Monday's adventure seed was actually my current campaign's first adventure. Our player characters were accompanied by the various members of the conspiracy, which gave them a personal stake in the events
See Monday's post for the Challenge/Focus/Strike for this adventure.
Running this adventure
In my game the players each received two Downtime Actions each day and a third if they wanted to act during the night (with a Fitness check to see if they were Exhausted next day or not). Depending on what the player wanted to achieve, each Action could've been a separate scene, one or two rolls, or just a brief description of what happens. Strife and Fatigue reset in between days.
We also had a loose calendar of courtly events, such as plays, hunting expedition, poetry recitations, duel tournaments, even a mock-battle which we played in free play or using the Intrigue, Duel and Mass Combat rules.
My NPCs were mostly doing stuff behind the scenes, but occasionally I used "NPC interruptions" for when they sought out one or more of the PC's to roleplay a scene.
I recommend that this adventure is one of the many things happening in the Court. For example, my players had to find rogue spirits, and try to achieve their Giris and Ninjos. Relevance of the conspiracy "grew" slowly: it began as a bunch of strange, half-heard meetings, accidentally hurtful choices of art, and other "coincidences" that the PC's witnessed while doing other stuff. Only later in the Winter Court this adventure grew in importance to be the main focus of our campaign
The fact this adventure involves samurai from so many different clans should be presented as a big twist around the midway of the adventure.
What did the commander do in my campaign?
Our game's target and villain was Akodo Ninsei, an esteemed and successful commander with a reputation for needless cruelty that even some of the Lion found inconvenient.
Twenty years before our adventure Akodo Ninsei had conquered a castle from a famous Crane duelist, the Gray Heron and taken his family hostage. The Heron had been away in Otosan Uchi during the attack, and now had to stay in the capital to try free his family through diplomacy and imperial intervention, while his troops kept the castle under siege.
The Emperor eventually declared that the matter would be settled with a duel: the Gray Heron against Ninsei younger brother, Akodo Hiro. While the duel was only for first blood, Ninsei sent a secret message to Heron, claiming that and "accident" would happen to his family unless he dies in the duel.
Meanwhile in the castle, Ninsei claims honor and tradition forbids him from releasing his hostages, but he encourages them to escape during the night through a gap in the patrol routes. Naturally he has no intention of honouring this, and Heron's family falls to Lion arrows upon reaching the outer courtyard.
In the aftermath, Crane decided to cut their losses while Lion's courtiers managed to hide Ninsei's dishonorable actions to happenstance and regrettable, but inevitable chaos of conflict. Those affected and hurt by the events were left to nurse their grudges in silence - as is the way of the samurai.
How the conspiracy plots to hurt Ninsei
It's not enough for the conspirators just to kill Ninsei. They want to enrage and humiliate him, expose his guilt and dishonorable actions to the court, and then kill him in a way that makes it impossible to implicate just one person.
Killing his reputation
Here's some examples on what the conspirators might to do expose Ninsei's crimes to the court:
- A courtier (Doji Aemi in my game) puts up a play (or joins another courtier's play), persuades the troupe to act out the events of the Gray Heron's demise.
- During the dueling tournament the conspirators agree on the two finalists in advance and try to make sure they win their other matches. In the final duel the two act out Hiro's and the Heron's duel (if there's a shugenja in attendance, one of them might even almost lethally wound themself).
- During a mock-battle one conspirator dresses as the Gray Heron or even Akodo Hiro, defeats another commander in a duel and salutes and/or challenges Ninsei, then disappears.
- A shugenja might summon illusions of the Gray Heron's ghost to haunt the castle.
During Intrigues the group's goal is to inflict Strife on Ninsei and cause him to Unmask in ways that either showcase his brutal nature or admit to the accusations implied against him.
When Ninsei's reputation has been sullied (or the PC's have almost caught the group), they me on to the assassination:
If the conspiracy has been mostly successful, one of the group reveals their identity to Ninsei in a private letter, then tries to incite him to attack them during a gathering of the court or other public event. When this happens, every other member of the conspiracy rushes to defend them and slay Ninsei in the process. Then they together try to convince the court of the righteousness of their actions.
