Keeping the Peace

by Ben Frederiksen

A High-Rank Adventure for

Heroes of Rokugan: Champions of the Ivory Throne

Month of Shinjo, 1343 (Fall)

Module Number: CIT59

Release Date: 11/11/2021

Investigation, Combat
Part Three of Shadowed Dreams

You know what, this time it isn’t a vacation. This time it’s just more work. Sorry.

LEGEND OF THE FIVE RINGS is a registered trademark of Fantasy Flight Games. Scenario
detail copyright 2021 by the author and Fantasy Flight Games. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This
scenario is intended for tournament use only and may not be reproduced without permission.
This module is written for the Legends of the Five The PCs will be asked to deal with the first and
Rings Roleplaying Game Fourth Edition, originally second of these issues by a visiting Otomo. Along the
published by Alderac Entertainment Group. way they will be caught up in a massive riot and
hopefully deduce that a core problem is Nikushimi’s
Please refer to the Heroes of Rokugan 4: Champions devotees who have replaced the monks at the Shrine
of the Ivory Throne Campaign Primer for information of Peace and will stop him once he breaks through to
on how to run official campaign modules. In addition Ningen-do
to the basic setting information and house rules for
this campaign, it details the various administrative
Upkeep
necessities of the living campaign. GM reporting is
crucial to players’ ability to engage with the setting The events of the modules are certainly of primary
and to increase their characters’ influence. importance in the lives of the characters, but many of
them will have been working on a variety of tasks in
the times between modules. At the beginning of the
Adventure Background and module, several things will need to take place
(though some are obviously dependent on the actual
Summary needs of the PCs at the table).
200 years ago, the Rokugani conquered the city of
Balishnimpur. Shortly thereafter they contested with
Character Notes
The GM should take a few minutes to examine the
the dark lord Daigotsu and defeated him. During that
players’ character sheets in order to have an idea of
war the dark lord created a series of demons from the
the
fusion of baku (nightmare spirits) and oni - the Onisu.
nature of the PCs at the table, and take note of any
They were defeated and banished back to the realm
PCs
of dreams where they have been trapped ever since.
with the following:
One of those demons, Nikushimi, was carried to
● Heart of Vengeance (any), Balance, Languages:
Balishnimpur by a monk dedicated to the fortune of
Ivindi, Nemuranai weapons, Seven Fortune’s
peace, Shikan.
Blessing: Hotei
● Cursed by the Realm: Yume-do or Toshigoku,
For two centuries he was quiescent, but three years
Yume-do’s Judgement, Onisu’s Mark, Brash,
ago the monster was roused from his slumber by a
Driven, Nemesis
massive confluence of hate. With a renewed clarity
the monster began to cultivate strife within the city,
culminating in the dark ritual necessary to return it to News from the Empire
the waking world once again. While the GM is looking over sheets, it’s a good time
to distribute the first player handout of most modules.
Nikushimi’s presence has exacerbated three The News of the Empire is an overview of the recent
problematic conflicts within the city. events of the Empire in a fashion that shares the
First, tensions between the Lion and Crane have ongoing story with the playerbase without requiring a
rekindled, starting with a duel where Kakita Izo kills Skill Roll or interfering with the actual plot of the
Matsu Suisei, leading Ikoma Matsuro to seek revenge module.
in an escalating cycle of violence.
Second, the Mantis remain displeased with the Inactivity
Scorpion control of the city and the Scorpion likewise All PCs lose 2 pips of Glory.
hold a low opinion of the Mantis, especially after a This cannot reduce a PC’s Glory Rank to less than
small group of them attempted to rob a Scorpion their Insight Rank, and the Fame Advantage increases
vault during the battle with the maharaja’s forces. A their Insight Rank by one for these purposes.
group of ronin have robbed a Scorpion vessel and left
behind some ‘evidence’ pointing to the Mantis. This Taint Progression
will enflame the simmering tensions. If a PC possesses the Shadowlands Taint, they will
Finally, tension between the occupied populace and need to roll at the beginning of the module to see how
the Rokugani eventually culminates in a riot, which much it has grown over the intervening time since the
the cultists will use as cover to begin their ritual. last module. The TN of this raw Earth Roll is 25. If
a character is growing close to being Lost

Keeping the Peace 1

(Shadowlands Taint Rank 4.5+), it is recommended Uchi. So, samurai, how has your time back in the city
that the player have another PC ready to replace treated you? Any news from the homeland?
them. Everything I heard has been, well, it takes time to
receive news from home, and what we have heard
Crafting lately is muddled. I also confess that after a year in
The Crafting rules are detailed in the Campaign the kingdoms, I am anxious to return to the courts
Primer, based largely on the Crafting rules in the core and present my discoveries.”
book (page 258). Unless explicitly indicated
otherwise, a PC may only make one Crafting Roll per Otomo Ezume is curious about the PCs adventures,
module, and any Void Points or other character and especially politics in Rokugan. He has heard
resources (spell slots, Luck, etc) spent on the roll do vague rumours of disaster, but nothing concrete. He’ll
not refresh for the duration of the module. Any ask a few follow up or clarifying questions to
successful roll is noted on the provided sheet with the anything the PCs tell him.
description.
If the PCs ask him about the Ivory Kingdoms, he can
Preparation Techniques describe the latest politics in vague terms:
● Since the defeat of the Maharajah’s army
Techniques like the Agasha Shugenja or Yogo Wards
things externally have been quiet, if not
do not quite fall under Crafting, but still can benefit
necessarily peaceful.
from pre-planning and the Upkeep is a good
● The Scorpion governor Bayushi Kimitiko
opportunity. However, unlike Crafting, this is not the
has been trying to consolidate power in the
only time these Techniques may be used during a
city, but the Mantis have been doing their
module – this is just a chance for the GM to remind
best to push back. The Mantis still control
the players and get it out of the way.
the markets and docks, while the Scorpion’s
power is concentrated in the Noble district.
Ronin Survival ● Ezume has never heard of the Cult of
Life is difficult for ronin in the Empire at the best of Ruumal, if the PCs ask.
times. PC ronin are no exception to this. At the start ● Crime rates have been relatively steady;
of the module, any ronin PCs lose half of their koku. nothing that has risen to the level of
This cannot reduce their accumulated wealth below Ezume’s notice.
an ● The Lion and the Crane have been… testy
amount of bu equal to their highest Skill. lately. Of course, what with the upcoming
duel between Matsu Suisei and Kakita Izo,
Experience Expenditure that’s to be expected.
Finally, the players should be given one last chance to Ezume doesn’t remember what the duel is
spend any experience they wish before the module about, he wasn’t paying attention.
begins. Unless the module specifically allows it,
experience may not be spent during the adventure. If the PCs wish to know more about Ezume, he will
be very humble about his own role, and describe
Introduction himself as ‘a simple courtier, sent to find and bring
back interesting tea blends for my superiors in Otosan
Uchi’. This of course minimizes his specific role as
After accepting an invitation to visit the court held by
tea supplier to the Emperor and the imperial family.
the Otomo, you find yourself having tea on a
beautiful balcony, overlooking the Ume Yakamo. The
Once the PCs have had a little time to introduce
sea air is salty, but the breeze coming off the ocean is
themselves and explain recent proceed to Part One,
quite pleasant, as it drives off the normally sodden
the Duel.
stodgy haze of the afternoon in Balishnimpur. The
only thing marring the view is a single pier down
below you, currently sitting unoccupied. Part 1: The Duel
Otomo Ezume leans back in his chair and takes a Somewhere deeper within the building a gong
long sip of tea. “Ah, delicious. I simply must take a sounds, calling the court back to session.
supply of this back with me when I return to Otosan

Keeping the Peace 2

Ezume shakes his head and sighs, “I presume that “Now then, that matter I wanted to ask you about. A
must mean the duelists are ready. I was hoping they ship went missing. Well, we found the ship, it’s not
could resolve this amicably, but that was always a missing. But its crew and cargo are quite missing.”
fleeting chance at best.” He rises from his seat and
gestures, “Come along, if we don’t attend they will Assuming the PCs don’t just leave and want to know
gossip about us for weeks.” about the boat:
● What boat?
As you walk inside a ship in the blue and white of the “Its name is the Courser. No, not Corsair.
Crane slides nimbly up to the single pier as Ezume Though maybe Corsairs took the Courser,
ducks back into the building, passing through the haha. Oh, that’s probably not funny. It was
two-story court chamber maintained by the Otomo owned by a scorpion, Bayushi Amaya, and
family, into the large garden on the west side of the made runs between Balishnimpur and some
building. Spectators line the balconies which of the cities further down the coast to bring
surround the garden on two sides. in trade goods.”
Down below, a stocky man in the gold and brown of ● What happened to it?
the Lion and the mon of the Matsu glares at a tall thin “It was two days overdue to return when
man in the blue of the Crane. “Apologize for your they found her; she was berthed in a dock in
slander of my ancestors!” the lower quarter of the city. Crew missing,
The Kakita snaps back, “I said nothing that was not cargo missing. Nobody on board. Your guess
true.” is as good as mine I suppose.”
The two men step into the circle and take their ● What do you want us to do?
stances. The Lion glares daggers at the Crane, whose “Well, if you could find the responsible
face in return is almost a picture of calm. party, as well as what happened to the crew
Ezume whispers to a man in the colors of the Miya and cargo, that would be very handy.”
standing next to you, “Miya-san, what was this about ● Why are you asking us?
again?” “Because I’d like an impartial party to look
The Miya glares at the middle aged Otomo almost into it. The Scorpion and the Mantis, well,
disdainfully then gestures with his fan, “That is things are tense. There’s already gossip
Matsu Suisei, and the other man is Kakita Izo. Izo beginning to go around that it was Mantis
made some, well, remarks about the actions of a pirates that took the ship. The longer it goes
specific ancestor of Suisei, and Suisei did not take without resolution, the more rumors will
kindly to it. Then again, I probably would not take grow and tempers will flare.”
kindly to my grandfather being called a coward ● Do you have any leads?
either.” “None at all. An empty boat found at an
incorrect pier. It was pure luck that a passing
The two men circle, slowly at first. It is the Lion that patrol happened to remember the name and
makes the first movement; a short step in and a tiny reported it at all.”
initial draw, followed by an immediate step ● Who was the captain?
backwards, a common movement of the Hiruma A peasant, a man named Duro. Supposedly a
style. The Kakita seems to take the bait and begins quite experienced sailor.
his draw, while a tiny smile crosses the Lion’s face. ● Are we yoriki / is there a magistrate for this?
The smile does not last long; the Kakita checks his “Well, here’s the neat thing. I wanted
draw, clearly expecting this specific maneuver, and outsiders to take care of this so that there
the Lion steps forwards once again to make his own would be no accusations of bias, and it just
attack. Except he didn’t wait long enough. Instead of so happens an Emerald Magistrate is due to
missing, the Crane’s strike cut opens the Matsu’s arrive today, and he owes me a favor. So
throat. Blood stains the sand as the Lion collapses, officially he will investigate the matter. But
dead in an instant. frankly I’m not sure I trust him to get the job
done properly, so he will sit in the local tax
Fans snap into existence everywhere covering office and look at paperwork like a good
courtier’s faces and a few less-well-trained spectators little magistrate while you solve the
gasp audibly. Ezume turns away. “They’ll be talking problem.”
about that for weeks. A death in a first blood duel.” ● Has piracy been a problem lately?

