S2E9: An Evening of Follies

Buro and Akari recounted the vision they had just had in the ruins of Shiro Usagi to Kenshi, Buro, and their samurai retinue from Kuda Mura. While discussing what it may have meant and what should be done about it, a terrible sound broke out across the logging encampment—the sound of snapping wood, grinding stones, and human cries. Rushing to meet this threat, the party was hit with the sight of numerous forest kami attacking the loggers’ camp. Pandemonium spread as the woodcutters and their samurai protectors put up a meager resistance to defend the camp.

Deciding that time was short, Buro and Akari chose to investigate the castle grounds, searching it for answers to their questions about the Hare Clan and their awful fate. At the same time, Tomo and Kenshi leapt into action, trying their best to lead the woodcutters to safety and draw the rampaging spirits away from them. It was a noble, but utterly futile effort.

Soon, the camp was completely overrun as men and women ran for their lives, fleeing across the river to the south and up the dark road to the north. As a last ditch effort, Tomo ordered the samurai of Kuda Mura to rescue the sick and injured workers of the infirmary and lead them to safety. 

Meanwhile, Buro and Akari reached out to the spirits of the castle once more. A voice lead them through the ruined keep and up to its highest floor, where Buro uncovered an empty sword stand hid behind a loose stone in the wall. It was the same stand that he saw in his vision with the Hare Clan. The stand was made in a simple, yet elegant design with red gemstones cut in the shape of teardrops embedded in its sides. Believing the stand had something to do with the marauding spirits, Buro cut his palm and spilled his blood over its wood. Nothing happened. In his stressed and fearful state, Buro smashed the stand out of pure frustration.

As the forest spirits turned their attention toward Kenshi and Tomo, the two samurai fled to the burned remains of Shiro Usagi and its accompanying town, where they found the spirits refused to enter. While fleeing from a pursuing spirit, Kenshi suffered a staggering blow, knocking him from his horse and forcing him to the ground. With the help of Tomo, the two found shelter in the burnt remains of Shiro Usagi.

Buro and Akari picked up the remains of the sword stand and exited the castle, just as the angry kami began to retreat back to the darkness of Shinomen Forest. In their wake laid an utterly devastated encampment. Mangled corpses littered the clearing, shining in the moonlight with fresh, dark blood. Tents were struck and laid in heaps, many burning from wayward torches. Ships were destroyed, the wood of their hulls and masts lapping up on the river shore. 

The party turned their backs to the massacre before them, and headed north toward Otosan Uchi where the emperor sits waiting for them.

Credits

Album Art by Dylon Munoz

Music

Rokugan Theme by Brandon Spain

Black Waste Theme by Brandon Spain

Seppuku by Brandon Spain

Background Harp by Podcast of the Five Rings

Sake House  by Podcast of the Five Rings

Kuni Waste Jam by Podcast of the Five Rings

Battlestorm by Podcast of the Five Rings

In the Dojo by Brandon Spain

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings