Session 0

Prologue
"The world is changing, so much already has changed. Towns annihliated by elemental cultists, giants fighting amongst themselves roaming the land, even magic itself was under threat when the lives it saved were taken away. Waterdeep is still reeling from the hurricane that made landfall almost one year ago. Repairs are finally coming to a completion, and now we look outwards. A magic island floating in the sky. Even the stars have changed. In order to prevent these atrocities from happening, in order to discover the truths of this world, our eyes and ears must be everywhere. No more surprises. We must learn from the world or be consumed by it.” You glance around the austere room, devoid of any objects or hints as to your whereabouts. Your eyes finally settle back on the man standing before you. Masked of course. You were blindfolded and brought here just hours ago. At least they asked nicely, whoever ‘they’ were. The man continues on.

''“Across the ocean, past the isles of moonshae and the ancient elven island of evermeet where the fey wild touches the material plane. It is said to be a land enchanted by magic. We know this from texts found in the newly constructed library of Barovia. Strahd’s texts tell us that the world is quite possibly bigger than we once thought. Land travelers from the far far east speak of the stars changing. According to our star charts and comparing them with that of these travelers, their land lies not east of here… but rather West. This is the reason we have gathered you here in such secrecy. We must be the first to make contact with this land and initiate dialogue and trade and trust. The journey will be long and difficult and it may even amount to naught, but there will be a mage with you to create a teleportation circle once you make contact. You are each experts in your fields, you will be asked to help negotiate and learn about the land. I will give you time to deliberate.”'' The man stands and knocks on the door, it opens and closes behind him. The party introduces themselves to each other and speaks of their scholarly interests.

(DM's notes: The party was asked to create a level 0 scholar with a non-combative feat to start. This was to balance the strength of the variant human starting race, and give a logical reason for their hiring.)

The party was hired by the Masked Lord of Waterdeep, despite some confusion as to Milosh being an Astrologist instead of an Astronomer as initially requested. "No matter! We'll take who we can get."

Westward Bound
The ship sailed west after its last stop in the Moonshae Isles for supplies and respite. The journey lasts many long months where the party had time to bond. They didn't bond with everyone however, only those in their own party. While the party was searching for food, they overheard a conversation with the ship's captain, Gawin, and an unknown individual.

The unknown voice said, “The stars keep watch. We say again, your concerns are unnecessary. If your method doesn’t work, then theirs will. Honey and the stick. Follow your orders.”

Gawin swore in frustration under his breath, “Honey and the stick? We don’t need them and they can sink for all I care.”

Gawin takes a deep breath, lifts a stone to his mouth, and speaks slowly and deliberately. “The moon observes. Send them back, we can do this on our own. I won’t have their presence jeopardize all of our potential progress.”

Abandon Ship!
Night falls once more, the sails are brought in and the ship rides the current with ease. Sleep overtakes you with the gentle rocking of the ship. You awaken to shouts of distress and the ship is rocking violently to and fro. Outside the windows of your rooms you see nothing… a lightning bolt strikes the ocean and illuminates the sky. A storm, the biggest you’ve ever seen. You arrive to the main deck to witness Gawin standing at the prow of the ship arms upraised. A staff in his left hand brimming with unseen power. His chanting is overpowered by the force of the storm, the roaring of the waves, the clash of lightning. Catching your eye just for a moment above the clouds, a twinkling star… from the constellation of Dawn Breaking… Lightning flashes from the sky illuminating the silhouette of a womanly figure descending from the clouds. Robes of the brightest white, lightning dancing at her fingertips.

Gawin causes his voice to boom and echo, “WE COME IN PEACE!” The storm abates only for a moment for her answer, heard in the minds of everyone onboard. “No... Not all of you.” Lightning strikes the ship and sails creating a blazing inferno on deck. Gawin shouts back to you, “I’ll hold it off as long as I can! Abandon ship!”

The party went down to the storage room to collect any supplies they would need for the remainder of their journey, however long it may be, Aayadin grabbed a crate of carrots, Bastion grabbed wood, Mike grabbed a barrel of whisky, Quick Jump grabbed nets and sail fabric. As the party made their way back to the deck, there was chaos all around them. Crewmen are dead littered among the deck with weapons laying around them. Before this night, you have never seen a weapon onboard or in the hands of of the crew members. Yet the ones still alive are shooting arrows at the figure in the sky, harmlessly repelled by the gusting winds. The figure glances down at them and motions with her hand. A small orb of electric energy descends from her hand tethered to her by a flowing current of electricity. It grows in size now over 10ft tall and lands among the crew, an air elemental! Bodies fly off the side of the ship as you make your way to the lifeboat.