Keeping the Peace 3

 “I have no idea.” ● 30: I heard there was a bit of a scuffle last week
● Does Amaya have any enemies? at The Copper Cup, but a lot of ronin hang out
“Yes, she’s a successful merchant patron, there so you can’t really be surprised.
she has many. But none that I think are ● 40: I visited the temple of peace the other day,
willing to hijack a ship and murder its crew. and it looks like they got a new abbot. He’s such
Her most capable competitor is Yoritomo a nice guy, gave me some excellent advice.
Rinako; they are both vying for control of
the same specific spice imported from the The Missing Boat:
southern tip of the kingdoms. Uhhhhh…
turmu…something yellow, I forget its The harbor district is home to the more official,
name.” populated, and regulated docks. Places that are clean
● Is this really important, given events on in and well-staffed. This isn’t those places. This is
Rokugan? where you dock a boat when you want fewer
“Well, I don’t have specifics about that, but questions asked, and where the price for silence is
tensions here are on a knife edge. The Crane lower. Apparently this dock was famous a few years
and the Lion have been at each other’s back; some gaijin landed here, and three samurai died
throats for weeks, as have the Scorpion and holding them off during the invasion.
Mantis. Everything is escalating, and I don’t
want this to be the strike that lights the A plaque with five samurai names on it is hangs from
tinder.” a post but it has clearly seen better days, just like the
● Will we be paid? (Ronin-only) rest of pier. Warehouses loom on both sides of the
“Oh, of course, here, this should be street, and only one boat is docked.
reasonable.” Ezume hands a pouch
containing 8 koku to each ronin. The Courser is a reasonably handsome boat all told,
not large enough to make the long open-ocean trips to
Part 2: Pirates? make it to the Islands of Silk and Spice or to take the
quick route back to Rokugan, but plenty large enough
to make runs up and down the coast of the kingdoms.
There are several locations the PCs could travel to
A pair of doshin wearing Scorpion badges sit on
start their investigation. Additionally, they can gather
crates in front of the boat, and snap to attention as
rumors at any time.
you arrive. “Uhhhh can we help you samurai? Afraid
you might have the wrong pier; this boat is Scorpion
Rumors property.”
The following information is available with a
Courtier (Gossip) / Awareness roll.
Presuming the PCs make any attempt to explain that
they’re magistrates, yoriki, or are otherwise
● 10: Did you see that duel earlier? I thought for
investigating how the boat ended up here, the
sure Matsu Suisei was going to win, but I never
peasants will happily let them look around. They
expected him to die! Izo is going to be
have no real information about the boat itself, they
insufferable now. Well, more than he already
work for the Scorpion and got sent down here to keep
was.
an eye on the boat until the investigation is complete
● 15: The Colonial Magistrates say there’s a crime
and a new crew is ready to take over the boat.
wave going on, but I’m not sure I believe that. I
haven’t seen any crime lately, nor have any of
The ship has three main areas of investigation that
my friends. This is probably just a play for more
might hold clues:
funding.
● 20: The Mantis have been very unhappy about
The Hold:
the Scorpion governor the last couple years.
Searching the hold is relatively straightforward, as it
Course, after the robbery I’m not sure the
currently completely empty. Investigation (Search) /
Scorpion are big fans of the Mantis either. Or
Perception:
maybe the Mantis don’t like being blamed for
● TN 5: Wow there’s nothing here.
the robbery. Glad it’s not my problem!
● TN 10: The hold has been thoroughly
emptied of everything of value. Everything

Keeping the Peace 4

 that wasn’t bolted down was taken, then
everything that was bolted down was
unbolted and then stolen.
● TN 15: There are a smattering of fresh
bloodstains on the walls, and a couple
bloody drag-marks on the floor. It looks like
at least some of the crew met their end in the
hold and were dragged out.
● TN 20: There is a single coin on the floor,
near one of the bloodstains. It’s local minted
Mantis currency.
● TN 25: There are drag marks on the
floorboards where crates or something else
heavy was moved, then a few floorboards
were taken up to search underneath them.
Whoever searched this hold was very
thorough.
● TN 40: Underneath the stairs there is a
low-quality sword, barely a katana at all. It
seems to have broken during the fighting
and been left behind.

Keeping the Peace 5

The Captain’s Cabin: Searching for witnesses to the boat’s arrival is not
The captain’s cabin is quite sparse by your standards easy since there isn’t a definite time frame when it
but was probably quite reasonable given that the docked. But it is possible to find a single old man that
captain was a peasant rather than a samurai. A simple happened to be nearby when the boat arrived –
desk lies on the floor, overturned, with all its drawers locating him requires either Courtier (Gossip) /
pulled out. There’s a simple cot in a corner which has Awareness at TN 35 or Lore: Underworld /
clearly been pushed aside. Awareness at TN 20. Speaking Ivindi gets a free
raise, as does each koku spent on bribes.
Investigation (Search) / Perception: The old man’s name is Samir, and he happened to be
● TN 10: There is dried blood on the floor, sitting outside whittling when the boat arrived. It was
with a drag mark leading to the wall by the dark, so he didn’t get a good look at the people that
window, and a small bloodstain on the disembarked, but they were definitely Rokugani,
windowsill. wearing long brown cloaks, and it looked like the
● TN 25: There are a couple scraps of green leader was a man in early 30’s or so. He tried to avoid
cloth snagged on a nail. gaining their attention, because they looked like
● TN 35: The green cloth was cut from trouble.
another garment before it snagged on the
nail, it was not torn. For the GM:
● TN 40: The captain’s log is underneath an The ship was taken by ronin, who had a shugenja for
overturned box. The last entry states that the support. They killed the crew, threw them overboard,
lookout sighted a blue and brown boat stole everything from the ship, did their best to scrub
heading straight for them. the crime scene, and left behind a couple fake clues
to throw investigators off their tail.
The Decks / Hull:
● TN 5: Wow there’s a lot of bloodstains on If the PCs notice the peculiar paint colors (blue and
the deck. There must have been a big fight. brown) and think to ask the dock workers (or similar)
● TN 15: There is a clear burn mark on the for ships fitting that description, they will suggest
deck. Something recently scorched a circle only one boat – The Hammerhead. A ronin owns it,
about 15 feet across on the bow of the ship. but they couldn’t say which one.
(Spellcraft / Intelligence at TN 15 – Likely
magic) If the PCs want to try to track stolen goods, Lore:
● TN 30: It looks like some attempt was made Underworld / Awareness at TN25 will bring up the
to clean up most of the signs of battle. name of ‘Toki’ at the Copper Cup as the person to
Whomever took the ship seemed incredibly ask about such things.
careful not to leave traces behind.
● TN 40: It looks like some paint scrapped off Note for the GM: If the PCs go to either Toki,
when the ship was boarded; it looks like the Hajime, or the Rakshasa after visiting the boat., make
other ship was painted brown and blue. a point of having the first NPC they go to ask about
the crew of the Courser. The clan samurai involved
Magical Investigation: don’t care about the crew or their fate, just the boat,
Magic can, where appropriate, reveal similar result as its cargo, and who is to blame, so it is worthwhile to
above. There are no useful water kami left aboard the have the non-clan-samurai make a point of asking
ship to provide visual evidence of the attack. If the about them; each of them knew people on the boat –
Earth kami of the boat itself are questioned, they can all were familiar with the captain, Duro, and will call
tell the shugenja that ‘Fire from the air, then ones of him a ‘good and honest man’.
strong earth joined us, spilled water from the earth of
those already with us, then gave the ones that were Bayushi Amaya:
with us to the water. Some left, some stayed, until we
returned to big earth then all left.” (The pirates used Locating the offices of Bayushi Amaya, owner of the
fire magic to halt the ship, then boarded, killed the missing ship is relatively straightforward; a few
crew, and took the vessel after dumping the bodies questions at the Otomo courts provides the answer.
into the sea). Shokin is a beautiful tea house in the noble district.
As you enter, a well-dressed peasant bows to you.
Looking for Witnesses:

Keeping the Peace 6

“Ah, samurai. Welcome to Shokin, I am Tomo. Do dedicated guards aboard. Piracy has simply
you have an appointment?” not been a concern before now.
● The Yoritomo have been agitating lately
Presuming the PCs explain that they have no against the Scorpion control of the city; they
appointment, Tomo will offer to make one for them, hate the Scorpion and have been
the soonest is in 4 months. undermining the governor’s position
If they explain they’re looking for Bayushi Amaya, whenever they can get away with it.
Tomo will explain that she is very busy, and send ● Ever since the battle three years ago there
them upstairs to wait. The PCs will find themselves have been a lot of ronin in the city; in the
waiting for 20 minutes before they’re invited into wake of the fight with the gaijin many of
Bayushi Amaya’s office. them stayed and set up organizations. In
If the PCs interrogate Tomo, he has worked at the tea Amaya’s opinion there’s too many of them
house for the past two years, Bayushi Amaya-sama for the stability of the city.
owns the tea house and works out of her office ● If the PCs don’t know where to start, she
upstairs, and as far as he is concerned she is an suggests starting with the boat if they
exceptional boss, and the job pays well. The tea haven’t, or asking the local ronin gangs if
house is quite popular and has a high-end clientele they have.
who don’t cause problems. ● If the PCs ask for a most likely suspect,
Amaya will suggest they investigate the
Bayushi Amaya is a well-dressed samuraiko who Yoritomo; the Mantis hate the Scorpion and
wears a very minimal mask; a single strip of cloth undermine the Scorpion position in the city
circles her forehead, with a small wooden frame whenever they can. Perhaps the Yoritomo
around her eyes and upper nose. could be attacking Scorpion ships or hiring
ronin to attack Scorpion ships.
Without looking up from her ledgers, she waves to a
set of chairs. “I am informed you are looking into the Yoritomo Rinako:
disappearance of my boat and my cargo. How can I
assist you?” From the simple wooden sign outside to the
understated hard woods and simple decorations, you
Bayushi Amaya is very busy but will answer the PCs might also not believe the small building in which
questions to the best of her ability if they seem like Yoritomo Rinako keeps her offices is a Mantis
they are focused on solving who attacked her ship holding. Almost. After waiting for 15 minutes in the
and stole her cargo. If it seems like the PCs are foyer, her personal office has the ostentation you
instead investigating her or insinuating that she have come to expect from a Mantis; a very ornate
attacked her own ship in some sort of scam, she will desk, gold inlays, and fashionable furniture.
become quietly hostile and if the PCs persist she will Rinako is a woman in her late 20’s and places a
ask them to leave. ledger book into her desk as you enter. “Can I help
you samurai? I am informed you are looking for a
Things she knows: lost boat, and I am afraid there are very few boats
● The Courser’s route is to travel to several inside this office. On the other hand, if you are
cities in the southern Ivory Kingdoms and looking for spices, sugar, and precious stones, you
pick up spices and textiles. have come to precisely the right place.”
● Her primary competitor on the trade route is
Yoritomo Rinako. The two do not get along, If the PCs insinuate that Rinako hijacked the Courser
but it has not gotten to outright hostility; (or is otherwise a pirate or funds piracy), she will
Amaya finds Rinako rude and boorish. politely but firmly ask that they leave.
Further, she thinks Rinako overstates her Otherwise, she’ll be guarded but grudgingly helpful:
income for the sake of appearances; her ● She doesn’t know who attacked the Courser.
trade has been less profitable than Amaya’s ● Rinako thinks Amaya probably faked the
lately. loss of the Courser to avoid paying taxes on
● The ship had only minimal guards; the crew her imports. Further, she anticipates Amaya
was entirely peasants. A few had combat will try to blame her (Rinako) for the loss,
training but there were no samurai or since Amaya hates the Mantis.

