md of the Ptve

Legend of the Five Rings, The Emerald Empire of Aokugan and all other related marks ''', I!l& C 1999 FIVe Rll'Igs
Publl!lhillQ Group. Incorporaled. All lights reserved. Alderac Entertainment Group, authorized user.
WRITTEN BY RICHARD DAKAN
GAME SYSTEM BY DAVID WILLIAMS AND JOHN
WICK
COVER ARTWORK: CARL FRANK
INTERIOR ARTWORK: CRIS DORNAUS, BEN PECK.
ROB HINDS
ARTWORK PREPR£SS: BRENDON GOODYEAR
LINE DEVELOPER: Ru SO£SBU
LINE EDITOR: D.I. TRINDLE
EDITING: D.I. TRINDLE, ROB VAUX
INTERIOR LAYOUT: BRENDON GOODYEAR
 "
~a6h? o· Cont~nts

Inthxluctlon 4
Wbat Has Gon~ B~fol'l~ 0
VOld In tb~ H~a~~ns ~

Legend 0/ the Five Rings is C and no 1999 Five Rings Publishing Group Inc. and is used here under license.
 1b serve the divine or obey one's duty? For a Rokugan there are few questions more difficult to answer. The gods by their very
nature demand and deserve devotion from mere mortals. even samurai. Yet 10 be samurai means to live for the Lraditions of honor,
nobility, and class. For the most part only shugenja need concern themselves with such weighty theological questions but today, in
this adventure, the player character. find themselves caught up in just such a debate. Only this is more than a theoretical discussion:
it is Ii life and death struggle and the decisions the party makes determine not only lheir future bUI that of the entire Scorpion Clan
and the Orade of Fire himsell

The adventure centers around the corruption and fate of the current Orade of Fire. Ultimately the PCs must make a choice belween
piety and personal gain, while the very traditions that normally guide them pull in opposite. irreconcilable directions. The choice they
make determines the fate of The Oracle and has profound effects upon the Scorpion Clan. As one might imagine. they should choose
wisely. The cenLral theme of A Void in the Heavens is that ~emotions make slaves of us all.~ A variety of emotions confront the PCs,
the Oracle, ana the Scorpion Clan, from love and betrayal to greed and hate to hope and fear. The players discover just how powerful
these emotions can be and find out whe!.her or not they can conleol their own feelings instead of giving into ihem.

Void in the He/wens is suitable for any group of characters. The only requirement is !.hal the party nol have any sorl of undying
enmity towards the Scorpion Clan (at least at the beginning). Before the adventure begins lhe GM must come up with some reason
for the heroes 10 journey to Kyuden Shosuro for the purpose of visiting the Scorpion dan. They can be bearing a message from their
lord. coming at the request of the Shosuro family on some matter unrelated to the adventure. or even just visiting friends. If the party
has already fallen out with the Scorpion clan for some reason, the trip could be an attempt to make amends. The Shosuro family's
diplomatic bent should offer a variety of possible set ups. Thus, one fine spring afternoon the party finds itself nearing Kyuden Shosuro.
totally unaware of the recent turmoil that has enguUed the castle and its occupants.
 revealed his plans to none of Lhem. However, word spread ilial the
Oracle was on a rare pilgrimage through the area, which piqued
\
the interest of the Scorpion Clan: they bad a particularly burning
question on their minds. answerable only by the likes of an
Oracle. WhUe !.he Oracle found his sua::essor and spirited her

What Has away to a mountaintop cave to prepare for his final ascension the
Shosuro family dispatched an envoy to seek out the Oracle's
advice and wisdom.

Gon~ B~fo11~ From its earliest days the Scorpion Clan has held the infamous
Black Scrolls. protecting their dark settets from the rest of
Rokugan. Recently however other scrolls revealed a terrifying
prophecy which foretold the destruction of the entire world The
Scorpion Clan could nol trust anyone else with LIle knowledge
because its implications were far 100 sweeping, implicating the
Hantei line itself in the final victory of Fu Leng. The seemingly
coincidental appearance of the Oracle of Fire just when they were
A few weeks ago the Oracle of Fire awoke one glorious spring In the greatest need of divine guidance seemed a sign too obvious
morning and knew that the lime had come. He had lived oul his to ignore.
current life on Rokugan and was now ready to pass on the mantle
of the: Dragoo and ascend Into the Celestial Heavens. First
bo~er came the important matter of choosing a successor:
someone whose spirit would prove worthy of the Dragon's
lShosUl'O lSrn11ko's
immortal presence. Expandins his oracular awareness into the
surrounding countryside he found the person he sought in the
lS~~bcancy
lands of the Scorpion dan nol too far from Kyuden Shosuro. The Scorpion Clan sent one of its most capable envoys,
The Orade began a pilgrimage.. wbal would certainly be his Shosuro Shiriko. 10 ask the Oracle of Fire these all importanl
last walking frml viUage to village on his way to liDd and questions. A skilled negotiator, Shiriko has also spent a great deal
prepare the new Oracle. Along the way he answered the questions of time studying ancient texts about both the Oracles and the
of tbe locals, base and Black Scrolls. making her an ideal choice, She and her samurai
noble alike, escort set out to fmd the Oracle, and a few days later discovered
although he thai he had created a temporary home for himseU atop a small
nearby mountain. Leaving her escort at the foot of the heights.
she ascended them to supplicate herseU before the Oracle and
learn from his wisdom,
When she arrived. breathless and tired from the long climb.
she found that the Oracle was not alone in his cave. There with
him was a filthy young girL obviously an eta Normally
Shiriko would not have even noticed the presence or
an untouchable excepl that her presence in the
Oracle's cave was so incongruous. Hiding her shock
at the girl and Lrying to avoid becoming iU at her
stench. Shiriko focused her aUentions on
the Oracle. He welcomed her as befit her
station but said that he could not answer
her questions just now. When she
politely inquired when he could, stating
thai she had very important matters to
discuss he replied that he would never
answer her questions. He then went on
to explain that be ,,-as leaving this earth
(or the Celestial Hea~'ens bUI thai the
young girl, the eta, would soon be
Laking her place.
 Although she kepi her oulward appearance calm and pious.
inside a lorrent of emotions rushed through Shimo's mind.
How could this be? An eta beoomes an Oracle? Surely the
Oracle must be joking. Al the same time, Shiriko also saw an
opportunily. one granted 10 very few people and one she could
nOl for her own sake and that of her dan, pass up. In a maller
of seronds she formulated and began to act out her plaIt As.
many such quickly enacted plans do. lhis one led to disaster.

Shlriko began. ever so subtly. to 0)', a few lears running

down her cheek. The Oracle said that there was no need for
tears, that his successor would be able to answer her questions
as well as he. She said that was not the reason she wept She
wept because she had lied 10 the Oracle. that her question was
not the true reason she had come.
"What is the true reason then my child?" asked the Oracle.
'1 came to you. oh \\~se One, for impious, dishonorable
reasons. I swore 10 myself that I would never leI anyone know
the truth. not even you. I thought that maybe .. .if you met me,
that possibly. somehow_ .. ~ Shiriko began to ay in earnest, the
tears running down her face dislorting her carefully applied
make-up.
"What is it child, this lerrible secret you hide within your
heartr asked the Oracle again. "You can only find relief and
forgiveness If you let the truth free from within the prison you
ha'le buil! for it"
Shiriko, who had bowed her head In apparent shame,
looked up to the Oracle with tearful eyes. 'i11e truth my lord,
is that I love you. Ever since I laid eyes on you years ago J have
,
loved you with all my heart" The Oracle simply stared.
dumbfounded by the woman's words and the strange effect
they were having upon him. "I thought thai by coming to you
with a mailer of grave imporl I might impress you, that you
might see in me all thai I see in you. I know it's foolish, a girlish
dream. but I thought thai you might somehow come to love me
as I love you."
The Oracle's heart soared to hear Shiriko's words. Dragons
know nothing of love but in theory. When the Oracle took on
the spirit of the Dragon he lost touch with all the emotions he
onre had as a man. Now however. in the moment of weakness
before he gave up his earthly existence, Shiriko's arrow struck
true. Emotions long forgotten and repressed welled up within
in him and he looked upon the beaulifuJ Scorpion Clan envoy
with longing eyes. He felt the connection with the Dragon
waver, but he did nol care. All other thoughts, aU concerns
besides this new found love evaporated.
 She said she had a plan for them to be IOgether in love for
eternity. The Orade can pass on the mantle of the Dragon to her
and ascend into the Celestial Heavens as planned. Then she in
Shiriko had seen that same look many times befOre in others turn will pass II on and Join him for all time. The Oracle. still
and she knew that she had snared her prize. She went on to under love's sway, found this a divine idea, and agreed.. saying
explain that since the love of her life was leaving. she too would that once Shlriko passes the mantle on lo the eta girl all we be
end ber Ufe. She would commit seppuku here in this cave. Just as he planned except iliat now be can exisl in eternal love
Perhaps then she mighl see blm In the Celestial Heavens some with his oew bride. Shiriko, still revolted al the Idea of an eta
day. She drew forth her blade. preparing to end her own life. The Oracle aod not thinking at her best suggested thai perhaps a
Oracle stopped her. confused, but knowing he did not want her to different candidale could succeed her. somC(lne from her own
that to see her in pain would pain bim even more. family.
Shlriko dropped the blade to the ground and looked at him, For all love's obfuscating power, the Oracle remained the
eyes still wet with tears. Slowly she walk towards him, her gaze Orade and suddenly he saw Shiriko's duplidty for what it was.
fixed 00 his. She knell before him where he sat, never breaking The love she had awakened in him quicldy turned to something
thai., look. Slowly, hesitantly she leaned her head for,lrard. much less pleasant: bitter, black betrayal Shiriko knew at once
UiHhink!ngly. surprisingly he leaned forward as ~.Il They kissed that she had erred, thai she had pressed him 100 far. While lo\'e
and then feUmto cadi others arms. The eta girL confused and had beeD overwhelming in a wODderful way, this Dew emoUon
ashamed. fled the cave. While the Orade.·~ burned with love the Oracle felt consumed him unoontrollably. The temperature in
Shlriko's soared at the prospect that her plan was actually the room began 10 rise at an alarming rate. Shiriko gathered
rking. She bad seduced a god. together her clothes and ran for the cave entrance. As she ned
1'be-nexl,...moming as they lay side by side. Shiriko began 10 down the mountain the peak exploded in a burst of name like a
urrlold the rest of ber plan. Confident thaI she had him wound newborn volcano.
tightly in herskein of false love, she began to speak of the future.
 Her escort found her. bruised and battered but alive al !.he
bottom of the mountain. The wrapped her up in fresh silks and
mounted !.heir steed to nee the flaming mountain. Behind them \ \
the Oracle continued to rage. creating geysers of flame and
streams of molten rock. Soon his anger turned from red hot 10
Ice cold. The Dragon spirit within him was buried deep down
beneath Lhe hate. Like any lover scorned. he could lhink of
Cl1a£h?11 f)11~:
nolhing but the pain he felt and the one who had caused it He
too descended the mountain and headed for Kyuden Shosuro.
intent on finding his lost love.
erl1~ Fufu11~
Rtflam~
Shiriko and her escorts arrived back at Kyudcn Shosuro in the
early evening. By this time Shiriko had composed herself and
was able 10 present the rest of her family with an accurale
account of what had happened and the mistake she had made.
The family, although disturbed and shocked at the story. decided Here the player characters enter the story and take their first
that she had made the right decision at the time and forbade her step towards assuming the central role in tWs drama. On their
from committing seppuku. They assumed that the Oracle would way to Kyuden Shosuro they come across a village under attack
simply pass on the mantel of the Oracle to the eta girl, if he had by what appear to be fire spirils of some sort. They smell the
not done so already. smoke before they see it, whim draws them all to the burning
Eight hours later they found out how wrong !.hey were when. village. There they catch a glimpse of the Oracle himself before
in the middle of the night senlties shouted out the warning that he disappears and are left to fight off the name spirils and try to
the castle was under attack. The Oracle of Fire had come in all discover just what Is going on.
his anger but not all of his power. The powerful emotions
coursing through him were befuddling his connection to the H's days like today that make you wish spring would never
Dragon. Although capable of manipulating fire magic he did not leave. The sun is ou~ the air warm. bul nothol and the scenery
have access to his full abilities. at leasl not with any control. green again after so many months of white snow and cold winds.
Nevertheless he represented a real enough threat as the arrows lust a few hours out from Kyuden Shosuro you have begun to see
of the castle guards burned to ashes in mid air and bolts of fire increased signs of habitation: farms, small \'iIIages, and more
scorched !.he walls and the men who defended lbem. well-traveled roads. You begin 10 notice a whiff of smoke In the
The attack lasled for several hours. with the Shosuro family air, the smell of burning wood so common in the winler bUl rare
holed up behind its stone walls. Shugenja skilled in the Ring of on a fine spring aflernoon. As you round a bend you see a large
Water had a very busy nighl When dawn broke the mad Oracle column of thick, hlack smoke rising from down the road. ThJs is
retreated. apparently giving up the atlack for now. The Shosuro more than a cooking fire; it looks as if several houses, maybe
family sent out samurai to inspect the area around the castle. It even an entire village. is on fire.
was only from this exterior vantage point that the Scorpion Clan
could see that the oracle had not left without leaving a message. Indeed, mosl of the village is on fire. The Oracle, wearied [rom
Scorched into the stone wall with jels of flame were his night-long assault on Kyuden Shosuro has decided to retire
maracters twenty feet high which spelled out the Oracle's for a while but the rage within him continues to burn. Passing
dem'od. GIVE ME WHAT IS MINE OR FEEL MY FIRE. The near the small village be noticed a pair of lovers wading in a
Oracle had made his demand but there was still some hope in nearby stream. The weariness dissolved from him and anger and
!.his fad II he wanted Shiriko that meant he had not yet made jealousy overwhelmed all thoughts of rest The two youths
the cia girl his successor. The Scorpions still had time to act if turned as they heard the bedraggled Or-acle howl in pain, and ran
they hurried and the seeds of a plan had already begun to form lowards their village as the woods around them exploded into
in their minds. What they needed now was a little more time. [James.
Unable 10 bear the thought of others experiencing love when
he could not he decided to turn the heat of their passion into Irue
fire. He awakened the Fire within them. magnifying its powers a
hundred fold. The fearful couple transformed into destructive
creatures of Dame ready to do their new master's bidding. The amongst the locals. If they are slow and indecisive. they might fail
Grade, still rife wilh hate and anger. turned the pair of fire spirits completely and let innocent lives go to waste.
loose upon their former bomes where they are now destroying Challenge 1: The Fire Spirits: 11le two spirits, while mostly
everything in sight The player characters stumble into the area miodless at this point still recognize that the party of armed
not ten minutes laier. samurai represents the greatest threat. As soon as the party
11le road the heroes are on takes them right through the involves itself in saving the village they tum their full attention
burning village. The quicker they arrive, the more of the village on the player characters. The Fire Spirits look like nonnal
they can save. If the party continues down the road towards the humans sheathed in bright. while hoI fire. Looking directly at
smoke cloud at a leisurely pace. the GM can increase lIle sense of them is difficult since they are so bright, almost like looking into
urgency by Informing the players that their characters have the sun,
begun to hear screams of terror and anguish ftltering through the This blinding effect coupled with the intense heat they give off
woods as well. It is up to the GM to decide bow much damage makes them hard to deal with in combat Since their Fire has
the fire spirilS do before the party arrives, but if they take their been so awakened, they are quite quick, but they retain aU the
time they should get me impression thal more lives amid have. other attributes of their human forms. Their only attack is to
been saved had they hurried.. strike with their hands, and most of the damage their comes from
the fire and not the punch. Just a few seconds contact sets dry
As the road crests a small rise and breaks out of the woods limbers aOame and scorches flesh from bone.
you look down upon a tiny village engulfed in fire. You now hear The fire gives them some protection from attacks, but for the
plainly the saeams of the residents as they run from house lO most part they are susceptible to normal damage. The problem is
house, trying in wln to put out the Dames. Also running amongst that anyone thaI gets within five feet of them starts to suffer heat
the villagers are two villagers that appear to be on fire. However damage: an automatic 2k2 fire damage each round spenl in close
rather than panicking or roUing on the ground in fear, these fiery combat with the spirit The spirits lake double damage rrom all
figures seem to be chasing the others through the strtelS, setting Water spells and H they are ever doused completely ill water,
more fires as the go. Strangesl of all perhaps is the wild·halred (such as in the town well or the nearby stream) the fire is
man standing in the middle of the road just twenty or thirty yards extinguished and they revert to their normal selves. If a "killing
from you, just watching the smoke ftlled scene unfolding below. blow" is struck using Water magic. they will similarly rf\'ert to
their normal sel\'es instead of dying (although injuries from
11le Dude man is of course the Oracle of Fire himsell He is ordinary weapons will remain).
watching his creations do his work for him. When the party Challenge 2: Mother and Child: Meanwhile. in a nearby
approaches tum or calls out be turns on them, a wild, obviously burning house, a mother and child scream for help. The doorway
insane look in his eyes. He thinks they might be Scorpion Clan is blocked by a fallen timber and the house all around them is on
samurai $ent by the ShosUIO and right now he is in no mood for fire. The characters could go through a "indow and try to help
a real fight· all of his emotions have so distorted his connection get the pair out or try to clear the entry of the burning timber.
with the Dragon thaI he- has grown quite tired. As the heroes The fire has spread too far to be pUI out in time.
approach he raises his hands lowards them. yelling for them to
stay back. Then a pillar of name swirls up around him and then
dissipates. 11le Oracle is gone. transported a Ii further up the road
(as mud! as he could manage in his weakened slate). FIRE SPIRITS
Earth: 2
SAVING TH[ V,LlAG[ Water: 2
The Oracle seen and gone, the heroes now have the fire spirits rlre: 2
to worry about Q{ course they have no way of knowing that these AgiHIy: 5
are actually innocent V11lagers transformed into monsters and. Aid
odds are. they will try to destroy the pair. The only way to figure Void: 1
ouLtheir true nature is to stop one of the villagers and ask them RoUs When AUack1ng: 2k2
what these spirits are. The frightened peasant replies that he or Rolls For Damage: lkl + 2k2 fire damage
she does not know but thal they look somewhat like Girucho and (see above)
Kako, two young residents of the community. TN to hit: 20
Unfortunalely, there is little time to talk. Three immediate Wounds: 7:·1. 15; dead
challenges confront the characters and they have 10 decide bow
best to deal willl them If they're smart and fast they can
overcome all three and win a heroic reputation for themselves