The boat descends into the water with all of you onboard and is thrown violently away from the ship. The figure descends into the middle of the ship and bolts of lightning flow outwards ripping holes through the hull like a quill through paper. The ship sinks into the ocean and the figure ascends once more… Its gaze turns toward you. You feel your senses overwhelmed as the being searches through your memories and secrets. Rifling through the pages of your mind like reading a book. Then the sensation abides and warmth caresses you instead. A single ray of sun on the horizon shines upon you, the moon makes its final descent, and in full view of both, the figure suddenly wracks and breaks. The limbs ripped from sockets and dropped into the ocean one by one, some seeming to melt before your very eyes, their essence turning to water and returning to the ocean. The figure is gone, the ship is gone, the sun has risen on a new day… And you’re hungry.

Survival at Sea
Despite the party's best efforts of survival, the days and weeks pass, and one by one the party feints into exhaustion. Except for Bastion, who continues to row west. Through the delirium and malnutrition, images flash before your eyes. The blue sky above you, the rocking of the waves beneath you, the heat of the sun upon your skin, and the sudden shadow of sails blocking your view. Your eyes meet with unfamiliar faces and ribbed canvas sails. As they carry your bodies aboard you get a glimpse of land, your first in many months. You have arrived in Kozakura "the land which blossoms.” Your journey begins.

Imprisoned in Otosan Uchi
You wake up and examine your surroundings. Damp stone walls on 3 sides, a stone floor with 4 straw mats and neatly folded rough spun blankets. The entrance is barred, a solid wooden cross hatched gate with beams 4 inches thick. The door is held shut by a chained iron lock. The room on the other side is dimly lit with oil lanterns and diffused glass. There is no one outside. The room is full of open crates and wooden barrels. Burlap sacks and metal stands. Piled into every corner and crevice and box are weapons of many different styles and makes. Many of which you have never seen before. There is a large wooden table in the center of this room. A set of stairs leads up and out of sight.

You hear the distinct sound of a door opening and closing. You see the sandaled feet of a man descending the steps wearing simple white robes, he makes brief eye contact and drops the folded robes he was carrying. He yells and scampers up the stairs. Moments later a second man descends the steps, makes eye contact and responds, “fetch the master at once!” He also runs up the stairs. Another 20 minutes pass, the door opens and closes again. Down the the stairs comes a middle-aged man with short black hair and a shaved face. His eyes squinted to narrow slits appearing almost as if they are closed. Yet he walks down with confidence and surety. He kneels on the steps to retrieve the robes and refolds them with care before bringing them to your cell. His round face tells of kindness, with lines that show he smiles often. But the smile isn’t there now, he face seems to be squished in scrutiny. “Sumimasen, watashi wa Hantei Arima des. My name is Hantei Arima, can you understand me?” He takes a deep breath and listens closely. “I understand, these are for you.” He passes the robes to you gently “These are yukata, please, put them on. They are made of a most comfortable linen. Mori-chan?”

A young woman descends the stairs dressed all in simple black carrying a large basin, as wide as her arms can carry. She is followed by 5 male attendants carrying large pitchers of water. They place the objects down and Mori pulls key from her sleeve and looks to Arima with a questioning place. Arima says, “please step back, just for a moment, the water is quite hot.” Mori opens the door and slides the basin into the cell, quickly re-locking the door behind her. The attendants begin to pour water into the basin, steam rising carrying the sweet scent of flower petals. Mori and the attendants bow deeply and take their leave. Arima watches them go. “Please tell me, where do you come from?” the party answers how they see fit. “We will speak more tomorrow, you will have food and water delivered shortly. We have much to discuss.” Arima stands and leaves without a second glance.

After nearly an hour, the door opens and the male attendants descend the steps carrying strays of steaming food and pitchers. They kneel before the cell on the other side of the grate. As one, the attendants grab round wooden sticks, two in one hand, and pinch open the lids revealing the meal. Simultaneously they slide the large portions across the floor between the grate openings. The bowls are filled with steaming rice, boiled fish, and seasoned grilled beef. One of the servants was licking his lips, but when Mike offered him some food, he prostrated himself and begged for forgiveness.

Hantei Arima comes again the next day telling the story how a Mantis Clan patrol found the party and their ship, near death and unconscious. He asks many questions and answers them as well.. He comes for an hour at a time. The party can discern that he is quite busy with other things. On the night of new stars, the language of Kozakura universally changed to common. They still have records of the old language. But the origin of the language they speak now was previously unknown until their arrival. They are visited often by Emperor Hantei Arima the Kindhearted who questions them of their world and customs. This is the party’s opportunity to learn about Kozakura. Arima tells them of the origin of Kozakura. 100 year war. The time of war and squabble between leaders, and the invasion from the west where Kozakura united as one. As soon as the invasion ended, the rival nations were almost at war once again. Hantei was the ruling dynasty but were merely symbolic at the time. Aizen and Arima together were formidable, Aizen was the brutality necessary to run the country, while Arima was the honey to smooth things over. In secret they forged many alliances and gained favor with many great clans. Arima pleaded for his brother, a great general, to declare himself Emperor and stop the coming war. In a surprise turn, his brother Aizen declared Arima should be emperor instead. The Daimyō declared their allegiance under one condition. The atrocities done by his older brother could not be forgotten. The final cost of peace was he had to kill his own brother. He never touched a sword again. Aizen had a son also named Aizen. Arima raised him as his own, but never truly accepting him. The pain and memory of his brother were too great, he feared Aizen would turn out just like him. 5 years later, Arima and his wife had a daughter they named Asuna. Arima’s wife died in childbirth and had a vision, that her child had guardians, the dawn of a new sun surrounded by stars.