Keeping the Peace 7

 ● Pirates were not an issue on kingdoms trade ivindi population of the city, given the evident traffic
routes until very recently. She has started in and out of its front doors.
putting guards on all her ships as a
precaution, though she has yet to suffer any Inside the smells of cooking food waft to your nose,
attacks. your reaction of course depending on whether you
● Rinako blames the Scorpion for the care for the cuisine of the Ivory kingdoms and your
increased tension; they are spreading into tolerance for spice. A few patrons noticeably react to
markets and territory that has always been your presence, among them the bartender, but most
the domain of the Mantis. seem far more interested in their meals than in the
● She will only admit it under very direct presence of a few samurai.
questioning, but her profits have gone down
lately – Scorpion competition is cutting into The bartender, in heavily accented Rokugani, does
her margins. his best to greet you. “Are you here for lunch? We
● Rinako believes Amaya is in trouble have the most excellent curry in the city.”
financially; the margins on her trade routes
are not particularly high and losing a ship If the PCs ask the bartender about the local gangs, he
could force her out of the spice trade will do his best to act like he has no idea what they’re
altogether. Amaya will likely be forced to talking about, but any amount of prodding at all will
soon do something drastic. result in him sending them upstairs, to private room
● She hires ronin frequently; there aren’t on the left of the hallway.
enough Mantis samurai to perform all the Other than that, he refuses to say anything about The
work, and frankly a good amount of it she’d Rakshasa or the local gangs. He can provide a variety
rather have expendable guards than explain of delicious food recommendations, even if they are a
to higher ups in the clan why she lost both a little spicy for the average Rokugani palette.
ship or caravan and a group of bushi. It’s
much easier to recoup money than samurai. A group of men lounge in the large private room,
● She has done business with two ronin bands, plates of partially eaten food in front of them as you
the Tiger Sharks and the Red Sashes. She enter.
hired both through a contact, Hajime, at the They look up, a few of them speak hushed words in
Copper Cup. They were hired to provide Ivindi, and the man sitting in the center waves a hand
security to various ventures. at you, “Ah, samurai. How can the Rakshasa be of
● She once considered using local Ivindi as use to you today? What is so important that you
guards, but she doesn’t trust them. disrupt my meal?”
● If asked about buying or selling stolen or
otherwise questionable goods, she claims The Rakshasa is a local gang leader, but he is fully
not to deal in such things (this is a lie, aware that he hasn’t personally committed any crimes
Investigation (Interrogation)/ Awareness at the PCs can pin on him (absent lying, of course), so is
TN 35). Regardless she will never admit somewhat difficult to intimidate.
buying stolen goods. He also doesn’t feel particularly compelled to share
information unless the PCs give him a reason why
Ivindi Gangs: doing so would help him. If they can convince him to
assist, he will answer as follows:
Finding the hideout of the local Ivindi gang is ● Why are you called ‘The Rakshasa’?
non-trivial. Most Rokugani aren’t aware of its Because I am an immortal shape shifting
location and don’t care, while the local Ivindi tiger demon. (This is probably a lie) Or
population is recalcitrant to talk about it with maybe it’s just a name that sounds neat.
samurai. A Courtier (Manipulation) / Awareness roll ● Do you know anything about a ship named
at TN 50 is required to get them to divulge the The Courser?
location, or Lore: Underworld / Awareness at TN 30. “Never heard of it” (This is the truth)
Speaking Ivindi grants a +10 bonus on either roll. ● What do you do?
“We have a variety of legitimate business
‘The Amber’ is a restaurant of, well, dubious concerns (this is mostly true). We build
provenance, but it appears to be well favored by the houses, we make sure neighborhoods are

Keeping the Peace 8

 safe, we convince nosy people to mind their don’t know where the warehouse is, but I
own business.” know that someone who does probably
● Do you know about any local pirates? spends their time at the Copper Cup. That
“I avoid dealing with pirates. Samurai care a person might be Toki.”
lot about pirates. I find that I do best when I ● Do you know of any Rakshasa in the city?
stay away from things that samurai care or similar accusations of being in league
about. The samurai hate my people. I stay with other Rakshasa:
far from people that hate me if I can. You “It is well established that we Rakshasa are
would have better luck talking to some of solitary creatures. Besides, it’s just a title.
your ronin, or maybe some of your clan Don’t be so literal.”
samurai.”
● Do you know if the Mantis have any pirate If things have started to heat up between the
crews? Rokugani and the gaijin (see Part 3), The Rakshasa
“Yes. But only one or two and as far as I will be a little more circumspect in his answers, but
know they only hit high value ships. They claim he has nothing to do with the violence.
keep an exceptionally low profile. Most of Violence is bad for business. If they want his help
the crews I know are ronin, though some of lowering the temperature of the situation, that will
them take contract work.” either be costly (20 koku), or require a good
● Do you know anything about the local ronin argument (Courtier (Manipulation) / Awareness at TN
gangs? 45) as to why it’s in his interest to stick his neck out
“Yes. There are a lot of them. Some of them instead of laying low until everything blows over.
work for samurai and some of them are If the PCs convince the Rakshasa to help diffuse
criminals. Some of them stay out of my way tensions, the Riot in Part 7 will not include nearly as
and some of them are stupid. I’m afraid many Ivindi (see that part for more specifics).
you’ll need to be more specific.” If the PCs try to arrest him or simply attack him
● Where can I learn more about the local (perhaps on suspicion of being a Rakshasa), he will
ronin? dive out a window and disappear into the crowd via
“Well, I’d start at the Copper Cup. Many of shapeshifting the moment he is out of sight.
your ronin congregate there. Some looking If the PCs give the Yasuki’s name to The Rakshasa,
for work, some hiring, some spending their Saro will be found dead a few days later.
money. Hajime is the person to ask.”
● Where are stolen goods bought and sold? The Copper Cup:
“That is a dangerous question. Why should I
answer it?” When you first heard about the Copper Cup, you
It is entirely up to the PCs to give a good probably expected a small, dingy, run-down
reason why the Rakshasa should help. Any establishment full of ronin, foreigners, and other
reasonable explanation should be accepted. criminals.
“There is a man at the Copper Cup named And you’d have been partially right; this large,
Toki, ask him.” bright, well-maintained building is certainly full of
● Do you know anything about the ronin gang ronin, foreigners, and other people that are probably
called the Tiger Sharks? criminals.
“Yes. But I avoid talking about things that
might come back my way. What’s in it for The main room has an exceptionally tall ceiling
me?” giving it an air of openness, and a walkway rings the
Presuming the PCs either make a good upper level, looking down onto the dining room with
argument why he should help or bribe him doors leading to what are presumably private rooms.
(5 koku) – “They run a warehouse up in the The room is noisy without being raucous, and a
merchant district, as well as a couple boats. server greets you just inside the door with a polite
They are a ‘shipping concern’ if you catch nod. “Greetings, samurai-sama, welcome to the
my drift. That is, if you’re doing any Copper Cup. Please, allow me to stow your things for
shipping, you should be concerned about you. Would you like a table, a dining room, or
them. They don’t normally mess with people perhaps is your party already here? I’m afraid it is
that are likely to have real guards though, quite busy today.”
they probably couldn’t handle a big job. I

Keeping the Peace 9

 ● If the PCs are looking for the Tiger Sharks’
There are two useful NPC’s in this building: den, she can point them to the warehouse
Toki – The fence they use as an office.
Hajime – The contract broker ● If the PCs want honorable ronin, the
Panthers and Nine Brothers are the most
If the PCs make clear who (or what) they’re looking dependable. If they want “honorable” ronin,
for, the server will send them to the appropriate NPC. then the Red Sashes and the Tiger Sharks
If they’re just looking for general information, they work best with clients that ask few
should be routed to Hajime, since Toki generally clarifying questions.
doesn’t like random samurai attention. ● If the PCs ask her about the colors of boats
owned by the ronin, the Tiger Sharks ships
Hajime the Mako and the Hammerhead are both
blue and brown, whereas the Nine Brothers
The server leads you to a large table in a corner of the boat is green.
main room, where a middle-aged woman is, for lack ● The only ronin band that has a shugenja are
of a better term, holding court. the Tiger Sharks.
● If a PC asks her about the Topaz Serpents,
A variety of ronin and well to do merchants surround she will say that she does not work with
the table, but part as you approach. With a wave from them because they have a reputation for
the woman, clearly meant as a dismissal, they fall being unreliable.
back, making space for you to sit.
Toki
“Ah, samurai, have a seat. How can Hajime help
you? Looking to hire for a job perhaps? Something The server leads you upstairs to a side room, where a
you need guarded, or transported?” particularly unkempt ronin waits outside the door.

Hajime acts as a broker for several of the local ronin They hurry away while the ronin looks you up and
groups; she specializes in matching clients needing down for a moment, then grunts and slides the door
samurai, usually guards, with various ronin open.
organizations.
If there are any ronin PCs in the group, she will A well-manicured man with excellent hair and a
inquire if they’re looking for work. stylish black mask, who if you weren’t positive was a
● The city has been getting very tense lately, ronin from his brown unadorned kimono, you would
which has been very good for ronin instantly assume is a Scorpion, sits behind a table,
business. The samurai and gaijin hate each sipping a cup of tea and reading over what look to be
other, which means lots of guard jobs. The financial documents.
Mantis and the Scorpion hate each other,
which means lots of guard jobs and “guard He pushes them aside with a tiny flourish and nods to
jobs”. There is lots of koku to be made. you. “Good afternoon samurai. How can Toki assist
● The local ronin bands that she works with of you today? Are you in the market to purchase a rare
note are the Red Sashes, the Tiger Sharks, curio from the kingdoms? Or perhaps you have some
the Panthers, the Silver Monkeys and the gift you need exchanged for a different one of
Nine Brothers. appropriate value?”
● The Tiger Sharks and Nine Brothers have
ships, the others do not. The Red Sashes and Toki is a skilled fence through whose hands pass a
Panthers specialize in guard duty, and the significant fraction of all stolen goods in the city. He
Silver Monkeys are excellent pathfinders will of course never admit to any crimes or
who are very familiar with the jungle, so are knowledge of criminal activity, especially to samurai,
excellent for any work that leaves the city. and is careful to frame all his transactions as ‘gifts’ to
● She is not directly aware of any criminal avoid giving offense.
activity that the various bands engage in. Likewise, Toki will be very careful to never give the
PCs cause to arrest him; he will not directly admit to
participation in any illegal actions. (Note: Possession

Keeping the Peace 10

of stolen property is not inherently illegal in The Temple of Peace is a relatively new structure
Rokugan) within the city; it was constructed in the wake of the
● Toki either brokers or is aware of most sales attacks three years ago and once you step foot inside
of stolen goods in Balishnimpur. He still gleams like new.
obviously does not say out-loud this to The outer shrine features a variety of plaques in both
Honorable Samurai. the Rokugani and Invidi languages, and a few Invidi
● If the PCs are either looking for ‘interesting wander the hall, reading and observing the statues. A
art’ or ‘gaijin curios’, Toki will happily cynical person would say this was a ploy to paper
arrange an exchange for them, entirely legal over the disagreements between the native Ivindi and
of course. the new Rokugani masters of the city. But cynicism is
● There have been a lot of thefts lately of dishonorable so we would never say that out loud.
increasingly high-profile goods in the city.
Toki is worried that things are getting too A monk with a very plain brown robe soon shuffles
hot and will soon draw an organized forwards to greet you. “Welcome samurai, to the
crackdown from the magistrates. temple of Shikan, fortune of Peace. Have you come
● If you ask him, the Scorpion have been on to learn about the fortune, or perhaps for some advice
the wrong end of an awful lot of thefts on embracing peace in your life?”
lately. Someone must really hate them.
Wonder what that will mean for the city.
● A certain group recently asked for help Note: These monks will not react negatively to a PC
moving a large quantity of gaijin spices and with the Cast Out disadvantage.
dry goods. Toki arranged a suitable
exchange with a Mantis, and then the ronin If the PCs ask about the fortune, the monks will
cut him out of the deal. explain that Shikan is the fortune of peace, and his
Toki is not happy about this and once he worship is self-reflective; the samurai should be
realizes that the PCs are investigating the meditative about what things in their life prevent
matter he will promptly throw both parties them from achieving peace, and then remove or
under the bus – Itachizame sold the goods to resolve those conflicts.
Yoritomo Rinako. One might point out that this is hypocritical, since
If the PCs happen to have the cargo manifest resolving those conflicts could result in a lack of
from the Courser, he can tell them that it’s peace, which the monks will of course note that the
the same list of goods. pursuit of true peace sometimes requires conflict,
since pacifism endorses the status quo, which is
For a “reasonable” sum of koku (5) he will seldom peaceful, and allows those that would exploit
also divulge the location of the Tiger Shark’s that pacifism to prosper and do harm.
warehouse. Otherwise, the PCs are free to wander the temple,
learn about Shikan, and read the plaques dedicated
If the PCs are at all interested, Toki is willing to sell the various triumphs of peace over violence, and
them various objects of art (paintings, statues, etc) of cooperation over conflict.
both Rokugani and Gaijin origin. He’s certainly not
going to sell anything of more dubious legality to If a PC asks the monks for advice, their advice should
clan samurai. encourage the PC to meet their conflicts head-on and
push past them, or to think deeply about the sources
If the PCs try to arrest Toki, he goes along quietly of strife in their life (and then address those sources
without saying anything, but coincidentally a colonial of strife head-on).
magistrate (Yoritomo Yoshida) will swiftly arrive
with orders to release him before he can be GM’s Note: These monks have given up on the idea
questioned. Toki will disappear into the underworld of pacifistic peace and instead focused on
for the remainder of the mod. peace-through-resolution-of-conflicts. This has led
them to embracing increasingly dangerous ideas,
The Temple of Peace: ideas which they keep very quiet about in case a PC
decides to push them on the topic. They have been
corrupted by Nikushimi, Onisu of Hate.

