#Side Quest 06 — Parley with a Negotiable Yoma

Contents

Core references

- Required: Non-Combat Checks · Three Ways and Six Hearts · Dice System

- Reference: Yoma Bestiary · Negotiation Skill

References within this supplement

- Required: Side Index · Intelligent Beings of the Spirit Realm · Spirit Realm Topology

- Required: Spirit Realm Travel · Hell GM Guide

- Reference: Young Lord · Retired Onmyoji · Core Economy

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#§ Overview

#One-Line Summary

Oni lord Amanoryu(天雷流), who dwells in a ruined temple in Screaming Hell, proposes a meeting with the PCs. He controls the kubikiri mobs in his territory and can offer 2 stable cores or 1 high-purity core in exchange for a mutual nonaggression pact. The PCs set the terms of the pact — but every condition binds the future of the domain.

#Design Intent

A side quest that shakes the premise that "all yoma are evil." Negotiation is not compressed into a single check; it is rebuilt as scenes and dialogue. It tests the PCs' language, perspective, and value judgments.

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#§ Scent — The Air of This Quest

#Opening Read-Aloud

"One dawn, an unfamiliar messenger stands at the eastern gate of the domain."

"The messenger is not human. It is a four-legged beast about the size of a rat. Yet it stands on two legs, holding a small leather scroll in its left arm."

"The scroll is opened. Written there, in black brushwork, are the words — 'Oni lord Amanoryu requests a meeting. Noon in 3 days, ruined temple Isobuneji(磯船寺). Safety guarantee vow enclosed.'"

"Old Gensho looks at the scroll. His face goes blank. The blankness itself is a reaction."

#Sensory Card — The Texture of This Quest

• Sound: the low bell around Isobuneji. At regular intervals. 1 chime every 3 rounds. It seems to measure time.
• Smell: incense is burning. It is a little different from human incense: a blend of sulfur and sandalwood.
• Light: 5 lamps in the temple's main hall. Neither red nor blue, but amber.
• Touch: the temple floor stones are not cold. They are warm. Fitting for a yoma dwelling.

#Core of the Scent

Alien formality. A diplomatic procedure that resembles human etiquette but follows rules that are decisively different. The PCs must read this formality. The GM should run the meeting scene slowly and quietly.

#Amanoryu Dialogue Samples

"You have come far. The road was unpleasant — accept my apology. There was a time when our road was not pleasant either."

"I can use your language. I cannot use your senses. The first condition of this meeting is that we both acknowledge the limits of understanding."

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#§ Structure — 3~4-Act Scene Overview

#Act 1 — The Messenger and Council (Inside the Domain, 45 Minutes~1 Hour)

The messenger appears. The scroll is analyzed. Gensho gives historical testimony. The lord's council meets. The PCs decide whether to attend. Conditions are prepared in advance.

#Act 2 — Travel to the Meeting Site (Spirit Realm, 60 Minutes)

3 days of round-trip travel. An intermediate encounter: a safe crossing with Amanoryu's escort yoma. Arrival at Isobuneji · entry etiquette.

#Act 3 — The Meeting (Isobuneji Main Hall, 90~120 Minutes)

A 4-stage meeting protocol. Mutual introductions · claims from both sides · condition negotiation · vow sealing. A chain of checks.

#Act 4 — Return and Treaty Implementation (Return to the Domain, 30~45 Minutes)

Receive the cores. Report to the domain. Apply the treaty conditions to domain life. Finalize the Three Ways and Six Hearts tendency.

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#§ NPC

#Amanoryu (天雷流) — Oni Lord

An oni-class being who rules an area on the frontier of Screaming Hell. In a previous life, he was a warrior from the late Kamakura period. He has been in the Spirit Realm for 500 years after death.

• Appearance: 2.2m tall. Indigo-scaled skin. Two horns on his forehead (short and thick). Hair tied in a topknot. A white silk outer robe over red armor. A long smoking pipe.
• Speech: Polite. Not slow; slightly faster than a human. Formal speech.
• Stats (in combat): Wounds 8 · Defense 15 · Energy 13 · attack 2d10+10 · high-purity core harvest Target Number 17
• Special: Refuses combat during the meeting. Responds only if the vow is broken. If it is broken, the PCs automatically lose (by design).
• Three Ways and Six Hearts: 忠(Loyalty) + 眞(Truth) — obsessed with contracts and truth

#3 Escort Yoma (三従)

• Joshi (左史): kubikiri variant. Document officer. Writes vow documents.
• Ushi (右史): blood-mist lesser oni variant. Escort. Quiet.
• Nakashi (中史): reviving gaki variant. Handles meals. Unexpectedly talkative.

#Hajiya Rin's Younger Brother (If He Can Accompany Them)

If the PCs succeeded at 21-02 and earned goodwill, Rin's younger brother can accompany them as interpreter support. Document writing +1.

#Akihisa (Inside the Domain · Remote Support)

He does not attend the meeting itself. He has authority to decide the range of the vow. The conditions presented by the PCs become an official treaty only if the lord approves them.

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#§ Act Details

#Act 1 Details — The Messenger and Council

#Scene Setup

The eastern gate of the domain. Rat messenger. Leather scroll. Gensho, Akihisa, and the PCs are summoned.

#Full Scroll Text

Oni lord Amanoryu respectfully addresses the ruler of your domain.

First, we recognize that the kubikiri mob of our territory has harmed your domain.
Second, this lord seeks to bring that mob under control.
Third, in exchange for that control, this lord seeks recognition of your domain's existence.

A meeting is requested. Noon in 3 days, Isobuneji main hall.
Safety guarantee - vow. Nonaggression for all companions.

Written by Amanoryu

#Gensho's Testimony

"...50 years ago, when I was young, I heard this one's name once in Kyoto. At that time he was 'one who was still human.' He became an oni about 200 years ago. His vows have never been broken — not even once."