That night Hantei Asuna visits again and the party coaxed her from the tunnel duct. Asuna is sheltered, naive, and spoiled. She does however have a memory for stories. She can tell a story about the origins of the empire. Asuna always said goodbye, see you when you get back to her mother except for the day she died. She had stayed up all night reading stories and she didn’t wake up in time to say goodbye.

Hantei Asuna's Birthday
“Even in your comfortable cell, you can hear the revelry from above. The clatter of dishes and the steps of hundreds of people moving about. The party lasts well past sundown and the noise grows loudly for a moment when the door opens and closes. Arima walks down the steps a grand smile on his face. He’s carrying a tray of pastries when he suddenly slows and the smile vanished from his face. “They posture and move while I must keep the peace between them. It is exhausting, I came for a small respite, and I brought cakes.” He stops for a moment and produces a porcelain white bottle from his sleeve, “and something extra.” He grins mischievously. He sets the food on the table and produces a key, which he uses to unlock the door. He sits on the floor at the head of the table and invites you to sit with him. The pastries are flaky to the touch filled with sweet jams and frosted sugars. They are made into delicate floral designs and the bread seems to bloom as you bite into it. “This is sake made from the Crane clan Doji family. It is made by traditional dancers right in front of you, but don’t ask me to dance,” he says with a twinkle in his eye.

Conversation is made and Arima steers the conversation to his daughter, Asuna. He recalls the day his wife died and seeks to protect Asuna from the outside world. He shelters her and spoils her and knows that it may not be the best thing for her. But maybe when she’s older he will teach her. An attendant comes down the stairs carrying a tray of tea. When he gets close, the party noticed something off about him.

Out of the corner of your eye you see the attendant walk past your table to the head. The footfalls sound different than usual, completely silent. The hem of his robe is stained with blood. The man drops the tray to the ground and draws a long knife, lunging toward Emperor Arima “Down with Hantei! The people shall rule themselves!”

The Emperor is Saved!
The party captured the assassin with ease. Mori and a train of attendants rush down the steps carrying daggers, her eyes scan the room and in an instant, with a flourish the daggers are concealed. She rushes to the side of Arima while the attendants begin searching the assassin’s body. A headband is removed, a thin strip of cloth with a slightly convex piece of bent metal attached. Etched into the metal is a Scorpion. They all look shocked, Mori snatches the band and vanishes it up her sleeve. “Speak of this to no one, or I will personally cut your tongues.” She glares at each of you and helps Arima to his feet. He looks to Mori and orders. “Take me upstairs, for our guests safety I ask the attendants to please remain here. Keep them safe, until I call for them.”

Major Clan Judgement
The minutes stretch into hours when Mori finally returns. “The clan leaders and Hantei Arima-sama are expecting you. Walk into the room, take 3 steps forward and bow. He will call you forward, kneel on the pillows provided. Do not speak unless spoken to. You will address the lord as Divine Emperor Hantei Arima-Sama, he will ask you to call him Emperor Hantei-Sama. Sama at the end of his name means lord. One of the clan leaders will speak up at this, they will object to you referring to him without his full title. The Emperor will allow you a response before overruling him and speaking of the incident in the dungeon.” Mori takes a deep breath and continues. “At this point, he will turn you over to the greater clan Daimyo. Lion, Crane, Crab, Phoenix, Dragon, Kirin, and... Scorpion. They will ask you each questions and ask you to recount your tale. Some of them will be openly hostile. Most of them will hide it well. They have not had interaction with outsiders before, they will see you as lesser. Prepare yourselves, steel your heart.” Mori takes another deep breath. “This is a Samurai technique called, ‘centering breath.’ Before your response, fill your belly with air through your nose forcefully, take this time to consider your words, center your spirit, and then speak your argument in the same breath.”

This is the first Samurai technique the party learns. It draws from their fighting spirit, which only has 1 point currently. ‘Centering breath’ allows you to add a 1d4 to your next ability check. Over time, this breath can be used in combat.