Keeping the Peace 11

Their plan is to cause conflict by subtly advising of the Kami) or mundane Medicine (Wound
parishioners to face the things that are ‘keeping them Treatment) / Intelligence at TN 40 will be required to
from peace’ and confronting or overcoming them. save his life.
If he lives, Kandra is very thankful, but has no other
-------------------------------------------------------------- wisdom to give regarding the PC’s investigation. He
was just a random person in the street.
After the PCs have done some initial investigation Saving Kandra is an H8 honor gain for Compassion.
(visiting one or two locations), interject with Part
Three. They will be allowed to continue their After this event, the PCs are free to continue their
investigation into any of the prior locations at their investigation (See Part 2).
whim until they feel confident to make an arrest.
If the PCs wish to chase down the cart, they can catch
Once the PCs are confident in making an arrest, a glimpse of a Crab samurai riding within as it
proceed to part 4. trundles away through the twisting streets. Following
it requires Hunting (Tracking) / Agility at TN 30.
Part 3: Hey, I’m walkin’ here. If the PCs want to track down the cart after it has
gone, doing so will take either Lore: Underworld /
As you travel through the merchant district, the Awareness at TN 20, a series of bribes (3 koku), or a
constant flow of people is strikingly reminiscent of series of interviews with not-entirely-friendly locals
the largest and busiest cities of Rokugan, such as and Investigation (Search) / Awareness at TN 30.
Ryoko Owari. Every street is filled with peasants,
samurai, and Ivindi, all trying to make their way The samurai in the cart:
about their business. There are shops and stalls where
merchants hawk wares, and the noise is constant. Sitting on his cart, a well to do samurai merchant
patron in the blue and grey of the Crab inspects his
Well-dressed samurai pass in palanquins, carts, or on cargo, making notes on a piece of paper as he does
foot and are given as much space as the congested so.
lanes allow. Peasant and Ivindi on the other hand tend
to be forced into regular contact, elbow to elbow as The bloodstain on the wheel is still visible, though it
they cross past one another. seems to have escaped the notice of the Yasuki driver.
The intersection between two thoroughfares is He looks up as you approach, “Uhhh, can I help you,
jammed with people, young and old, as the cart of a samurai? I’m afraid I have nothing for sale at the
clearly wealthy samurai trundles forwards. The moment; these goods are already spoken for. But
people make way, at least, most of them. As the cart perhaps I can take an order if there is something
crosses past, an ivindi man of advanced years fails to specific you’re looking for? Actually… I probably
move from its path in time, and the driver of the cart can’t. I can never get products here in reasonable
makes no attempt to turn aside or stop. times. I hate this place, it’s impossible to do
business.”
With a crunch, the old man collapses behind a wheel
of the cart, which continues forwards and on its way,
This is Yasuki Saro, he sells furniture.
not slowing or stopping. The crowd draws back,
afraid or unwilling to approach the obviously dying
● He did not realize he hit someone with his
man.
cart. If confronted with that fact he will be
Within moments the intersection is nearly empty.
slightly remorseful, but will refuse to accept
‘blame’, especially if the PCs are aggressive
If they choose to render aid to the injured guru, they about it. It was an accident.
will gain a free raise when dealing with Invindi He will absolutely refuse if they try to arrest
NPC’s for the remainder of the module, but that alone him, and demand to speak first with the
will not defuse the tensions. Crab delegate.
The man’s name is Kandra, and he is a guru, a mystic ● He has no idea about any crime going on in
something like a priest or monk. He is dying from his the city; he’s just trying to make money
injuries, and either a very powerful water spell (Peace

Keeping the Peace 12

 because that’s his duty, and everything he mustache. “Samurai, what can the colonial
does is above-board. magistrates do for you today?”
● If the PCs suggest he make restitution, he
will suggest making a ‘reasonable donation’ Seppun Nakago is very well informed about crime in
to the family, but beyond that will be the merchant district and sees it as his job to keep the
resistant to taking any action. The law peace and facilitate commerce. He never takes bribes
doesn’t require him do, and besides they and never does anything under the table (and attempts
were ‘just gaijin’. The gaijin here hate the to bribe him will get the PCs thrown out of his
samurai so why should he go out of his way. office).
Of course, it was terrible that someone died, If the PCs wish to compare notes on cases, he can tell
but people should stay out of the way of his them that the local gangs with the most penchant for
cart. The middle of the street is for carts, trouble are the Red Sashes, the Tiger Sharks, and the
pedestrians should stay on the sides. Topaz Serpents. None of them have done enough that
● If the PCs convince him to pay restitution, he has had cause to take structural action against
he will pay 5 koku and write out a receipt. them, just occasional run-ins with individual
This is a tax writeoff, after all. members and implications of great problem-causing.
If the PCs are having trouble locating the Tiger
How the PCs wish to deal with Saro is up to them, Sharks, he can point them at their warehouse or their
but if they try to impose legal consequences on him normal gathering spot (the Copper Cup).
he will fall back on the Crab embassy who will
protect him. If the PCs are concerned about tension between the
Rokugani and the Ivindi, Nakago could be convinced
Lowering Tensions: to loosen up enforcement of minor violations
temporarily, but he really dislikes that idea and
At this point tensions between the Ivindi and the convincing him to do so requires Courtier
Rokugani will rise. If they visit the Rakshasa the (Manipulation) / Awareness at TN 45. Persuasive
diners will either look more angrily at them or more appeals to the greater good of maintaining order in
actively avoid looking at them entirely (though they the city or similar should gain a free raise or two,
will not take direct action). The PCs can defuse the depending on the quality of the argument. Having
situation by either getting The Rakshasa’s help (see identified Yasuki Saro as the owner of the cart grants
Part 2) or by convincing the local magistrates to an extra raise as well, since it allows Nakago to be
apologize and ease up on the Ivindi. more precise in his remediation.

This will require a visit to the local Colonial GM’s Note: Diffusing tensions in this way is entirely
Magistrate responsible for the merchant district, optional. The PCs are entirely free to skip visiting the
Seppun Nakago. Seppun or the Rakshasa.

The local offices of the Colonial Magistrates are

extremely clean and tidy; they would be the envy of
Part 4: Arresting the Guilty?
any post in Rokugan, let alone Balishnimpur. Yoriki
busily and efficiently file paperwork, and at least one Once the PCs have arrived at a conclusion about how
is questioning a local ronin about something. they want to resolve the investigation into the
Courser, proceed to the appropriate location.
After a few moments, a doshin leads you into Seppun If the PCs want to talk to Ezume or Saito for advice
Nakago’s office, an exceptionally organized room before making an arrest, both are quite busy at their
with the shelves on two walls containing respective tasks, but will reply by note that the PCs
meticulously organized files, and the rear wall should make the appropriate arrest at their discretion.
dominated by a map of the district, with push pins
evidently donating the locale of recent crimes. If the PCs try to arrest a ronin gang other than the
Tiger Sharks, that gang will come quietly while
Nakago looks up from a report he was clearly in the protesting their innocence. If pressed, they will
middle of writing and regards you with dark eyes suggest that the Tiger Sharks are the most likely
which sit above a hawk-like nose and a sharp culprit. If the PCs are adamant, then the ronin will be

Keeping the Peace 13

executed and Ezume happy that the investigation was
completed. “I’m afraid you’re much mistaken. Of which I’m sure
my compatriots can convince you.” The ronin smirks
and begins to rise to his feet, his hand going to a
Arresting the Tiger Sharks: sword.

The docks are dingy and even the ocean breeze The ronin behind the desk look back and forth, then
somehow feels dirty. The sign above the warehouse at Itachizame. One puts a hand on his shoulder,
with a crude drawing of what you assume is a shark pressing him back down into his chair. “Sorry boss,
sways as the ronin at the gate look back and forth we don’t get paid enough to fight magistrates.”
before admitting you, the calculus of whether to The other looks straight at you, “Boss has another
refuse entry to a group of samurai plain on their crew and a boat, the Hammerhead, they was the ones
faces. that hit your ship.”
With a final nod, the guards file out the back door of
Climbing a staircase to the office overlooking the the office. “We’ll see you around.”
warehouse floor brings you to a large waiting room “Get back here! There’s more of you than of them!
where a group of armed ronin loiter, clearly having Bah. The Scorpion and the Mantis hate each other; all
been called up as news of your arrival flashed you had to do was not interfere so we could collect
through the compound. some table scraps while they burn each other to ash.
But even that was too much to ask.”
The leader of the ronin, Itachizame, sits behind his He sighs and slumps down in his chair.
desk, with another pair of ronin flanking him. “All you samurai are the same, hate us ronin for no
“Samurai, what brings you to my office this good reason, keep your boots on our necks, then the
afternoon?” moment things turn about its us that takes the fall.”

The PCs can question Itachizame if they wish, but he The colonial magistrates easily locate the
will be evasive and unhelpful. If he thinks the PCs Hammerhead and round up its crew.
might be wavering on arresting him, he will Furthermore, a cursory search of Itachizame’s office
‘helpfully’ suggest that Yoritomo Rinako is the turns up a note with the anticipated course of the
culprit. After all, she has the cargo of the Courser at Courser. The note has no name on it.
her office (this is true but misleading; Itachizame sold
it to her). If the PCs bite, he’ll offer testimony that Arresting Yoritomo Rinako:
the ship was taken by her boat the Tsuretsu. This is Rinako is working at her offices in the nice part of
partially true; he believes Rinako engages in piracy the Merchant Quarter.
with her ship the Tsuretsu, but he knows the Tsuretsu
did not take Courser. Interrogation (Interrogation) / While the building’s exterior seems unusually simple
Awareness at TN 20 reveals that he is either lying or and plain for a Mantis holding, the offices within are
shading the truth. exactly what you’d expect.
If they don’t bite on that, but he thinks the PCs still
might let him off the hook, he will offer that he got an Yoritomo Rinako looks exceptionally perturbed when
anonymous tip about where the Courser would be. He you enter her luxuriously appointed office.
suspects it came from Rinako, which is why she was
so eager to buy the cargo afterwards. “What is the meaning of this? How dare you barge
into my offices!”
Fundamentally, Itachizame is an idiot, and should
give appropriately stupid answers or transparent lies.
If the PCs try to arrest her, she will loudly protest her
His objective should be to give the PCs probable
innocence, but will not resist with violence.
cause to arrest Rinako instead of him but do so in
Searching the building will turn up a set of crates
such a poor fashion that it’s very unlikely he will
bearing goods that match the lost cargo of the
succeed or fail to arouse the PC’s suspicions.
Courser, some of which have obviously had symbols
scratched off. Careful inspection (Investigation /
Presuming the PCs attempt to arrest him, react
Perception, TN 20) will reveal that the removed
negatively to his bribe attempt, or otherwise
symbols are clearly Scorpion.
pronounce his guilt:

