Challenge, Focus, Strike!
Adventure Hooks for Legend of the Five Rings
VOLUME VIII: CFS OF THE WEEK #88 THROUGH #99
Written by Isawa Nazomitsu (Scott Stockton) z Compiled & Edited by Pirate Spice (Sean C. Riley)
Following is the eighth volume of a series of documents collecting the
esteemed Isawa Nazomitsu’s “CFS of the Week” feature in the L5R RPG
GMs section of AEG’s gaming forum (www.alderac.com/forum).
For the sake of further organizing these, I have attempted to give each
hook a title (also taking inspiration from suggestions on the forum). The
hooks themselves are presented in the order that they were originally
posted, edited for brevity and typography. In addition, you will find
several headings denoting a category of scenarios, grouped by theme.
Some entries may include a section entitled “Shout.” These are simply
extensions of the CFS presented to add more complications or hooks.
– Sean C. Riley (a.k.a. Pirate Spice)
Winter Court, Part II
Winter Court is upon us again! That happy time, where we gather to meet
old acquaintances and strengthen ties of friendship has come once more.
88. Great Deeds & Tall Tales
You did make lots of friends at Winter Court last year, didn't you?
Oh well, no matter....
CHALLENGE
The PCs arrive at Winter Court to find a familiar face waiting for them.
Yukio, the courtier with the waggling tongue, is once again a guest at the
same palace the PCs will be staying at. He has already planted himself
squarely in the middle of court, and everyone present can look forward to
a winter season filled with his incessant chattering.
FOCUS
Yukio has changed his tactics in the year since he last crossed paths with
the player characters. Instead of trying to make himself look good by
pointing out the follies of others, he now seeks to impress listeners with
stories of the great heroes he has befriended. Of course, his favorite targets
are the PCs, and he goes on at great length about the magnificent deeds
they have performed in an attempt to gain some respect by association.
STRIKE
Many of Yukio's tales get embellished in the telling. If the heroes
defeated six bandits, he'll say sixteen, or even sixty. If they defeated an
ogre, he'll say they slew an oni. Maybe two. The soldier they captured
becomes a general, and the general they bested in a game of shogi
becomes a daimyo. Sooner or later someone is going to take the PCs to
task and find out the truth about their supposed heroism.
If your players have already met and dealt with Yukio previously you may
need to alter some details. Depending on the way the scenario played out,
the number of changes required may be quite large. If the PCs took the
diplomatic route last time they met him, Yukio may simply smile warmly
and say that he is spreading word of their good deeds in order to make up
for his past unkindness. If the PCs took a more permanent approach to
the problem (such as cutting out his tongue), you may need to replace
Yukio with a similar, but completely new character.
Even if you haven't played through CFS of the Week Scenario #41,
this adventure seed can be adapted quite easily. Simply present Yukio as
a sycophant who seeks to latch onto the PCs and ride on their kimono
hems as they make their way to greatness. Even if he does not know them
very well, he is more than happy to sing their praises. After all, they'll be
sure to remember him when their daimyos reward them for their heroic
deeds later, right?
There are many ways Yukio's stories can cause trouble for the PCs. If
he paints them as slayers of monsters they may be asked to perform some
great and difficult task to prove their might. If he tells of their triumphs
over rivals from other families they may find themselves getting a cold
reception from the Clans in question. And if his stories are so incredible
as to defy belief the PCs may find themselves accused of being liars.
And what if Yukio's stories are accepted as truth? Can the player
characters live with the lies that have been told in their names? What will
they do with their newfound Status and Glory? People may want to hear
their version of "The Battle Against the Oni Army." Can they keep their
stories straight? Fame often brings its own problems, and stolen fame
can be even more difficult to manage.
89. Master & Student
Last week we examined some of the problems that may accompany glory
at Winter Court. This week we look at fame from a different point of view.
And we pay our respects to another old friend along the way....
CHALLENGE
One of the PCs is asked to give a demonstration of his abilities. An
artistic skill such as Weaponsmithing or Painting would be best, but a
performance skill like Dance or Acting would also be appropriate. If all
else fails, a kata routine or a display of martial skill may suffice as well.
FOCUS
The famed sensei Yoshimoto is also present in court, and although he is
retired (see CFS of the Week #21) his reputation is still strong. As a
former instructor of the PC, he is asked to perform alongside his student
for old times' sake. While no formal contest is declared, there is much
whispering amongst the onlookers and excitement over finally being able
to see which of the two is more skilled.
STRIKE
Yoshimoto's age has caught up with him, and he is no longer the able-
bodied teacher he once was. There is no way he can match the PC's
physical capabilities. While others may not know this, the PC is able to
judge his sensei's condition with but a glance. Will he hold back and let
his sensei win the day, or will he surpass Yoshimoto and make his own
bid for greatness?
This scenario works best if Yoshimoto-sensei has already been
established as a prior teacher of the player character in question. If the
two have no relationship to speak of the decision in the Strike section
loses a lot of its punch. Feel free to substitute another NPC in
Yoshimoto's place as necessary. Any teacher, old friend, or family
member would be acceptable.
There are a number of ways the scenario could play out, depending
both on the PC's choice and the way in which the victor of the "contest"
reacts to the outcome.
If the PC loses the contest Yoshimoto's reputation would be safe, but
the PC would see his own fame lessened. Is it worth giving up a chance at
glory to protect one's teacher from a crushing defeat? And how will
Yoshimoto react to such a development? He could heap praise on his
beloved student's efforts toward perfecting his art, or he could lash out in
disappointment at "the fool he expected to one day surpass him." After
all, does not the level of skill the PC displays reflect Yoshimoto's ability
as a teacher?
If the PC wins, he stands to gain great glory and incredible
recognition for his triumph over the legendary Yoshimoto-sensei. Of
course, he could claim that his achievements are all thanks to
Yoshimoto's great skill as an instructor. This would allow Yoshimoto to
save face, but it would also mean that the PC would risk forever
remaining in the shadow of his legendary teacher.
Additional complications may be presented in the form of allies or
rivals with their own agendas. Perhaps another student of Yoshimoto
tries to convince the PC that their sensei is owed respect above all else.