If the conspiracy has been less successful, the group will approach Ninsei during the night to kill him in his sleep. Each will "accidentally" leave something implicating to be found on the crime scene.
In both cases they hope that the Lion Clan cannot demand justice because doing so would offend too many Great Clans.
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The key characters of my version of the adventure:
Akodo Ninsei, the Retired Commander
Stats: Venerable Provincial Daimyo (Core p. 315)
Demeanour: Wrathful (Fire +2, Air -2)
Ninjo: Finish his memoirs.
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- Master Strategist
- Disdain for Compassion
Background and Motive: As far as Ninsei is concerned, the events described above are ancient history. He has since retired from active command, having earned a cushy lordship position near the bustling Beiden Pass.
Ninsei is most concerned with finishing his memoirs before retiring to some monastery, remembered as one of the Lion's respected heroes.
Portraying Ninsei: At the start of the adventure Ninsei is sure of his position and doesn't expect danger: he's still fit enough to win a duel, and he's certain he can handle any shinobi who might try to take his life. He will present himself as calm, confident and even unsure on why there would be a plot against him.
As the attacks on his reputation build up, he grows more impatient, angry, and commandeering. His unmaskings are violent, explosive and aggressive.
Doji Aemi, the Esteemed Crane
Stats: Seasoned Courtier (Core p.313)
Demeanour: Numb (+1 Air/Water/Fire/Earth, -2 Void)
Ninjo: Assassinate Akodo Ninsei's reputation and then the man himself.
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- Kuge Lineage
- Colorblind
Background and Motive: Doji Aemi was the Gray Heron's elder child, and the only known survivor of the family's massacre. Her clan has urged her to move past her trauma, not seeing enough political gain on pursuing it any further. Aemi has pretended to obey her clan's wish and visibly has become the perfect Crane: courteous, beautiful and precise.
Despite her flawless facade she hasn't been able to let go of her grudge. This winter, seeing her chance, she has cashed in every favour she has gathered, contacted other people hurt by Ninsei has hatched this plan for revenge.
Aemi knows that whether she succeeds or fails she will be punished by her clan. If the conspiracy is threatened, she is intends to take all responsibility and end her life rather than return to her old life.
Portraying Aemi: Aemi presents herself as the perfect Crane: courteous, demure, and always ready with the perfect gift or favour. She will offer her aid to the PC's and others disconnected to the conspiracy, helping with poetry, giving gifting advice. Her help is always spot on, but hidden with subtle jabs towards Ninsei.
When Aemi unmasks, her facade of perfect control shatters: she reveals how driven she is by her revenge.
Bayushi Taheiji, the Observant Scholar
Stats: Loyal Bushi with Trickster Template (Core p. 312)
Demeanour: Obnoxious (+2 Water, -2 Earth)
Ninjo: Help Doji Aemi.
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- True Love (Brotherly love towards Doji Aemi)
- Out of his Depths
Background and Motive: Bayushi Taheiji was the Heron's younger child, believed dead and adopted by the Scorpion. He learned of his heritage only recently and sought out his sister Doji Aemi. Taheiji hasn't revealed his identity to her yet, nor the fact that he's more concerned for Aemi's wellbeing than revenge.
Portraying Taheiji: Taheiji is good at seeming like he knows more than he does, like he has the upper hand, like he's holding some hidden weapon right over your throat. He speaks little, allowing his opponent to speak themself to their grave.
When Taheiji unmasks, he reveals that he's a juggler trying to keep too many balls in the air. He speaks little, because he's not that elonguent with words. Ultimately he doesn't care about the conspiracy or hurting Ninsei, he just wants to save his sister.
Mozu the Ronin (Akodo Hiro)
Stats: Skillful Ronin (Core p. 316)
Demeanour: Distant (+1 Earth/Fire, -2 Void)
Ninjo: Make Akodo Ninsei understand what he did to Mozu.
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- Seasoned killer
- Jaded
Background and Motive: Formerly Akodo Hiro, Ninsei's younger brother, was an aspiring duelist who greatly admired the Gray Heron. He was shocked by the Heron's death in the duel, and while something seemed off in the match, he was able to accept it as part of the risks of duelling. His victory over the older Crane won him great esteem and fame, and for some years he revelled in his success, but eventually he found out about the truth behind his victory: the Gray Heron had been coerced to lose.