Keeping the Peace 14

If asked about them, Rinako will loudly exclaim that Ezume is interrupted by a loud stomp from the court
she purchased them legally from some ronin gang in below. All eyes go to a large Ikoma samurai as
the city, the Tiger Sharks. conversation snaps to a halt.
The man bellows, “Kakita Izo! You must answer for
If the PCs persist in arresting her, she will come your prior words, and for your obvious malfeasance
along quietly, then demand a duel to prove her in your duel with Matsu Suisei! His death was clearly
innocence. intentional, and in violation of your agreements! The
A PC will need to accept, since Saito is a shugenja Lion demand satisfaction!”
and cannot duel himself, or the PCs will need to let
her go. The courtiers all look to Kakita Izo, who had been in
Her champion’s stats are in Appendix 1. the middle of a conversation with a group of Unicorn
Blaming it on a Scorpion Trick: samurai. He seems unconcerned as he lazily waves a
hand at the Lion, “No, I do not. I owe you nothing of
Returning to Bayushi Amaya’s office above the tea the kind, Ikoma-san. Take your complaints
house Shokin, you brush past the well-dressed elsewhere, I have no obligation to duel you.”
peasant waiter at the front door that tries to flag you
down. That was evidently not the response the Lion was
expecting as he stares dumbfounded. A moment
Bayushi Amaya, still in her office, looks up at you passes before rage consumes his expression, “The
from her ledgers. “Has there been any progress?” Lion will not stand for this, Crane! I will have
satisfaction!”
If the PCs accuse Bayushi Amaya of staging the theft,
she will be extremely displeased, and demand they The Ikoma turns on his heel and storms out of the
either apologize or back their words with steel (only hall as the court explodes into whispered gossip. Izo
to first blood). seems completely unconcerned as he goes back to his
If the PCs accept the duel and prove victorious, conversation.
Otomo Ezume will accept this as the clear outcome, a
Scorpion trick. Otherwise, the PCs will have to Otomo Ezume rubs the bridge of his nose. “This
continue their investigation and find another culprit. could get bad. But I suppose that is a problem for
See Appendix 1 for Bayushi Amaya’s dueling others to resolve. Out of curiosity, who was
statistics. responsible for the loss of the Courser?”
---------------------------------------------------------------
Ezume will listen patiently to the PC’s explanation of
After someone is successfully blamed and the the Courser crime.
mystery ‘solved’ proceed to Part 5. Afterwards, he will ask them a further favor. If the
PCs decline to help Otomo Ezume, then proceed to
Part 7 as the riots break out. Otherwise:
Part 5: I’m getting tired of
court Ezume nods solemnly. “Thank you for bringing that
to a conclusion.”
With your investigation concluded, finishing up the
reports finds you once more on the balcony above the “While you were working, there was a… minor issue
courts of the Otomo and in the company of Otomo in court. A group of Mantis and Scorpion got into a
Ezume. Ezume looks pleased as he turns away from very heated discussion. I anticipate there will be
the railing where he was watching the activities down another duel soon.”
in the great hall below.
“I looked into the matter, because frankly this degree
“I heard you that you managed to bring this matter to of acrimony is unusual. It seems the schism
a close. I knew asking a group of neutral outside originated in the aftermath of the battle with the
parties to resolve it was the correct course. Out of gaijin three years ago. A group of samurai,
curiosity…” supposedly mostly mantis, took some objects from
the Governor’s personal vault.”

Keeping the Peace 15

“As far as I can find, they all died during or soon ● Who were the Scorpion and Mantis having a
after the battle. The Mantis claim they were acting disagreement earlier?
against orders and that all the stolen items were Shosuro Kano and Yoritomo Masamu.
returned. It took some digging, but the Scorpion think
one item, some scrolls, are still missing.”
Part 6: Everyone hates
“The Scorpion blamed the Mantis and sought
reprisal. The Mantis denied it and responded in kind. Scavenger Hunts
I am concerned that the acrimony over the ship is
only the latest in a long line of disagreements.” If the players find themselves truly lost, feel free to
trigger Part Seven.
Ezume sighs and runs a hand over his forehead and
then through his hair, “Nothing has been put to rest. Note: If the PCs decide to ask the Scorpion Governor,
Everything escalates, uncontrolled. It will get worse, Bayushi Kimitiko about the scroll, her office will
and right now we don’t need worse. I want you to inform them that she is currently very busy, and an
find out what happened. If you can, find them and appointment can be made for a few weeks from now.
bring them here. Preferably before either the Lion
and the Crane or the Scorpion and Mantis light the
city on fire. I’ll handle it from there.” Yoritomo Masamu:
● What’s going to happen with the Lion and
Crane? Yoritomo Masamu is an easy man to find.
Matsuro will demand a blood feud. The The nervous looking Mantis paces back and forth in a
Lion delegate will approve, and then the meeting room off the court when you arrive. A
lobbying will begin to persuade the Crane variety of books sit in a stack.
delegate to authorize it.
Or Matsuro won’t wait, and we’ll have “Oh, uhhh good afternoon. I’m a bit uhmmmm busy.
blood in the streets. I mean, forgive my manners, would you uhhh like
● Why are the Lion and Crane so some tea?”
antagonistic?
The Lion have had a rather pointed His hands shake slightly as he pours tea from the pot
disagreement with the Crane since the sitting on the table into cups for all of you. It has
founding of the empire. It does not help that clearly been sitting out a while as the courtier barely
Kakita Izo’s tongue is as sharp as his blade. avoids making a face as he takes a sip, then pushes
● What do you know about the stolen items? his cup aside.
From what I could find, it was originally a
large sum of money, an ancient gaijin sword,
Yoritomo Masamu has been blamed by a local
and a set of scrolls. The money and sword
Scorpion, Shosuro Kano, with being linked to the
were returned. The scrolls apparently were
vault robbery. Kano has been leaning hard on
not.
Masamu’s allies and trade interests to pressure him,
I don’t know what it on them and the
and Masamu is very close to cracking.
Scorpion have not been particularly
However, Masamu had nothing to do with the
forthcoming with details, but it was
robbery and knows nothing about it. He’s been
something important to them.
investigating without success lately because he
● Where should we look for the scrolls?
believes that if he can just find something to give
It’s been three years since they were last
Kano the Scorpion will leave him alone.
seen. I have no idea. Perhaps the Mantis or
Scorpion that were just arguing about it may
If the PCs take an aggressive approach Masamu will
know more.
snap and start yelling at them angrily that he knows
● Do you know what happened to the thieves?
nothing and to leave him alone. If they take a
As far as I can tell they all died during or
conciliatory or understanding one, he’ll tell them
soon after the battle with the gaijin. Most
what he knows.
were Mantis, but the clan disavowed their
actions.

Keeping the Peace 16

 ● Masamu’s main business is importing silver. ● Kano believes that Yoritomo Masamu was
There are large sources of it in the Ivory one of the thieves that broke into the
Kingdoms, so he buys it from the locals and Scorpion vault, stole the treasures, left, then
ships it to the mainland. returned to the colonies under a new name.
● Masamu knows nothing about the robbery. ● Kano knows the scrolls held enciphered
He tried to find the names of the people evidence that could be used for blackmail
involved but couldn’t find any records in the but will avoid telling the PCs this. He will
Mantis archives. do his best to talk around the matter unless
He was able to learn that the scrolls were a directly forced to lie. His Sincerity (Deceit) /
collection of compromising information on a Awareness is 9k4.
variety of important people, Scorpion ● Kano suspects that the Mantis called upon
blackmail. aid from the Dragon in deciphering the
● The Mantis archives are run by Tsuruchi scrolls, but he doesn’t know where to begin
Kyoko. in leaning on the Dragon delegation for
● If the PCs ask about a Mantis lore master or information.
who would be knowledgeable about ciphers, ● He tried to talk his way into the Mantis
Masamu would point them to Tsuruchi Archives once to see if he could learn
Kyoko. She is supposedly brilliant in the anything more about who might be likely
practice of breaking ciphers. involved, but the Mantis turned him away.
● Masamu knows that Agasha Kentani and ● In Kano’s opinion, the scrolls were so
Tsuruchi Kyoko were good friends, but he heavily ciphered that the Mantis could not
would never mentally connect the two as break them and are likely holding them
relevant without a PC prompting him for simply to deny them to the Scorpion out of
‘Dragon associates of Kentani’. spite. The Mantis have hated the Scorpion
● Masamu would really appreciate it if since Bayusihi Kimitiko was appointed
Shosuro Kano would just leave him alone. If governor.
they do, and ask Masamu, he could probably
get them permission to enter Fukurokujin’s If the PCs wish to correct Kano that Masamu was not
Library, though the PCs would need to know in fact one of the robbers, it will take quite a bit of
to ask Masamu about it. convincing (Courtier (Manipulation) / Awareness or
Sincerity / Awareness at TN 40). If he changes his
Shosuro Kano: mind, he will of course agree to stop pressuring
Masamu, but that doesn’t change that his assignment
Shosuro Kano sits on the veranda, idly sipping a cup is to find the scrolls, and the last people that had them
of tea and reading a book as you approach. A were the Mantis.
handsome man in his mid-30’s, with jet black hair Since the scrolls are Scorpion property, Kano will
and a red cloth mask around his eyes. emphasize that they should be returned to his clan.

He smiles a winning smile and lazily gestures to the Revisiting old locations:
other chairs around the table as you approach. His Some NPCs from earlier parts of the module have
voice is slick and just a touch too smooth. “Good some information on the scroll, if the PCs think to
afternoon samurai. Such pleasant weather today. visit them again.
Would you care to join me for some tea?” Toki – He heard about it and tried to buy it. He
couldn’t figure out who had it and no one responded
Shosuro Kano is acquainted with the situation and is to his generous offers. That means samurai probably
happy to share what he knows with the PCs if they have it. If the PCs find it, he’s willing to extend them
seem like they will help him obtain the lost scrolls. the same offer, 75 koku.
They are Scorpion property, after all. For a small fee of 5 koku, or a promise to sell him the
● Kano is reading a novel by the renowned scroll once the PCs recover it, Toki will add that he
Dragon author and poet, Kitsuki Korei. suspects the scholar Tsuruchi Kyoko knows the
● Kano is a Scorpion courtier. His duties are to location of the scroll but refuses to say where it is;
represent the clan in the Otomo courts here Toki thinks Kyoko is lying when she says she doesn’t
in the colonies. know about the scroll.