Or a relative of the PC could ask him to "do what is necessary" to
improve their family's standing in court. Maybe a member of a rival
school attempts to beat both of them.
And if the PC manages to outdo the great Yoshimoto, how will he fare
against other challengers?
TAMERLAN’S SUGGESTION
An interesting twist might be when the samurai becomes aware that the
sensei he had looked up to all his life is cheating to win the contest (well
except for a Scorpion, where it might be expected from both sides and
actually be the real contest of skill). Will this revelation change their
mind? Will they ask for a return match?
Then there could be interference from outside sources. The PC´s or the
sensei´s family or enemies might try to influence the outcome by unsavory means.
90. Elemental Affection
Everyone has old friends they dearly want to meet again. Friends whose
company we enjoy more than anything else. Friends we wish could stay
by our side forever.
Unfortunately, the old friend in this scenario is not that type.
CHALLENGE
If you've already played through CFS of the Week #40 your players will
no doubt be familiar with Mukachi. One of them may even have the
honor of being the shugenja's "guide to greatness." So they should know
enough to be cautious when he approaches them with a bright smile,
backs them into a corner, and earnestly asks for their assistance. Even if
they haven't met the less-than-capable diviner before, he'll proceed
without hesitation to tell them that stars indicate that their involvement in
the experiment he plans would be most beneficial anyway. He's just that
kind of guy.
FOCUS
Mukachi explains that he has been working on a new project. He believes
that divination is a result of mortal minds glimpsing the Great Truth that
is shared amongst the Elemental Dragons and their Oracles. Because
elemental spirits are servants of the Dragons, they are also privy to the
Great Truth, and it is their inspiration which brings seers visions of the
future. In any case, his research has lead him to develop a new spell—one
that will enable individuals with no spiritual training to Commune with
the kami just as shugenja do. He'd like to test it, and he hopes his dear
friend will be able to help him…
…as a test subject.
STRIKE
Unfortunately, something goes wrong. The ritual does not enable the
character to Commune with the kami, but Summons the elemental kami
to the character instead! Mukachi has no idea what went wrong, but he's
sure he can find some way to reverse the effects.
It'll just take a few days to research....
A PC surrounded by Air kami will find his every motion accompanied
by a gust of air, blast of sound, or a whiff of some strange odor. Air kami
aren't as destructive as other kami might be in this situation, but they can
still cause distraction and annoyance.
If Earth kami are summoned to the PC, a fine coating of dust and
grime will soon cover him and anything he touches. Not only will it be
impossible for him to keep clean for any period of time, but small bits of
earth and soil may follow in his wake.
If the PC is followed by Fire kami he will have to be cautious indeed.
He may find an aura of light and heat radiating from his body, and flames
from candles and cooking fires will reach out to him. Should he handle
any flammable object for too long it may even start to smolder in his grasp.
Similar to Earth kami, Water kami will cover the PC and anything he
touches in heavy condensation. His surroundings may become
waterlogged, and onlookers are sure to notice the constant dripping of
water from his hair, clothes, and skin.
If you're feeling especially malicious, you can have several different
types of kami visit the PC in turn, or even all at once.
And if Mukachi somehow managed to summon Void kami to the PC,
to hover by his ear and incessantly whisper countless details about every
person, place, or thing he may set eye on? Oh, may the Fortunes have
mercy on the poor soul!
If your players have met Mukachi before they may have formed some
strong opinions about him, and could be quite hesitant to participate in
any ritual he has devised. This is to be expected, given his past history.
Showing some ways in which Mukachi has grown as a shugenja (perhaps
due to advice and support gained from the player characters) can help
allay their fears. If worst comes to worst, you can always have another
NPC vouch for Mukachi, or even replace him completely if necessary.
Of course, this adventure isn't just about coping with the enchantment
that the unfortunate PC finds himself under, but dealing with the
pressures of Winter Court at the same time. Other people don't stop going
about their business just because a tornado is following you around. A
courtier will still have to meet and greet people and stay abreast of
important developments. A yojimbo is expected protect his charge no
matter what impediments he faces. Allies must be met with, and rivals
must be thwarted, even if you have a steady stream of water streaming
from your hands and face.
Further complications can arise from the ramifications of Mukachi's
research. Whether or not his beliefs about divination and the Grand
Truth of the Celestial Order are correct, the ability to grant laypeople the
ability to command the kami is a great power indeed. Many individuals
would be interested in controlling such power, or seeing it eliminated
entirely. What would life be like if courtiers, bushi, and even peasants
could perform magic?
Or maybe Mukachi's spell research does somehow lead to a better
divination technique. The player characters would find themselves on the
cutting edge of a revolution that bridges the gap between mortals and the
gods. What secrets might they learn in their experiments, and to what end
would they put their newfound knowledge?
Science isn't always an exact science. Even less so when it's magic.
TAMERLAN’S SUGGESTION
I’d choose a bit more subtle approach to the influence of the kami. After
the ritual, the PCs, and Mukachi himself, might think the enchantment
didn’t work and had no effect at all. However, the spell unbalanced the
elements inside the samurai—which in turn will lure the kami to him, as
the imbalance increases over time.
Maybe the next night, the PC has a dream about the element.
At first the imbalance only effects the PC’s emotions, which may
eventually affect opposed mental attributes negatively.
• Too much fire might intensify anger, enthusiasm or lust and lead to
brashness, lust, overconfidence or greed). The samurai may become
lost in his own thoughts and feelings, missing even obvious things in
his surroundings
• Air may make the PC capricious, emotions ever changing, if a bit
shallow. He may also become indifferent, unable to form a solid
opinion. Trouble focusing and standing by one’s opinion may arise
• Water might lead to moodiness and a temperament leaning towards
the extreme, seemingly calm and emotionless at one moment, only
to have the feelings hidden in the deep break free in a raging storm
at the next. The PC may have troubles concentrating, constantly
distracted by surrounding stimuli and own emotions.
• Earth may freeze the character in his current emotional state,
seemingly never changing in temperament or feelings about any
given thing or person, making him stubborn and inflexible to the
point of not reacting to anything
• Void finally may have the poor samurai feel everything at once
leading to the ultimate confusion.
Over the next few days, the victim develops some bodily symptoms,
which may also effect opposed physical attributes negatively.
• Fire produces fever without sweat, a red face and a dry throat and
a feeling of weakness, while consuming tremendous amounts of food.
• Air might make the samurai look pale, smell funny and be hyper
and nervous
• Water makes the PC sweat all the time and cool down, possibly
shaking, the complexion turning sickly green or blue.
• Earth will bring sore muscles and locked joints, lack of fine motor-
control and make him look yellow.
• Too much void may lead to an ever changing mix of symptoms, also
the body may cycle more matter leading to hyper ventilation, diarrhea
& vomiting with unnatural thirst and hunger at the same time.
Finally the external physical effects described above will set in.
• Fire may also make colors bleach, liquids dry up or evaporate and
make objects look charred and blackened and fires get out of
control. The PC never seems to find a cooling shadow (spontaneous
self-combustion anyone?)
• Air can lead to getting parchments and small objects into chaos or
blown away, clothes may loosen maybe even be lost and it is stormy
or at least windy all the time.
• Water can make liquids leak from their containers, paint & ink
wash out from parchment and snowy weather follows the PC
everywhere, he might even become partially covered with frost and
ice (and eventually fully encased in ice?).
• Earth might make even solid objects crack under the PC’s touch
• Void might make things or persons spontaneously appear and
disappear or change mysteriously.
 There is also the question how long this will haunt the PC. Can
another casting with the opposite element negate the effect or will it get
worst, being bugged by two types of kami or erratically changing from
one to the other? Maybe they will have to “unite” with a person suffering
from the opposite element? Does it go away with time? Does the PC have
to search for the help of some other source (shugenja, Oracle, Dragon)
or find some mysterious wisdom or artifact? Can the samurai master the
effect with time (maybe even gaining the Friend of the Elements or
Friendly Kami advantage) or by making some offering to the kami
(similar to the invocation spell)?
91. Unubore’s Exploits
The holiday season is a wonderful time to remember just how important it
is to have good friends and a loving family. Of course, there are times
when friends and family make conflicting demands. When you choose
between them, will you be able to live with your decision?
CHALLENGE
While going about their business at court, the PCs happen to run into
Akodo Minoru, the Lion samurai with a deep appreciation for drama who
was last seen in CFS of the Week #48. Minoru hasn't been seen in court
much this season, because he is busy with a special project. He is writing
a play detailing the exploits of Akodo Unubore, a great general who also
happens to be another of Minoru's ancestors.
FOCUS
Minoru reveals that he has been looking for the player characters for quite
some time. In the course of researching historical records for the play he's
writing, he came across a scroll marked with the personal seal of one of
the player characters' ancestors. Evidently the figure in question was an
ally of Unubore, and left his private journal in the general's library. While
Minoru has not opened the scroll out of respect for the PC's family's
privacy, as he hands it over he mentions that he would like the chance to
read it at some point in the future.
STRIKE
The PC is in for a rude shock once he opens the scroll and reads it, for the
story it tells is not a happy one. The Lion army, Unubore, and the PC's
ancestor were all party to some horrible actions. They could have broken
cease fire agreements, abused local heimin, utilized dishonorable and/or
illegal tactics, or even wasted the lives of their own men. Perhaps they
were guilty of all these things. Whatever the case, the records would
cause quite a scandal if they were to become public.
For example, if they were used as the subject matter for a play....
It doesn't matter if none of the PCs are from the Lion Clan. The ancestor
who served with Unubore may have married across clan lines, joining
either the Lion Clan or the PC's Clan later in life. Or he could have been
part of a unit sent to provide military support in exchange for political
aid. It's even possible that he aided Unubore in an unofficial capacity,
requesting leave from his duties in order to fight by his friend's side.
One easy way to adjust the difficulty of this adventure is to change the
nature of the misdeeds that Unubore and his ally committed. Something
minor like seizing rice from conquered villages or executing prisoners is
easier to overlook and excuse. On the other hand, especially heinous war
crimes like hiring assassins or allowing the use of maho within the ranks
would ruin the reputation of the character's entire family and have
serious consequences if made public knowledge.
Likewise, changing the identity of the commander who authorized
such tactics can also result in different outcomes. The PC will feel less
guilt about his ancestor's actions if the scrolls say that he was only
following Unubore's dishonorable orders. If the PC's ancestor was the
one who convinced Unubore to take such drastic measures (or even took
it upon himself to do so without authorization), however, it becomes much
more difficult to let the truth be known.
A possible conflict that could arise is if Minoru and the PC have
different ideas about what to do with the new details that the scroll
presents. Minoru is especially proud of his ancestors, and would be
shocked at any implication that Unubore was a wicked man. How far
would he go to keep such an ugly truth from becoming known? If the PC's
ancestor was a hero and Unubore was a tyrant the PC might have to
choose between his own glory and Minoru's disgrace. Or the situation
might be reversed. Minoru is sure to welcome the news that Unubore was
a righteous man, but would he be willing to hide the truth about the
terrible acts of the PC's ancestor? Was he telling the truth when he said
he hasn't read the scroll, or does he need to be silenced permanently....
One especially wicked twist is to have information about the ancestors
of two different PCs come to light in the same scroll. One is shown to
have been a great hero, or noble follower of bushido. The other is
revealed as an honorless villain who pursued victory without any thought
of right and wrong. The resulting conflict of interests offers an excellent
opportunity to explore issues of loyalty. Would the PC whose ancestor
was a disgrace be willing to sacrifice his family's good standing in order
to bring glory to his friend? Would the PC whose ancestor was an unsung
hero agree to keep quiet about the event in order to save his friend from
shame? Can they trust each other with the truth, or will the secret they
share tear them apart?
92. The Poetry of Life
Editor’s Note: This is easily one of my favorite adventure hooks. Though
not every player would enjoy it, if you have just the right player in your
group, this can add great drama and humor to your sessions.
CHALLENGE
A young man comes up to the PCs while they are in the middle of court.