This shattered Hiro's world: he fled his clan, abandoned his name and became the ronin Mozu. Aemi found Mozu through happenstance (or fate). While Mozu has since ceased believing in justice, he agreed to Aemi's plan due to some lingering sense of guilt - and for the chance to meet his uncle after so many years.
Portraying Mozu: Mozu doesn't need to act: he has witnessed and done too much to believe in a samurai's honor. He's jaded, cynical and opportunistic: he wants to believe that even this conspiracy is just a way to get food and lodgings for the winter.
When Mozu unmasks his long-buried feelings rise up to the surface: he might reveal the shame he feels towards Ninsei's former actions, the grudge formed from the future he abandoned, or the guilt he feels towards Aemi. He might take drastic action if the plan advances too slowly for his tastes or show that the courageous and honorable Lion isn't completely dead - depending on how he's pushed.
Other Conspirators
These NPC's were not integral to the plot, but had close ties to my PCs. I recommend you add, remove or modify conspirators to suit your player party. In the best case scenario every PC knows someone involved in the conspiracy. They will provide avenues to find information and show a sympathetic side to the group that a traditional party will at first see as the clear villains.
Moto Khubilai, the Hopeful Wanderer
Stats: Loyal Bushi with Socialite Template (Core p. 312)
Demeanour: Emotional (Earth +2, Fire -2)
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- Creative Problem-Solver
- Gaijin Appearance
Background and Motive: Moto Khubilai had always been fascinated with Rokugan, and wanted to work towards integrating his clan to the other Great Clans. Khubilai worked as an Unicorn liaison and negotiator to Akodo Ninsei's retinue during the siege, and he was trapped in the castle when the Crane army set up their siege.
Khubilai spent great effort to ensure that the hostages were treated as well as their station demanded and that their and the Lion occupier's relations remained civil. As the siege went on and the hostages grew increasingly desperate in their imprisonment, Ninsei encouraged Khubilai to smuggle them out. It was Khubilai's sincere words that persuaded the Gray Heron's family to escape and it was Khubilai, who first realized the trap he had led them.
This incident soured Khubilai's reputation with both Lion and the Crane, and he was sent to preside over the Great Sand Road instead. Now Aemi has persuaded him to return and help her ruin Ninsei's reputation.
Yasuki Kako, the Cynical Merchant
Stats: Seasoned Courtier with the Sage Template (Core p. 313)
Demeanour: Ambitious (+2 Fire, -2 Water)
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- Shrewd Merchant
- Maimed Leg
Background and Motive: Yasuki Kako worked as a messenger during Akodo Ninsei's siege. It was she who delivered Ninsei's veiled threat to the Gray Heron, as well as delivering the Emperor's decision back to the besieged castle.
Unfortunately Kako came to deliver the message during a particularly chaotic attack: a stray arrow hit her horse and her leg was permanently wounded. She blames Ninsei for shattering her hopes and dreams and now intends to make sure Ninsei never achieves his goals.
Isawa Kurumi, the Inquisitive Shugenja
Stats: Scholarly Shugenja (Core p. 314)
Demeanour: Shrewd (+2 Air, -2 Fire)
Advantages&Disadvantages:
- Analytical Mind
- Soft hearted
Background and Motive: Isawa Kurumi has no horse in this race. She's a fairly-skilled shugenja with a taste for playing politics, who befriended Doji Aemi in some earlier Winter Court.
Aemi won Kurumi's loyalty by performing some favours for her that are not relevant in this adventure. Her part of the conspiracy was to summon a snowstorm that forced the different groups of this adventure to spend the winter in the Lantern Castle - thus giving the group the time and privacy needed to execute their plan.
With her part done Kurumi is bored. She's not nearly as good in the court as she believes, so she could be the weak link that allows the PCs to learn more about what's happening.
When I ran this adventure my group was first asked to deal with three rogue spirits that had gotten loose in the castle. They only learned about the conspiracy when following various people they suspected of being possessed. Kurumi was more involved in that adventure and acted as a link between the two going-ons.
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