Keeping the Peace 17

Hajime – She doesn’t know anything about such a particulars of what are obviously commercial
scroll, but it’s very odd that you’re the second group dealings.
to ask about it in the last week. A Crane wanted to
know about it as well. She sent him to her friend A servant leads you up to the second floor, where a
Agasha Kentani, the scholar. balcony runs around the edge of the massive room
The Rakshasa – He heard about the theft; he was below, providing a view of the people scurrying
planning to steal the sword from the Mantis but once about.
it was returned to the Scorpion it went back into the
vault where it was safe again. The other items didn’t As he leads you around the ring towards an office,
matter to him, so he ignored them. If a PC agrees to the servant points out the shelves down on the floor
pay him for his information (2 koku), he did hear that below with an obvious note of pride in his voice.
at one point shortly thereafter that a Dragon and a “You see, samurai, all records of Mantis commerce
Mantis were looking for a ‘reputable translator with and trade agreement are recorded, sorted, and filed
discretion’. The Dragon was Agasha Kentani and the here. We keep a central copy of every koku that
Mantis was Tsuruchi Kyoko. passes through the clan’s coffers in the city. We have
Bayushi Amaya – She doesn’t know any specifics received glowing reviews from the office of the
about the scrolls or the vault robbery. They were magistrates as it makes taxation simple and
never her concern. Though she suspects the Mantis straightforward. It is our organization that will ensure
did it out of spite. the clan’s position continues to rise. Oh, ah, here we
Yoritomo Rinako – If a non-Mantis asks, the scrolls are.”
were returned, and the criminals are all dead. If only
Mantis PCs are present, one of the Mantis in question He pauses, knocks, then with a bow ushers you in to
made it out of the city and left the scrolls behind to be the office of a middle aged Mantis samurai-ko,
decoded. Tsuruchi Kyoko was working on it, but she strangely without making you wait at all.
doesn’t know where she or the scrolls are now.
Itachizame – (If not arrested, or the PCs agree to let She removes a pair of gaijin spectacles from her nose
him go) He helped smuggle a Yoritomo out of the as she looks up from some paperwork. “Good day,
city, right after the battle. He found out later the samurai. How may the Mantis assist you?”
Yoritomo was one of the people that raided the vault,
but the Yoritomo didn’t have the scroll with him Tsuruchi Kyoko is both relatively important and
when he left the city. The Yoritomo apparently gave it possessed of a sense that her work is vital to the
to a Tsuruchi. Itachizame tried to track it down continued good fortune of the Mantis. As a result, she
because it sounded valuable, but he lost the trail at has little patience for having her time wasted.
Fukurokujin’s Library. The Phoenix wouldn’t let him She will become more amenable if the PCs phrase
in. their objective in terms of ‘helping the Mantis’
Seppun Nagako – If the PCs have no other way into instead of a more neutral or negative tone.
the library and are willing to convince the Seppun She is overall guarded, especially about the scrolls in
that a crime has been committed (Sincerity (Any) or question. Her Sincerity (Deceit) / Awareness is 9k4.
Courtier (Manipulation) / Awareness at TN 25), he If the PCs present themselves as Magistrates then she
will grant them permission to enter the library. will refuse to answer any questions without either an
Order of Appearance (which nobody is willing to
The Mantis Archives grant in an expeditious fashion should the PCs try to
get one), or without assurance from the PCs that they
Tsuruchi Kyoko maintains an office in the Mantis will not accuse her of any crimes.
Archives. They are in the merchant district and If they lie about their purpose for being present,
impossible to miss. instead of being forthcoming as below, she’ll give
evasive answers until it’s clear the PCs real purpose
The Mantis archives, in contrast to its name, have is to find the scrolls, at which point she’ll ask them to
little in common with a library. leave, or demand assurances as above.
The building’s first floor is a large somewhat open Presuming the PCs give her an assurance she will not
room with shelves along the walls and high desks. A be arrested:
combination of peasants and samurai sit at the desks, ● “Do the Mantis have the scroll?”.
preparing paper work and occasionally discussing the

Keeping the Peace 18

 “We do not have the scroll.” (This is mostly
true) Agasha Kentani maintains an office in the Dragon
● “Where is the scroll now?” Embassy. Finding it is reasonably straightforward;
“I don’t know.” (This is partially true) asking will result in a helpful peasant or dragon
● “Who has the scroll?” samurai giving the PCs directions to the embassy.
“I couldn’t say for certain. Last I knew,
Agasha Kentani had it’ A servant leads you through the Dragon embassy,
● “Did you participate in stealing the scroll?” pointing out the various paintings and works of art as
“I was given the scroll later and asked to you pass.
decipher it. But that is not my area of
expertise, despite what people seem to think. Eventually you arrive in front of a plain wooden door.
Somehow I got the reputation as being “Ah, here we are sama.” The peasant knocks lightly
brilliant at decrypting ciphers and I don’t at the doorframe, and then steps back to wait.
know how or why that happened.” And he waits, first patiently, and then after a minute
● “What do you do here?” with a slight look of apprehension. He knocks a
“I manage the commercial archives, verify second time. Still no answer. “Uhhh, I apologize
tax compliance, and give my advice on the samurai. I thought he was in today. I saw him come
clan’s mercantile positions.” in this morning.”
● “What was on the scrolls?”
“I don’t know. I was told it was a variety of The peasant slides the door open a crack and peeks
incriminating documents the Scorpion held through, then with a sudden look of concern slides it
over various persons. Some were Crane and the rest of the way open.
Lion, but it is likely there were others as
well.” Instead of the tidy office of a dragon scholar, Agasha
● Why didn’t you return the scrolls to the Kentani’s office is in complete disarray. Papers are
Scorpion? everywhere, drawers have been thrown onto the floor,
“The Scorpion hate the Mantis; handing and at least one shelf has been tipped over.
them a knife would inevitably lead to them
stabbing us with it.” “I… I don’t know what happened. I need to go tell
someone about this.”
Other things Kyoko knows (though may not Without a look behind him, the servant walks off
immediately share): down the hall, leaving you alone and unsupervised in
● Kyoko was given the scroll after the original what remains of the Agasha’s office.
thieves left town. Apparently someone in the
Mantis hierarchy thought she was an expert Kentani fled the city this morning, and earlier this
on code breaking even though she is not. afternoon Kakita Izo snuck into his office and
● She called in her friend Agasha Kentani to ransacked it for clues about the location of the scroll.
discretely help decipher the set of scrolls
and left them with him. Because they were There are three main things to search in the office:
in many different clan ciphers, including
some gaijin ciphers, she is not surprised he Desk – Investigation (Search) / Perception
hasn’t fully decrypted it yet. ● TN 5 – Two people have searched this desk;
● Kentani is somewhat… eclectic in his one person took all the papers out, then
efforts, so she theorizes he has not made this another searched through them again, which
project his priority, but since she’s in no rush reordered everything.
hasn’t worried about trying to hurry him ● TN 10 – There is a note tucked into an
along. empty desk drawer. It reads ‘I know you hid
● Pointedly, Kyoko is more interested in the it in the histories at the library. Let’s talk
potential advantages to be gained from before this has to get bad.”
breaking the clan ciphers of the other great The note is clearly in different handwriting
clans from a mercantile perspective than she than the other documents. Someone left it
is in the blackmail on the documents. here for Kentani.

Agasha Kentani:

Keeping the Peace 19

 ● TN 30 – A compartment under the desk has
a letter of permission to visit Fokurojin’s The darkened halls of Fukurokujin’s Library seem to
Library. be unending, twisting and turning back upon
themselves almost at random. The Phoenix have
Shelves – Investigation (Search) / Perception collected row after row of texts, artifacts of the Ivory
● TN 5 – The words on these papers don’t kingdoms, and all sorts of flaura and fauna native to
make any sense! this strange land.
● TN 15 – The papers on the shelves are Without access to a librarian, finding any specific
samples of the various clan ciphers. It seems thing in the stacks could take a lifetime.
that Kentani has been collecting the ciphers
of every great clan, and most have notes in The libraries of Fokurokujin are full of all manner of
the margins on his attempts to translate artifacts. But finding the specific artifact you’re
them. He has gotten very close to many of looking for would be virtually impossible.
them. Especially one as well hidden as Kentani’s Puzzle
● TN 35 – That’s weird, there are no examples Box.
of the Crane cipher. Just an empty space on The wings of the museum are:
the shelves between Crab and Dragon. Antiquities – Rokugani
Antiquities – Other
Papers – Lore: Gaijin or Calligraphy (Cipher Flora of the Ivory Kingdoms
Emphasis required) / Intelligence at TN 30 – The Fauna of the Ivory Kingdoms
notes that have been spread on the floor are examples Fortunes
of non-Rokugani ciphers. Documents in Ivindi, Myths (Gaijin)
Senpet, and Yobanjin are present along with some Histories
more esoteric alphabets that you don’t immediately Histories (Gaijin)
recognize. Based on the numbering, it appears that
most of the Ivindi pages are gone. On the other hand, finding the box is trivial if they
received the location from Agasha Kentani’s office.
Fukurokujin’s library Alternatively, they can ask the guards if anyone else
entered the library lately or where they went, the
The gates of Fukurokujin’s library sit closed. Neither guards will note that Kakita Izo did so earlier today,
parishioner nor scholar enter or leave through the and that he went to the Histories section. If the PCs
marble archways. randomly guess that the box is hidden in the Histories
Guards, wearing the gold, green and off-white of the section, an Investigation (Search) / Perception roll at
Colonial Magistrates, stand before the closed wooden TN 30 can find its hidden compartment.
gate. They come to attention as you approach. Alternatively, casting By The Light Of The Moon
will swiftly reveal the puzzle box since frankly other
“We apologize samurai but in the wake of certain than the box, everything in the library is meant to be
events the libraries have been ordered closed. No one found.
is currently allowed in.”
It is hidden in a secret compartment under a shelf.
If the PCs have entry permission from Yoritomo
Masamu or Agasha Kentani’s desk, they can Give the PCs Handout 2 – Kentani’s Puzzle Box.
investigate the library. Otherwise, short of
dishonorable measures, they will be unable to enter. The correct solution to the box is ‘Shinjo’, ‘Bayushi,
(Notably, Seppun Nakago will refuse to give ‘Shiba’, ‘Doji’, ‘Akodo’, ‘Hantei’.
permission to enter). It is the mons in the order of victors in the
The governor and imperial legion commander tournament of the Kami.
ordered the library shuttered in the wake of the
Phoenix incident until orders arrive from Otosan Identifying the mons of the families is a Lore:
Uchi on what to do about them. Heraldry / Intelligence roll at TN 10.
If the PCs are not sure where to start but are still
Once the PCs are allowed within, a guard will interested in solving the puzzle without resorting to a
chaperone them while they are inside: skill check, Investigation (Notice) / Perception at TN

Keeping the Peace 20

15 to notice that all the buttons *except* the Togashi Similar scenes play out everywhere in the street as
and Hida buttons are approximately equally worn, samurai are either surrounded by foreigners or take
which suggests that the Togashi and Hida buttons are the chance through misunderstanding or opportunity
not part of the solution. to resolve grievance suddenly turn to face eachother.

If no player realizes the puzzle, Games: Puzzles (or From somewhere, a brick flies towards you…
similar) / Intelligence can be used to solve it at TN
30, or if someone makes the logical leap that the
puzzle is of a historical nature then Lore: History / Defense / Reflexes at TN 30 to dodge flying debris.
Intelligence at TN 40. Failure results in wounds equal to the margin of
Of course, someone could just break the box, but that failure.
would be rude. Raw Strength at TN 20.
If the PCs did not calm the situation earlier (see Part
Inside is a note, give the PCs Handout 3: Suspicious 3), then the streets will swiftly fill with Ivindi intent
Note. on violence against the samurai.
If the PCs are confused about what ‘the place beyond Otherwise, there will still be a riot, but it will be more
conflict’ might be, Lore: Theology / Intelligence at muted in character, with Ivindi groups split between
TN 15 – this is a not at all veiled reference to the fighting, fleeing, and trying to save their homes and
Temple of Peace. Whomever wrote the note clearly shops.
thinks their mysterious hint is a lot more mysterious
than it is; they are clearly not very clever. Select a couple (use your discretion based on run
time and PC interest) of the mini encounters in
Appendix 2. Two is probably sufficient, though if the
If the players at any point decide to visit the Temple mod is running long feel free to only use one before
of Peace, trigger part 7. moving on to Part 8.
The ‘Magistrate under siege’ encounter should
always be used.
Part 7: Blood in the Streets
The PCs should feel as if they are constantly being
As you travel through the city, you hear a shout pushed back by the riot – there are simply too many
above the din. people to escape the situation via violence.
“How dare you touch my sword, gaijin!?” Note: If the PCs come up with a clever solution for
An invindi man backs away from a Lion samurai, any given riot encounter beyond what’s outlined in
holding up his hands and speaking in a foreign the documents it should likely succeed. These should
language. serve to give the PCs a sense of a city in chaos, not
A draw, a swing, and he crumbles. materially impede their progress.
There is a moment of silence as the Lion wipes his
blade clean and moves to resheath it, then the street Part 8: Temple of Peace
explodes. Shouts in Ivindi come from everywhere. A
rock sails through the air and cracks the Lion on the You fall back as violence rocks the edge of the
skull. He staggers and falls, blood oozing from his market district, with Ivindi fighting Rokugani, Lion
head. fighting Crane, and a smattering of guards in
Scorpion colors fighting against Mantis. Soon you
Every samurai in the street draws their swords in an find yourself just outside the Temple of Peace –
instant as Ivindi both surge forwards bearing apparently the last bastion in the district safe from the
whatever improvised tools they had at hand and flee press of fighting.
backwards, trying to escape the sudden chaos.
In the center of the chaos, in a small open area, a
Samurai voices ring out as well; a Mantis, facing familiar Crane and Ikoma circle eachother. The Crane
down a group of Ivindi, backs into a Scorpion, who shouts something, but his words are lost in the din.
whirls on him with his sword drawn, and suddenly The Ikoma, however, is entirely capable of making
the two samurai are circling eachother, ready to fight. his voice heard over the chaos. His face is a mask of
utter rage.