10
 Making it through the win w and to the mother and child One person working at transporting water from the well Of
without getting burned requires a TN 20 Agility+Athletics action. shoveling sand can keep the fire at bay. not pUltiDi il out but
Getting the baby out the same way requires another TN 20 action. keeping il from spreading anymore. Th'O people reduce buy aD
Gelting the Mother out requires a TN 25 Agility action. Breaking extra round of leeway. Afler five rounds. two people ean put the
down the timber requires a TN 30 Strength action and means the flre out completely. Three can pul it OUI in three rounds. and four
character suffers 2k2 fire and smoke inhalation damage in the or more can puI il oul in Iwo rounds.
process bUI the way is clear for the two trapped villagers to
escape. AFTERMATH
Emphasize their plight righl away by having some of the Once everyone is safe and what fires that can be quashed are.
locals call the pany's attention to Il If the party does not save the the heroes have a chance to talk to the villagers and discover just
pair within five minutes of learning about them. both die. what happened here. Unfonunately they do not know. OnI.J a few
OtaJlenge .1: Elder House Aflame: Another house, near the of them even saw the wild eyed stranger and none of them
center of the town is home to the village's mosl prosperous family. rerognize him. Even the transformed lovers remember litdt of
The crippled, elderly parents of both husband and wife live within him besides the fact that he yelled like a madman and c:onsumed
the large wooden home. While the rest of lhe family has gone out !.hem in fire. A few noticed that there were bright Iighls cOming
to help fighl the spreading fires. these elders are leHln the house. from the direction of Kyuden Shosuro (about five Ii away) last
Now the house has caught fire and unless someone puts it oul nighi, bUI assumed !.hey were part of some celebraUon. ObviousJy
quickly, the four andents inside will die. lhe answers to what happened here lie further down the road.
The sooner the characters take care of the fire, the easier it is It is possible thai the heroes might dedde to pursue the Oracle
to put OUl Again, they should beoome aware of the plight of the (nol knowing who he is) instead of proceeding on 10 Kyuden
elderly denizens immediately, this time through the voice of a Shosuro. Unfortunately they ba'o-e DO idea where he bas gone
granddtild whose parents are 100 busy fighting other fires or have since he vanished StiI~ a thorough searcb of the--surrounding
ned for their lives in the face or the fire spirits. There is water In countrySide over the next day and into the niJbt leads them to the
the nearby well and sand and shovels aU around. The party has base of the Oracles mountain home and straight past Chapter
Bve minutes before the house becomes engulfed in name. 1\vo and into Chapter Three.
 his family by acting as envoys to the mad Oracle. In reality he is
simply using them to buy time for his own schemes.
\
The road has grown wide and well maintained through th

Cha~ta\1 eJ:n)o: woods and you know Kyuden Shosuro must be. close
Surprisingly. there are few fellow lIavelers on lhe road far fewe
than you would expect this time of year. The road takes you ou

1vfadnass of the woods and suddenly you can see your destination. Eve
from a Ii away you can tell that all is nol right with Kyude
Shosuro. The castle reslS atop a gently sloping hill, normally a

Ra\1aalad idyllic scene dotted wil.h pleasant shade lrees and covered in Ius
grasses. Now the smell of smoke permeates the air and the eoli
hiUtop has been scorched 10 the earth, the grass turned 10 ashes
the trees blackened stumps. As you approach the castle itself yo
see that it too has suffered [rom some sort of fiery assaulL Th
roofs of buildings bave burned Lhrough in places and the grea
stone walls have been bladened in great swal.hs.lt take5 you ool
a moment to realize that the scorch marks on the walls are th
The party arrives at Kyuden Shosuro and sees the damage the random patterns of a raging fire but actually form leiters. In Kanj"
Oracle has caused. After explaining their presence the guards at twenty feet high someone has burned the words ~GIVE ME
first refuse them entry. Then they seem to have a sudden change WHAT IS MINE OR FEEL MY FIRE."
of heart and are allowed into the castle. There they meet wilh
Shosuro Hametsu himself who explains what happened (from a
Scorpion point of view) and then asks the heroes to help him and

fJ
" , \

\.
,, -
~=-=---­
p ..
 The guards along Lhe walls of Kyuden Shosuro are more than
a IiIUe frazzled afler tile Oracle's assault They have orders not to
admit any outsiders to the castle withoul express permission from
their lord. If Ihe emperor himself rode up 10 the gates tiley would
deny him entry until ShosUIo Hametsu gave Lhem the word. They
no longer trust tileir eyes. only the word of their daimyo. They
challenge Ihe party from about £ifty yards oul with drawn bows,
asking them to state their business.
Wbatever errand the PCS are on. it should require them to
enler the caslle to successfully complete it The guards question
them closely aboul who they are. where they have come from and
who sent them. As the party answers these questions they can see
several dozen drawn bows aimed at their hearts. Such treatment
is definitely not an appropriate way to treat friendly guests. The
GM should emphasize lhis fact to the players. Obviously
something is going on here.
After the rude questioning ends the guards tell the party to
wait where they are. It takes about haIf an hour ror the final
answer to come. The gates swing open. the bows are lowered, and
the heroes are invited inside. There they are met by Shosuro
Juberu, one of the daimyo's closeSI advisers. Juberu is a short.
plump man in elegant silks, holding a ivory fan which he uses to
emphasize his points when he talks. He greets the parly warmly
and with all proper respect, apologizing for the delay and
rudeness with which they were treated. The party now has a few moments to discuss matlers amongst
Juberu explains thai they have had some difficullies recently themselves. The fow women serve the party welL although they
but refuses to go into any more detail than that He does not do not answer any questions about what happened to the castle.
comment upon Lhe words scorched into the wall or even the They simply ask if perhaps they can get. the character something
burned hUi surrounding the castle. He deflects these questions as to drink or eat or if they would like to hear a song. The food and
deflly as possible. always apologizing thai he cannot answer the wine are both of the highest quality, as is everything else about
party's questiolls at this lime bul Lha! if they will just follow him, the room. including the hidden bamboo pipes designed for
all will be revealed in lime. Shosuro listeners to hear everything that is said within the room.
Their hosts give the PCS ten or fifteen minutes to talk amongst
THE MUTING themselves and give away any secrets they wish to foolishly
disclose. The Shosuro wait longer if they overhear the party
As you walk through Lhe gates and inlo the interior courtyard talking about something interesting. like the attack on the village
f the castle, you nolice everywhere the signs of soldiers by the fire spirits.
reparing for siege. Fire nas scorched and partially burned many Finally, the panels slide back and in walk fOUI Shosuro
f the buildings and thai servants are placing buckets of sand and samurai and the daimyo himselt Lord Shosuro Hamtesu. At his
water In strategic localions all around you. The faces of all are side are Shosuro Juberu and an as yet unidentified courtier. a
grim with determination and no one seems to even give you a man named Shosuro Medo. Naturally, the party is expected to
second glance. You follow Juberu up into the third level of the show the proper respect in the presence of such a greal man.
reat castle, passing Scorpion guards at every turn. He leads you Hametsu seats himself on a small raised dais al the end of the
nto a reception hall, a well appointed room Ihat seems to have room. His courtiers sit facing the same direction just in front of
seaped any damage during whatever happened. A group of four tne dais. The guards assume their positions al each of the room's
emale'servants await your arrival in the room. Juberu stands four corners (a dozen more wait outside, just dew seconds away).
aside to leI you enler, saying llley will take care of any After the initial pleasantries. Shosuro Hamtesu twos the
'mmediate needs you might have, my Lord shall see you conversation over to his courtier Juberu. Juberu does most of the
momentarily:' lalking in this conversation. even answering" questions that the
PCS address directly to Lord Hametsu. Juberu simply sits back
and watches. noticing everything he can aboul how the party escaped with his life. He returned home to report what ha
behaves. happened only 10 have the Oracle come close upon him. There h
Juberu opens the conversation with a brief speech: stood {or all of us to see. stark naked and raving like a lunatic. H
actually attacked our castle. with no provocation! We were t
''I'm sure you cannot help but have noticed the damage done frightened 10 fight back; we simply tried 10 put out the fires
so recently to our casl.le. This is embarrassing, and normally I fast as he could light them.
would not burden you with our private problems. However, the ~Finally, in a booming voice like thunder. he demanded '\Vha
root of our distress lies in a situation iliat has implications for all is His,' although we had no idea what lhis might mean. He the
of Rokugan. I'm sure ilial once you have heard of what happened ordered us to send it to him soon or that he would destroy ou
here, you will be understanding and forgive us our imposition. castle. He ended his demands with a diatribe against both th
"Recently we learned that the Oracle of Fire had come to the Shosuro family and the Scorpion clan. I know nol whal we hav
region. Wishing his advice on a family matter, we sent our done to deserve the wrath of sum a being. J feel certain ilial h
representative Shosuro Medo to ask the Oracle to share his has gone mad and a mad oracle presents a danger to all of us.."
wisdom. When he arrived Medo found that the Orade was with
a young eta girl. This was strange enough but the ways of the Shosuro Juberu then introduces Shosuro Medo, the other
Oracles are beyond our understanding. Medo politely asked ilie courtier sitting in the room. The two men gladly answer any
Oracle our question. The Oracle, horrifyingly. responded angrily. questions they might have about what happened. Medo
He shouted and cursed Medo. saying that he was tired 0 elaborates well upon ilie basic story Juberu just told, giving
answering questions for focUsb mortals, that he was tired of this plenty of examples of how mad the Oracle must be. He goes on
world. He screamed in the face of our frightened envoy, saying to describe the ugly. half-wilted eta girL an urchin so filthy he
that be was going to give us what we deserve. He was going to could scarcely stomamto be in the same room as her. How could
ascend into the Celestial Heavens and leave !.his young eta girl as any right·minded being choose such a piece of garbage as its
his successor. He said iliat he would make this half-wit daughter successor? It makes no sense.
of a gravc-digger the next Oracle of Fire! They listen with interest if lhe party chooses to lell them of
MAs you can imagine. MOOo was horrified. and fled the Oracle's their encounter in the nearby village. From the description. the
presence. The Oracle. obviously insane at this point, began man they saw can only be the insane Oracle, and his behavior
emitting waves of fire and gouts of lighlning. Medo barely certainly seems proor of the divine personage's madness. Juberu
says Ihal they have decided 10 send an envoy back to the Oracle T H£ SCORPION PUN
and try to appease him in some way. However. they are nol sure Of course everything the Scorpions tell the party is a lie. It is
how best to do this. given the Oracle's expressed negative feelings important at this stage that it all be very believable. 'There is no
towards the Scorpion Clan. reason for the PCS to suspect the Scorpion of lying (other than the
mere fact that they're Scorpions). Juberu's story fits perfectly with
TH£ OFF£R all the available evidence. In fact, Lord Hametsu does not believe
Finally, Lord Hametsu himself speaks. "Perhaps you might the party can accomplish anything with the Oracle (besides
offer 10 help us," he says. Juberu acts as if the idea had never stalling for time) and. more tllan likely, they will be killed Of
crossed his mind but that it's the most brilliant plan ever course when talking to the PCS Juberu insinuates that the danger
conceived. He asks the party to act as envoys to the Oracle. Since is very slight
they are not part of the Shosuro family. the Oracle will not bear Having consulted with his own court shugenja and wise
them any ill will. They can find out what he wants and perhaps myslic masters from both the Soshi and Yogo families. he thinks
even solve the mystery of his he has discovered a way to
madness. overcome the Oracle and
Hametsu speaks again. "Your WHY AN ETA? actually transfer the Oracle's
aid would be most appreciated," In the modern age of democratic Ideals, It's dUflcult to power to one of his own family:
he says. The GM should make get inle the rnindsel of a caste system like Rokugan's. In namely Shiriko. However, he
sure the players realize how order. to understand why the Scorpion are so horrified by needs more Ume in order to
significant Hametsu's oUer is. The the Oracle's choice for a successor, the players must bring all of the different pieres
Daimyo of one of the most understand just how reviled the ela are. As the lowest ebb together to make his plan work.
powerful families in Rokugan of human society, eta represent aU that is rank and base. The party will buy him that
would owe them a debt of They shovel manure. dispose of corpses, and handle the time. probably with their lives. If
graUtude. One never knows dead flesh of animals. Everything they come into contact they survive their encounter.
when such a valuable ally could with is considered filthy. Nobility, heimin. even geisha and they might even prove helpful in
come in useful. Juberu will merchants cannot stand to be in their presence. One may as executing the final plan since the
continue to urge the party to help well make a pig the next Oracle of Fire than an eta Scorpions need a way to get
only if he sees that they are Unless they are truly extraordinary (and suffer Honor Shiriko safely back into the
reluctanL He may oUer other penalties accordingly) the player characters will feel the presence of the Oracle once all
incentives, such as monetary same way about the eta as the Scorpion do. The question is., the preparations have been
rewards if the PCS are the kind of is their revulsion enough to overcome what appears to be made.
people swayed by such things. divine will? In the wes~ the answer would be easy, but here. The Scorpion Clan plan revolves
This is the moment of truth. If it's much more muddled Do you blindly obey the word of around using one of the Clan's
the party agrees then it's on with Heaven. trusting its wisdom 10 see what you cannot? Or do most potent nemuranai. the
the adventure. If they refuse, they you stand up (or what you know is right. even if the Oracle Dagger of Shosuro herself. The
meet Ute Oracle again on their of Fire himself opposes you? The adventure hinges on the clan mystic believe thal when
way oul of the Scorpion lands. choice the characters make. Shiriko uses the dagger. she will
Assuming the party agrees to be able to kill the Oracle and
help (which the rest of this book strip his power from him. taking
does~ Medo gives them directions to the Oracle's current it upon herself. Then. with the newfound power of the Dragon,
mountaintop residence. Lord Hametsu nods his thanks to them she can safely remove return the weapon it to the Shosuro family.
and takes his leave along with the guards. Juberu also thanks With Shirlko in place as the new Oracle, she can greatly aid her
them again and asks if there is anything they need. family in its upcoming struggles. While they have the hand in
The heroes are welcome to stay in the castle for the rest of the Kyuden ShosuTO. the mystic blade needs 10 be brought in from
nighL They will need their rest since the Journey to the mountain Kyuden Soshi and properly prepared. a process that will take at
will take the better part of a day. During the night they sleep in least three, possibly four days. Then the Scorpions shall strike
comfortable. well guarded rooms on the same floor of the castle down the divine Oracle, a feal unprecedented In all history.
as the meeling room. They are afforded every luxury, but may not
leave their rooms. Any attempt to Mexplore" Kyuden Shosuro is AFT£R/IIATH
met with violent force. The Scorpions do not appreciate others The party now works for the Scorpion Clan; at least for the
prying too closely inlo their business. momenl They have their marching orders and should head out
the next morning for the Oracle's mountaintop home. They think
the Oracle insane and it is their job to find out what he wants and
possibly talk some sense inlo him.

