Campaign Diaries 00 - Jade Crows Rising

This is the beginning of the campaign diaries for my game, following the exploits of a group of young samurai from the Kusanagi Clan, vassals of the Matsu branch of the Yamagata Province, the Matsudaira Clan. In this post, I’ll just introduce the background of the campaign, being the third in a series of interconnected games our group played over almost 20 years, and the PCs.

Be aware, our Rokugan severely departs from canon. The Clan Wars, Scorpion Clan Coup and Hida Kisada’s rebellion all happened roughly at the same time and ended with Bayushi Shoju on the imperial throne, becoming the first emperor of a new dynasty that rules for the last 30 years.

BACKGROUND

Status and Glory Rework, and a new skill (Lore: Samurai)

I’ve been preparing to post about my “Alternative 20 Questions” for character creation, but before I do that, I need to set some new ground rules that are used in my version of the game. Status has changed only slightly. Glory and Infamy, on the other hand, not only got the most changes, but also became a vehicle for character advancement and greater connection to their Household.

Masayoshi (Justice)

1114, month of the Goat. Night.

Ikemoto Yoshihiro had always been a pragmatic duelist, just as Munenori-sama had taught him. “Any action on the battlefield that brings victory is honorable.”…’ said Kami Akodo himself. A Kami! Who was he to disagree with a god? However, he couldn’t ignore the accusing voices whispering in his mind as he had to pretend to be a mere heimin for weeks, hiding in the shadows like a coward and being defeated by mere ashigaru guarding Yamanobe Mura’s makeshift prison. All because of a katana.

“Tsk. I can't be so careless. Mere ashigaru, what a joke! What would my ancestors say if I were killed in such a pathetic situation…“ - thought Yoshihiro, as he tried to stop the bleeding in his abdomen with his hand. The blow hadn’t been deep, but the movement of fleeing towards the wild areas surrounding the village had taken its toll, increasing the bleeding. The guards who prevented his clandestine action demonstrated coordination and determination such as the samurai had never seen in mere heimin.

Or perhaps… “Perhaps it was my determination that failed me… For acting like a dishonorable Scorpion…” The samurai shook his head, trying to banish these thoughts as if they were flies buzzing in his ears. “No!” - Ikemoto thought - “Munenori-sama, forgive me for my weakness! I will complete this mission, in your name and in the name of the Hirata clan!”

Once again, the samurai gritted his teeth and continued trying to tend to the wound he had received. In the middle of the grass, engulfed by the darkness…