If you have already played through CFS of the Week #37 the PCs may
recognize him as Tatsu, the aspiring poet who was nothing more than a
poem thief. Even if your players have not completed the previous
adventure, Tatsu will still seek the party members out, as word of their great
cleverness precedes them. Facing off against the PC whose poem he stole
last time they crossed paths (or the PC who has proven to be the most glib
in court), Tatsu calls on all assembled to bear witness to his challenge.
FOCUS
Tatsu's challenge is simple. While the quality of individual poems are
largely based on the personal preferences of the listener, the true mark of
a master poet lies in being able to compose a poem for any situation. The
contest he proposes will force the PC do to exactly that. For the next
month, both he and the PC will speak only in haiku verses. The first
person who fails to do so will be the loser, and will have to acknowledge
the other as a better crafter of poems.
Feel free to remind the players that everyone in the room is watching
them and waiting for their reaction while they consider Tatsu's proposition.
STRIKE
Writing haiku off the top of one's head is not an easy thing to do.
Whenever the PC meets with a delegate from another clan, reports to his
daimyo, woos an attractive courtier, or threatens his rivals, he will have to
do so in haiku form. Some people might go out of their way to engage the
PC in conversation in order to hear him recite a poem, while others decry
his participation as foolish. Still, despite the difficulty involved, there is
great glory to be had for one who establishes himself as a "master of
poems for all situations."
You can adapt Tatsu's challenge somewhat if you wish. You can choose a
longer or shorter span of time for the contest to run. Or, you can have the
game continue until either contestant makes a mistake. If you want to involve
all the players Tatsu can issue an open challenge to anyone who will face
him, including the entire party and possibly even some NPCs as well.
There are a number of ways you can simulate the contest conditions for
your players. The most direct is to actually force the PC in question to compose a
haiku every time he speaks in character. If you want to be especially
cruel, you can rule that out of character speech must also be in haiku form.
I live but to serve,
A sword in my master's hand.
What is your command?
I attack the guard.
Let us see what fate may hold.
Please pass me the dice.
Another, simpler, option is to say that the PC may only speak in
utterances of only three, five, or seven words, representing the number of
lines and number of syllables per line in a haiku poem. While less
evocative, this style of speech is can be easier for players to adapt to and
allows for the use of long words that would never fit into the regular
haiku formula. The name Mirumoto, for example, is quite difficult to fit
into a line of only a few syllables, and may cause trouble for some players.
I bow, respectfully.
Look for clues. Don't touch the body.
Can I have a cola?
One that I like, even though it has nothing at all to do with haiku poetry,
is to require the PC to speak in rhyming couplets. While rhymes are not a
feature of Rokugani poetry, they are easy to think up quickly and can be
judged as acceptable or not in a short period of time. This option is
wonderful for players who don't like having to spend ten minutes
planning every sentence they want to say and GMs who don't want to be
bothered counting syllables to make sure every poem is appropriate.
Your wicked insults cause much strife.
Stand down before I end your life.
My lady, with your smile sweet,
You melt my heart each time we meet.
If you want to go for a real challenge, require the player to include some
reference to nature or the seasons in his poem, just like in a real haiku.
Want to throw some complications into the adventure? Give the PCs
an important mission to complete at the same time. It could be something
where they have to give clear and direct instructions, like organizing the
guard details or finalizing a trade agreement. They could find themselves
gathering information or questioning murder suspects. Even something as
simple as delivering a message can be difficult when you have to give it in
haiku form.
Does Tatsu attempt to cheat again in this contest, or has he truly
worked at improving his skills? And what about the PCs? Do they let
down their guard when no one is around, or do they continue to observe
the rules of the contest no matter what? Even if they do so, will their
haiku be good enough to pass muster?
Please take this idea
For use at your next game night.
Enjoy in good health.
Romance
93. Love Comes in Many Guises
In Japan the major event of the winter season is New Years, but Christmas
is also celebrated. But it is not seen in the same light as it is in Western
countries. Christmas in Japan, you see, is a time for young couples to go
on romantic dates.
Thus, in keeping with the "spirit of the season," I present a month of
adventure scenarios dealing with love and/or marriage (because the two
do not always go hand in hand in Rokugan). Please enjoy them with your
loved ones.
CHALLENGE
One of the PCs becomes friendly with a young maiden named Itsuko. The
youngest daughter of a mighty general, she is heir to a great deal of
political power. Rather than take advantage of such influence, however,
she prefers to spend her time in simpler and more innocent pursuits.
Indeed, she's often more like a free-spirited girl than a young woman.
FOCUS
After Itsuko and the PC have had some time to cement their friendship,
her father makes a bold announcement. Rather than see his beloved
daughter used as a bargaining chip to be traded away, he would give her
the freedom to marry for love. His promise to approve of any marriage
that Itsuko wishes to enter comes as a great surprise, even to Itsuko
herself. Before long, however, the court accepts the idea, and several
suitors emerge to seek her hand.
STRIKE
Itsuko has very little experience in matters of the heart, and is unable to
accurately judge which suitors genuinely love her and which ones harbor
ulterior motives. Furthermore, she is acutely aware that marrying into the
wrong family could create complex debts and obligations for her parents.
She turns to the PC for advice, eager to accept his wisdom.
If possible, try to have Itsuko become friends with the PC (or all the PCs,
if you wish) quite a while before running this adventure. Players will be
more concerned with the long term fate of someone they have known and
liked for a long time than some "new NPC of the week" that shows up like
a one-time guest star on a TV show and never shows up again. Taking the
time to develop her as a real character and making her genuinely likable
goes a long way toward running this type of adventure successfully.
The names and genders of NPCs presented this month's CFS scenarios
are not written in stone. If you have a party made up mainly of female
characters you should not hesitate to replace Itsuko (and any of the NPCs
in the coming weeks) with suitable male romantic interests. After all, the
core principle of romance is finding someone you're interested in, and what
one player finds charming may be repulsive to another.
Marriage is largely a political matter in Rokugan, and there's no
reason why this one should be viewed any differently. While Itsuko's
beauty and charm attract many young men, being a general's daughter
certainly doesn't hurt. Some daimyos would think nothing of ordering a
samurai to win Itsuko's heart in order to forge a political alliance. One of
the PCs may even be given such a task if you wish.