15
 The party, acting as negotiators for the Scorpion Can. must
ascend a nearby mountain to confront Ihe insane Oracle of rae.
This is not as easy as one might think since the Oracle has
transformed the enUre raa: of the mountain into a hellish, fiery
landscape. The party picks its way past pools or lava walls of fire.
and jets of steam to finally make It 10 the lOp and the madman
himselL

U the heroes spoke 10 the Scorpion Clan. iliey can tell them
where the Orade had set up his temporary home. Since it's a fair
ways off (some fifteen II~ this is probably where the Oracle
retreated 10 recover. They give the po; detailed directions but
prefer. nol to send any of lIleir own people along as guides since
any association with them might damage the party's credibility
with the Oracle (U Indeed they have any credibility). Once they
come, within five Ii or lIle mountain they cannol help but notice
it The entire mountain Is lit with what appear to be small fires. The Oracle created this nighlmarish mountain almost entirely
as if an army was encamped all along the face. Surely this must subconsciously. In the initial fury at Shiriko's betrayal he let loose
be !.he place they seek. As the heroes arrive. night begins to the power of the Dragon upon the mountain. This is a great deal
descend. of fury indeed and the power of iI even scared the Oracle. In fact,
fear of losing control of the power in such a way again bas caused
You stand at the base of the small mountain which you have his link wilh the Dragon io become tenuous. The Mountain will
watched grow larger and brighter (or the past few hours. In the never be the same. It has become an expression of the Oracles
twilight you can see that what seemed like camp faes from a moods and remains alluned to his emotional state. Righi now il
distance are actually pools of molten lava and spouts of Dame up is smoldering. just like the Oracle's anger. Although a dangerous
and down the lbousand foot rise..Every tree, bush, and bit of saub place to be. the player characters still have a chance to make It to
that once clung to the face is now burned away, leaving a bare, the lOP alive. Were the Oracle 10 become enraged, the whole
rocky mountainside podted with fiery markers. Even the dirt has mountain would flame up. lava would boil forth and the whole
been fused into glass. leaving shiny, sUck patches here and there. stairway would become impassable.
ft is like a \.ision from your darkest nightmares, right up to the The climb up a thousand stairs Lakes a while. Exactly how
lOp where a tremendous Ilame seems 10 burn "ith no fuel to feed long depends upon how the party deals with the many different
it 10 dimD sud! a face seems impossible. Fortunately for you, a obstacles they encounter along the way. Should the players
set of stairs carved into the living rock wind up into the nigh consider giving up in the race of such danger. remind them that
towards the peak. they stand to gain a greal deal by helping the Scorpion Clan in

•
:::::::;;;;:::::::;;;:;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;'.'1.'."._"·. ~ I'~', ,'UIIo
!!:::
this manner and thaL they have given their words 10 help. Others is shear and smooth as glass. In fact it is glass, sand fused in the
might be swayed by promises of the honor and glory that would heal of the Oracle's fury, It is possible to climb along the walilf
naturally come 10 any brave soul who managed to make his or the party has spikes or some other way of creating hand holds.
her way tn the Oracle under such circumstances.
STU'" Ins
l.AVA STRU"'S
As the stairway twists its way around the die of the mountai
You have nol climbed more than a hundred winding feet when you hear up ahead a loud hissing sound. The smell of sulfu
ou come upon a £romidable obstacle. The stairs end at a rocky permeates the air, despite the stiff breeze thai blows other seen
lalform roughly twenty feet wide and ten feet across. AI the away, Soon enough you see the souret of this sound: jets of stea
pposite end of the platform ten foot wide chasm splits the side rising from cracks all along the stairway ahead. It Is impossible
f the mountain. On the other side you can see thaI the stairs to see through the scalding mist just how far the steam ven
nLmue on up. but even from where you stand you can hear, extend.
mel~ and feel the heat of the stream of molten rock that flows
rough the dtasm. The steam is very hot. hoi enough to cook rice or scald a
character's skin badly. Anyone walking directly over one of the
There is indeed lava below and the party has to find a way to half dozen vents receives immediate 2kl scalding damage, Armor
get across 10 the other side. Ten feeL is nol too far Lo jump bul it that leaves any portion of the wearer's skin exposed offers no
is very risky should one miss. Ashort fall of fifteen feet lands the protection from this damage. Wrapping one's exposed flesh in
unlucky soul in a stream of molten lava that causes instant death. cloth or some other protection reduces the damage 2 points for
Jumping requires a TN 15 Agility+AthleUcs (or other suitable each. vent All told the party musl pass through Rve steam venls
combination) action. To the left there is nothing but air and a lava La get to the other side,
fall where the molten rock streams down the side of the Alternately, clever characters might try to cover the steam
mountains and pools below. To the right the side of the mountain venis with something before walking over them, A iingasa
helmet or piece of metal armor will work admirably, at leasl for The surface Ihe party must cross is of a consistency
a short while. Someone or thing must constantly apply pressure somewhere between quicksand and freshly laId asphalL The
to the covering item in order to stop the steam from blowing the heroes can walk across it, although their foot sinks into the warm
cover off. The longer the vent gets co\o'ered. the higher the rock about a foot with each step they lake. Unless they stay on
pressure thai builds up underneath it After four rounds of being the move they continue to sink at a rale of one foot every round.
covered the pressure is so great thai il takes the weight of a fully For every round the PC stays in place the difficulty of making a
grown man on top of the cover 10 keep it in place. On the fifth Strength action to step out forward again increases by 5. Thus
round it will blow the cover and anyone standing on it sky high. staying put for three rounds requires a Strength TN 15 action to
possibly even over the side of the mountain. move 3gairt
There are also places where the rock is quite soft and hol
SHIFTING T£RRAIN visually indistinguishable but experientially much different
Stepping in one of th~ areas is like (alling into a pit and the
AI first you think It must be the beat, the ground up ahead character immediately finds him or herself up to the armpits in
seems to be shifting. You have come to a shelf aboul a hundred hoi rock.. One or more of the fellow PCS must now hurry over and
yards square. On the opposite side the stairway continues save the poor trapped soul within the next three rounds or they
upwards.. Between here and there you see a field of rock thai is go under. Pulling someone out of a pit requires a TN 20 Strength
behaving more like a pond Large boulder.; and mid-sized stones actiOrt Roll and keep an additional die for every character beyond
seem 10 shift and mO\'e on their own, flowing in the eddies and the fust The Difficulty increases by 5 for each point of Waler the
currents of the water-like earth that stretches out before yo trapped person has higher than the one pulling them out The
Although Ie intense than other places you have been through best way to avoid pits (once you know they're there) is to feel
lalely, there is no ignoring the heat that rises from the plaleau ahead with a spear or even a sword for soft areas.
laid OUI before you. The small islets of rock orrer resting places for a while. The
smaller rocks begin 10 sink under an adulfs .....eight and submerge
completely in three rounds. The larger rocks can support one
human indefinitely but begin to sink under the weight of two or
more and will disappear in five rounds. The heat from the soh
earth causes no significanl damage but immersing oneself in it \ \
leave dOlhing covered in dirt and rock.

SUPPERY SLOPE

The stairs continue on but there is something differenl about

hem all of a sudden. they seem 10 shimmer in the reflected
Irelight coming from other parts of the mountain Closer
xaminalion reveals the cause: these sieps are glass, or at leasi
covered In glass. Smooth \0 the touch. this volcanic glass seems
ard as rock and slick as ice.

The glass stairs continue on up for about one hundred feel

Doing anything besides walking very slowly upon them results in
a 101 of slipping and sliding. something thai could potentially lead
to failing off the side of the mountain altogether. Moving quickly
requires a TN 15 Agility action 10 keep one's feet where you wanl Having reached the mountaintop, the PCS come face 10 face
them. If the player makes a raise they can move even faster or with the Oracle. who is at first In no mood to talk. However. the
perform more intricate acts. Using a spike or blade 10 anchor player characters have a chance to build a rapport with him and
oneself is relatively easy since the glass is somewhat britLle. it get him to tell the SlOty of what really happened. Thus. they
makes for slow but safe movemenL would learn the truth about what caused his anger (or 81 least the
Thats fortunate since there are still the fireflies to deal with. Oracles version of it~
These are nol just your average fireflies bUI rather flies composed
of real fire, lransformed courtesy of the Oracle's madness. These You stand at the top of the long stairway, trying catch you
iru;ects descend upon the pany when they are about halfway up breath ooly to have it taken away again by the sight laid ou
the glass stairs. They home in on the cool. exposed flesh of the before YOlL The top of the mountain is perfedJy flai and smooth
party. AsuceessfuJ attack by a character swishes the fIrefly away, In the center, polished stone floor is a fifty foot wide pool a
killing iL However, if the character wishes to move and swat at molten lava with a small island of rock in the cenler of iL A
the same time (the only way 10 get up the stairs). then they must single, two foot wide rock bridge crosses the lava lO the island
also make Agility rolls to avoid slipping and falling. where a huge stone throne rests. There on a rock throne silS th
Each round each hero gelS allacked by between one and three Oracle of Fire, dad in a while silk kimono, loosely tied about hi
fire flies. The flies automatically cause one point of damage waisL To either side of him a fifleen fOOl pillar of fire burn
unless swatted away. II iakes five rounds of normal speed without any obvious source of fuel
movement to reach the end or the glass stairs (each round It is the same man you encountered on the road 10 Kyude
requiring successful Agility actions to avoid falling). Characters Shosuro, and although clothed. he looks Just as wild eyed as h
using a blade to anchor themselves or moving at a safe speed take did then. His long black hair is in disarray, bis posture hunch
twice as long to reach the top. Of course the flies don't leave just forward in his seal He drums the fingers of his right hand on th
because the party clears the stairs. They stick around for another arm res~ producing sparks and small puffs of smoke each tim
few hundred feet of stairs, but alleasl the party can run once they finger touches stone. He looks out across the lava towards you bu
clear the slippery slope. Running characters encounter only one says nothing.
fiy per round and can swat them away (attack) and run at the
same time ""ithoul fear of falling.

