#Side Quest 02 — Missing Patrol
Contents
Core references
- Required: Non-Combat Checks · Rounds and One Breath · Maneuver System
- Reference: Yoma Bestiary · Squads · Three Ways and Six Hearts
References within this supplement
- Required: Side Index · Spirit Realm Travel Rules · Squad Limitations
- Required: Reviving Hell GM Guide · Morale and Fear
- Reference: Young Lord · 6 Retainers · Chapter Yoma
#§ Overview
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Dan Range | 3~4 dan |
| Recommended Session | 2 sessions (6~8 hours) |
| Domain Time Required | 4~5 days |
| Mandatory Event | No (but once triggered, pressure to complete is high) |
| Core Mechanic | Spirit Realm travel (Exposure) · tracking checks · rescue decisions |
| Recommended Arc Placement | between Chapter 2, Act 1~Act 2 |
| Final Question | "What can a Domain do while it waits for comrades who do not return?" |
#One-Line Summary
A 4-member scouting squad went beyond the Barrier and still has not returned 3 days after the scheduled date. The PCs go to find them. The trail leads toward Black Rope Hell. When they are found, the living and those who are no longer living are mixed together.
#Design Intent
A side quest that gives faces to the Domain's members. Players move from treating squad members as numbers to treating them as people with individual names and stories. It is also a full test of the Spirit Realm Travel Rules.
#§ Scent — The Air of This Quest
#Opening Read-Aloud
"The lord summons you and speaks. 'It is the third day past their return date. Waiting is becoming suspicion.'"
"Four patrol members. Ino Hachiro, Sakurai Tsukumi, Mori Kaichi, Hajiya Rin — the lord calls each name one by one. The names he calls are in the lord's memory, in the Domain ledger, and at their families' dinner tables."
"'I have no choice but to send you,' the lord says. 'Near at hand, I have no family. Seen from afar, all of them are my family.'"
"Akihisa's hand trembles for a moment over the map. No one on the map sees that tremor. Only you did."
#Sensory Card — The Texture of This Quest
- Sound: from the afternoon of the fourth day outside the Barrier, the clatter of metal fragments. The closer you get to the boundary of Black Rope Hell, the more you hear a low rope-twisting sound.
- Smell: the smell of iron-blood · water-soaked paper · dry blood · oiled rope used for binding.
- Light: the sun is up, but shadows are doubled. At the Black Rope boundary, they become tripled.
- Touch: the ground is rough. It does not feel like iron, but like hardened tendon. Footprints sink deep.
#Core of the Scent
Ominous hope. The hope that they may be alive and the certainty that, even alive, they will not be intact are mixed in the same breath. The GM should alternate hopeful lines with realistic description.
#Squad Comrade Dialogue Samples
Ino Hachiro's wife (to the lord before departure): "He promised. After this week, we would talk about a second child. Bring him back so he does not break that promise. Please."
Hajiya Rin's younger brother (to a PC): "My sister has an old wound on her left knee. You can tell when she runs too long. If you find her — carry her back. Don't make her walk."
#§ Structure — 4-Act Scene Overview
#Act 1 — Clue Gathering (Inside the Domain, 30~60 minutes)
Speak with families, squad shift replacements, and Barrier watch soldiers. Gather the patrol's planned route and final sighting information. Investigation-check focused. Update the map.
#Act 2 — Trail Tracking (Spirit Realm Entry Day 1~2, 90~120 minutes)
Spirit Realm travel. Exposure accumulates. Discover the patrol campsite. Make trail-tracking checks. Decide whether to enter the Black Rope boundary.
#Act 3 — Black Rope Boundary Encounter (Spirit Realm Day 2~3, 90~120 minutes)
The edge of the forest of restraint. Contact with part of the patrol. Some are alive, and some are already changed. Combat + rescue decision.
#Act 4 — Return and Report (Return to the Domain, 45~60 minutes)
Report to the lord and families about those who could be brought back and those left behind. Morale changes. Funeral or secret handling.
#§ NPC
#Ino Hachiro (Alive · Injured)
In his 40s. A senior military-officer type, same as Yamaguchi. The de facto leader of the squad. Deep kubikiri wound in the left shoulder (Energy 2/11). Alive but weakened. Speaking is difficult, so he communicates through coughing.
- Appearance: black beard · frozen blood at the tips of the beard. His right hand presses his left shoulder.
- Signature line (barely audible): "...Rin... I sent her back. Kaichi... went first... and Tsukumi..."
- Three Ways and Six Hearts: 忠(Loyalty) — tries to send comrades back first
#Sakurai Tsukumi (Change in Progress)
A woman warrior in her 30s. Left bound in Black Rope ropes for 2 days. 60% yoma transformation. She can still speak, but her eyes sometimes invert.
- Appearance: long hair tangled with ropes. Black lines spread through pale skin like blood vessels. Three fingers of the left hand are already rusted iron material.
- Signature line: "...Hachiro-san, is he still... alive? My... body is strange. I don't think... I should go back."
- Choices: (A) release the bindings and return → risk of completed yoma transformation on Domain entry · (B) kill her on the spot → salvation · (C) transport her while keeping the bindings → intermediate risk
- Three Ways and Six Hearts influence: A/B/C clearly bias 慈/忠/眞 respectively
#Mori Kaichi (Already Yoma-Transformed)
A young samurai in his 20s. He fell first, and two days ago completely became a yoma, turning into a kubikiri variant. Hostile when encountered by the PCs. Must be defeated. Core harvest possible (Veteran-grade Target Number 13).
- Appearance: his face can still be recognized as Kaichi, but his skin is an iron shell. Binding scars mark his neck.
- Signature line (already a yoma's voice): "...Who are you? I... forgot my name. Names... aren't needed..."
- Three Ways and Six Hearts influence: killing him gives 慈(Compassion) -1 or 忠(Loyalty) +1, depending on perspective
#Hajiya Rin (Death Confirmed)
A woman watch soldier in her 20s. She was attacked by a kubikiri and killed on the first night. Her body is buried in a shallow pit near the campsite (Hachiro buried her himself). She has not become a yoma — Hachiro immediately attached a Barrier talisman to the body.
- Body state: shallow pit. An old wound is visible on the left knee (the one her younger brother mentioned). Talisman on the chest.
- Recovery condition: body transport check (Target Number 11, Wisdom·Physique composite). On success, funeral possible · morale +1.
- Three Ways and Six Hearts influence: decision to transport — 忠(Loyalty) +1 / give up — 眞(Truth) +1 (rationalizing concern over harm)
#§ Details of Each Act
#Act 1 Details — Clue Gathering (Inside the Domain)
#Scene Setup
Lord's council room. Akihisa has spread out a map. 3 patrol families wait in the waiting room (Hachiro's wife, Rin's younger brother, Kaichi's old mother). Tsukiyama, a boundary watch soldier, provides the last sighting testimony.
#Clues Available
| Clue | Provider | Check |
|---|---|---|
| planned route (Barrier east gate → west side of iron field → confirm line of sight to Black Rope boundary → return) | lord | automatic |
| last contact time (evening 3 days ago) | Tsukiyama | automatic |
| squad member personal details · traits (knee wound · coughing habit · left-handed) | families | Negotiation Target Number 11 |
| recent yoma movement on the route (2 kubikiri sighted near Black Rope) | Tsukiyama | Perception Target Number 13 |
| Hachiro's emergency hideouts (3 caves) | Yamaguchi | Negotiation Target Number 11 |
#Target Number Guide
| Check | Target Number | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| family testimony · read real worry | 11 | Negotiation or Perception |
| cross-check boundary soldier records | 13 | Wisdom + Perception |
| infer hideouts from the map | 12 | Geography or Scouting |
| inspect squad gear · judge missing pieces | 11 | Perception |
#Akihisa's Request
"I will not tell you to bring everyone back. That is not a promise I can make. But — learn who could not return. That is my responsibility."
Three Ways and Six Hearts implication: PC is shaken by this — 忠(Loyalty) or 慈(Compassion) +1. Ignore it — no change.
#Act 2 Details — Trail Tracking (Spirit Realm Entry)
#Scene Setup
Depart from the Barrier east gate. Form Slot B squad (PC + 2~3 escorts). Apply Spirit Realm Travel Rules 03-02.
#Travel Checkpoints
| Distance | Time | Check | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ri (Barrier→iron-field boundary) | 2 rounds | — | +0 |
| 2 ri (center of iron field) | 4 rounds | fatigue check, Target Number 10 | +1 |
| 3 ri (west side of iron field) | 6 rounds | fatigue check, Target Number 11 | +2 |
| campsite found | 7 rounds | tracking check, Target Number 13 | +2 |
#Campsite Found
Following the footprints leads to a pile of ash. There are 3 sets of footprints (including the imbalance from Rin's left knee). One spear is planted there. Behind the campsite is a shallow pit — Rin's body.
#Tracking Check Chain
| Check | Target Number | Discovery |
|---|---|---|
| date the pile of ash | 10 | about 48 rounds ago |
| identify individual footprints | 12 | Rin (certain) · Hachiro (probably) · Tsukumi (probably) · Kaichi (unclear — already yoma footprints) |
| track rope marks | 13 | 700 paces toward the Black Rope boundary |
| find the pit | 11 | confirm Rin's body |
#Choice Moment 1 — Rin's Body
| Choice | Cost | Result |
|---|---|---|
| bury her there and leave a marker | none | can tell the family the location · morale +0 |
| prepare body transport (Target Number 11) | 1 squad member handles transport · combat efficiency -1 | on success, return to Domain · funeral possible · morale +1 |
| leave the body | none | family's grief · morale -1 · 忠(Loyalty) -1 |
#Exposure Management
Under the Spirit Realm Travel Rules, the Stained stage begins at Exposure 4 or higher. Expected total Exposure in this quest is 4~6. On return, rest or a refinement ritual is needed.
#Act 3 Details — Black Rope Boundary Encounter
#Scene Setup
The edge of Black Rope's forest of restraint. Huge rope trees stand like pillars. Tsukumi is bound in ropes. Hachiro is in a nearby shallow cave (injured). Kaichi's presence is a little farther inside the forest.
#Encounter Sequence
- Find Hachiro: cave entrance. Exhausted, clutching a talisman. He was protecting Tsukumi. When the PCs arrive, he collapses.
- Approach Tsukumi: rope bindings. Conscious but changing. Warns the PCs, "Do not come close."
- Kaichi intrusion: appears from deeper in the forest. Kubikiri variant. Begins attacking.
#Kaichi Combat (Kubikiri Variant · Veteran-Grade)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Grade | Veteran-grade (variant) |
| Wounds | 3 |
| Defense | 13 |
| Energy | 9 |
| Attack | 2d10+5 · beheading attempt |
| Special | revival 1 time · speaks (conversation attempt possible · Target Number 17 / only 1 attempt) |
| Core Harvest Target Number | 13 |
Special rule: If a PC calls Kaichi's name and succeeds on a conversation attempt (Target Number 17), he stops attacking for 3 rounds → can be purified when killed (gain 1 purified core instead of a yoma-transformed core, 慈 +2)
#Choice Moment 2 — Tsukumi's Fate
After combat ends, the PCs decide what to do with Tsukumi.
| Choice | Check | Result |
|---|---|---|
| A. Release bindings and return | binding release Target Number 13 | on success, return possible · risk of completed yoma transformation during transport (triggers on d100 < 40) |
| B. Kill her on the spot | combat (Wounds 3) | salvation · core harvest possible (Veteran-grade Target Number 13) · Mental Save modifier +1 |
| C. Transport while keeping bindings | rope adjustment Target Number 11 + transport Target Number 11 | on success, arrive at Domain · Gensho purification attempt possible (Target Number 15, on failure yoma transformation) |
#Three Ways and Six Hearts Decision Points
| Choice | Tendency |
|---|---|
| A success (avoid yoma transformation) | 慈(Compassion) +2, 忠(Loyalty) +1 |
| A failure (yoma transformation occurs) | 魔(Demon) +1, 慈(Compassion) -1 |
| B | 忠(Loyalty) +1, 慈(Compassion) -1 |
| C success | 眞(Truth) +1, 慈(Compassion) +1 |
| C failure | 眞(Truth) -1, 魔(Demon) +1 |
#Act 4 Details — Return and Report
#Scene Setup
Return to the Domain. Lord's council room. The families are waiting. They guess the result from the faces of those who came back.
#Report Sequence
- Hachiro's wife: if Hachiro returns alive, she covers her face and sobs · if he is dead, she silently drops to her knees
- Rin's younger brother: if the body was transported, he steps forward, checks the body's knee, and nods · if abandoned, he turns away
- Kaichi's old mother: in every case, she does not cry in front of the PCs · only after going home does she close the door and weep
- Tsukumi's family: react according to whether Tsukumi was killed or returned
#Lord's Evaluation
"The decision you made was not one I could make. That is why I sent you."
#Final Three Ways and Six Hearts Confirmation
If an axis biased in this quest accumulates to 5 or higher, it is fixed (apply the core Three Ways and Six Hearts rules).
#§ Step-by-Step Progression Guide Table
| Checkpoint | Timing | GM | Player | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord calls | 0:00 | read-aloud · call names | hear context | map tremor |
| Family interviews | 0:15 | 3 people waiting · prompt individual talks | attempt checks | waiting-room silence |
| Boundary soldier report | 0:40 | provide additional clue | update map | Tsukiyama's report |
| Departure prep | 1:00 | squad formation · gear | choose | east gate opens |
| Spirit Realm 1 ri | 1:15 | iron smell begins | reflect senses | first metal fragment |
| Spirit Realm 2 ri | 1:35 | fatigue check, Target Number 10 | dice | short breath |
| Spirit Realm 3 ri | 2:00 | fatigue check, Target Number 11 · Exposure +2 | dice | doubled shadows |
| Campsite found | 2:20 | describe ash pile · spear · pit | tracking check | planted spear |
| Rin's body | 2:40 | open pit | choose (bury/transport/leave) | remember younger brother's words |
| (Rest) | 3:00 | recommend ending 1 session | return to Domain or camp | sunset sky |
| Black Rope boundary | 3:30 | describe rope forest | decide advance | low twisting sound |
| Hachiro found | 4:00 | cave · injury | first aid | coughing sound |
| Tsukumi found | 4:20 | bindings · change | hear warning | inverted eyes |
| Kaichi intrudes | 4:40 | kubikiri variant combat | combat · conversation attempt | name calling |
| Kaichi killed | 5:10 | prompt core harvest | check | flash of purification |
| Tsukumi decision | 5:30 | present A/B/C | choose | rope tremor |
| Return | 6:00 | cross Spirit Realm · purify Exposure | travel | blue Barrier light |
| Report to lord | 6:30 | describe result | report | family reactions |
| Funeral or secret | 7:00 | confirm decision | record Three Ways and Six Hearts | lord's nod |
#§ Success/Failure Branches
#Best (3 of 4 Can Be Saved)
- Hachiro returns · Rin's body transported · Tsukumi purification succeeds
- morale +2 · clinic used · no effect on Barrier HP
- PC Three Ways and Six Hearts 慈(Compassion) +2, 忠(Loyalty) +1
- Kaichi core acquired (Veteran-grade purification)
- Follow-up effect: Hajiya family · Ino family Affinity +2, follow-up quest support
- Lord's line: "You made possible what had been impossible."
#Good (2 of 4 Saved)
- Hachiro + (Rin's body or Tsukumi, choose 1)
- morale +1
- 1~2 tendency axes +1 each
- unstable core 1 (Kaichi)
#Average (1 of 4 Saved)
- only Hachiro returns (or only Rin's body)
- morale +0 ~ -1
- some PC Exposure purification required (ritual takes 1 day)
- Gensho weakening +1 (because of purification ritual)
#Failure (All Lost)
- morale -3 · Fear +1
- PC Exposure 3~4 remains
- formal family protest → political burden for the lord
- tendency 魔(Demon) or 眞(Truth) +1 (if rationalized)
- Kaichi may reappear in a later main arc (GM discretion)
#Disaster (PC Death or Severe Injury)
- in addition to the above losses, 1 PC is knocked out
- Gensho weakening +2 (emergency healing)
- Lord Akihisa personally apologizes to the PC → forced 慈-axis tendency
- next session Slot B squad reorganization (1 week delay)
#§ Rewards
#Basic Rewards
| Resource | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| unstable core | 0 | 4 (route-based extra encounter + Kaichi + Tsukumi) |
| gold | 5 | 15 (lord's thanks) |
| morale | -3 | +2 |
| Barrier HP | +0 | +40 (if all acquired cores are returned to the Barrier) |
| Exposure (PC) | +2 | +6 |
#Special Rewards
- Hachiro's talisman: a keepsake Hachiro gives to a PC if he returns alive (made by his wife). 1-time — during movement beyond the Barrier, Target Number for fatigue checks -2.
- Rin's younger brother's request: he gives the PC "the short sword my sister used." PC honor/decision-line narrative modifier +1 (GM discretion), or can be modified if using the Domain facility "sword repair shop."
- Tsukumi's will (if choice B): a note hidden inside her clothes. It reads, "Hachiro-san, leave me behind." — when Lord Akihisa reads it, he keeps his eyes closed 1 beat longer.
- Three Ways and Six Hearts confirmation opportunity: fixed if a tendency axis exceeds 5.
#§ GM Control
#GM Cautions
- Do not lose emotional density. The essence of this quest is not numbers. It is names, family, and the weight of decision. The GM should spend enough time in the clue-gathering act.
- Do not hide the danger of Tsukumi choice A. When players choose A, state that "there is a d100 check." Opaque punishment is bad design.
- Encourage conversation attempts with Kaichi. Target Number 17 is high, but success grants a purified core → that itself is a seed for later story.
- Do not rush the decision about Rin's body. This choice is the point where PCs first feel "the weight of this quest." Do not let only one person decide; have every PC speak.
#1 Session vs 2 Sessions Judgment
| Condition | Session Count |
|---|---|
| PCs are 3~4 dan · strong side immersion · enough time | 2 sessions (cut at campsite and resume next session) |
| PCs are 4 dan · group prefers fast progress | 1 session (compress movement between acts) |
| main arc tension must be maintained | 1 session · focus on ending |
#Risk Table
| Risk | Response |
|---|---|
| players over-immerse emotionally | encourage Kaichi conversation attempt in Act 3 · provide purification narrative |
| chain of failed checks | ease Exposure · additional support from the lord (Yamaguchi joins on site) |
| decision avoidance (no one decides) | state time pressure · Tsukumi transformation countdown |
| squad deaths pile up | have Hachiro take injury instead of a squad member (NPC sacrifice) |
#Chain Events
- If Tsukumi A fails, yoma transformation → possible follow-up side (GM discretion) · track Tsukumi yoma infiltrating the Domain
- The purified core after killing Kaichi can be used as a negotiation resource in the later 21-06 Parley with a Negotiable Yoma
#Session End Checklist
- [ ] record final state of each of the 4 people (alive/dead/yoma-transformed/purified)
- [ ] core grades and counts acquired
- [ ] update morale value
- [ ] record Exposure by PC
- [ ] update Three Ways and Six Hearts tendencies (up to 3 axes)
- [ ] specify when the next main arc resumes
- [ ] describe family reactions concretely
#Related Links
- Parent index: Side Quest Index
- Spirit Realm travel: Spirit Realm Travel Rules · Hell GM Guide
- NPCs: Young Lord · 6 Retainers
- Morale: Morale and Fear
- Follow-up side: 21-06 Parley with a Negotiable Yoma
- Core system: Non-Combat Checks · Three Ways and Six Hearts
Sending four and having three return means you can send four again next time. That simple reason is why the lord gives this quest. The PCs are not carrying out the lord's decision in his place — they are sharing the weight of the lord's decision.