Likewise, politics may extend into the courtship as well. Suitors who
know that Itsuko values the PC's advice may approach him with gifts and
favors in return for his support. Even those with pure motives might seek
inside information to aid them in their quest to win the fair maiden's
heart. It never hurts to have a little extra help, after all. If multiple PCs
have become friendly with Itsuko it is possible that they could all be
approached by different agencies with different motives.
If you want to take the focus of the adventure away from politics and
focus on the more personal side of the situation, the fact that Itsuko's
future livelihood and happiness hang in the balance can have a big
impact on the PC. Does he advise her to choose the suitor who loves her
with all his heart, or the first born son of a rich and powerful provincial
governor? Would being the wife of a soldier bring her happiness or sorrow?
Does he step forward and nominate himself?
94. In Love & War
We find ourselves involved in yet another romantic entanglement this
week. Hearts can be so fragile, and yet there are those who think nothing
of playing with them. Love, like the courts, is truly a battlefield.
CHALLENGE
Natsumi, a charming and attractive courtier of rather high social status
takes a fancy to one of the player characters. While her advances are not
overt enough to be scandalous, she does manage to let the PC in question
know quite clearly that she is available and interested in pursing a
relationship. Furthermore, her personality and interests would seem to
make her an ideal match for the PC that she has set her eye on.
FOCUS
Just as he is enjoying his new relationship, the PC finds himself faced
with unpleasant news. One of his rivals warns him that Natsumi is only
playing with him, and intends to humiliate and disgrace him in public
once she has strung him along for a few weeks. Although the PC's rival
lacks any proof, she claims to have seen Natsumi do the same to other
men before. While the two of them may be rivals, honor will not allow
her to sit idly by while Natsumi plays games with the PC's feelings.
Having delivered this warning, however, the rival leaves the matter in the
PC's hands and refuses to involve herself any further.
STRIKE
The PC must decide who he will trust. Opening one's heart and entering a
romantic relationship with another person always carries a certain amount
of risk, but the risk in this case is much greater than heartbreak and
rejection. Depending on how he proceeds the PC may find himself
headed for happiness or sorrow.
One of the most difficult parts of this adventure is convincing the PC in
question to begin a romantic relationship with Natsumi. While some
players will go along with such themes, others can be reluctant to do so.
If you feel that your players lack the maturity to deal with such issues (or
any interest in doing so) you can change Natsumi's background and
methods to make the adventure run more smoothly.
One alternative is to forego any mention of romance. Simply have
Natsumi take a liking to the PC for some other reason. Maybe she invites
him to a tea ceremony, saying she enjoys the interesting conversations
they share. Or she could ask him to join her for a game of shogi,
flattering his skills as a tactician. If she is especially well-known and
respected in court she might offer to take him on as a protégé. Sure the
menial jobs and errands he has to perform at the start of his training
might be dull, but think of the benefits he'll reap in the future!
Another option is to take an NPC with whom the PC has already
formed a positive relationship and have the rival issue a warning about
her (or him, depending on the NPC you decide to use) instead. A PC's
fiancée, wife, servant, sensei, yojimbo, sister, or friend could all be accused
of having ulterior motives in their dealings with the PC. You could even
have the PC's rival try to sow seeds of distrust between the party
members. Or maybe one of the PCs really is working against the others.
 Another common pitfall in adventures involving romance is finding
the right balance between "friendly" and "suspiciously friendly." If your
players have been betrayed by allies in the past (even if with previous
Game Masters) they may be wary of NPCs who take a sudden interest in
them. The PC won't hesitate to shun Natsumi if the attention she showers
on him is unwelcome or seems too good to be true. Taking care to build a
positive relationship between Natsumi and the player character is especially
important if you want the choice you present to have any meaning.
If you want to make the PC's choice even more difficult, have a friend
or trusted ally deliver the bad news about Natsumi. A rival might deliver
a warning out of some sense of honor and fair play, but you can never
really be sure whether or not they are speaking the truth. A friend, on the
other hand, is always expected to look out for one's best interests. Unless
he wants the fair maiden's favor for himself....
As always in cases where the PC has an important choice to make,
you can decide what the truth is either before or after the PC has acted. If
he dismisses his rival's words he could avoid a great tragedy, or he could
find himself made a laughingstock in front of the entire court. By
breaking off all contact with Natsumi he may thwart her malicious plans,
or he just might end up losing the greatest love he has ever known.
Depending on how high you want to raise the stakes you can drop some
hints beforehand, or simply decide what version you favor as you go along.
All is fair and love and war, but Hell hath no fury like a woman
scorned. Who knew dating was so difficult!
95. A Gift of Love
This week's scenario is based on an actual Japanese folk tale. Hopefully
your players will be able to get a happier ending than the original (which
can be read here: wabei4.tripod.com/xlation/kaguya/kagtoc.htm)
CHALLENGE
The PCs are lucky enough to visit the same Winter Court as the renowned
Kazari-hime. Her beauty and charm are known throughout the land. Her
wit and poise are legendary. Her family is rich, powerful, and influential,
and she is the sole heir. She is a master of the sword, the mystic arts, and
the ways of court. She is widely regarded as the most extraordinary and
desirable young woman in the Empire, and men have been known to fall
head over heels in love with her at but a single glimpse of her radiant beauty.
And that's exactly what happens to one of the PCs.
FOCUS
Unfortunately, there are a great many men who desire Kazari-hime's hand
in marriage. She is soon overwhelmed with proposals, love poems, and
offers of riches and treasures. In order to narrow down the number of
suitors, she announces that she will only consider offers of marriage from
those who can successfully find and bring her five special gifts.
STRIKE
The items that Kazari-hime requests are not that easy to come by.
One is "A rainbow I can keep inside my room."
Another is "A spark that does not burn in my hand."
Yet another is "Stones that sing."
One more is "A picture of waves that dance."
And the final item is "A box of love."
Unless the PC can find these items, there is no way Kazari-hime will
consent to be his bride.
If none of your players are interested in pursuing Kazari-hime, you can
still get them involved in the contest to secure the items she desires. An
ally who is infatuated with Kazari-hime can come to the party for help.