[S~aklng \\lith nMn~

~1adn~ss
The Oracle has known of the partys approach since they
reached the mountain and began climbing his stairway. What he
does nOI know is whai they wanl from him. He has half a mind
to destroy them outright. but their persistence has piqued his
interest Furthermore. d~p down inside, the Orade actually characters do not know about Shiriko or the seduction the
wants to talk to someone about his problems. The life of a divine conversation probably starts oul relath'tly calm and reserved.
seer has not prepared him for these emotions and a sympathetic Each subject heading listed below contains the information the
ear might help him sort oul some of the strange urges that Oracle is willing to di\-'Ulge on a given topic. Of course. the Orade
periodically overcome him Urges like the desire to raze Kyuden tends to answer questions with questions. at least the first" time.
Shosuro and kill evel)'One within. This is an old habit designed to get people to think for
The truth is. the Oracle does not want to kill anyone. at least lhemse.lves Instead of relying on him for answers. Whenever
no( when he is in his right mind. He does not even really want to questioned he first questions the petitioner's motives for asking
kill Shiriko. In fact, he's nol at all sure what he wants from the question. What does the questioner hope to learn? What do
Shlrlko except that he needs 10 see her again. At the same time, they think lhe answer is? What would they like the answer to be?
whenever he sees or thinks of certain things, like love or betrayal Only after the petitioner has answered these questions to the
he completely loses control of himself and gets swept up In the Oracle's satisfaction does he reply (0 lheir questions. This
emotional rip tide. Then he starts lashing out with the power of traditional pallern breaks down when the conversation closes in
the Dragon. scarcely in control of what he is doing. The lack or on the topic of Shiriko or even love in general. TIlen he can
control has introduced him lo one more emotion: fear, something become curt and nasty, long winded and rambling, or
just as oonfuslng as love and hate. Incomprehensibly manic, depending on what the GM prefers.
In the ensuing conversation between the player characters and Remember though that the Oracle wanlS to get these things oU
the Oracle, the GM should play up lhis bi·polar personality as his chest and as long as the heroes guide him along rather than
much as possible. Whenever the topic of conversation is not press him for quick answers he eventually lells them all they
directly related to Shiriko and her actions the Oracle is calm, need to know.
collected, and enIgmatic. just what you might expect from an -Why did You Attack the Village?
Oracle. When Shirlko occupies the forefront of his mind he can The Oracle has only vague memories of attacking the village.
become profoundly sad. incredibly angry, or just plain manic. or He skirts around this question because it makes him nervous that
course, Shiriko is exactly what the party needs to learn about he lost control that way. He remembers seeing a pair of lovers by
most so they must choose: their words carefully. the side of a stream. How"ever, even the waters of the stream couJd
Unless the pany does something to actually threaten the not quench the fire in lheir hearts. It was the fire of lheir love that
Oracle (they're nOl that dumb are they?) he does not hurt them. turned them against the village. He had nothing to do with it
Howe\'U. two pUlars of fire Dank his throne and are fully ammate, That's his story and he's sticking to il
responding to his mental commands. He might well use these 'Why did )'OU grow angry at Sbosuro Medo?
mobile columns of Dame to emphasize points or herd the player This is an easy one. He has no idea who Shosuro Medo is and
maraders around. Unless tbe party has access to some he never attacked him. Certainly no one fitting that name or
particulady powerful lire quendling artifact there is no way 10 description has ever come to him on Ihis mountain (or any other),
stop these name pillars. Even water magic has no effect Should -Why did you attack Kyuden Shosuro?
the PCS foolishly engage tne column of fire it does 5k5 damage The Oracle denies attacking Kyuden Shosuro. If he wanted to
per tound. destroy the castle it would be rubble now; technically he did no!
The Oracle waits for the party to make the first move. He really attack. the Shosuro. he merely ~confronted" them. He has no
simply watches and sits, refusing 10 talk to them unless they enmity towards the Scorpion Clan or the Shosuro family. His
approadl him in the proper, deferential manner one associates "attack." was merely a demonstration of his power to show them
with an Oracle. The party must act with respect at all times that he is not one to be trined with. That they should give him
otherwise the Oracle threatens 10 end the lnterview. He only what he wants and they can live in peace.
warns them once. A second instance of disrespect and he slops 'What is it )'ou want? What does you message mean?
laIklng while !he pillars of fire begin to usb.. lbe pany back Something was promised to him. something or greal vaJue..
towards the stairs. Then. through perfidy and deceit that thing was taken away. He
Another problem the characters might have is that it is very, deserves to either have that thing returned [0 tum or a good
very hard w-lie to the Oracle. He aUows the party to lie to him explanation as to why it was taken away. This is a mailer of
jU51. oner-lie then W3m5" them that they had better be forthright personal honor and resped towards the gods, both of which
with him Crom DOW on or the interview is tenninated (and they certain members of the Shosuro family ha\-'t offended gravely.
might be as well). Lying to the Oracle requires an 'What thing was taken from you?
Awareness+Sinc:erlty vs TN 35 (the Oracle's Intelligence X 5). The Oracle tries to avoid this one since it means talking about
Shlriko. He knows thaI the "stolen thing~ is very important and
O&A thai be DeedS to discuss it He tries to be evasive but gives little
Presented hert are a number of different subjects the party is hints that it is something intangible. "She stole something from
likely to bring up while conversing with Ibe Oracle. Since the within me and left something horrid in its place," is a good
example. Eventually. if carefully pressed. the Oracle reveals that at first (he cannot admit to himself thaI he was fooled). He does
she stole his love., his newest and most treasured possession. Any nol even mention the eta girl at first He merely says thaI he was
marader who knows a thing about Oracles (Theology Oteck. T preparing to step down as orade when Shiriko arrived and
10) realizes that they are not supposed 10 fall in love. professed her love. Then be goes on a bit aboul bow wonderful it
oWho took U? was 10 feel true love for the first time and how unbe1i~ble it
Here's where things get tricky. The GM should use this was 10 Ue with her like husband and wife. Through all this he's
question to make iL absolutely clear thaI, no matter how calm and sad. melancholy, even remorseful
normal he seems at other times. the Oracle is In fact insane. He Then comes the part where she tries to ronvince him to make
can go from tears of sorrow to bellows of rage in but a momenL her the next oracle. He feels the warmth in his .heart grow cold
If the party has gotten him this far he gives up the obfuscations Then. she mentions the eta girl for the firsI time. He can hear the
and the misdirection and just starts spilling his guts. He tells his disgust in ber voice. Now be knOWi. She love him DO lODger. She
own version of the events described in the introduction to this just wants his power. The power has driven her mad. destroyed
boo~ their love. She Oed him then and in his anger he pursued bet All
As you relate the tale, you should focus on Shiriko and her he wants to do is talk with her. work things out. perhaps renew
beauty. Also. the Oracle believes that Shiriko really did love him their love.
22
 -What do you mean, Passing On? Fortunately, It also lowers them gently to the ground.
The Oracle becomes calm again at this question. He says thai bypassing the hard path they traveled to reach the summit 10 a
he has lived on this world for centuries and that the time has matter of minutes they ha\<'e returned to the base of the mountain,
rome for him 10 move on 10 lIle CelestJal Heavens and pass the sale and sound. If on the other hand the dtaracter did not end the
soul of the Dragon onto his successor. interview on amicable terms. the Oracle does not offer this easy
-The Eta Girl? way down Instead the pillars of fire force the dtaracters back the
Here again the Oracle grO\\ angry. In his divine wisdom he way they came., requiring them to retrace their steps and Ollte
found the perled successor, a young grave-digger girl Shiriko again face aU the obstacles they have so recently overcome.
may not like I~ but the eta will succeed him. that is all there is to
it Anyone who dares to defy his will in this maiter risks his ATTACkING TH£ ORACL£
wrath. Even If il means destroying the enUre Shosuro family or There are no stats for the. Oracle; at this point he is
the entire Scorpion Clan, the eta will become Oracle. Just as soon unstoppable. He can antidpate any attack the party might make
as he takes care of matters with Shiriko and finds the eta again ... and destroy them in an instant.
she seems io have run off.
In fact this is the first time lhe Oracle has lhought of the girl AFT£RMATH
in the preseni tense. He has totally lost track of her and assumes Back at the base of the mountain, the party has 10 choose
she has returned to her family. It mailers nol he shall find her between two paths. The more likely course of action takes them
when the time comes for him and his love to ascend to the back to Kyuden Shosuro so that they can give their report to the
heavens. Scorpions. Furthermore. they no doubt have many questions
-What can we do to help? about a certain Shosuro Shiriko, someone the Scorpions
If the party has treated lhe Oracle with respect and showed completely failed to mention. It is possible that they will instead
signs of caring and underslanding then the Oracle receives this dloose to press on towards Mura Tedonl 10 find the eta girl first
question well If they ask it too quickly he immediately distrusts This means ignoring the wishes of both the Scorpions and the
them. assuming lIlat they seek to manipulate him in some way. Oracle. but that may not stop them. If they choose the latter path,
He says thai all he wants to do is see Shiriko and he can take of the journey takes two days.. If they have angered the Orade, then
that himself. He asks them to do him a favor: tell the Scorpion they probably head back to Kyuden Shosuro 10 report on their
Clan that he does nol plan to harm anyone. not even Shiriko. He failure.
just wants to speak with her. One way or the Olher he's coming
back to Kyuden Shosuro soon and plans to find her. even if he has
10 lear down the castle to do it
If the party has done a really good job of winning him over, of
showing that they care and understand, then the Oracle asks
lhcm to do him another favor. He would like them to go and find
the eta girl and bring her to him. She is the daughter of a family
or grave diggers living in lhe village of Mura Tedoni which is
about the same dislance from both the Mountain and Kyuden
Shosuro (two days travel there, give or take a few hours). He
demands thai the pany swear to proted the eta girl and bring her
to him. If they do this, he swears not to harm Kyuden Shosuro or
anyone within It assuming he is allowed to speak with Shiriko.

IHTlRVIEW'S EHD
Once the Oracle has unfolded his heart to the party and they
have offered to help the con\'ersation pretty much ends. The
Orade is eager for the party to be on ilS way so that they can
deliver his message (and possibly find the eta girl). Suddenly the
Pes feel a fierre hot air on their faces. The wind does not even
ruffle the folds of the Oracle's kimono but it threatens to sweep
the characters orr their feeL The wind strengthens to gale force.
pushing the charaders towards the mountain edge. Curiously, the
plllars of name seem also immune to this preternatural gusting.
Eventually. no matter what they do, the wind sweeps the
character off the mountain.

23
 \

Cba~t~11 FIV~:
Cl;oosmg a
Patl1

The pa(ty once again meets with the Scorpion Clan. one way
or anolher. 1n tht fare of new lies from the Shosuro family the
party has lo decide down whim path !.heir fate lies. Will they
become hired killers for the Srorpions and assassinate lhe ela girl
or will they keep their word to the oracle and protect lhe girl? The
choice they make bere determines the fUlUre course of the
adventure and their entire bYeS.

When the dlaraC1er! -make It down to the bottom of the

Oracle's mount'ain they find thaI they are not alone. Waiting for
them Is Shosuro Medo. The Scorpion courtier steps out of the
shadows and approaches the party. He appears to be alone and
unarmed but in fact there are six Scorpion samurai lurking in lhe
surroundIng woods. waiting to back him up if need be. Merlo
greets the party warmly. expressing his profound gratitude that the divine being has indeed 1051 his mind. Medo then tries to
they are alive, and inquires as to how their meeting with the change the subject away {rom Shiriko (although nol 100
Oracle wenl obviously, he never seems discomfited or anxious when speaking
Medo is here to make sure that the party continues to ad In of Shiriko; he just obviously finds it irrelevant).
the best interests of the Scorpion clan, now that they have What Medo reaJly wants 10 talk about is the eta girl. The
managed to survive their encounter. His chief concern is finding Scorpions know very little about the eta at this poinl Most
OUI what if agythlDg I.he Oracle told lhem, particularly in regards importantly. they do not know her name or whal village she is
10 the eta girl and Shiriko. He has his lies well prepared for from. While the Oracle did not mention the girl's name 10 the
dealing with any questions the party might ask him about eUher party (if be e\'eo knows it). he may have said that she was from
of these subja:ts, but as he answers !he PCS' inquiries he also tries Mura TOOoni a fact lhat the Scorpions desperately need to know
to find out everything that the Oracle told them. in order 10 carry out their plans.
Asktd abouLShlrlko. MOOo expresses shoc:k. Why yes. there Once Medo answers all of their questions. he strongly urges
was a young courtier woman Damed Shiriko who wenl to the the party to return with him 10 Kyuden Shosuro. He says thai
Orade ~th him. She was there simply to observe and rerord Lord Hametsu wishes 10 speak with them and hear their report
whatever words of wisdom the Oracle had 10 offer. Shiriko never personaJly. If the party agrees. then all is well and the journey
spoke to the Oracle at all except to offer ber greetings and proceeds uneventfully. IL however. the party decides 10 head
respects. You say the Oracle is in love with her? How can this be? directly for Mura Tedoni 10 find the ela girl Merlo tries to
He saw herJor but a few minules. Surely this is further proof thai convince them to return with him instead. If he cannot convince

24
 Oracle and has already dispatched other Scorpion assassins to
take care of the would-be oracular supplicanlS. If he can blame
their deaths on the party al some later date, so much the better.

AN OFFER THEY CAN'T REFUSE

Assuming lhe party agrees to return to Kyuden Shosuro. the
journey goes well and they never see the Scorpion samurai. They
continue to lurk in the area, wai.ching to see if anyone else
ascends the mountain to speak with the Oracle. The Scorpions
have orders to kill anyone who ventures up the mounlain and
makes it back alive. as well as to report immediately when the
Oracle himself comes down. Medo is a pleasant lraveling
companion and entertains the party with a number of amusing
and poignant anecdotes from his OWII experiences al court and as
a diplomal He avoids discussing ';busil]ess~ until they are all in
the presence of Lord Hametsu.
Keeping in mind that it takes about ten bours to return 10
Kyuden Shosuro (seven if they push their mounts), the party
probably arrh'e at lhe palace sometime to Ute rnidtJle of the
morning. unless they stopped to rest for the nigbllf they did nGt
sleep they are all dead tired from their various physical and
mental exertions, but Lord Hamelsu wants to see them
immediately. While servants tend to their horses, Medo ushers the
party back into the audience ball they previou~ly met in. The.
same servants offer the PCS refreshments while they waH for Lord
Hametsu to come up from his garden.
This time, Lord Hametsu comes into the room by himself
(aiLhough a dozen armed guards stand just outside). He is dressed
in a simple but elegant red kimono and a red mask thai covers
his entire face. He receives the bows of the party with a cursory
acknowledgment and then gets down to business. Medo has
already informed him of everything the party told bim plus
anything else he might have been able to surmise from their
behavior. He knows what stance the party has laken and what
they seem 10 lhink about Shirlko.
'leU me of your meeting. briefly:" Lord Hametsu does not waDt
lhem. or if they decide 10 split up, Medo warns them ilial there Is them to go into too much detail just enough to cover the basics.
a group of Phoenix warriors on the prowl in the region. They are Then he asks a rather startling question: "\Ybat should be done to
worried about lhe Oracle's insanity and are looking for someone resolve this matter?" The party is probably not accustomed to
10 blame. The party should exercise caution when traveling. baving a daimyo ask of them whal shoukl be done. especially in
This warning is In fad true. there are Phoenix samurai in the such a serious matter. However, they need to come up wiLh a good
region. bUI they are not looking for a fighl (not yet anyway). answer, very quickly. Hamtesu has already decided 00 a course of
However, the hidden Scorpion Samurai backing Medo up just action, but he asks the party what they would do in order to
happen LO be wcarlng Phoenix armor and costumes. Should the gauge just where they stand Do they favor the Oracle or the
party choose not to return to Kyuden Shosuro (either in whole or Scorpion Clan?
in pari). these six false Phoenix attack them sometime within the The party, having talked with the Oracle. knows what he
first hour of Iheir journey. The Scorpions do nol want matters to wants: he wants 10 see Shiriko and to fmd the eta girl once again.
get out of their controL especially when it comes 10 Information They might well suggest that the Scorpions can cure all of these
aboul what really happened with the Oracle of Fire. problems simply by acceding 10 these Iwo demands with very
II may seem odd Lhat Medo chooses the peaceful Pboenix as little cost to themselves. Hametsu, n8l.urally enough. has answers
his scapegoalln fact. there is a group of Phoenix samurai in the 10 both of these options. As he explains them. he tries bill best to
area· six yojimbo escorting a shugenja on her way 10 meet with work the party inlO conduding for themselves that the only way
the Oracle. Merlo hopes 10 intercept them before they reach the to deal wllh a mad Oracle is 10 some how put him down.

