Night of a Thousand Screams is an adventure for Legend of the Five Rings set in Ryoko Owari. There are 18 chapters, so I’ll attempt to handle six scenes per session, thoigh just these two scenes seem to be fairly long by my estimation. For now, I'll play through scenes until the post feels too long. Unless I get tired of experimenting with Freeform Universal. I still kind of prefer Fate over FU, but I’m willing to give it another shot. Advancement wise, I’ll use Untold; two more Descriptors after this session, two more after session four then retiring Ritsuko after seven if she makes it that far.
From the images I’ve come across of Doji Domotai, she either has grey-blue or violet eyes. I’ve gone with the blue to keep the Crane theme.
[After the Episode]
What impact does this episode have on the series?
The Shadowlands threat is present with the Bloodspeakers appearing to help Daigotsu for unknown purposes.
What are the loose ends and plot hooks for future episodes?
What did Iuchi Toreru want? How did the goblins get into Ryoko Owari? Who owned the boat Ritsuko was on?
Characters of Interest
Daigotsu, Iuchi Toreru, Iuchiban
Items of Interest
None.
Places of Interest
The Iron Petal, The Two Gates
[Episode Guide]
Series Name: Rokugan 2037
Season 1 Episode 2
Episode Name: The Bon Festival Begins...
When does this take place?
2037, near-future and a few days after episode 1.
Where does this take place?
Ryoko Owari, The City of Lies
What do we know about the setting?
It's first edition Legend of the Five Rings in 2037, roughly around the events of 1165. Iuchiban and Daigotsu are struggling for power, and Emperor Toturi Naseru is in control.
What is the tone of the setting?
Action adventure meets investigative noir. Dark. Bloody. A bit of horror.
Setting Synopsis
The City of Lies. An underworld brought to the surface by the Scorpion clan. You can find just about anything here for the right price. And the Bloodspeakers demand a very high price…
Shosuro Ritsuko
Role Investigative Shosuro Assassin
Motivation Contain the Bloodspeaker Threat
Special The Shadow Has No Mask Technique
Special Steel Katana
Stress [1] [1] [1]
I wish I had the time and energy to investigate the boat I had been abducted to. In all honesty, just surviving had all of my attention. Once I was able to breathe normally, I collected my things and ran to the nearest alley in case there were other goblins or Bloodspeakers nearby. The boat began to pull away from the docks, and I felt I would be better off here in Ryoko Owari than jumping aboard.
Back at my apartment, I undress and relax. Food. Sake. Time to think what my next plan of action should be. I stared out the window, looking down on the shadowed expanse of the city. The afternoon sun burned a vibrant orange behind the dark buildings. Someone had to have information about the Bloodspeakers. Where did they come from? How did the goblins bypass security?
I glance at my wardrobe in consideration. Maybe something less Scorpion tonight. Something that would inspire trust. I have just the thing… and pull out a sky blue tank, black jeans and a fashionable leather jacket with silver lettering on a strip down the left side. Kakita. I complete the look with ankle boots, a wig of straight white hair, and, what girl wouldn’t want to emulate Domotai? Contacts change my eyes from hazel to steel blue. I leave the chokuto and mask at home tonight; a Crane would have her katana at her hip.
Kakita Akane, at your service.
Returning to the waterfront by the Merchant Quarter, Ritsuko finds herself at the Inn of the Orange Blossom on the corner of Saffron and Brass. A small hotel with just a few rooms upstairs and tables below. The burly owner, Hametsu, is a Unicorn that enjoys talking about his prior travels across the mountains.
His wife, Kimoko, and daughter, Hakiku, help him run the place. Both open and pleasant, they smile and don’t ask prying questions. As the time approaches 1730, other patrons file in and prepare for the Bon Festival. The Inn is already decorated with banners and flowers.
Per custom, Ritsuko’s katana is placed in a rack near the door as Hakiku guides Ritsuko to a private room.
<//
“Does Ritsuko recognize anyone in the Inn?”
Ritsuko rolls with one bonus dice from “Investigative Shosuro Assassin.”
Result: 1-, No, and… checks the “Hungry” condition.
//>
Ritsuko looks around the room and sighs. She had hoped to recognize someone here to question. She smiles politely at Hakiku and requests a katsudon with more sake while she observes the Inn. The past couple days, she had eaten sparingly while thinking of her plans.
Some of the patrons pointedly ignore Ritsuko; her curiosity apparent on her features. As Hakiku begins to head back with the bowl and carafe, an explosion rips through the common room. Wood and ceramic cut through the paper doors of the private rooms, and Hakiku collapses, speared through the chest by a length of wood from the front door.
Through the gaping hole in the front of the Inn, an inhuman creature over seven feet tall holds a blue robed form above his head. Three eyes, slithering tongue and fleshy pods along its spine. Covered in slimy black green skin, it smells brackish and foul. Long claws sink into the Crane above his head, tearing through muscle and sinew. Another prone Crane lies at the creature’s feet, blood pooling around it. A third Crane jumps to his feet and begins backing away.
Ritsuko, surprised, also jumps to her feet. Her katana is in the weapon rack that was near the front door. She growls at the cowering Crane, “Get back. Get in the private room,” as she runs toward the weapons rack.
While almost every patron is cowering, screaming or bleeding, one patron runs alongside Ritsuko. The two reach the rack and retrieve your katana. The Oni steps fully into the Inn, crushing the dead Crane beneath its feet. The one above his head slumps to the floor with terrible wounds coating the floor with blood. The third Crane crawls quickly into the private room Ritsuko emerged from.
The two run back into the common room, katana drawn, and attempt to distract the Oni from the cowering Crane.
<//
Oni no Chizaro
Fearful Aura, Razor Sharp Claws
Stress [1] [1] [1]
“Can Ritsuko and this other person distract the Oni from its target?”
Ritsuko rolls with two bonus dice from the potential ally and “Steel Katana” but one penalty dice from “Fearful Aura.”
Result: 4, Yes, but… the debris “Impedes” the smaller humans.
Oni no Chizaro
Stress [x] [1] [1]
//>
Ritsuko and her companion return to the common room and find the Oni at the door to the private room. It kicks in the shoji and sniffs the air, savoring the scent of fear streaming from the Crane. The head turns and eyes the weapons held by Ritsuko and the samurai then leaps toward the new threats.
The two of them part, the demon landing between them. Katana flash as they race through the air and strike at the Oni’s thighs.
<//
“Can Ritsuko keep the Oni away from the private rooms?”
Ritsuko rolls one penalty dice since both bonus dice are cancelled by “Fearful Aura” and “Razor Sharp Teeth,” and the debris “Impedes” their actions.
Result: 4-, No, but… the pair find a clear path to the Oni.
Shosuro Ritsuko
Stress [x] [1] [1]
//>
The monstrous thing moves with serpentine grace and avoids the katana. Sliding between piles of debris, it returns to the ruins of the shoji and tears at the walls with its long claws. Ritsuko and the samurai follow into the open space between the front of the common room and the entrances to the private rooms. The Oni rumbles with anticipation as the Crane screams.
Ritsuko and the samurai look at each other then charge at the Oni to protect the Crane.
<//
“Can the two of them stop the Oni from grabbing the Crane?”
Ritsuko rolls with no bonus dice as they are cancelled by the penalty dice.
Result: 6, Yes, and… the Oni is “cornered.”
Oni no Chizaro
Stress [x] [x] [1]
//>
The Oni steps into the private room. As it reaches toward the Crane with long talons, Ritsuko and her companion rush into the room and strike at the thing with their katana, forcing the demon away.
It reaches back and tears a handful of pods from its spine, flinging them to the floor. Four globules of tar sprout spidery legs, each one opens a trio of glowing eyes. Their jaws part and display sharp white teeth against dark skin as they leap on their targets.
<//
Mob of 4 Minor Oni
Sharp Teeth
Stress [1] [1]
“Can Ritsuko prevent the Oni from approaching the Crane?”
Ritsuko rolls with no bonus dice.
Result: 1, No, and… the Oni slips past Ritsuko.
Shosuro Ritsuko
Stress [x] [x] [1]
//>
Against overwhelming numbers, the two humans can’t contain the Oni threat. Swarmed by the four minor Oni, the two fall back. The larger Oni takes advantage of the situation and slips out to the common room. Heavy footsteps and shouts race toward the Inn, and one of the tiny creatures leaps on the Crane.
Ritsuko and her companion turn their focus on the minor Oni and run to aid the cowering Crane.
<//
“Can Ritsuko save the Crane?”
Ritsuko rolls with one bonus dice from her ally.
Result: 1+, No…
Shosuro Ritsuko
Stress [x] [x] [x]
//>
Sharp fangs pierce soft flesh, and the Crane screams, clutching at the mass of tarry flesh in a futile attempt to save himself. The remaining spiders occupy Ritsuko and the other samurai.
As the Crane falls silent, the large Oni fills the Inn with hideous laughter and escapes through the gaping remains of the front door. The spiders quiver and collapse, becoming dark puddles on the floor. The heavy boots announce the arrival of the Thunder Guard.
“What happened here?” one asks.
“An Oni attacked these Cra- my Clansmen. One minute, everyone is preparing for the Festival, the next… an explosion then chaos.”
The visored helmet, black with its signature broad red stripe, looks around the scene. Kimoko grieving and clutching at her daughter. Hametsu, in stunned silence, sifting through rubble.
“Did you know them?”
Ritsuko shakes her head. “No. I never met them.”
A loud crash comes from the common room, a tray of broken bowls fallen to the floor. Hametsu stammering, “Sorry, my Lord. I… I'm sorry.”
A figure in sky blue kimono and hakama walks among the ruins, pulling his jingasa off his head. White hair pulled into a ponytail, kind blue eyes meet Hametsu’s.
“No, you've been through a lot today.”
Each of the Thunder Guard bows respectfully, the one addressing the newcomer, “My Lord Magistrate Oruku-sama. A pleasure to see you again.”
Oruku’s dark eyes turn from the Thunder Guard to Ritsuko. He offers a slight bow. “Doji Oruku, Lord Magistrate of Ryoko Owari.”
Ritsuko bows deferentially, “Kakita Akane, Oruku-sama. I was just telling the Guard about the attack. The explosion. An Oni. It murdered the three over there.” She points toward the eta collecting the bodies.
“They have been directed to take our Clansmen to the crematorium,” he points at a table. “Please. Sit. Have tea and drink to the fallen Doji.”
Hametsu brings the finest food and drink he has available to the Magistrate. Small talk passes between Oruku and Ritsuko, trading stories about Ryoko Owari, Kyuden Doji and the Dueling Academy. Several minutes later, one of the eta, a young boy, returns and collapses at the feet of Oruku.
“The crematorium…,” he points back toward the remains of the door. “Bandits,” the boy pants, “Samurai-sama, bandits are stealing your friends… attacking my father… please help us!”
On the far side of Ryoko Owari, the eta village is well organized. Neat. Tidy. The eta prostrate themselves as Oruku and Ritsuko race by, getting back to their feet once passed. The crematorium is the opposite. Burning flames spread across the ruined building. Bandits rummaging through the bodies. The three newest arrivals on the ground, their shrouds ripped open, and the corpses of their escort litter the street.
As Oruku and Ritsuko arrive, a few of the bandits scatter and run through the rear exit. The remainder heft hooks and charred bones as weapons, prepared to cover the escape.
Ritsuko runs at the bandits, pulling her katana free.
<//
Gathering of Bandits
Unclean Weapons
Stress [1] [1] [1]
“Can Ritsuko clear the way to the exit?”
Ritsuko rolls two bonus dice from Oruku and “Steel Katana” and two penalty dice from “Unclean Weapons” and “burning fire.”
Result: 5, Yes…
Gathering of Bandits
Stress [x] [1] [1]
//>
Ritsuko and Oruku join the chaos, striking at the bandits with their katana and cutting a couple down. The other bandits part and circle the two warriors, exposing the exit. They brandish their weapons and retaliate, swinging their unclean armaments.
<//
“Can Ritsuko avoid the tainted attacks?”
Ritsuko rolls with no bonus dice.
Result: 5, Yes…
Gathering of Bandits
Stress [x] [x] [1]
//>
Ritsuko ducks beneath a wide swing from a bone wielding bandit. Her katana comes up and slashes down across the bandit's face. Oruku weaves away from the swing of a hook and ripostes with a quick cut across the bandit’s chest. The few remaining bandits back away, looking to escape through the exit.
<//
“Can Ritsuko take one of the bandits prisoner?”
Ritsuko rolls with one penalty dice without her “Steel Katana.”
Result: 3-, No…
Shosuro Ritsuko
Stress [x] [1] [1]
//>
Knowing that they may have answers, Ritsuko tries to capture one of the bandits. Another swings a charred bone at her, which she narrowly avoids. The stigma of touching dead flesh as powerful as being clubbed by a femur. Their confidence renewed, they charge through the smoke at Ritsuko and Oruku.
<//
“Do Ritsuko and Oruku defeat the final wave?”
Ritsuko rolls with no bonus dice.
Result: 4, Yes, but… and gains the “Tainted” Condition.
Gathering of Bandits
Stress [x] [x] [x]
//>
The pair of samurai expertly dispatch the remaining bandits. One desperate swing strikes Ritsuko with the remains of a corpse, marking her with the unclean taint of touching dead flesh. An indignant growl escapes her throat, her katana thrusting into the man’s neck and ripping it open on one side.
Oruku steps aside, head down in sympathy and dismay. “We need to catch one of the bandits and find out what they wanted,” he says softly. “Chase one, I'll take the one going to the village. Meet me at the Orange Blossom in one hour. I will bring a shugenja to deal with…,” his hand gesturing, saying what he doesn't want to verbalize. Not of another Crane. “One hour.”
Ritsuko nods, silently cursing the bandit that touched her. If she catches one, then this may be worth it...
[Episode Close: Derek & Brandon Fiechter, Shuriken]