Or perhaps someone suggests that they find the treasures and trade them
for gifts and favors. They could be ordered to secure the items on behalf
of their daimyo. If you want to make things interesting, you can have each
PC receive such an assignment from their daimyo.
The easiest way to complicate things in this adventure is to have rival
suitors interfere with the PCs' efforts. They could be spied upon,
sabotaged, misdirected, or even ambushed. Honorable competitors might
try to cut deals, or issue challenges in order to gain any items the PCs
have found. Unscrupulous ones may copy, rob, or even attempt to do
away with the PCs before they can deliver their gifts. Even if the other
young men do not compete with the PCs directly, they will still do their
best to be the first ones to deliver their presents.
What are the mysterious presents Kazari-hime asks for? She has some
ideas, but is also willing to accept inspired and imaginative alternatives.
Items made using magic, however, will fail to please her unless they are
particularly impressive. She already knows how to craft such trinkets,
and does not consider doing so to be a challenge. On the other hand,
finding some unique way to fulfill her requests without the aid of the kami
is certain to make a big impact.
W HAT DOES KAZARI-HIME REALLY WANT?
These are only my ideas. You're welcome to use your own, or accept any
good ideas the PCs may come up with as well.
A rainbow I can keep inside my room — A prism or stained glass. A
pet with many bright colors.
A spark that does not burn in my hand — A firefly. A fleck of gold, or
a diamond.
Stones that sing — A stone xylophone or crystal flute. Windchimes made
from carved stones.
A picture of waves that dance — A picture of waves on a flag or pinwheel.
A flip book of the ocean.
A box of love — Anything that shows the PCs' affection for Kazari-hime.
A box full of her favorite things. A box full of things they can share and
enjoy together. A volume of love poems. A mated pair of lovebirds. The
PC's own heart (but not in the literal sense).
96. Life or Love
Editor’s Note: Love and marriage rarely coincide for samurai. But even
some samurai have a sense of romance that far exceeds their sense of duty.
CHALLENGE
There is much celebration in the court, for a wedding has been arranged.
The necessary treaties and agreements have been made. The exact amount
of the dowry has been settled on. And the lucky bride and groom have
been selected. One is Reika, a proud young woman from a powerful
family. The other is one of the PCs (or a friend or relative if you feel bad
about forcing one of your players into a political marriage).
FOCUS
Soon after the wedding is announced, one of Reika's maids approaches
the PC she is to wed with some startling information. Despite the wishes
of their two families, Reika cannot bear the thought of marrying someone
she does not have feelings for. Her sense of romantic idealism is so strong
that she intends to commit seppuku on the night before her wedding.
Although the maid has sworn not to tell anyone, she is unwilling to stand
by and watch while her mistress kills herself, and asks the PC to do something.
STRIKE
To make the matter public would cause a great scandal for both families and
potentially ruin any chance of an alliance between them. But if the PC does
nothing, Reika will kill herself and cause a scandal anyway. The date of
the wedding ceremony is several months away, however, and if the PC
hurries he may still have time to change Reika's feelings and save her life.
And maybe even win her heart.
This scenario will almost certainly involve romantic themes and situations.
If everyone approaches the matter with a reasonable level of maturity
there should be no problem. Every group is different, so be aware of your
players' reactions and talk to them beforehand if you feel they may have
trouble dealing with such issues.
Even without dealing with romance, there are a number of different
ways to approach the situation. The PCs could attempt to convince Reika
that the union between their two families is more important than any one
person's happiness. They can try to show her that love can come from
outside the marriage. Or they might be able to find something she
believes is worth living for.
Of course, trying to woo Reika and gain her love before the wedding
occurs is a time-honored option. If your players take this track, be
prepared to make some tough calls. There are no rules for romance in the
game book, and you'll have to decide how effective the PC's attempts are
by yourself. Is Reika a warrior who respects strength, or does she go for
romantic expressions of love like flowers and poetry? What does she
enjoy doing, what kind of gifts does she like, and how does she like to be
spoken to? Knowing her personality can help you gauge how well a
certain approach will work, and also makes the process more enjoyable
for your players.
This tale also has a lot of potential for tragedy. Perhaps Reika is
already in love with someone else. Maybe the two of them are determined
to commit lovers' suicide and be together in Meido. Or maybe she is the
subject of another man's unspoken affection. If she dies, he will blame the
PC for driving her to such lengths. But even if she lives, he won't be happy
to see her marry the PC. Sometimes there is no happy ending for everyone.
Even after things settle down, there is the possibility that things may
turn sour later on. Does the PC truly love Reika, or is he just looking out
for his family's best interests? Reika is not likely to be happy if she learns
that the man she fell in love with isn't as affectionate as he first seemed.
And she's certain to react badly if it turns out that he's a fraud who was
only toying with her emotions.
Perhaps he is the one who should commit seppuku....
More Winter Court, Part II
97. There Are No Secrets
There are only four weeks left in Winter Court! Are you ready for some
excitement?
CHALLENGE
During a particularly slow day at court, a courtier offers to provide some
entertainment for everyone's amusement. After getting the host's
permission he summons a shugenja named Zeshin, who takes a seat in the
middle of the main court chamber and begins to enter a meditative trance.
As Zeshin does so, the courtier warns the other members of court that if
they have something to hide it would be best for them to leave now.
It should go without mention that no one does so.
FOCUS
The courtier explains that Zeshin has been touched by the spirits, and is
able to read hearts. He is especially attuned to feelings of guilt, and can
pick up on people's secrets.
No sooner has the courtier finished saying this than Zeshin mutters "I
spilled ink on the kimono I borrowed." His announcement is followed by
a young girl's gasp of shock, leaving no question as to the veracity of his
ability (or the identity of the person whose heart he has just read).
Again, to leave now would be a clear indication that one is hiding
secrets they do not want revealed.
STRIKE
Zeshin continues to reveal the secrets of those present, ranging from the
innocuous to the slightly risqué. Before long, many of the younger
courtiers present begin a game of guessing which secrets belong to who.
In some cases it is easy to tell by the culprit's reaction. Others do a much
better job of hiding their feelings. Unfortunately, things take a much
darker turn when Zeshin mutters three dire secrets in quick succession.
"I've hired assassins to kill my daimyo."
"I lost the Fan of Onnotangu somewhere in the palace."
And an especially juicy secret about one of the player characters.
Things go downhill soon after.
The court will be filled with questions once Zeshin reveals the last three
secrets. Which daimyo is being targeted by the assassination attempt?
What is the Fan of Onnotangu, and what are its powers? Are all three of
these secrets from the same person, or are they from different
individuals? And who is that person or persons? Panic and rampant
speculation are sure to break out, and things could become very ugly
unless the PCs do something. Even if they choose not to get involved in
any of the investigations, the fact that one of their secrets was revealed
means that sooner or later they will find people looking in their direction.
And if they are guilty of hiding one secret, they just might be blamed for
the other two secrets as well....
One thing to note about Zeshin's power is that it is not true telepathy
or mind reading. It's more like a specialized type of empathy. He can't
pick up specific details or identities. He can only detect feelings of guilt,
and the reasons for those feelings. This prevents him from being able to
tell which secrets go with which people. It also means that someone who
is completely without guilt or remorse (like a homicidal bloodspeaker, a
ninja who unfailingly follows the commands of his daimyo, or a kolat
agent who feels his actions are perfectly justified) will not have their
misdeeds revealed.
Some examples of secrets that Zeshin could reveal include:
"I dye my hair."
"I lost to a child at shogi."
"I don't really like my wife's cooking."
"I didn't really make that origami crane."
"My mother chooses my kimono for me."
"I sold my scrolls to a ronin."
"I let a bandit get away."
"I broke my daimyo's vase."
"My ancestor was a bad general."
"I went to the geisha house last night."
"I told a lie to my brother."
"I can't really paint as well as I claim to."
"My servant helped me kill that ogre."
"I have an embarrassing birthmark."
"I've never really met the Emperor."
"I haven't paid my respects to my ancestors recently."
"I drink too much."
"I kissed Ruriko in the garden."
"I ate the last rice cake."
And any secrets your player characters might have. In fact, you could
even go so far as to elicit secret shames from your players, and let them
guess which character is guilty of which. I've found offering an XP bonus
for the best one makes the process especially fun. Be careful about revealing
especially deep secrets (or Dark Secrets taken as per the disadvantage)
without player permission, though. When in doubt, ask first.
GMs should also think carefully before revealing any scandalous
secrets about NPCs as well. A general who ran from battle will be
expected to commit seppuku, and a wife who was unfaithful will likely be
disowned, or worse. Unless you want to bring the mood down quite
suddenly, small misdeeds and untruths are best.
Some may wonder whether or not this type of entertainment is
appropriate for samurai. Why would the courtier who brought Zeshin
forward do such a thing? Is it part of a plot to dishonor and/or blackmail
the people present? Does Zeshin have mystic powers, or is he really a
fraud trying to stir up trouble? Maybe the pair are trying to cause a
decay in the moral fibers of Rokugani society and bring about the fall of
bushido. Or maybe they're part of a secret investigation force out to
search for traitors to the Empire.
And even after the dust settles, how will things change for the PCs
once people know their dirty little secrets?
Bonus Fun Fact #1: The following secrets were actually based on
previous CFS of the Week Adventure Seeds.
"I sold my scrolls to a ronin." — CFS of the Week #3
"I let a bandit get away." — CFS of the Week #31
"I broke my daimyo's vase." — CFS of the Week #47
"My ancestor was a bad general." — CFS of the Week #91
Bonus Fun Fact #2: The title of this installment is taken from a quote
from the Tao of Shinsei: "There are no secrets. There is no understanding.
Void is all and nothing. It is the dance of the elements."
98. An Unlikely Hero
Only two more weeks until the end of Winter Court! The clock is ticking!
Mark your calendars now!
CHALLENGE
The PCs wake up to find the court abuzz with big news. It seems that an
assassin snuck into the chambers of their daimyo's wife last night.
Luckily, there was someone in the hallway to hear her cries of distress
and race to her aid. Even though he was armed with little more than a
broom, he drove off the intruder and saved the day single-handedly, and
is being hailed as the greatest hero of the season.
The great hero that everyone is talking about is Gonbei, a heimin servant.
FOCUS
Gonbei is a friendly and charismatic fellow whose humble manner and
devotion to his daimyo's family endears him to many. While many
samurai profess to value their lords' lives more than their own, the
number of heimin who hold the same principles to heart is very small.
Tales of his extraordinary service and devotion spread quickly. Before
long, there is even talk of elevating him to samurai status.
STRIKE
If the PCs dig around they may find a horrible truth. The entire affair was
orchestrated by Gonbei himself. The assassin was no more than a patsy—
a hired thug who is still awaiting payment. The rumors of Gonbei's
heroism, bravery, and loyalty are encouraged by his cousins in the palace,
who pass them along as truth to the samurai they serve. Even the face he
presents to the court is a lie, as he cares nothing for the daimyo or his wife.
Unless the PCs do something to expose his lies, they may soon find
this honorless dog standing among them as an equal.
One sure way to make PCs get involved in investigating Gonbei is to
make them responsible for the safety of the daimyo whose wife he saves.
Nothing riles players up more than being made to look incompetent in
front of their superiors. The fact that the person who made them appear
foolish is a mere servant only adds insult to injury.
Depending on the attitudes of your group, there may be characters (or
even players) who wish to see him succeed in his plot. Samurai from more
egalitarian Clans like the Unicorn or Crab might find it easy to accept a
new member as long as he is willing to stand and fight. The Kolat would
be extremely interested in seeing Gonbei made a samurai, as it sets a precedent
for the eventual destruction of the class system. Perhaps he is already a
member of the conspiracy. Or maybe they'll wait and pay him a visit
sometime in the future, threatening to expose his lies unless he aids them.
Of course, the fact that Gonbei has yet to be made a samurai means
that you run the risk of your players killing him outright. Be sure to
impress upon them just how displeased the daimyo's wife will be if
something were to happen to her savior. Or, if you want to take the
adventure in an entirely different direction, let the PCs kill Gonbei and
then have the daimyo demand explanation for what happened to his loyal
and most beloved servant.
You can also play through this scenario from a couple of different
angles. What if Gonbei was the grandfather of one of the PCs, who must
face up to his family's terrible secret? Would he step down from his current
position, or seek some way to prove himself worthy? Or, you could also
start all of the PCs out as members of the heimin conspiracy and have
them work together to get "Uncle Gonbei" made a samurai. It won't be
easy, but if they can pull it off their days as slaves just might be over!
Remember to treat your servants nicely! They spit in your soup if you don't....
99. Insufficient Memory Error
This week marks the 99th installment of Challenge-Focus-Strike of the
Week! Wow. Just one week short of the magic number 100.
What better time could there possibly be to jump the shark?
CHALLENGE
Things are going quite splendidly for the PCs at Winter Court. They've
arranged several meetings with important figures, learned information
which will give their Clans a significant edge in negotiations with rivals,
issued challenges to their enemies, and even convinced attractive
members of the opposite sex to meet them for tea. Life is perfect!
FOCUS
But things never go so smoothly, do they? Suddenly, one, several, or all
of the PCs are somehow struck with amnesia. The exact type and cause of
the memory loss is up to you, but it leaves them unable to complete all of
the tasks they need to perform or remember all the meetings they are
expected to attend.
STRIKE
There will, of course, be consequences if the PCs do not honor the promises
they have made. At best they may find themselves the objects of scorn
and suffer a poor public reputation. At worst they may drive away their
Clans' allies, or even start a war. Somehow, they will have to cope in the
turbulent world of the court without any memory of what they are trying
to do or what they have already done.
Amnesia is a popular literary device, and has been featured prominently
in many stories and movies. Not only are there many types of amnesia,
but each type has also been presented in a number of different ways over
the years. As such, there are a several approaches you can take.
One possibility is to wipe the character's memory completely. The
character has no idea who he or she is, and cannot recall any events of
the past. Even though allies and servants would be able to tell the
afflicted character of his or her background, he or she would still be at a
loss for details. This choice is especially good if there is one member of
the group whose skills are particularly important. Forcing the other PCs
to cover for the Doji Courtier who cannot remember who is in his social
network and how he should greet people when they approach him in
court can be quite amusing for everyone.
Another choice is to eliminate specific memories. Perhaps the PCs
remember who they are, but are unable to use any of their skills. Maybe
they cannot remember anything that happened more than a few weeks
ago. Or maybe they have completely normal memories, save for the lack
of any memories from the past two weeks. A great way to simulate this
last option is to start the adventure at the beginning of the Focus section,
with the PCs unaware of anything that has occurred up to that point.
They know nothing of the allies and enemies they have made, the treaties
and trysts they have organized, or even the big news that everyone is
talking about. Which will leave them completely unprepared when people
approach them saying things like "What did your daimyo say about that
news I gave you?" and "So, have you considered our proposal?"
One other option that is related to amnesia is confabulation, where
one is unable to tell the difference between real memories and situations
from the imagination. A great way to simulate this would be to set up
several different events and social encounters during the Challenge
section of the adventure. Then, in the Focus section, reveal that some (or
even all) of those events may not have been real. Did that Lion soldier
really challenge you to a duel? Is that Phoenix maid really interested in
spending a romantic evening with you? Were you really attacked by ninja
who wiped your memory, or was it something else? But then how did you
get that bruise?
The cause of the amnesia can also be a fun subject to explore. Did the
PC in question bump his head? See or experience something traumatic?
If so, the lost memories may come back with time and treatment. What if
the PCs were all caught in a mind-erasing spell? Their lost memories
may never return, and they'll simply have to cope without them.
One possible twist is to have the memory loss be related to something
that happened at court. Maybe the PCs learned a dark secret about
someone they met, and he cursed them with amnesia soon afterward. Or
maybe the PCs volunteered to have their memories erased after
participating in some secret mission or ritual. Their search for the truth
may bring them closer to danger than they would like.
And there are always the old classics as well. The PCs may have been
kidnapped and brainwashed by Kolat, had their memories eaten by a
baku, been targeted by thieves who used magic to steal away some
important information, or been victimized by outside forces who erased
the PCs' memories to cover up their crimes.
This scenario also has the potential to be highly character driven. Our
memories are deeply connected to who we are and what we believe. If
one of the PCs loses his or her memory, it may fall to the others to help
bring it back. What sort of picture will they (and loved ones, and rivals)
paint of the victim's personality and character? Do they tell him of his
many victories in battle, or of his love for flower arranging? The healing
process may reveal a lot about not only who the PC is, but what the other
PCs think of him.
P IRATE S PICE ’S S UGGESTION
Introducing amnesia into any story can be tricky. In role-playing games,
it can be especially difficult, particularly if it is a PC that you’re inflicting
the memory loss on. No matter what you decide the character doesn’t
remember, the player will still have that information, and may end up
frustrated at the challenge of tip-toeing around that knowledge.
One way to get around this is to present the amnesia as blocks of
missing memory; blackouts, if you will. Just skip entire chunks of time:
hours, days, even weeks. It means that you’ll have to decide what the PCs
did during those times, so I’d advise that you try to keep their decisions
simple, and have the unremembered stories be fairly strongly driven by
external forces. The benefit of this is that you don’t have to ask your
players to pretend they don’t remember something, because they never
experienced it in the first place!
What if the PCs know in advance that they’ll be losing their
memories? What if they leave themselves clues to try to piece together
what happened? The movie Paycheck plays with this technique in an
interesting way. The film Memento has a similar theme (and was also the
inspiration for CFS of the Week #77).
What Happened To #100?
I’m afraid we’re only going up to CFS #99 in this volume. CFS of the
Week #100 was a huge milestone, and Isawa Nazomitsu really outdid
himself with it. It turned out to be so huge that it merited a volume all its
own! That’s right, Challenge, Focus, Strike! – Volume IX is sixteen pages
comprised of the 100th installment of CFS of the Week…
…and maybe some special surprises.
– Sean C. Riley (a.k.a. Pirate Spice)