lessons, which Chiyagi graciously accepted.

Unable to think of a way to pay for his training, Chiyagi reminded Buro that the Kuni Purifiers and the Yogo Wardmasters have long traded secrets together. He explained that binding magic and warding magic were two sides of the same coin. Buro, being a student of the Wardmasters, agreed to share the knowledge of his school in order to find Yoshi.

Not wanting to appear as ungracious guests, Kenshi and Tsubasa both offered gifts as thanks for being allowed to stay at Bright Spring Fort. Kenshi agreed to give music lessons to Chiyagi and his family, while Tsubasa presented the man with a small vial of kyro-kei. This fine grey powder is often used in embalming and preserving human flesh—a doubtlessly useful thing for Chiyagi—but in large doses is known to be used as a poison which can cause a slow, agonizing death.

Tomo and Buro studied day and night with Kuni Chiyagi for a month, learning the subtleties and intricacies of Binding Magic while also becoming ingratiated into daily life in the fort. During their time at Bright Spring Fort, Tomo, Buro, and Kenshi each heard suspicious rumors about Kuni Yori, the Kuni family daimyo, making frequent trips into the Shadowlands by himself. When confronted with these rumors, Chiyagi did not deny them, but admitted that he does not know his leader’s true intentions. Worried about how these rumors could affect his family’s reputation and political standing, Chiyagi asked the samurai to endorse the Kuni name at court, so his family may prosper.

At the end of their month of training, Chiyagi declared that Tomo and Buro were ready… That night, Chiyagi lead the samurai into the wastes. By the dim light encircling them in their ring of candles, Tomo and Buro recited the incantations which they had memorized over the past month, the armor of Togashi Yoshi shimmering faintly before them. The two samurai projected their spirits into the realm of darkness, but were unharmed by its foul taint thanks to their instructor’s thorough preparation. Like a moth guided to a flame, or like a river flowing to the sea, Tomo and Buro instinctively found the spirit of their departed friend. Grabbing him and pulling him with all their might, the two suddenly found themselves back in the Kuni Wastes, wreathed in candlelight, with the spirit of the Martyr Monk bound to his hollow armor.

Credits

Album Art by Dylon Munoz

Music

"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain

"Ethereal Presence" by Brandon Spain

"Tsubasa's Theme" by Podcast of the Rings

"Wind Down" by Brandon Spain

"Dark and Airy" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Gives You Anxiety" by Podcast of the Five Rings

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings