S2E34: Trapped

Kenshi and the Emerald Magistrates traveled through the tunnels beneath Otosan Uchi with their captive in tow. Little did they know, their prisoner had been putting out secret messages to the saboteurs lying in wait in the caves. When Kenshi and his crew came to an especially narrow corridor, the saboteurs attacked, coming at them from both sides. A battle ensued, taking lives from both sides, including the life of Kitsuki Mayumi. Having failed multiple attempts at routing his attackers, and realizing that he was outclassed, Kenshi surrendered. 

Meanwhile, exiled from the Emperor’s court, Buro decided to return to the Scorpion embassy to gather his things. Upon arriving, he found that a group of Crane courtiers had come to the embassy the night before to present gifts to the heroes of Rokugan: Buro, Tomo, Akari, and Kenshi. The gifts were sent by Doji Shizue, a powerful member of the Crane clan who seemed eager to speak with the party. Buro collected these gifts along with his other belongings and hopped into the tunnels beneath the embassy, hoping to find his friends.

Below his room, Buro found a man seemingly guarding the entrance into the caves. The man would not let Buro pass, so the shugenja melded into the stone of the cavern walls and reappeared in an empty chamber. Here, he asked for assistance from the Earth kami, hoping they could lend clues which would help him reunite with his allies.

Buro was shocked to discover that the kami who dwelt here were extremely unhappy. They told him that treachery of the highest caliber was being bred in these caves, and that a weapon to destroy the kami was being housed within. A tremor then ran through the caverns, collapsing many tunnels which had fallen into disrepair.

Worried about Kenshi, Tomo, Yoshi, and Akari, Buro rushed to find his friends in the labyrinth of stone. He used everything he could think of to search for them, only to eventually collapse from exhaustion. In one of the many darkened chambers, Buro laid down to rest.

Somewhere deep in the caves, Tomo awoke from his sleep to see Kenshi and the magistrates being put into stockades beside him. The two friends reunited, and shared what they knew about what was going on. At that time, Akari revealed that she had been listening to the saboteurs go over their plans down the hall.

The saboteurs were to lie in wait beneath the city until the command was given to strike. Then they would infiltrate the Forbidden City; one group would secure the perimeter, and a second group would gather hostages. Together, they would hold the city until relieved by Shoju and his forces. The saboteurs were being led by two men. One named Aramoro, and another named Sairento.

At that moment, a commotion broke out, and scouts informed the one named Aramoro that a large group of armed samurai have attacked their patrols. Aramoro took a contingent warriors and went off to quell these attacks, leaving Sairento behind to hold down their operations.

After Aramoro and his forces departed, the saboteurs guarding the captives were ambushed. Appearing out of the shadows was Tsuruchi and his Wasp samurai. Key in hand, he rescued Tomo, Kenshi, Akari, and the Emerald Magistrates, and armed them with their confiscated equipment. Tsuruchi explained that it was merely a diversion, and that they lacked the manpower to withstand an all out assault. They had to leave now.

Tomo, Kenshi, and Akari were left with an impossible decision: Yoshi’s armor was still unaccounted for. Do they face the saboteurs and reclaim the spirit of the Martyr Monk, or do they escape now while the enemy is distracted? With heavy hearts, the samurai decided to abandon the caves, and leave the armor to its fate.

Credits

Art by Dylon Munoz

Music

Rokugan Theme by Brandon Spain

The Gaijin's Journey by Podcast of the Five Rings

Nighttime Antics by Podcast of the Five Rings

Kitsune Spirit by Podcast of the Five Rings

Dark Reckoning by Podcast of the Five Rings

Treehouse by Podcast of the Five Rings

Fight Dojo 1 by Brandon Spain

Cave Drips by Everythingsounds https://freesound.org/people/everythingsounds/sounds/199515/