25
Allhough they probably have no idea how such a thing might be THE OFFER
accomplished, by me end of the conversation HamelSu hopes that Having laid out these argumenls, Lord I-lamel~u gives the
they shall see it is the only viable option. party a chance 10 debale tbem wilh him. Of course. mOSI or what
he says is lies, but mey have no way of knowing thal Should they
HANDING OVER SHIRlkO foolishly accuse hIm of lying. Lord Hametsu asks in menacing
Lord Hametsu says that he would gladly hand Shiriko over if LOnes why they doubl bis word If they do nOI relract their
he could. She is young. inexperienced and not particularly ...i tallo ac:cusations. he may well have lhem killed where they sil He does
Sbosuro family interests. Her noble sacrifice would be weU worth not need them for his plans. but would prefer (0 use Ihem if
the price if it meant saving all of Kyuden Shosmo. However, there possible.
are complications thai make this both impractical and impossible. As long as the conversation remains dvil and polite. HamelSu
First of all. we have no reason to believe thai a madman. even if debates with the party for quite a while. He is very persuasive and
is an Oracle. will hold true 10 his word. He might or mighl nol should have a ready answer for any objections the party brings
klU Shiriko. Having chosen her fale. he might decide 10 attack the up: Who are we 10 defy the will of an Oracle? Well says HametslL
ShosUlo again anyway. The mere fact that he has become perhaps you are right. but this is an insane Oracle. We should at
obsessed with mortal woman he met for just a few minutes least delay him until we have had time to consult the Emperor.
sho",os that he cannol be trusled to think rationally. Perhaps they can help. The GM should emphasize. to the players
All of this discussion is Irrelevant however; lite Scorpion claim mal their characters feel natural repulsion at the idea of a lowly
thai Shiriko has committed the ultimate act of cowardice and eta becoming One of the most powerful beings In Rokugan.
seaetly ned the cast.le. The Scorpions do not know where she Finally, once he has convinced the party or his position (or sees
went, but suspect that she has run towards the sea. She was thai they cannot be swayed from theirs) he makes them an offer.
adopted recently Into the Shosuro family. and was being tramed He wanlS them 10 journey to Mura Tedoni and find the eta girl.
by their actors' guild Who knows where she bas gone? Fear noi., What he wanlS done next depends entirely upon how the
the Scorpions will find her and bring her 10 t.ask for her characters ha'·e reacted 10 his overtures over the las! half our or
misbehavior. bul for now she is out of reach. Therefore. it is so. What he wants more than anything if for the party 10 simply
lmpossible 10 accede to this demand of the Orade·s. go and kill the ela girl. Thus her blood "ill be on their hands and
the Oracle shall be deprived of his chosen successor. If the heroes
THE ETA GIRL seem amenable 10 such a mission. he oUers it 10 them. ~Iowever.
Lord HamelSu goes on 10 explain thai the Shlriko problem he only asks them to kill Ihe girl if Ihey have shown that they
pales in comparison 10 the question of the eta girl. All agree that firmly believe that Ihe Oracle Is Insane and must be SlOPped.
the Oracle has withoul a doubt gone mad. but that may nol have More likely. the heroes ba"e shown some concern for the
anything to do with Shiriko. In all likelihood, be lOS! his mind Oracle's ",;shes. especially if they managed 10 create any kind of
sometime before Medo and his entourage arrived at the rapport with him during their conversation. HamelSlL a shrewd
mountain. The evidence for lhis conclusion lies in the fad that he judge of character, senses mal the party has no interest in killing
chose a lowly ela as his successor. How could someone in their the girl so he simply asks them to find her and bring her back to
righl mind choose the lowest, most base of human creatures to Kyuden Shosuro. alive. Ir the players express an inlcrest In
assume the mighty gifts and wisdom of a Dragon? How could finding Shiriko instead he insists thaI he has that malter wellln
such a thing. scarcely a person and not even fully grown. wield hand.
that power with wisdom? Obviously. It is Impossible. Either way. Hametsu emph~izes how thankful he and the
So. it is imperative that the eta girl be found. and brought back entire Srorplon Oan are for all the party has done on their behalf
to Kyuden Shosuro. With her in hand perhaps the Scorpions can already. Ilis gratitude would "know no bounds" shouJd the party
Ialk some sense into the Oracle. They need something 10 hold undertake this additional task ror him. He rears that the Oracle
against the Oracle if they are to bring him to terms. Lord himself might either be watching the palace or the ela girl's
Hamel8u has consulted his Soshi shugenja cousins and they village. Were he (0 see a group of Scorpion samurai make the
assure him that with the eta girl there is a good chance that Ihey Journey he might kill them and certainly he could prevent them
wtil be able to cure lhe Oracle of this madness. If however they from reaching the girl. The parly however already bas a rapport
\\'efe to simply hand the girl over to the Oracle then there would WIth the Oracle and he no doubt trusts them mote Ihan he would
be no way of stopping him from doing anything. Who knows any Scorpion. Thus the party has a much better chance of
what might happen? He could attack Kyuden Sbosuro anyway. recovering the girl safely and surreplJtiously.
Even worse. the madman could make the girl his successor. an act
which would damage aU of Rokugan! DECISIONS
If the party has agreed to kill the girl. they have entered in a
pact with the Scorpion Clan itself. Hametsu welcomes lhem Inlo
the fold and promises them great things for their future. With the

26
whole Scorpion spy network at their disposa~ who knows how far intends to wear when she goes oul to meet the Oracle once again.
they can pursue their own ambilions? If the party consists of Meanwhile the Soshl shugenja are busy bringing the other
charaC1ers likely 10 be swayed by such things Lord Hametsu is not artifacts and ingredients togeilier thai are necessary to complete
above offering monetary bribes as wel~ up to a small fortune and the plan. In the four days it takes the party to Journey to from the
even an estate within Shosuro lands. eta's village those preparations will be oomplete.
If the party has agreed merely to escort the gut Lord Hametsu
is less giving. He thanks them for their help and promises that AFTERMATH
their friendship shall be repaid in kind some whenever they ask The heroes are probably on their way to Mura Tedoni. a trip
for il of two days. Unbeknownst to them, a team of Scorpion assassins
Should the party refuse to have anything to do with finding lrails along behind them. intent on making sure they do the Job
the eta girl or stopping the Oracle, Hamelsu shakes his head sadly right or die trylng. If the party have already taken on tbe task of
and wishes !.hem a safe voyage. He lhanks them kindly all iliey killing the girl then some of the assassins might well be riding at
have done already and offers them accommodations for the nighl their side. Even then others lurk in the background. Alternately
or course with all they know, the Shosuro Daimyo cannot allow lhe heroes are on the run having managed to both anger and
them to leave the palace alive. escape the Scorpion dan. Nowhere is safe to run 10. with the
If they partake of his hospitality for the night they betler avoid possible exception of tbe Oracle's mountain.
both food and drink since Hametsu himself
poisons both with some of his rarest and
deadliest herbs. Should they attempt \0 leave
straight away the guards outside have orders
to stop them at all costs. If they hope \0
escape they're going to ha\'e to fight lheir
way oul Even then the Scorpion Assassins
continue 10 hound them for the next week or
so, at least until the maHer with the Oracle is
resolved,

THE ScORPJOH PUN

CONTINUED
The Scorpions want to have the party
serve as patsies for their greater plan. U the
PCS kiU the girl then the Scorpion cannOI be
blamed for the murder. If the PCs refuse 10
kill the girl. the Scorpions eliminate her
anyway and frame the party. Either way, the
PCS stand to lose a great deal at the hands of
the ScorpiollS. Lord Hame!Su hopes that the
Pes actions will ser\'C to distract the Oracle
from focusing all of his hate and anger on the
Soorpions. Perhaps he will even give up and
search out another, more respectable
successor. At the very least they will have
eliminated this most abominable of choices
and bought themselves a little more time to
make their final preparations for stealing the
Oracle's power.
As for Shiriko, she has not gooe
anywhere. She is busy preparing herself deep
within Kyuden Shosuro for her role in the
upcoming Scorpion gambit Shiriko spends
most of her time studying the history and use
of the dreaded Dagger of Shosuro which she
 From the edge of Mura Tedoni you look down into a swam
that sits behind the village. Between the hill and the swamp u
\ wet lowlands and a squalid Iittie village about one firth the siz
of the pleasant community behind you. Ramshackle houses lear
against one another for support and figures move back and forO
between them and the piles of sludge and garbage thai make u
the rest of the lown. The only exception is the large ston
building. a structure you surmise must be the \tillag
crematorium.
As you approach the eta village, something you may neve
have done in your lives, the smell becomes more and mor
noticeable. By the time you reach the edge of the settiement!h
stench of rotting food. human and animal waste. and burnin
Desh has become almost unbearable. The eta have noliced you
approam and all stare al you dumbly. obviously startled beyoo
words 10 have such lofty personages approadung them.

The cia village has a population of about fifty untouchables.

The party Jour"eys 10 Mura Tedonl lo find the ela girl. Once They perform the worst tasks in society: disposing o( garbage and
there they dIscover that the task is Dot as easy as they thought it human and animal waste. disposing of dead bodies. and
might be. Even after they find the correct family, the girl remains sometimes even butmering meaL All of them descend from eta
hidden [rom them. Once they convince or force the family to give and have mildren whose children's' children will be cia They
her up the party then must either IdII her or take her into Olstody. have accepted their fate as the lowest rung in Rokugan society.
Unless they do the former quickly they fmd themselves beset by They show great fear and respect lowards t.he party. As soon as
Scorpion assassins sent to do the job for them. Ihe PCS begin to address t.hem they fall 10 their knees and groveL
averting their eyes from the greatness that stands before Ihem in
human rorm.
They eagerly point the way to the homes that have grave
diggers. Unfortunately there are IWO large families that engage in
this practice. both of whom live in long. worn down homes
For the past half hour you have traveled through the rice adjacent to the crematorium. Eta familie do nOI have family
paddies surrounding the low lying village of Mura Tedoni. close names like samurai and the party has little to go on at first The
by a tributary of the Sleeping River. The 10\\1\ itself sits on a small only way to find the girl is Lo c10seJy question eam of the families.
rise located alongside more rice paddies and appears picturesque No one else in the village is aware that little Tomuko (the girl they
and pleasant In warm Spring air. Peasants labor lirelessly in the seek) was gone for several days, and her family has mentioned
Oeld, planting and tending this season's crop. It is hard to believe the fact to no one. Children come and go often and most eta are
that a place so idyllic and peaceful can exist in the tempestuous too busy to keep Lrack of daily disappearance. Since Tomuko has
lands of the Scorpion. been in the village the last two days, no one imagines that she
ever went anywhere.
While the village itself ls indeed quite lovely, it is not lhe
ultimate objectJve. A few quick quesUons about eta get them THE WRONG FAMILY
pointed in lhe dihtdirectiolt The eta village is separate from the The wrong family consists or a pair of grandparents. five adulL
maIn communIty, located behind the proper town, bordering the sons and their wives along with two unmarried adult daughters.
swamp. Any villager gladly cooperates with the samurai in the and some fifteen children ranging from ages seven to twenty-one.
party and shows lhem where the eta dwell Unfortunately. none Unless the party arrive in the middle of the night, the entire
of them pqy much attentIon to who's who among the untouchable family is busy at work throughout the area Some are collecting
caste. They knlJW thai there are grave diggers but not which eta waste and garbage from the village, others are piling thai garbage
are whidl or where they live. The peasants despise the 61thy place into the compost heap behind their large. one room home. Even
and usually just calJ out from a distance until the desired worker the youngest children work al lhe family business. although they
comes out 10 do his or her task.. do so with a little more cheer.
Two of the elder sons and one of the unmarried daughters
(aged 16 and possibly young enough to be considered a ~girl")
work at preparing graves. This means both gathering the bodies
of the dead and disposing of them. Cremation and bUrial are both
options. although cremation tends to be more common. The
family dutifully ans""ers any questions the party asks them and
firmly deities having anything to do with the Oracle of Fire or the
Scorpion samurai.
The daughler. Goriko. does know who Tomuko is, or that she
has nol been seen in a while.. However, she does not willingly
reveal this information, al least not al first She and the girls are
friends and Tomuko told her about everything that transpired.
Like Tomukos family, Goriko hopes to benefit when and if
Tomuko really does become Oracle of Fire. Furthennore. she
cares deeply for her frielld and does nol lrust these highborn
strangers. If the party begins to physically harm Goriko's family
or somehow collvince her that are here on a mission from the
Oracle then she reveals that Tomuko is the girl iliey are looking
for.

TH[ RIGHT F .... ,lY

The Oracle of Fire first came for Tomuko late ill the night He
appeared in the middle of the family home with a bright flash
and clap of thuuder. awakening everyone in the one-room
building (strangely though, no one outside could see or hear these
signs of arrival). The Oracle of Fire announced himself and said
that he had come to take away their daughter Tomuko and
transform her into something more than human Awed in the
presence of such divinity. the eta could not even speak. Tomuko
herself felt strangely unafraid and rose 10 her feet and look the
Oracle's hand. Without anoilier word the two disappeared in a
flash of fire.
On the floor where they had stood were two exquisitely carved
jade figurines. one of Tomuko and one of ihe Oracle himself,
perfect in every minute detail. The family wept with joy and
sadness al this slIange turn of events. They did nol know what it
meanl but they did know thai whenever they held the figurine of
their lost daughter iliey could feel her presence. The same was
true of the Oracle of Fire's figurine. although few in the family
dared to hold it [or long. Several days later. it became too hot 10 FINDING T O...UkO
touch and scorched the oily rag !.hey kept it wrapped in. Just asking the family about a girl who met with an Oracle
When Tomuko returned, covered in soot and full of tears they results in firm denials and wonder lhat such a thing could ever
did not know what to think. She told her strange tale of the happen at all certainly not to them. How could they be so
beautiful woman who had come to seduce the Oracle of Fire. She fortunate? However, Tomuko herself is not among the famtly
felt rejected and useless. How could she have been so foolish as members when the party begins to question them. She is hiding
to think a god would choose her over someone as beautiful as the in a secret bolt hole that tbe family uses to store its few valuable
Lady Shiriko? The family showed her the figurines. hoping 10 possession<> (which now include the two figurines and their
calm her. When she saw the figurine of the Oracle. she burst into daughter). The family says that they are all presenl and indeed
tears and picked it up. Despite its great heal it did not burn her. there are a lot of them: One grandfather, lhree elder sons, their
The family believes lhat lhe Oracle will come again and that wives, and eight children ranging from ages two to nineteen.
their fortunes shall indeed take a profound turn for the belter. There are four young girls (plus Tomuko who Is nol present) but
Therefore, they are willing to do quite a lot 10 protect Tomuko only two who are of the right age. to match Shosuro Medo's
from outsiders. While under normal circumstances no eta would description: one is thirteen the other fifteen. All stink of garbage
dare to oppose a samural these are not normal circumslances. and death.
They intend to figh~ lie. and cover up as much as need be to The family itself will not reveal that Tomuko is missing, but
protect Tomuko and her future. anyone else in the village can point out thai she is noL present