Keeping the Peace 21

“YOU WILL REGRET YOUR LIES, CRANE! AND His Sincerity (Deceit) / Awareness is reduced to 5k2
SOON EVERYONE ELSE WILL KNOW ABOUT as a result.
THE DISHONORABLE ACTIONS OF YOUR ● Did a Lion come in here?
CLAN!” “What if they did? I’m sorry, I’m, the riots
have me on edge, there is no Lion here” (this
With a snarl, the Ikoma launches himself at Kakita is a lie.)
Izo. Izo’s face is calm, poised in his dueling stance. ● We saw the Lion come in here. Where is he?
He draws smoothly, accurately, a killing stroke. “Yes, yes, he came in here, but he left. He
And the Ikoma catches the strike on his armguard, the stormed out the uhhh that door.” <the abbot
blade burying itself in the armor and the forearm points to a side door> (this is another lie)
beneath it. The Ikoma keeps moving. With a ● What caused the riots outside?
headbutt, he breaks the Crane’s nose, then a kick to “I don’t know. People started shouting and
the chest knocks the duelist to the ground. A quick throwing things, so we closed the doors.”
downward thrust of his blade ends the Crane’s life. (this is partially true, they know what caused
the riots)
The Ikoma grabs something long and round from the ● Who has the Scorpion scroll?
Crane’s obi and shoves it into one of his hip pouches. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
A scroll case! Ignoring the chaos around him, the (This is the truth)
Lion marches into the temple, slamming the doors ● What are you doing in here?
shut behind him. “Oh, a simple ritual, an offering to the
fortune of Peace” (this is a bald faced lie)
Presumably the PCs will want to go into the temple ● Did you see how the riot started?
after him. “No, we are simple monks, Leave Us
If Usagi Saito is with them, he will stay outside and Alone.” (this is partly true)
calm the mob. If PCs want to stay outside with him,
he will instruct them that he is entirely capable of this If a PC looks around at all, they’ll notice the
task and send them inside. bloodstain where Ikoma Matsuro was killed (no roll
necessary) and dragged into the inner shrine. If the
The door the Lion closed is stuck shut. PCs ask the abbot about it then he and the other
Raw Strength (TN 10) to force the door, Engineering monks will immediately attack, as below.
/ Intelligence (TN 25) to fix the door, or Athletics /
Agility (TN 25) to sneak into the entryway through Once the PCs make clear that the jig is up or if they
the window. attempt to enter the inner shrine, one of the cultists
A clever solution or tool should add a raise or two. will yell “They’re trying to stop the ritual! Don’t let
them into the shrine!” and they will all produce
The scene inside the Temple of Peace is an odd knifes from inside their robes and attack.
contrast to chaos occurring outside. The temple is Alternatively, if for some reason the PCs try to leave
empty, save for a handful of monks. The inner shrine without resolving the situation have the cultist do this
is closed off by wooden doors, and the outer halls are anyway. Can’t let the PCs get off the railroad that
lit by red lanterns which swing and slowly rotate, easy.
throwing dark shadows onto the white stone walls.
The PCs are attacked by [PC’s-2] cultists.
The abbot trundles up to you and gives you a nod.
“Uh, samurai, I am sorry, but the samurai is closed Cultists
right now I mean the shrine is closed right now. Initiative: 3k2
Please come back tomorrow, LEAVE.” Armor TN: 15 Reduction: 0
Wounds: 10 (+0), 14 (+3), 18 (+5), 22 (+10), 26
The ‘abbot’ will do his best to lie to the PCs or (+15), 30 (+20), 34 (Down, +40), 38 (Out)
otherwise divert them from the ritual happening in Attack: 5k2 (Knife, Complex)
the inner chamber of the shrine. The nearness of the Damage: 3k1 (Knife)
Onisu has begun to overwhelm his ability to think, so Air 2 Earth 2 Fire 2 Water 2 Void 2
any responses he gives to questions should be tinged
with aggression, anger, or otherwise violent intent.

Keeping the Peace 22

Once the PCs have finished off the cultists, which
should be trivial, the PCs should realize they need to If the PCs completely lack a way to damage an
move into the inner chamber of the shrine. invulnerable creature, it may be worth giving them a
nudge to realizing that the sharp shattered pieces of
If for some reason instead of solving the problem the Fortune of Peace are both antithetical to
they try to leave or similar, Nikushimi will appear Nikushimi and could serve as Knives (1k1 damage)
alone in the inner chamber then burst out of the doors or Improvised Weapons (0k2 damage, with a -1k0
either as the PCs attempt to leave or while they’re in penalty to hit due to the sheer unwieldiness of
the middle of whatever waste of time they get up to clobbering an oni with a chunk of stone), depending
instead. on the shape of the statue piece desired.
Alter the box text to fit the circumstance.
Nikushimi
Part 9: Hate Unleashed Onisu of Hate
Initiative: 10k5
Armor TN: 35 (45 in armor)
The inner shrine is lit with an ominous red glow, the
Reduction: 10 (5 against Jade or Crystal)
candles flickering and sputtering, throwing twisting
Wounds: 108 (+5), 180 (+10), 252 (+15), 324 (Dead)
shadows onto the balconies above and the tall
Attack: 10k7 (Claws, Simple), 10k8 (Bite, Free)
ceilings of the room. Runes of gold and brown spiral
Taint Rank: 8
and snake across the floor. A single man lies dead at
Damage: 8k3 (Claws), 9k4 (Bite)
the feet of the statue to the fortune of peace, a
Air 4 Earth 5 Fire 4 Water 5
massive Lion samurai, Ikoma Matsuro, his last
Ref 5 Agi 6
expression pained.
Primary Skills: Hunting 6, Jiujitsu 6
Special Mechanics:
A hot wind gushes into the chamber behind you, the
Fear 4
statue shudders on its plinth then with a thunderous
Huge
crack it splits down the middle, each side falling to
Fearful Strike: Anyone struck by Nikushimi’s Claw
the floor and shattering into pieces. Amidst the rubble
attacks suffers a Fear 6 effect (once per person per
of the statue, a glowing doorway winks to life, and a
skirmish). This effect subsides after the target’s next
massive creature immediately steps through it.
action.
Invulnerable: Overcome by Crystal, Jade, Obsidian,
Unfurling itself to its full height, easily 15 feet from
Nemuranai weapons / keywords, or any attacks by a
foot to top of its horned head, the creature resembles
PC with the Balance or Seven Fortune’s Blessing:
little more than a giant lion who walks upright,
Hotei advantages.
clothed in plated armor, albeit with a pair of curved
Power from Corruption: Nikushimi’s ability to call
horns crowning its head.
raises is limited by his Taint Rank, since he has no
It looks down at you, and smiles.
Void ring.
“Ah, samurai. So full of hate. Come, embrace your
Blazing Hate: Once per Round, he can make a free
true master. You spend your entire lives as creatures
action attack with his claws that can only target a PC
of violence; throw off the façade of civility and join
with one of the following disadvantages: Onisu’s
with me. I am Nikushimi and I am going to end all
Mark, Yume-do’s Judgement, Cursed by the Realm:
who oppose me. Take up the torch or burn. Choose
Toshigoku or Yume-do.
now.”
Unrelenting Hate: Nikushimi is a being of
nightmares and hate made manifest. As an entity that
Presuming that no PCs decide to join the Onisu, it’s is as much concept as it is a creature, its rings and
time for a fight. traits cannot be altered and it can ignore any effect
Identifying Nikushimi is a Lore: Shadowlands / that would force it to not act (Tomb of Jade,
Intelligence check at TN 30 (Sage may not be used). Suitengu’s Embrace, etc). It can not be banished or
The onisu are not well known, given their relatively bound.
minor role in history, but a successful check will note Strength from Hate: For each PC with a
that they are Invulnerable to any attacks not made Hate-related Advantage or Disadvantage (see below),
with Jade, Crystal, Nemuranai or that have been Nikushimi gains additional abilities as follows
specifically blessed by the waters of Yume-do, or a (cumulative):
substance otherwise abhorrent to them.

Keeping the Peace 23

 ● 1 PC: +1k0 on all damage rolls. Good Roleplaying: 1 XP
● 2 PCs: +3 reduction. Blaming someone for
● 3 PCs: +5 armor TN. the loss of the Courser: 1 XP
● 4+ PCs: His Free Action Bite may now be Defeating Nikushimi: 1 XP
used twice per Round.
Furthermore, Nikushimi adds a number of wounds to Total Possible Experience: 4 XP
his Healthy wound rank equal to 10 times the number
of PCs. Favors
If the PCs discover the fate of the Courser, they earn
Hate related advantages and disadvantages are things a favor.
like: Heart of Vengeance, Driven (where appropriate),
Brash, Nemesis, Cursed by the Realm: Toshigoku. Honor
Use your discretion if you feel another advantage or If there are any Honor gains beyond those already
disadvantage would apply; Nikushimi is fueled by mentioned in the module, they go here. Using the
anger and hate in addition to amplifying its effects in Rank-based system as specified in the Campaign
everyone around him. Primer makes a useful shorthand.

It is advisable that Nikushimi split his attacks The GM may grant up to 2 extra points of Honor to a
between multiple PCs rather than focusing down a PC for actions not detailed in the module, though no
particular one. PC should gain more than 2 points in this fashion.

If the PCs saved the life of guru Kandra in part three, Glory
he arrives during the reactions stage of Round 1, and Defeating Nikushimi: G10
begin chanting a prayer to the gods of the Ivory
Kingdoms. Any PC that is suffering from a Fear Allies and Enemies
effect may reroll their Fear Test during the reactions If a PC offended Bayushi Amaya and did not kill her,
stage of each Round (including this one). they gain her as a Sworn Enemy.

If the PCs decide to flee from Nikushimi, he will not

pursue them. Instead of he will absorb the hate from Other Awards/Penalties
the crowd then disappear to cause havoc elsewhere. This information will commonly be recorded on the
player’s mod sheet, and can include Advantages
being purchasable or Disadvantages being gained as
Conclusion well as other specific effects or one-use benefits.