You are escorted upstairs and acquire a glimpse of your surroundings for the first time. The palace is opulent, every surface is painted with intricate designs depicting heroes, stories, and gods. There are attendants at every corner, in every hallway. They watch you pass with scrutiny and judgement. Some even regard you with revolting stares. You make your way through winding hallways and staircases until you reach a thick hardwood door flanked by 2 attendants. A gilded emblem of a chrysanthemum flower acts as the handles. Upon your arrival the doors are opened revealing what seems to be a throne room, but there is no throne in sight. The floors are a dark wood and the hall is nearly 100ft long, separated by stairs and paper walls into 4 distinct tiers. There are no pillars or decorations on or around the wooden walls. At the far end of the hall is a raised platform with a simple low seat behind a white fabric screen. You can make out Emperor Arima’s familiar round form on the other side. He beckons you forward.

“Please come forward to the inner chamber, and be judged.”

In this inner chamber, there are 7 seats with 7 banners, 4 of them are empty. Above the three filled seats hang the banners of Lion, Crane, and Scorpion. The first to speak is a beast of a man underneath the lion banner. A lion of a man. A… Lion-man. Dressed in a thick linen Kimono with earthy tones of Yellow and Brown, Even though he’s sitting, the tallest among you have to look straight ahead to meet his piercing gaze. Be bares his teeth, “So these are the foreigners you’ve been speaking of, they appear frail and weak… Give one of them to me and I will test his strength in combat."

The woman under the Crane banner speaks next, “Now now, Lord Akodo. I’m sure they haven’t had a proper meal yet that’s all. Probably still in shock from everything that’s happened.” The woman is dressed in an impeccable silk kimono of blue with white trim, intricate floral patterns are sewn into every hem. Her hair is white and shines like porcelain. “Let us treat our guests honorably, they do not have knowledge of our customs.” She unveils a silk fan and holds it in front of her face, her eyes peeking over the veil. “I am Lady Doji, head of my family and leader of the Crane Clan. Please introduce yourselves and your titles.”

“Heheheheheheh.” Sitting under the Scorpion banner, the last man chimes in. “Do they look like they have titles? Do not veil your insults under honeyed words Lady Doji. Save your schemes for the Winter Court.”

Lord Akodo growls deeply, “Lord Bayushi… If anyone here is capable of scheming, it would be you.” Lord Akodo bares his teeth in open hostility, then turns to each of you. “Have you ever heard the story of the scorpion and the frog?” Lady Doji openly roles her eyes, “Stick to the sword, old lion.” Lord Akodo continues without taking the bait. “A frog and a scorpion stand on the side of a deep river, both wanting to cross. The scorpion asks, please brother frog let me ride on your back so we can make it to the other side. The frog replies, no scorpion for surely you will sting me. The scorpion replies, of course not for if that happened we would both surely drown. The frog allows the scorpion on its back and begins to swim. Halfway across the river, the scorpion raised its stinger and struck true. The frog cried out in shock, but we will both drown! The scorpion and just shrugs and says, it is my nature after all. A fitting story to remember the scorpion will always harm others, even if it harms itself in the process.” Lord Akodo leans back in smug satisfaction.

“Ahhh a story I have not heard in a long while, all true I’m afraid except for one minor detail which affects the story somewhat.” He looks at you and you can feel the smile behind his mask. “Scorpions can swim. Heheheh.” Lord Akodo’s eyes open wide and his left hand goes to his side and looks down when he realizes his sword isn’t there.

“Ahem." There’s a small cough from behind the screen. “Peace my friends. Let us hear the tale of these foreigners. Who would like to begin?” There is silence until Lady Doji breaks it. “Please, tell us your names and how you have come to Kozakura.”

The Clans asked many questions of the party and get the entire story from them leading up to this moment. The Lion wants to sail east and strike first, the scorpion wants to send spies, the Crane want to send a delegation. Arima decides that nobody will go, they must stay in Kozakura and avoid contact with the outside world.

"The peace is fragile, fighting and war will serve as reminders of the lives we lived 20 years ago. I will avoid it and protect my family at any cost. Now that the story has been told in full, I will make my decision. Send in the Imperial Court.” At his command, the walls open wide and in moments the empty hall fills with nearly a hundred courtiers, nobles, and ambassadors each sporting the colors of their clans. They seat themselves facing the center walkway but their attention is on the Emperor himself. The Emperor is soft spoken, yet his words are just loud enough to reach the ears of everyone. “Members of the Imperial Court, delegations from near and far, these foreigners were being kept in the palace dungeons for questioning. During this time I questioned them and learned of their land and customs. Just tonight on my daughter’s 15th birthday no less, there was an attempt on my life. These foreigners rescued me from certain peril.

The party is praised for their heroics and Hantei Aizen is especially grateful, the Emperor grants a small estate on capital grounds during their stay. Arima also grants them an aide to teach them of Bushido and the traditions of Kozakura. Level up 1! After some time, he sends the party to the Topaz championship. Not to win, but to learn.