29
However, they only volunteer this information if the party samurai. The party's next challenge awaits them once the get out
speciIicaUy asks them for il As much as they fear the party, their on the open road again. away from the prying eyes of villagers.
true loyalties lie with their fellow eta and iliey do not want to However, if the party plans to simply kill the girl or is even
help any more ilian they have to. Threat of violence to Tomuko's seriously considering it then they will have to have the blood of
family do little good since they are all convinced that greater her family on their hands as well. Tomuko's figurine of the Oracle
things await them when Tomuko becomes a goddess. maintains a kind of subconsciOUS magical link with the mad
Once the party knows that Tomuko is in fact missing they can demi-god. Through it he senses the danger Tomuko faces from
then start to put real pressure on the family. They admit she is the party and he acts as best he can. Arcs of flame spring forth
gone but claim that she has run away from home. They have no from the figurine like serpents. W1erringly seeking out not the
idea where she is. Unless they slart killing or torturing the family PCS but any living members of Tomuko's family (or if they're
that is all the information they are going to gel However, PCS dead, some other nearby eta or villagers).
with crueler streaks can evemually get what they Ileed through In a manner similar to the way in which the Oracle infused the
violence. Young children forced to watch their parents suffer or two lovers with fire althe beginning of the adventure, SO 100 are
subjected to torture themselves will readily reveal Tomuko's Tomuko's family members transformed into ravaging defenders
hidden location. Certainly not an honorable path but perhaps the of the Oracles chosen successor. Flame sheaths their bodies and
most efricient, especially if they plan to kill her anyway. they become totally fearless. They attack the offending PCS and
One lactic is 10 convince !.he family that they in fact serve the them alone. fighting until killed. All told there should be at least
Oracle of Fire and are here on his behalf (which may be the one attacker per party member, although the GM: mayadjusliliis
truth). The family is very suspicious and iltakes some convincing. number in order to provide the group with a tough but beatable
Although iliey live in Scorpion lands, lhey have now come to hate challenge.
ilieir masters (fomuko recognized Shiriko as a Shosuro Lady,
parLly because the Oracle identified her as such). If ilie PCS show
any sign that they are in league with the Scorpions or wish to
take TOnluko to Kyuden Shosuro, then the family rebuffs them at
every turn. If they do not mention working for the Scorpions and fLAMING RELATIV£S
from the start claim to be representatives of the Oracle they have Earth I
a much beller chance of succeeding. Water 1
Alternately, they can simply lear the place apart untillhey find Fire 3
her. There is one more sleeping mat than there are people in the Agility 5
building, which might clue the party into Tomuko's existence if Air 1
iliey haven't figured it out any other way. Behind the house is the Void 2
garbage dump and compost heap. A Perception + Investigation
roll TN 15 reveals that the garbage has been recently moved and Rolls When Attacking: 2k2
then put back in place. Rotting matter that has obviously been Rolls For Damage: 310 (fire damage)
there for weeks now rests on top of relatively new garbage. TN to Hit: 20
Someone recently shifted this pile of filth. Wounds: 8: ·1: 12: - Dead
Underneath the garbage there is a thick wooden board
measuring four feel square. This In turn covers a three foot wide,
four foot deep hole which currently contains Tomuko and the two
figurines along with a clay jar holding 56 zeni. Tomuko is mud
stained, and barely conscious after having lain under the heap of ON TH£ ROAD
filth, clutching desperately the hot statue of ilie Oracle of Fire. If If the party has more kind hearted intentions towards the eta.
lhe heroes have lhe family's help in uncovering her then there are then lhe statue does not react and they can safely bring the girl
no problems. If they have found the location on their own or out or the village and bade towards their chosen destination
forced one of the family members to reveal it then there might be (either Kyuden Shosuro or ilie Oracle's mountain). However, they
trouble. still have dangers ahead of them. Once they get a few Ii down the
road towards their destination (whatever it may be) the Scorpions
FAMILY AFLAM£ intercept them. As when they came down from the Oracle's
What happens next is up to the GM, who should know what mounlain, Shosuro Medo sleps out from the- shadows and asks
ilie party actually plans to do with the girl. If iliey intend 10 take them to hall
the girl to the Oracle of Fire or back to Kyuden Shosuro then He thanks for finding the girl and commends them on a job
nothing happens while they are still in the villagers. The family well done. He then asks them to hand her over to biOI. Now if the
is too scared to pUI up any resistance to the heavily armed heroes are planning on bringing her to Kyuden Shosuro anyway

31
then they probably do nol have a problem with this. IT however serve this eta? Is she your lady? Perhaps you fight ror her oul or
they were bringing her back to the Oracle then it is unlikely that love for such a thing?" and so on. Such jibes should be
they wtll hand her over to this sneaky and dangerous Scorpion. particularly galling 10 highborn PCs.
If the party does hand the girl over, Medo draws his blade and
immediately prep3Ies to kill the girl As he forces the sobbing girl
to her knees. the PCs have a moment to act before he strikes.
SHOSURO M£DO They can engage him In brief conversation. during which he
Earth" 3 simply states that his lord rommands it: the girl must die
Water 2 immediately, If the party moves (0 stop him. the hidden samurai
Strength: l burst onio the scene 10 slop them. Merlo joins in the fight against
Fire: 2 the party berore he Dnishes off the girl
Air~ 2 If the heroes do nothing. MOOo quickly cuts the girl's head
Rene.xes: 3 from her body, ending any chance that the Orade might make
Void: 2 her his sua:essor, He once again thanks them for their bra\'e and
noble service and asks them 10 accompany him back to Kyuden
Sk:i1I1s: Acting 2, Sina!rity 2. Etiquette 2. Investigation 1. Shosuro to receive their reward. He makes il pretty dear that they
AthJetJcs 1. Defense 2.laijutsu I. KeDjulSu 2. PoisoD I, Stealth I, do nol have any option in this matter. as in fact they do DotU the
orture 2 party refuses to come back 10 the palace. Medo orders the bushl
to altack al once. The Scorpions do not want any witnesses to
Honor. 2 what has happened outside of their control Besides. they want
Glory. l everyone in the village and the Oracle 10 believe thai the party
School: Shosuro Bulei (rank 4) killed the gir~ not the Scorpions.
Weapons: Daisho
Advanlages: Voice AFTERMATH
Now the heroes have chosen a deOnite murse, one way or the
BAYUSH' SAMURAI other. On the one hand !hey might be headed 10w3Ids Kyuden
EarthZ Shosuro. guiJty of or complicit in the death of the young eta On
Fire 2 the other hand they are on their way to the Orade's mountain,
Agility 3 having fought off and made enemies of the Shosuro family,
Water 2 Perhaps iliey might choose to wash their hands of the matter
AirJ entirely at this poinl. but as we shall see, neither the Oracle nor
Void 2 the Scorpions allow that to happen.

KenjulSu 2, Archery 2, Stealth 2, Defense 2, laijutsu 2

Honor 1
Glory Z
School: Bayushi Bushi (rank 2)
Weapons: Han Kyo with 20 arrows, Daisho

Shosuro MOOo does not debate the matter with the party, He
insists thai theyJJand over the girl at ona!, no questions asked
Of course Medo is not alone. Hidden in the trees and brush
that line the road wait half a dozen Bayushi Sushi, ready to
pounce as soon as they receive the signal Medo orders them to
attack as.600n as it becomes clear that there is no way that the
party will give the girl up. His orders are to kill her today, not wait
WltJI she gets back (0 the castle. The Scorpions fear that he might
intercept the gtd if she is not killed immediately. They
concenlrate on auacking the party first and the girl second They
do not consider her a danger, at least not nearly in the same way
the party obviously is. The samurai taunt the Pes for defending
the girl: "You would give your lives for this. this creature? Do you
 Conversely. If he is in a somewhat milder state of mind
because the girl is safe (keeping in mind the love·sick madness
\ thaI still inflicts his mind) then he is more methodical in his
approach. Every Rokugani hour he destroys another section of

Cha~fg\" Bg\1gn: wall or another part of the castle. He has already sel fire to Lord
Hametsu's precious garden of rare and deadly plants. Each time
he demands that they produce Shiriko al once or the destruction

erI,g Pafh will continue. Meanwhile, inside the Scorpions try as besl they
can to put the final touches on their own preparations.
At lhe end of the day, unusually tired from al1 his exertions,

Chosgn the Oracle withdraws and takes refuge in a cave. The next day he
plans to venture forth again and finish the job he started That
night however is when the party arrives on the scene. one way or
another. and new plans will be laid.

FLIGHT FROM FIRE

This section of the chapter applies only to those parties that
have chosen to side with the Scorpions and have thus ktlled the
There are two ways this chapler can proceed. depending on eta girl. As they draw towards the end of their second day of
which side Ihe players have chosen 10 support They either make travel no doubt with Shosuro Medo and his samurai escort at
their way to the relative safety of Kyuden Shosuro wh1.lc the their side, the party comes within range of the Oracle's immediate
Oracle tries 10 burn them alive from afar, or seek refuge with the fury. Assuming they have one or both of the jade figurines
Oracle himself while Scorpion shugenja try their own magic (Shosuro Medo will have taken them If the party does noll with
against the party. Either way they should end the scene in the them then the Oracle knows exactly 'fhere they are. Even if they
bosom of their chosen ally. ready to proceed against their new do nOI have these for some reason, lbe Oracle can sense Lheir
enemy. general location. Either way he takes some LIme 10 turn away
from attacking the palace. at leasl for a moment

M"mn\\)l1l!g, Back at tl1q You catch the scent of burning wood 'in the ak, As dUSK begin
10 gather and you approach within a few-li of Kyuden Shosur
Palacq... you realize thai this is not some cooking fire but geea
conflagration somewhere in Lhe distance. Towards the palace you
The journey passes peacefully no mailer where the party Is see thaI the sky glows orange, and not from Lhe selLIng of the s
headed. It's peaceful for them because it has turned into a Bcry Even as you realize that this must plean the Oracle has atlacked
inferno for the residents of Kyuden Shosuro. The Oracle has the castle you see an arc of fire cutting acr06S the sky like a grea
grown tired of wailing. Through the figurine he knows the fatc of red kite with a thousand foot tail The beauly of it fades from you
the eta girl. Lf the party killed her (or allowed Merlo to do it) then mind as you realiZe it is headed directly for you.
he immediately flies Inlo a rage and moves down from his
mounlain 10 attack the Scorpion palace. If the party has the girl These fiery projections are the Oracle's way of saying
however, then he feels thai the Scorpions have waited long "welcome back:: At first they are easily avoided as the party sees
enough and decides to come forth and reiterate his demands for Ihem coming from Ii away. Even SO they ha~ alarming accuracy
Shiriko to come 10 him. That way he can deal with her and then and if the PCS do nothing to gel oul of the way they do get caught
leave this world behind in the care of the ela Oracle. in the blast Whenever a ribbon of fire impacts the earth It spreads
Either way, the Oracle has moved down from his mountain oul in all directions, engulfing everything In a tweniy fool
and begun to threaten Kyuden Shosuro.1f he is In a rage because diameter and causing 6k3 damage to anyone caught In the blast
of the dead eta then he holds nothing back In his anack. The At first this means a lot of burned trees, bushes and grass hut as
angrier he gets the less control he has over the Dragon's power. the party gets close to Kyuden Shosuro they become more
By all rights he should be able to levellhe palace with a thought. difficult to avoid.
but he cannot seem 10 bring thaI thought together. InSlead he Of course getting closer to Kyuden Shosuro Ii exactly what
hurls bolts of fire and rains down lightning on the castle walls, they need to do. which MOOo gladly Informs them They neeit to
devaslating in their own righ~ but in truth mere triDes compared find safety behind its walls and help the Scorpions prepare 10
10 his full power. Even so, the Scorpions cannol hold out against strike back against the Oracle. It's obvious that..retreating will do
such all assault forever. no good since the Oracle seems able 10 find I.bem and willing to

33
 · -----_._. --

kill them from a distance. No doubt he plans to destroy them all Off in the distance you see !.he obvious cause of the chaos:
eventually; better they stand willi the Scorpions and their plan bright sphere of flame which musl contain the Oracle of Fir
which at least has a chance of succeeding. himself. Every minute or SO another ribbon of fire separates fro
Dodging additional fite attacks is not much of a problem until lhe naming sphere. headed eilher towards the castle or toward
they get within a Ii or 80 of the palace. Then the line of fire you. Intermittent gouls of flame strike down from the claudie
beromes almost direct and Ole party must move quickJy to avoid heavens. smashing another section of the castle wall Brav
destruction. As they come out from the trees and over a rise they samurai fire a Slream of arrows at the sphere. bUI all of them
see.lhe hatlle laid QUI before them. seem 10 burst into name before they reach their larget. From Ih
looks of things, the struggle has been going on for many hours.
Before you sits Kyuden Shosuro. or what's left of It anyway. The palace seems to be holding oul. at least for the lime bein
The ground all around has been scorched black, and in some It cerlainly offers more safety than your current location. a poin
Piaces the dirt has been melted by the extreme heat Pillars of emphasized as another stream of lire comes shooting directly a
black smoke rise [rom six or seven different places in the palace. you.
Men scramble about with buckets of water and you see the
occasional flash of brilliance as a shugenja uses his or her magic The obvious lactic is to head for a door in Ihe palace on the
10 quench the flames as best they can. The walls have crumbled wall opposite from the side the Oracle IS currently attacking.
and fallen in some places and dozens of burned bodies lay strewn Shosuro Medo points this out immediately and sets his horse at
about outside the palace walls. a gallop towards safety. TIle three-quarter of a Ii ride exposes the
party to three attacks from the Oracle of Fire if they are on horses,
SIX If they are on foot Dodging the first two fire blasts on The assassins, led by a Soshi shugenta skilled in Lhe magics of
horseback requires a TN 15 Agility + HorsemanshIp action, while the Au. spot the party as lhey approach the cave. They
the TN rises to 20 for the final blast before safety_ It's easier to immedialely send one of their number back to Kyuden Shosuro
duck for cover or quickJy change direction when on foot so it's
easIer to dodge al first The first three blasts require a TN 10
Agility + Defense action, the second two TN 15. and the Hnal one
TN 20. Missing any dodge attempt resuhs in the player taking SaSHI SHUG£NJA
6k3 fire damage. Earth: 2
Once lhey reach the gate the party is allowed into Ihe castle al Water: 2
once. Inside they find all in chaos, with many of the exposed Perception: 3
timbers scorched or burnt 10 ash. The palace is a wreck. and Hre: 2
e\'eryone from the lowliest servant to Lord Hametsu bimseH is Aid
doing whatever they can to gather water from the dstern and Awareness: 3
throw it on the fires. Several Soshi shugenja are on the verge of Void: 2
exhaustion.ln numerous places the stone floor has rollapsed onto
the hidden underground chambers below. The bodies of dead and Skills: Calligraphy: 3, Lore: 2, Meditation 2, Shintao 2,
wounded lie everywhere. many oJ them samurai from the walls Keojutsu 1
who have been burned beyond recognition.
The Scorpions immediately press tbe pany into helping them School: Soshi Shugenja Rank 3
righl the fires. Fortunately, the Oracle's attacks abruptly cease Weapons: Daisho
afler aboul thirty minutes and the lookouts report that he has Spells: Commune, Summon, Counterspel/, Benten's Touch..
withdrawn. The Scorpions immediately send oul scouts to follow Call Upon the Wind, Know the Shadows, Mists of
him and find out where he has gone. Meanwhile, Lord Hamelsu lllusionQuiessence of Air, Tempest of Alr, Way of Deception.
calls the party. Medo. and his olher advisors logether for a council Wind-Borne Slumbers, \Vmd's Dislractions
of war.

