Overview: Players are bushi retainers for the Takeshi Clan. They have been tasked with delivering a sealed letter to Edo. The characters have been told to deliver the letter quickly, meaning they must take the perilous trek through the mountains and wilderness rather than the more roundabout (but safer) main road.

On the way they must deal with both the dangers of the open road and the demons that bubble within themselves…

Clan Takeshi – a small clan that is charged with maintaining a medium size territory to the north of Edo. The previous clan (Zaigono Clan) who had been given this region had been disbanded when it was found that retainers under that Daimyo had been stealing from Shogunate supply wagons that crossed through their land. Takeshi Otogi was given the responsibility to maintain the land by the Shogan. His son has succeeded him as Daimyo.

The era sees the bushi (samurai) on the wane – gunpowder and western civilisation has started to impact on the Japanese culture. The Shogun demands high taxes and has allowed thousands of clans to establish themselves, meaning they often squabble amongst themselves rather than set their eyes on overthrowing him.

It is the end of winter. The mountain passes should be clear, but snow still lies on the ground. Night is still bitterly cold.

The Yagyu Clan serves as the eyes, ears and occasional shadowed hand of the Shogun. How loyal they are to the Shogun is questionable but they have been rumoured to have toppled clans that opposed their will or when ordered to. For the most part they are unseen; anyone could be a Yagyu, ready to use the information they gather for their clans’ betterment.

The players

Sakutsu Takamazo – Chief Retainer; Head Administrator for Takeshi Clan (has distinctive scar that crosses from right brow to left cheek, just missing his left eye)

Matsusari Nen – bushi retainer for the Takeshi Clan (Takamazo’s bodyguard; slim and pale; fights with emotionless brutality; uses a nodachi)

Takeshi Tsutako – Daimyo of the Takeshi Clan (thin man, pleasant enough with fierce temper)

Takeshi Sakura – Daimyo’s wife (obedient by day, reckless by night)

Kataragi Somago – bushi retainer for the Takeshi Clan (older man, walks quietly but hears much)

Players are called in to see Takamazo in a side room in the Clan compound. He says, "I have a task of the utmost importance for you to complete. You must take this letter to Edo as quickly as possible. Take the route by the Weeping Tree through the mountains; this will see you get to Edo in about five days."

"The letter must be taken to the Shogun’s castle and presented to Otochi Retsudo. He will give you something and you may then return here."

"On your honour, do not read the letter. Do not come back until after the letter is delivered. If you are unable to deliver the message, slit your bellies – you will never be welcome on Takeshi soil as long as you breathe. Be silent on your journey about this – enemies of the Takeshi clan would love to get their hands on the message inside."

The letter is presented as a scroll, locked in a waterproof container made of wax and silk. It has been sealed with the mark of the Daimyo in wax.

"Be gone by the end of the day!" says Takamazo and leaves without a backward glance.

The players are left to prepare for their journey.

###Split up the players###

(Fame’s character) is pulled aside during preparations. Takamanzo (with Nen in tow) has a special request of him. "Are you a worthy retainer to the Takeshi clan? Prove it! You must ensure the message reaches Edo – that is easy. But you must also ensure that none of these other … misfits… return from the journey. This must be done quietly, so no-one will ever hear of it. But if you are successful I will treat you like a son and see your path is untroubled in future. Fail to do this and you shall be left in the hands of Nen for the rest of your training." Takamanzo doesn’t wait to hear an answer from (Fame’s character) – it’s assumed that this instruction will be obeyed.

(Revenge’s character) is met by Sakura who wants a final tryst before he leaves. Regardless of how this plays out, (The Christian’s character) will see what goes on.

(Unrecognised Son’s character) finds a copy of the Takeshi family crest on his bed. Is it mocking him or simply reminding him of his duty?

Going through the mountains will see them pass through two villages – Cupped Tree Village (an old mining town about one day from the Takeshi Clan compound) and Solid Waterfall Village (a village just over midway between the Takeshi clan compound and Edo). There is also a shrine or two populated with some monks that can be brought into existence when needed.

Once the players leave the compound they start to travel down a semi-busy road – with the end of winter, people are travelling again. There are things to buy and sights to see, but after several hours of walking they come to the Weeping Tree – a tree that bent and twisted itself in a u-shape due to the strong winds in the area. A path leads off the main road that will take the players through the mountains.

This path is deserted and slightly covered with the debris of a departing winter. It looks almost untravelled in recent times. Once the players are away from the main road, it is very quiet.

After another hour, the players here a horse galloping behind them. It is Kataragi Somago – he has overheard something that he feels they should know.

"Fellow bushi – I was walking past that toad Tokomanzo’s quarters when I heard him talking to Nen. He was saying about how he will be Daimyo soon, or if not that then handsomely rewarded for his loyalty… I don’t know how because I couldn’t hear everything. But I think it has to do with the letter you were given. Be careful. I must return quickly!"

Somago leaves.

Another hour will see the players reach Cupped Tree Village (named after the bent trees that surround it). Depending on time taken, it is either dusk or evening. Either way, with no sun around things get cold quickly. There is a slightly dilapidated inn there that is happy to see four bushi customers from the Takeshi clan.

Monks

Woodcutters

Bandits

Wolves

(Few) other travellers

Whatever keeps things interesting

This act will cover the journey between Cupped Tree Village and Solid Waterfall Village. It is assumed that the players will seek to journey to Edo and perhaps find out what the letter says on the way.

But if they don’t… well, perhaps they will run into Nen who has been sent out after them to make sure they aren’t wasting time. Or Somago may warn them that Nen will be coming after them. In short, the game relies around them making the trip. It’s what they do on it that’s important.

Solid Waterfall Village lies about two and a half days journey from Cupped Tree Village. There are two shrines on the way, possibly containing monks if that helps the story. Wolves can also be used to move the players along if they are lagging. At least one night will have to be spent outside and that could be very cold (unless someone wants to narrate in a woodcutter or something to provide shelter).

Monks may be able determine what they letter says (and even open it quickly), but something will have to be done about fixing the seal after it has been opened. It could be seen as a violation of honour to read the letter since they have been told not to, but if someone else was to read it to them, then this could be a loophole around this issue.

Play will end once players reach Solid Waterfall – they will find that the town has been taken over by bandits during the winter.

[Game Notes: The players didn’t reach Solid Waterfall Village, stopping in a monastery for the night. (The Christian’s character) found a trap waiting for him – pine needle sap on needles on his door handle. The trap was set by Fame.]

From here –

Wolves, one pack (7 card conflict)

Woodcutter (ex-counterfeiter, once had a baby dropped off at his door with a funny name by a woman that was later claimed by a nobleman)

Then Solid Waterfall Village.

A group of bandits have taken over Solid Waterfall Village, originally just to get out of the cold and then because it looks like a good deal. There are about 20 villagers here – fishermen, weavers – that are in no position to fight. There is no way around the village – the players must go through. What they do is up to them.

The bandits will not attempt to hassle the bushi unless they appear to be hostile – they don’t want to upset their position so soon in the village. However, if the bushi aren’t attacked on the first trip through the village, they certainly will be on the second due to the ornate package they carry.

The bandit leader is the last surviving retainer of the Zaigono Clan, driven out of their lands and dispersed by the acts of a traitorous servant. However, the ronin managed to give the traitor a cut to the face before he was driven away.

Arriving in Edo, the players will find debauchery everywhere the bushi are. They will have to spend one night here, during which they will see peasants being abused every which way by other bushi. One peasant is about to be beheaded; another incident sees a man beaten while his daughter is molested.

Asking for directions will see them arrive at the residence of Otochi Retsudo, tailor to the Shogun himself. He will take the letter, disappear for a while, then reappear with an ornate package. If asked, the package contains "a gift for your master!"

Pass back the way they came, using plot hooks that still exist to prod the story.

Somewhere between Solid Waterfall Village and Cupped Tree Village the players will encounter Nen. He is awaiting their return.

If he has already been used, perhaps Takamazo himself has made the journey to meet the players. He certainly wouldn’t want people remembering that four bushi brought him a gift from Edo – the ornate nature of the package would indicate that it would be for the Daimyo himself and above Takamazo’s station. Plus the bushi may already know too much.

Honoured Retsudo,

Please tell those who should know that preparations are almost complete. Evidence has been gathered and things are in motion. Should a security force arrive a week from today they will find all they need to act. Please send me the necessary items for this time.

Your humble servant,

• Sukutzu Takamozo

The package contains an ordinary looking formal gown that the players will notice has some unusual internal stitching. This gown has been designed so that tearing it will reveal a crest of the Yagyu Clan. The wearer plans to avoid the slaughter that will follow by revealing who he actually works for when the security force arrives. Since the security force is in on what is happening (and probably Yagyu themselves) they will not believe Takeshi protestations that Takamazo was the chief retainer. Pointing instead to the crest he wears they will speak of how dishonourable it is for hosts to insult such a dignified guest guest with slander.