This week’s session was more of a wind down from the coup last session, as well as a time for the characters to set their goals for the future. As planned, the campaign goes to a time-skip after the coup, and the player characters, having been present for these events, now are in a prime position to pursue their goals and ambitions in the new Phoenix Clan government.
That said, here were a few highlights for yesterday’s game:
- Shiba Tsuke (Dulio) was spared from death in the duel with Isawa Sachi, the Master of Earth. Instead, the young Tensai of Water was cursed by the elemental master to become a pacifist, as the earth kami will punish him severely for any transgressions against the Phoenix ideal of pacifism. Tsuke went on to marry his betrothed, and was trying to position himself to usher in reform.
- Shiba Ryu (Hikkikomori) was thrown into prison, where he spoke with Miyata, the rebel leader, and the two came to an unspoken understanding. It was hinted at that Ryu was a sympathizer to Miyata’s goal, and the attack was meant to make the man a martyr and spur the population into a peasant rebellion. Miyata, having surrendered to insure that his demands were met, and that his men were safe, acknowledged Ryu’s determination, handing him a gaijin amulet, telling him that “My people will know this when they see it. Use it well.”
- Yogo Honnouji (Sheimaruen) began to mobilize her clan, as well as the other clans to come in support of the Phoenix. It wasn’t anything like stirring speeches, but in the fashion of scorpions a spoken word here, a reminder of favors done there, and it seems that she was going to be able to get many of the guests to contribute in one way or another to helping her clan recover from this situation. Furthermore, she was awarded a posting with the Jade Magistrates.
- Isawa Sayuri (Silver Countess) was given a posting with the Temple of Shiro Shiba, where she would serve as the head priestess. With the loss of faith in the Isawa family, her presence in Shiro Shiba would serve multiple purposes. She would be a friendly Isawa face to the Shiba family, while remaining safe and away from those who would conspire against her. Furthermore, it was there that she could coordinate and plan out her purge of the corrupt members of the Isawa family away from prying eyes and spies.
It was not quite an exciting session, but it does give the necessary denouement to the conflict, and preludes the fact that the player characters will be very different people the moment they show up again in the next session.