fLIGHT To f/R£
If the party has sided with the OradI.'. !.hen this section applies to report lhe Oracle's location while the rest attack the party. The
to them Their journey gets di\'erted much earlier, almost as soon attack begins with an illusion aeated by the Soshi Sbugenja:
as they ha\<'t' defeated Medo and his assassins and moved on
towards the Oracle's mountain. Of course the Oracle is no longer As you march through the gloom drenched forest, suddenly
there, However, if they have Tomuko with them. she has the brighllight flares 10 life in front of you. The Oracle of Fire stand
rigurine and he knows where they are at all Urnes. The Oracle before you, blocking the way. He raises a hand and in a boomln
speaks to Tomuko through the statue in a voice only she can hear. voice says. "Go Back!" The eta girl cringes before him. hiding he
She tells them thai the Oracle has spoken to her and has moved eyes and whimpering in fear.
from the mountain, He is now besieging Kyuden Shosuro and
wanls the party to bring her to him near the palace. Even as she OJ course thiS simple iUusion will not foollhe party for long,
lells them this lhe figurine glows white hOl Ahhough it does not espedally since it says nothing else and does Dot react to anything
seem 10 bother her in the least. they can feel its heat on their faces the party does. It Is merely a ploy to distract them while the
and If they try to touch it it bums them. That should be proof attackers move Into position. As soon as the party realizes they
enough for them 10 heed the eta girl's words. have been tricked. the assassins open fire with yumi. There are
The journey takes the party towards !.he ca\~ where the Oracle four of them. plus the shugenja and they attack (rom the trees,
has set up his latest base of operalions. The way is slow going protected by a web of darkness the shugenja has woven about
because !.hey ha\.... (0 foUow the eta girl"s sometimes vague them.. Spotting the attackers in their hidden locations requires the
directions. Five Ii from Kyuden Shosuro. the party can smell and PC to make a Perception roll TN 20 before he or she can auack.
see the smoke in the air and as night falls the sky over the palace Even then only missile weapons work as Jong as the assasstns
is a dull orange. They arrh'e after the Oracle has withdrawn for remain up in the foliage.
the evening. having caused less damage than he might have if he Once UJe party seeks cover the assassins come down from
wert! angry about the death of the eta girl (see above). Still, he their roosts and attempt to meet the PCS In combat. They prefer
gave the Scorpions a good fright and lhey have senl a group of to sneak through the shadows and attack from behind. Although
assassins to see where he goes for the night so that iliey can send nol ninia. lhey are dressed in black. However. they have trained
Shiriko against him when she is ready. with Bayusbi bush~ and are armed with katanas and protected by
black breastplates. They maneuver with great skill and silence

35
lhrough the forest to try and attack Ute party by surprise. This
requires a Contested RolL pitting the assassin's Agility + Stealth
against the targefs Awareness. Meanwhile the shugenja Slays
back. using his magic to interfere with the heroes. creating
distractions that allow the really assassins to strike unseen.
The assassins altempl 10 kill the party first and then the girl Cl1a~tg~~ clgl1t:
although if the eta is exposed for a loog time they will Dot pass
up an opporlunity to strike her down If the eta girl is ever
wounded but not killed the Oracle becomes immediately aware
of iL Three rounds later he bUCSlS onto the scene and quickly
ero
1~11l an
drives the Scorpions off. HOWfl;1!r. he might burt the Pes in the
pr mistaking them for Tomuko's attaeXers.. if the girl is f)~~adg
killed, the Orade oomes and destroys the Scorpions quickly.
Angry and saddened. he takes the party back to his cave with
him.

ASSASSINS
Earth: 2 This chapter only applies to PCS who have decided to join
Willpower 3 forces with the Scorpion aan against the Oracle of Fire.. While
Water 2 meeting with Lord Hametsu and his ad~ they learn the full
Perception: 3 extent of the Scorpion Clan's plan to overthrow the Orade and
Fire: 3 take his power for themselves and thai they are now a key part
Aar.3 of that plan.
ReOe..xes: 4
Void: 1

Skills: Acrobatics 2. Acting 1, Defense 2. Disguise 1, Poison

2, Sleight of Hand 2, Shioobi 3. Kenjutsu 3 Not long afler sundown things finally begin to calm down in
Kyuden Shosuro. The last of the fires is extinguished and
Honor: I Hametsu allows !.he defenders to rest Most collapse where they
Glory: 2 stand, 100 tired to search out quarters that are probably mostly
School: Shosuro Shinobi (Rank 3) soot and ash now anyway. There is no rest for the party. however.
Weapons: Yuml and 20 arrows, Daisho Hamelsu summons them to meet with him at once. An escort
condul'ts them to the blackened audience chamber 10 plol and
plan with the Shosuro daimyo.

You can scarcely recognize !.he elegant audience chamber Ir

which you have meL Lord Hamlesu on previous occasions. Th
AFTERMATH wooden noor is charred black and crunches ominously unde
The party now either rests momentarily with the Oracle of Fire your feet Reed mats have been laid out across it in a vain altemp
or in the queslionabJe security of Kyuden Shosuro. If they are in 10 restore some semblance of cleanliness and civility. The wall
the Oracle's cave, proceed to Chapter Nine. skipping Chapter have all burned away. leaving only fire scarred wooden pillar
Eight entirely (although the GM needs to read it so he or she with long sheets of silk thrown up between them for privacy
knows what the Scorpions are up to). If they are with !.he Unlike on previous occasions !.here are no servanls offering fooc
Scorpions then play C'ODtinues in Chapter Eight and drink while you wail, just a lone, silent guard who sefrr:c
almost 100 exhausled 10 stand.
After about ten minutes of ""'ailing, HamelSu-sama and hi!
entourage pull aside one of the silk curtains and enler the room
obviously too hurried to worry abOUI the tIaditional Forms 0
courtesy and propriety. He has changed into a suit of armor aoc
a fresh mask. The red lacquer seems almost divine In ill
cleanliness when compared to the soot-covered surroundings ane
 servants of lhe Scorpion Clan or die. They know too much to live
on outside of his control. He Is prepared 10 reward them
handsomely for their loyalty, bul any sign of disobedience and he
does not hesitale to order their deaths.
Shosuro )uberu now takes over the meeting. First he
introduces the other two Scorpions who followed him inlO the
room (nol the beautiful woman, the other two). The woman is
Soshi Mariko, a powerful Soshi Shugenja and the man is Yogo
Dontso. an equally powerful Yogo Shugenja The two of them
have been helping the Shosuro family formulate a plan to deal
with the Oracle of fire. Juberu goes on to describe the p~ to tbt
party:

We do not have much time, so I shall be brief. Our

cousins ha\'t~ sludied the problem of this mad Oracle since
moment Shosuro Medo reportrd to us. Hawing oonsulted more
shall we say private resources. we have come up with a workabl
but dangerous plan. It seems that me focus of the Oracle'
madness is indeed the Lady Shiriko. As strange as Uris may
we sball use this obsession of his 10 undo him.
"'The plan is quite simple, although the magiG and ritu
behind it are beyond your understanding. We must gel Shirik
inlo the presence of the Oracle unharmed. We think this i
entirely possible, if you are there to help fadlitate it The Orad
seems somewhat willing to speak with you about his desire
Therefore, you shall escort the Lady Shiriko to the Oracle. You
must make sure thai she gelS dose to him unbarmed. The rest'
up to her but for one small act.
"Once Shiriko is close to the Oracle, you must distract hi
somehow. Then Shiriko shall draw forth a specially prepared
blade she has hidden on her person and stab the Oracle with i
This should slay the insane crealure, returning its power 10 th
othing of everyone else in the room. The only other person with Dragon from whence it came. Our wise scholars assure us tha
. pristine an appearance is a Shosuro woman who follows Lord once the Dragon of Fire is made whole again it can easily choose
amelSu inlo the room, Her red silk kimono and tiny red mask another for its Oracle. Naturally the choice will be much wise
re spotless. only accentuating her great beauty amidst all this than the ela Ihls insane mockery would have bestowed his po
gliness. Behind her come Shosuro Medo. Shosuro )uberu, and a on.
an and a woman you do nOI recognize. "Our scouts have tracked the Oracle to a cave not far fro
here. less than an hour away. You and Smriko must leave at on
Lord Hametsu waits just long enough for lhe party 10 bow for the Oracle's cave. 11 will be impossible to affect this plan if
before he begins the meeling. He thanks the party for its role in returns to attack Kyuden Shosuro tomorrow. We must strike now
killing lhe ela girl. They have done a great service for the while he recuperates. With that Juberu steps aside and gestu
M

Smrpion Clan and their help will nOI soon be forgotten. Now he to the beautiful woman in the pristine kimono - Shosuro Shiriko
has one finallask for them. one for which the Shosuro family and She bows 10 you. but does not say a word. Her hands remaJ
the entire Scorpion Clan will be thanking lheir childreo's tucked demurely inlo her sleeves as she boWS:. a perfect picture 0
grandchildren in years 10 come. He expects and appredates their female beauty and humility.
oontinued cooperation in this maUer. With thai he turns the
matter over 10 his advisor Juberu. Juberu gives the party a few minutes ro ask questions bUI is
The GM should make it obvious to the party thai the daimyo ob\'iously impatient for them to gel on their way. U lhr party has
is nol asking the party 10 help, he is ordering Lhem They are in any suggestions to alter the plan that make il better without
il so deep they musl Stt it to the end From his point of view, changing the fundamental aspects of it he listens and even allows
Hametsu needs 10 be able to trust the party as much as if they the party to make them. However, Lord Hametsu soon gTw.'S tired
were part of hIS own family. They must either become loyal of this and orders the meeting ended and the mission begun al

37
once. The party is given fresh horses. an escort of rour Scorpion
horsemen to guide them, and they are sent on their way.
\ \
TH£ SCORPION'S TRU£ PLAN
Juberu laid oul the plan prcuy much as the Scorpions devised
it wilh a rew exceptions. First of aiL he does not mention thai Cl1a~t~~1 ~ln~:
Shiriko has the Dagger of Shosuro in her possession. She keeps
it hidden al all times ~ithin Lhe folds of her kimono and wiU nOI
reveal it until ready to strike. The Soorpions do not want anyone ero lJBa\1~ an
f)~1ad~
outside the Clan 10 know they are using this priceless mystic
artifact Secondly, luberu lied about the antidpated effects of the
ritual blade. It should kill the Oracle. but it should also sleal bis
power and beslow it upon Shiriko. That's Lhe plan anyway. He
also failed 10 mention that a (earn of Scorpion Samurai foUowing
the party at a sare distance, In case they try (0 do anything stupid
~ike belIay the clan).

AFT£RMATH
The party is now on Its way with Sbiriko to the cave of the Having sarely escorted the ela girl back to the Oracle. they
Oracle. An hour later and they're in Chapter Ten, skipping now meet with the man-god in order 10 decide what should
Chapter Nine altogether. become o( both the girl and the Scorpions only to have the
Soorpion Clan rudely interrupt the discussion and !hrow the party
straight into Chapter Ten.

The Oracle's cave looks as though it was once little more than
a depression in the side of a hill. The Oracle has obviously used
his powers to increase its dimensions significanily. A perfectly
round eighl fOOl hole has been cut into the Wlllo allow entrance
to the cave. The interior of the hill is now a hemisphere
measuring some forty feel across. the walls perrectly smooth.
black glass !hat dimly reflects the light given off by the ramiliar
pair or fire pillars in the center of the room. Otherwise the room
is completely featureless.

The Oracle slands at the center, between Ihe two pillars. H

wears a blackened kimono that might once have been white, tor
and singed almost to the point or disintegration. I-lis hair I
covered in dirt and ash as is most of his skin. As you enter th
cave he looks al you angrily. without recognilion. That look
changes to a smile or delight as soon as he sees the ela girl.

That's all assuming the girl is alive of course.. U the party has
brought the girl back alive then the Oracle is in very good spirits.
For a moment or Iwo he even manages to forget about the
overwhelming reelings he has 10wards SJuriko and the Smrpion
Clan. He thanks the party (or returning the gU'1 10 him. He then
speaks with her (or a while. asking her 10 fOrgive him for scaring
her and promising thai soon she will be an Oracle. a person o(
greal power and honOL
 scared dtiJd swept up in events beyond her control
Now she begins to show wisdom. compassion. and
forgiveness beyond her years. She pleads "With the
Oracle to forget about Shlriko and laking
vengeance on the Scorpions. They acted out of fear.
fear of change, fear bred by their noble values. They
desen'e to be pitied for their dose mindedness and
cowardly hearts, not destroyed.
The Oracle listens to what Tomuko has to say. and
both she and he look to the party to intervene. At
this point the PC's should become involvtd in the
debate over whether the Scorpions should be
destroyed. In order to avoid arguing. among the
NPCs, the GM should frame the debale SO that
whoever ihe party disagrees with does mosl of the
talking. For example, if lhe party wants to lake
revenge on the Scorpions (a sentiment lhey would
be justified in holding) then Tomuko debates the
issue with them. If they want to spare the Scorpions
then most of their conversation win be with the
Oracle.
If the party allies with Tomuko. they can ronvince
the Oracle to step down Immec:JjaleJy and give his
power 10 the eta child. If that happens then she will
be beyond the ability of the Scorpions to harm her.
If the party sides with the Oracle then he vows to
level the castle In the morning, take his revenge on
Shiriko. and then pass on his power 10 the girl
Whatever the decision, it is entirely moot with the
Scorpion plan already in motiOIL

Then he turns to the party. He tells them thaI he attacked UNWElCOME GUESTS
Kyudcn Shosuro today and that lomorrow he plans to destroy it Before the party can do anything else Shiriko and her escort
and all within il He no longer cares to see Shiriko. He will simply arrive at the cave entrance. This is probably the firsl time they
have his vengeance and then make Tomuko Orade. Once he Is In have seen her and everyone, the Oracle included. stares in
the Celeslial Heavens none of this will mailer 10 him anymore. shocked silence at the following tableau:
He can finally find peace. Now however he needs 10 resl He asks
the party to Slay and guard the girl through the nighl while he "Greetings, Great Oracle of Fire." says a distinguished femal
sleeps in preparalion for the morning's exertions. voice from the cave entran~ You look to see a beautiful worn
Here the party has an opportunity 10 avert bloodshed. or al in a bright red kimono of the Shosuro family. Her delicale mas
least they might think iliey do. They can try 10 convince the scarrely conceals her fioe features. You know immediately ilia
Oracle to forgel about Shiriko and simply make the girl Oracle this can only be ODe person: Shosuro Shiriko. She stan
now and be done with it Although not thrilled with the Idea, II is demurely, head bowed. hands properly lucked into the s~ves 0
possible lhat the party can indeed oonvlnce the Oracle of Its her kimono. Behind her stand two Scorpion samurai. anned ~
merits. U the heroes suggest this idea to the Oracle. Tomuko battle, and outside the cave you catch a glimpse of firelight on th
supports it whole beartedly. The GM can C\'en have her suggest steel weapons of additional bushi. "My lord. I beg to speak
il 10 the Oracle first and have her ask the party to help oonvince you," says the woman and the Oracle nods in agree:rneol
him that she's righl

T OMUkO SP£AkS OUT AFTERWARD

Here for the first time the party gets to see some sense of why On to the Ilnal showdown in Chapter Ten, which picks up right
a young ela girl mighl actually be the right choice for Oracle of where this left off.
Fire. Up until this poinl Tomuko has seemed little more Ihan a
 gIVen oU by the [amlUar pair of fire pillars in the center of th
chamber. Otherwise the room is l'Ompletely featureless. In th
\ \ center, aboul twemy feet from the entrance you can see the Orad

Cl1a~t~~1 er~n:
of Fire, pacing back: and forth over a ten foot area of the cave
talking 10 himself in what, as far as you tell, is utter gibberish. H
wears a blackened kimono that might once have been white, tor

~111~,ko
and singed almost to the point of disintegration. His hair .
covered in dirt and ash as is most of his skin.