Presuming that the PCs banish the Onisu back to GM Reporting

Yume-do, a calm begins to fall over the city, as 1) Was Nikushimi defeated?
peasants and colonial magistrates begin to clean up 2) Was the fate of the Courser discovered?
the aftermath of the riots. 3) Did the PCs blame the Ronin, the Scorpion,
or the Mantis for the attack on the Courser?
If the PCs wish to find the scroll, it is in Ikoma 4) Was the scroll found?
Matsuro’s obi. It is up to them what they do with it 5) Was the scroll given to the Otomo, the
(Return to the Scorpion, given to the Otomo, or Scorpion, or neither?
otherwise) 6) Was ‘The Rakshasa’ killed / apprehended?
It is still enciphered and breaking it would potentially 7) Was Usagi Saito killed?
take years without the key. 8) Did Usagi Saito and/or the PCs save the
ronin from the Lion?
The End 9) Was a fire left to burn?
a. Fire extinguished
Rewards for Completing the b. Fire left burning
c. N/A – not encountered.
Adventure
The GM must report this information by (date three
Surviving the Module: 1 XP months after release) for it to have storyline effect

Keeping the Peace 24

Keeping the Peace 25
 Appendix #1: NPCs
“The Rakshasa” Initiative: 7k4+3
Ivindi gang leader, Immortal Shape Shifting Tiger Armor TN: 25 Reduction: 0
Initiative: 10k8 Wounds: 15 (+0), 21 (+3), 27 (+5), 33 (+10), 39
Armor TN: 45 Reduction: 5 (+15), 45 (+20), 51 (Down, +40), 57 (Out)
Wounds: 150 (+0), 240 (+5), 330 (+15) Attack: 8k3 (Katana, Complex)
Attack: 10k7 (Claws, Simple) or 10k7 (Sword, Damage: 8k2 (Katana)
Simple) Air 4 Earth 3 Fire 3 Water 4 Void 3
Damage: 10k2, exploding 9’s (Sword) or 9k3 Honor: 3 Status: 2.0 Glory: 2.5
(Claws) Primary Skills: Iaijutsu 5, Kenjutsu 5.
Air 5 Earth 5 Fire 5 Water 5 Significant Dice Pools:
Ref 6 Agi 6 Str 6 Assessment: 9k4
Honor: 1.5 Status: 0 Glory: 1 Focus: 10k5 + 3 (Void point)
Skills: Sincerity (Deceit) 8, Acting 6, Swords 7, Strike: 9k4 (Stance bonus on damage)
Jiujitsu 6.
Special Mechanics: Bayushi Amaya
Invulnerable – Ignored by Jade, Crystal, Ivory, and School/Rank: Bayushi Bushi 4
Nemuranai. Initiative: 9k5
Shapeshifting – May shape change as a Free Action. Armor TN: XX (YY in armor) Reduction: 0
He may use this ability to immediately leave any Wounds: 15 (+0), 21 (+3), 27 (+5), 33 (+10), 39
Grapple, to restore any rings or traits that have been (+15), 45 (+20), 51 (Down, +40), 57 (Out)
altered, or to escape any condition or effect that Attack: 10k4 + 5 (Katana, Simple)
would prevent him from acting. Damage: 7k2 (Katana)
Poisoned Claws – Unless heavily pressed, the Air 4 Earth 3 Fire 4 Water 3 Void 4
rakshasa will prefer to remain in his human disguise Per 4
and use his sword. However, his claw attacks contain Honor: 4.5 Status: 3.5 Glory: 3.5
a virulent poison. Anyone hit by them must roll Raw Primary Skills: Iaijutsu 5, Kenjutsu 6
Stamina at TN 30 or take a +20 TN Penalty to all Significant Dice Pools:
rolls. This degrades to +10 at their next Reactions Assessment: 9k4
stage and goes away entirely after one hour. Focus: 10k6 + 4 (Void point)
Tiger Demon – As the Rakshasa lacks a Void ring, Strike: 9k4 (Stance bonus on damage)
his raises are instead limited by his lowest ring (5).
Coward – If the PCs are likely to kill him, he will
dive out a window and disappear into the crowd with
his shapechange ability.

Gang Member
Ivindi gang member
Initiative: 5k3
Armor TN: 20
Wounds: 15 (+0), 21 (+3), 27 (+5), 33 (+10), 39
(+15), 45 (+20), 51 (Down, +40), 57 (Out)
Attack: 7k3 (Club, Complex)
Damage: 5k2 (Club)
Air 2 Earth 3 Fire 2 Water 2 Void 1
Ref 3 Agi 3 Str 3
Honor: 2 Status: 0 Glory: 0.5

Yoritomo Rinako’s Champion

School/Rank: Tsuruchi Archer 3

Keeping the Peace 26

 Appendix #2: Riot Encounters
Note: Encounters with an asterisk should not be used if the PCs calmed the local populace in part 3.

Fire! (*) A large mob of Ivindi are trying to stone an Imperial

to death. Note: this is not the same imperial that hit
As you make your way through the city, a pair of Guru Kandra.
Ivindi men toss torches through the windows of an If the PCs speak Ivindi they can be reasoned with,
empty colonial magistrate’s station. though they are very mad about the callous disregard
the Rokugani have shown for the life of one of their
Fire almost immediately begins to lick up the walls of holy men.
the small one-room building. The imperial is Miya Josuke. He does not speak
Ivindi and if the PCs can get to him has no idea why
Peasants, samurai, and Ivindi alike all seem to reel the Ivindi attacked him. He is extremely thankful if
back from the flaming building. they manage to either chase off the mob or reason
with them.
If the PCs want to chase off the mob, Intimidation /
Catching the men responsible require Athletics
Willpower at TN 20 will scare them away.
(Running) / Strength at TN 25 followed by Jiujitsu /
If the PCs wish to reason with the mob, Courtier
Agility at TN 20. Otherwise, they will disappear into
(Manipulation) / Awareness at TN 35 will convince
the crowd.
them to leave, though only if the PCs have a way to
speak Ivindi or otherwise communicate with them.
Extinguishing the fire is hard work, due to the lack of
If the PCs decide to attack, the mob will throw a few
dedicated equipment on-hand. There is a nearby
rocks at them then disperse. The PCs that are
water trough and a few spare buckets, which with
behaving most aggressively should roll Defense /
time and effort will douse the blaze. Any PC doing so
Reflexes at TN 25 and take a wound for each point
must roll Raw Stamina roll at TN 15. Failure causes
they fail by.
the PC to be fatigued for the remainder of the
If the PCs want to rescue the imperial or similar, the
module.
PC doing the rescuing will get pelted by rocks as
Magic can of course easily handle the problem;
above.
Extinguish or Summon (Water) with 3 raises will
If the PCs leave the Imperial to his fate, they should
snuff the blaze.
suffer a D3 honor loss or similar for their negligence.
The PCs of course are free to bypass this scene;
surely the local firemen will be along shortly. Settle Scores
Amidst the chaos and violence, two samurai circle
Take Vengeance (*) eachother, blades drawn, a Scorpion with her katana
in a close guard and a Mantis in a low stance with his
kama held by his sides.
During the uproar that swallows the city, you come
Both samurai are bloodied but still fighting, clearly
across an overturned cart surrounded by shouting
neither able to land a decisive blow.
locals.
The Scorpion spits her words at the ground before the
A few throw stones at the single samurai cowering
Mantis, “You have stolen what is ours for the last
within. The man spies you and calls out ‘Samurai,
time.”
assist me! They mean to kill me!’
Her blade cuts towards the Mantis, but the Yoritomo
springs backwards just in time. The Scorpion
A rock narrowly misses the man’s head as he ducks
recovers her guard before the Mantis can
back into the cart. An imperial mon is barely visible
counterattack and the two resume their wary circle.
on his shoulder.

Bayushi Tanako believes (correctly) that Yoritomo

Any PC with Languages Ivindi can translate the
Akari is a pirate and has taken the opportunity of the
shouts as ‘Vengeance for Kandra!’
riots to seek the vengeance that she has been denied
by the legal system.

Keeping the Peace 27

Akari does not care for Tanako’s bluster and will
happily take the opportunity to eliminate one of the An initial barrage of stones of very dubious accuracy
few Scorpion that are so close on the heels of his is launched at you, then the crowd pauses for a
pirate crew, not that he would ever admit it. moment as they begin to reload for another volley.
How the PCs get involved is up to them. If they
interrupt the duel and want to talk, both samurai A single ronin peeks out of a shop nearby, then ducks
involved will stop their fight. back from an open window.
● Tanako is insistent that Akari is a pirate, and
that her vengeance is righteous. The law has Reflexes / Defense at TN 15, every point of failure
failed her and she intends to take matters causes 1 wound.
into her own hands. Two of her friends were
on boats that were lost to Akari’s pirates. The firebrand is inciting this particular group of
Her Sincerity / Awareness is 5k4. peasants and Ivindi with a variety of complaints:
● Akari is a cool operator who will never They are overworked farmers, they are underfed and
admit culpability. He will pretend not to overtaxed, and samurai think nothing of killing any
know why Tanako is mad, and if accused of the workers when the fancy strikes them.
directly will deny any involvement in piracy. They have taken up arms to protest their conditions
If the PCs press the issue, he will note they and get some poorly targeted vengeance on the
have no testimony and no cause to arrest samurai oppressors.
him. His Sincerity (Deceit) / Awareness is The farm this group works on is owned by Matsu
7k4 with emphasis. Kanetsugu.
The leader’s name is Noka. She is exceptionally
If the PCs elect to walk away, the two will return to jaded and confrontational. If the PCs try to negotiate
their duel, and Akari will eventually kill the or reason with her, she will be somewhat
Scorpion. uncooperative, as her answers should be aimed more
at psyching up her mob of followers than actually
If the PCs decide to arrest Akari, even with a lack of reaching a solution.
evidence or testimony, he will attempt to flee.
Athletics or Jiujitsu / Reflexes to grab him before he Talking Noka down requires a Sincerity or Courtier
gets away. (Manipulation) / Awareness roll at TN 30.
The PCs may elect to simple cut Noka down; this
The two can be talked into stopping their conflict via does not require a roll. The mob will immediately
Courtier (Manipulation) / Awareness at TN 35. turn and flee.
The PCs could simply flee down the street. This
Surrounded! (*) requires another Reflexes / Defense roll at TN 25 as
bricks fly (wounds equal to failure, as above).
The streets swarm with people, peasants, Ivindi, and They could dive for the window and escape through
the occasional ronin. Shouting, screaming, throwing the shop; Athletics / Agility at TN 20, wounds equal
rocks and trash. Every street you turn down you find to margin of failure.
yourself confronting a wall of angry residents of the Particularly honorable PCs may find flight to be
city. distasteful; a D7 honor loss is incurred for lack of
Courage.
Your only option is to give way, so you do, because
even samurai of your skill can not hope to prevail Magistrate under siege
against so many and the mob seems largely
uninterested in you in specific regardless. As you retreat from the oncoming riot, you stumble
across a trio of Lion samurai with swords drawn
Until, that is, you turn a corner and find yourself face standing across from a pair of ronin.
to face with a mixed group of Ivindi and peasants,
rocks, farm implements, and torches at the ready. A Between them stands a familiar emerald magistrate –
woman who appears to be leading them points at you, Usagi Saito is clearly attempting to fend off the angry
“There! The oppressors! They steal from us, they kill Lion samurai.
us, and they think nothing of it!”

Keeping the Peace 28

“Stand aside Magistrate! These criminals were
attempting to loot the property of our clan! This
building belongs to the Lion, hand them over!”

The ronin broke into a small shop to cover from the

riots. If the PCs ask, they will protest that they aren’t
thieves, just trying to stay out of the way of all the
fighting.
The Lion know the ronin broke in and don’t really
care for their reasons. They broke in, that means
they’re thieves, and this isn’t an interclan matter, so
the magistrate has no jurisdiction.
Saito is not sure what happened here but doesn’t want
more people to die.

Arguing the Lion down is a Courtier (Manipulation) /

Awareness at TN 25. Cowing them into leaving is
Intimidation / Willpower at TN 25.
If the PCs elect to attack, the Lion will retreat; they
have no interest in fighting clan samurai.
If the PCs decide to leave, the magistrate will lose
heart and flee, then the Lion will kill the ronin.
If the PCs want to kill or arrest the ronin, the Lion
will oblige.

Keeping the Peace 29

 Player Handout #1: News From the Empire
This is simply a short list of the major happenings of the last few months or weeks for the Empire. This is common
knowledge; no rolls are required. They should be written with a fairly impartial viewpoint, though having them in
the “voice” of the wandering herald Otomo Yusuke provides a certain amount of continuity.

Keeping the Peace 30

 Player Handout #2: Kentani’s Puzzle Box
The Puzzle Box is a work of interlocking wooden sections with eight equal sides.
Worked into each face of the box is a button and each face is painted with a different image.

Top-Down View

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bottom-Up View

Keeping the Peace 31

Note: In case the above is unclear, the box is in the shape of a standard eight-sided die.

Keeping the Peace 32

 Player Handout #3: Suspicious Note
If you find this, know that I have beaten you Mantis-san.
I will not allow you, or the Scorpion, to blackmail a member of my clan.

I have destroyed the evidence against my kin. If you want to discuss the rest of scrolls, I have placed them in the
place beyond conflict. We can discuss their disposition at your discretion. As much as you hate me, I’m sure you can
see that an agreement is better than no agreement.

-K I

Keeping the Peace 33