R~tu~1ns
The party can stand at the cave entrance and watch him all
nighl If they wish and be does not notice t.bem unless they
prepare 10 allack him In some way. HOWf:ver, Shiriko presses
behind them, urging them forward inlo t.be cave. As soon as they
step In he lurns upon them. Stliriko is not yet In sight, she holds
back with her guards to wail and see how the Oracle reacts 10 the
party's presence. He reacts rather badly.
As soon as the party enters the cave or makes their existence
!mo"," ID some fashion the Oracle whirls to face them. "How dare
One way or another. the party is DOW in the Oracle's cave at )'Ou disturb me!" he: shouts, as a nimbus of Dame sUJ1'Ounds him.
the same time as both Shiliko and her spurned lover. Obviously The party has about ten seconds to start talking and Identify
somelhing very bad is about to happen Whether or nollt aClually themselves before he blasts them with a wall of fire. He bolds 0[[
does depends upon what side the pany takes in the manet as long as what they have to say seems inleresling. He recognizes
Within the space of just a few minutes it should all be over. them soon enough and iliat only makes him angrier. "You have
betrayed me! Why should I spare your lives for another
moment?" he bellows. They'd best introduce Shiriko pretty quick.
Uthey don't, she .steps forward in time to prevent !.he Oracle frOID
incinerating the PCs.
This section assumes the party has traveled 10 the Cave with
Shiriko and her fellow Scorpions. On the journey to the cave Shiriko calls oul to the Oracle '"Greetings Great Oracle of Fire.
Shlriko speaks \ery little. her mind OCOIpied with the upcoming All of the fury he had directed al you dissipates as IUs altentio
confrontation. She does however make one Lhing clear to the focuses entirely upon t.be btautiful Shosuro courtier_ The fire ilia
party. As soon as she bows down and asks for the Oracle's surrounds his body winks out like an extinguished candle. "M
forgiveness it is time for the PCS 10 make some sort of distraction lord, 1 beg 10 speak to you, says Shiriko. The Oracle only n
R

so that she can strike. They must make sure to grab lhe Orade's otherwise standing as still as a stalue. Shiriko approaches him
full aHention. her arms hidden in the folds of her kimono, her head bowed I
The party arrires at the cave about an hour after iliey depart supplication. It seems to take an elernity for her to cross th
Kyuden Shosuro. There they find another Scorpion samurai in Iwenty feet or so that separate her from the insane demi-god. jus
hidmg. watching over me cave entrance.. He reports that the when she is aboul 10 rome within striking distance he stops her.
Oracle is inside the ta\'f and has not come out Since he went in. 1'hat's far enough. he says. 1 shall allow you DO closer I
R

Shinko now commands thaI the party lead her into the cave, you tempt me again." Shiriko stops and falls to her knees. you ca
along with the four Bayushi samurai. hear the unmistakable sound of sobbing.
1'm sorry my lord. I am not even worthy of your forgivene
The Oracle's cave looks as tbough it was once little more than Still. I musl ask it of you In hopes that you still love me. as I 10\
depression in the side of a hill. The Oracle has Obviously used you."
his powers to increase its dimensions signiricantly. A perfectly
ound man·slzed hole bas been cut into the hlllte allow enlrance That's t.be sign. The moment has come for the party to make
o the cave. The nickenng light of fire seeps out of the hole Into their distraction so Shirlko can strike the Oracle down. Wbalthey
e night casting shadows all about the forest As you draw near do is up to them. It ~1l1 have 10 be something more than simply
'ou Can hear the unmislakable voice of the Oracle muUering 10 ralling out the Oracle's name. He's 100 engrossed in the sight of
imsell although you cannOI make out what he is saying. Shiriko to even notice that the Pes are there. They can attack him.
As you dray. Dear the hole you can see into the cave beyond. cast a spell jump up and down and saeech like birds or anything
e interior is a hemisphere measuring some forty feel across. the else thaI is too egregious or obnoxious 10 Ignore.
ails perfectly smooth. black glass that renects dirnlS the light
 Railier ilian killing the warriors.
the Oracle has infused them with
his dying rage. The four now turn
on the party and Shiriko. trying
their best to use their newfound
strength. speed. and
determination to avenge the
Oracle. The party must fight these
super-charged samurai before
they can literally cut Shiriko loose
from the Oracle. The party must
hold them off for five rounds. as
long as it takes for Shlriko's blade
to finish its task. All the while the
Oracle continues to spurt jets of
name lowards the cave roof,
crying oul in agony.
if Shiriko gets her fi"e rounds of
quality lime v.ith the Oracle then
her plan succeeds. The Orade dies
and the blade transfers his power
directly into her More on what
thaI means exactly in Chapter
Eleven. If the party fails and the
Oracle manages 10 break free of
Shiriko's grasp then he attacks
them for all he's worth. They had
all better run vcry fast because
now that he's alert Lo the danger.
there is no way any of them can
stop him. The next day he returns
10 Kyuden Shosuro. burns it to the
ground and then disappears. The
party's final fate is up 10 the GM:
Ihe Oracle may be too consumed
with destroying the Shosuro to
bother wilh them. in which case.
lhey can safely flee lhe province.
U he decides 10 focus on them
firsl hoy.-ever. there is litlle they
can do against his power. Such Is
the price of defying the Heavens.

Ai; soon as the Oracle is distracted (and even if the party fails WITH THE ORACl£
10 distract him). Shiriko slips the Dagger of Shosuro from the This section assumes the parly is standing with the Oracle and
sleeve of her kimono and plunges It Into the unsuspecting follows directly upon lite events In Chapter Nine.
Oracle's belly. He cries out in agony, a voice 100 deep and
powerful 10 be human. and slumps to his knees. Shlrlko holds the The Oracle walks forward to meet Shosuro Shirlko in lh
blade close, and pulls lile Oracle to her to drive it home deeper. center of the room. motioning for you 10 stay back. When they ar
The Oracle's arms stretch out and sl.reams of Dame stream up and about three feet apart she drops 10 her knees and says. "rm solT}
bit the celling then arc down towards the cave entrance. There my lord. I am nOI even worthy of your forgiveness. Still I mus
they strike the four Scorpion samurai, engulfmg them in flame. ask it of you in hopes thai you still love me as I love you:' He
'oice is full of tears and you can see thai the Orade is moved by STATS FOR SHIR/KO
er emotion. he bends down. hand outstreldled 10 comfort ber. Earth,2
In a flash she withdraws her right hand from the sleeve of her WiUpower: 3
'mono and before you can even utler a cry of warning plunges Water: 2
black blade into the Oracle's belly. He cries out in agony and Perception: 3
ails to Lhe his knees beside Shiriko. Meanwhile the Scorpion Fire: 3
murai are already charging headlong across the cave towards Air: :>
ou, determined to cut you down where you sland. Awareness: 5
Void: 2
In the ensuing fight the party needs to gel Shiriko away from Skills: Acting 4, Courtier 3, Etiquelle 3, Knife 4. Polson 2,
the Oracle as soon as possible. They have five rounds to Seduction 4. Sincerity 5. Sleight of Hand 4. Slealth 2, Tea
accomplish this task. n they can gel past the samurai guards II is Ceremony 3
easy enough to strike at Shiriko (rom behind since all of her
attention is focused on sucking the life and power out of the Honor 1.2
Oracle. n the party seems to have trouble figuring this out have Glory 3
Tomuko explain it to them in no uncertain terms. Any attack that Advantages: Dangerous Beauty, Heartless
does more than 10 pomts of damage 10 Shiriko breaks the Oracle School: Sbosuro Courtier 4
free from Shiriko. The problem is getting past the samurai who Weapons: Dagger or Shosuro (2k2 damage, paralyzes victim
are defending her. as long as it is in them, sucks one rank of Void per round until
n (reed, the Oracle ends the matter quickly, engulfing the dead)
Scorpion in flame and then slowly burning Shiriko alive until all
thaI remains is the echo of her screamS and the Dagger of STATS FOR SH'R'KO'S ESCORTS
Shosuro, The Oracle thanks the party for its help and play Earth 3
proceeds inlo the final chapter. Fire 3
Water 2
AFTERWARD Air 4
Either the party has helped the Scorpions win the day or sa\'ed Void 2
me Oracle from their machinations. Either way the world is going Skills: Kenjutsu 4. Defense Z, Archery 1, Stealth 2, Acting 2,
10 have a new Oracle of Fire by morning. Chapter Eleven gives all laijutsu 3
the details. Honor 15
GloryU
School' Bayushl Bushl (rank 4)
Weapons: Daisbo

FIRE INSPIRED SAMURAI

Eanh3
Fire 5
Agilily 6
Water 3
Air 4
Void 2

Skills: Kenjutsu 5. Armery 1. Stealth 2, Acting 2, laijulsu 2

Honor 1
Glory 2
School, Bayushl Bushi (rank 3)
Weapons: Dalsho

43
 The new Oracle's first action is to thank the party for its help
and assure them that if iliey c\'er have need of her wisdom she
shall happily share it with them. She then takes the Dagger of
Cha~t\?l~ Shosuro from where it sits (or from any character who. might
have picked it up) and says that she shall return 10 this 10 the

el~\?n:
Scorpion Clan so ilial they mIght know what has become of their
plans. Witb that she disappears before their very eyes. leaving
them alone in the cave, unsure of their next move.
The Oracle does indeed return the Dagger of Shosuro and

RamIfIcatIons with it delivers a message to the Scorpions ilial the party is now
under her protection. If any harm comes to lhem. she will no
where to find the culprits and act accordingly. This warning
serves to ensure thai the Scorpions will not try 10 kill the party
immediately as they might otherwISe be inclined 10 do. Even so,
the entire Shosuro family now has a burning desire to lake their
\·engeance on the party, and if anyone knows how 10 exact
revenge without drawing unwanted attention it is the Srorpion
Here is sorted out all the loose ends and the various possible Oan. On lIle plus side. once the story of what look place gets oul,
scenarios thai result from the events of this adventure. including lIle party will find themselves more welcome among the
who the new Oracle of Fire Is and whether or 1101 Kyuden spiritually oriented clans like lIle Phoenix and Dragon.
Sbosuro remains slaDding.

if the heroes managed to stop Shiriko and save Ihe Oracle

then events proceed prell)' much as the Oracle intended them to
before he ever met Shiriko. Willl Shiriko dead his madness
leaves him. Withoui 1tdo he passes 00 his power directly 10 the
eta girl Tomuko. a process the party is invited to watch if they so
desire.

The Oracle of Fire clothes his body In flames aod begJns 10

transform before your very eyes. The flame seems at first to
'consume his flesh but it soon becomes apparent thai it in fact his
Oesh which is transforming into fire until all thai remains is a
human shaped spirit of £lame. Thmuko steps forward and kneels
10 front of lIle fiery apparition. The Oracle places a burning hand
on Tomuko's head and an aura of fire surrounds the girl. She
kneels calmly, eyes dosed in prayeL Slowly the fiery figure of the
Orade begins to dim as the halo of flame around Tomuko grows
brighter and stronger. After about a minule the Oracle finally
fades away mto nothingness while Tomuko shines as bright as
the-sun.
She rises to her feet and opens her mouth, arms stretched out
towards the heavens. With the rushing of tornado winds lhe
flaming aura swirls into the girl's mourn as if II were water
caugnl in a whirlpool. In but a momenl the girl has consumed
the Oracle's Ore. She IwIlS toward you and smiles. Not the
dtUdish grill of a YOU08 girl but a smile of wisdom beyond her
age. A smile Shhto;ei himself might have given a precocious
studenl The new Oracle of Fire has come to Rokugan.
 Should Shiriko manage to overcome the Oracle with her
enchanted blade then the power is indeed hers.

The Oracle's screams cut off abruptly. An aura of darkne

emendates from the blade; the black radiance grows until i
encompasses both figures, a sphere of darkness six feet in
diameter. Then il collapses in on Itself and there stand Shiriko
alone. She is now dressed in the kimono of the Oracle of Fire. In
her left hand, she holds the black blade. She leL'i it drop 10 the
floor as she raises her arms above her head and leis out a cry a
triumph. Flames lick forth from her moulh. jets of fire shoot fro
the tips of her hands.

If the party was on Shiriko's side then any Oracle empowered

samurai lhey might have been fighting simply collapse in a heap.
dead. They are now alone in lhe cave and can make their way
back to Kyuden Shosuro on lhelr own. II they were fighting
against the Scorpions then they have to keep on fighting until all
their opponents are dead Then they are free to go their own way,
knowing that the Scorpion Clan now wants their heads and
seems to have an Oracle of Fire under lheir oon~ol.
In fact. Shiriko is not under the control of lhe Scorpions at all.
She is scarcely in conlrol of herself. She transports herself back
to Kyuden Shosuro to report her success, returning the Dagger of
Shosuro. However, headaches and random spasms of pain plague
her conslanlly over lhe next few hours. It seems the heart of the
Dragon is not agreeing wilh her. She retires 10 her quarters. A
few hours later an explosion rips through that part of lhe castle.
Her quarters deSlroyed, there is no sign of Shiriko. No one knows
If she is dead or has simply disappeared.
The lruth is, Shiriko has fled to the mountains, away from the
If lhe heroes manage to save lhe Oracle bUi nOI the eta gir~ or sight of mortal eyes. She needs to spend time learning to control
failed to kill him but killed the ela girl, Ihe Oracle is profoundly the forces at work wilhin her. Evenlually. she does learn 10 control
depressed. The only difference is whether or not lhe party Jives to mem, but only by coming to terms with what it really means to
see lhat resull If lhe party helped the Oracle then surviving be an Oracle. Whether or not this means giving up her loyalties
should not be an issue. The Oracle kills Shiriko and an Scorpions 10 the Scorpion Clan remains to be seen. It hardly matters to lhe
left alive with her and lhen moves 011 to level Kyuden Shosuro. party however, they have done their job and Lord Hametsu
Their plan having failed, Hametsu and his advisors have already honors them appropriately, even adopting lhem into his family if
fled the palace. The Oracle's vengeance is cosily but not crippling lhey so desire. In any case, they now have the favor of the
10 the family since everything and everyone of importance has Scorpions. a powerful tool in lhis world.
already been removed.
The Oracle still needs to find a successor. Now more than ever
he wishes to end his existence and travel to the Celestial Heavens.
If the party helped him. he might even choose one of them as his
successor. Of course, thaI means retiring the character in question,
and is'a judgment call best left up to the GM. Otherwise the
Oracle spends the next few months lrying to find a suitable soul
for the task and this lime he lells no one of what he plans. He
eventually chooses another lower class child. a hinin boy from the
lands of the Phoenix.
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