"But we may violate his law without knowing it. That will be treated as breach. We must be extremely careful."

#Deciding Whether to Attend

#Preparing Conditions in Advance

The PCs must consider the following conditions: which to demand and which to concede.

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#Act 2 Details — Travel to the Meeting Site

#Scene Setup

Domain → Isobuneji (about 5 ri, inside the Spirit Realm). There are 2 safe crossing points along the way.

#Travel Checkpoints

#Crossing 1 — Escort Yoma Welcome

Joshi comes out to meet them with 5 subordinates. They exchange greetings. The PCs must set down their weapons, still sheathed, and walk forward (about 3 steps). At this point, the weapon nonaggression vow automatically applies.

Joshi: "This way. Our lord awaits you."

#Crossing 2 — Shared Lunch

A short meal. The PCs must eat yoma food (respect for culture). Refusal gives Etiquette -2.

The food's identity: yoma spiritual nourishment. Humans do not die from eating it, but they have strange dreams.

#Arrival at Isobuneji

A ruined temple. The main hall is kept clean, but the surroundings are ruins. Amanoryu stands before the main hall door.

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#Act 3 Details — The Meeting (4 Stages)

#Stage 1 — Mutual Introduction (15 Minutes)

Amanoryu introduces himself first. Each PC states their name and house. Gensho does not accompany them (he maintains the Domain Barrier).

#Stage 2 — Claims from Both Sides (30 Minutes)

Amanoryu explains his position first:

• the kubikiri mob is his uncontrolled "people"
• he has maintained his territory for 200 years
• conflict with the domain harms both sides in the long term
• what he wants: recognition of the domain's existence, mutual nonaggression, and a buffer zone between territories.

The PCs explain their position (free description, Negotiation check):

#Stage 3 — Condition Negotiation (45~60 Minutes)

Core mechanic. Discuss each condition one by one. Both sides propose, accept, and refuse.

#Condition Cards (12 Negotiable Conditions)

#Negotiation Check Chain

Each condition uses 1 check (2d10 + Negotiation/Wisdom vs Amanoryu 2d10+5). On success, the PC's proposal passes. On failure, the reverse happens.

Balance principle: the final treaty should make the total benefit on the PC side roughly similar to the total benefit on Amanoryu's side. If it is too lopsided, the counterpart can declare the meeting broken off.

#Example Optimal Treaty

This combination can be achieved with 3 successful checks · 1 successful check.

#Stage 4 — Sealing the Vow (15~20 Minutes)

Write the treaty text (led by Joshi). The PC representative and Amanoryu each press a blood seal(血印). One drop of blood. The vow's contents are permanently preserved in the records of the Spirit Realm.

#Weight of the Vow Ritual

Amanoryu: "This blood is your blood. The ink on this paper is my ink. The moment the two mingle, heaven, earth, and the Spirit Realm bear witness to this treaty."

No check. This is for staging only. The treaty takes effect immediately when the vow is sealed.

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#Act 4 Details — Return and Treaty Implementation

#Scene Setup

The PCs leave Isobuneji. Joshi guides them to the border. At Crossing 2, they receive 2 stable cores (or 1 high-purity core). Return to the domain.

#Report to the Lord

Akihisa receives the original treaty text. He reads it and nods.

Akihisa: "What you accomplished was something I could not do. I am a lord of the sword, but you are ambassadors of words."

#Domain Impact of Treaty Conditions

#Three Ways and Six Hearts Tendency

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#§ Step-by-Step Progression Guide Table

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#§ Success/Failure Branches

#Perfect Treaty (PC-Side Total Benefit ~= Amanoryu-Side)

• gain 2 stable cores or 1 high-purity core
• kubikiri control (3 months or more)
• boundary peace (reduced natural decrease)
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 眞(Truth) + 忠(Loyalty), each +1
• lord honor +1
• Follow-up effect: Amanoryu answers 1 request for aid in an emergency (follow-up side)

#Favorable Treaty (Excessive PC-Side Benefit)

• gain 2 stable cores · additional benefit
• long-term burden (offerings, etc.)
• Amanoryu's hidden dissatisfaction · possible renegotiation demand after 6 months
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 眞(Truth) +2
• temporary victory · long-term risk

#Balance Failure (Minimal PC-Side Benefit)

• about 1 core · or 1 stable core
• excessive long-term burden (temple · offerings · name sharing)
• resident morale -1 ~ -2
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 眞(Truth) +1 (humility) or 眞(Truth) -1 (mistake)

#Meeting Breaks Down (Mutual Acceptance Fails)

• gain 0 cores
• one month later, kubikiri mob attack → Barrier HP -15 ~ -20
• Amanoryu refuses another meeting (permanent)
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 魔(Demon) +1

#Vow Breach (Accidental or Deliberate)

• immediate combat occurs · Amanoryu Wounds 8
• expect every PC to suffer Energy -5 or more
• domain territory invasion begins
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 魔(Demon) +2
• long-term campaign risk · tension in Amanoryu's territory rises from the next session onward

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#§ Rewards

#Basic Rewards

#Special Rewards

• Original Treaty: Permanently stored by the domain. A diplomatic item. Can be used as evidence in a later main arc.
• Amanoryu's Memory Gift: On a perfect treaty success. Give 1 PC a pipe → Spirit Realm Perception check +1 (permanent).
• Boundary Peace Effect: If C05 is gained, natural Barrier decrease -3/week → -2/week (effectively +1 per 1 week).
• Mediation Commissioner System: If C06 is gained, both sides exchange 1 commissioner each. Amanoryu-side commissioner (Nakashi) resides in the domain as a diplomat. Slight resident unrest.

#Permanent Impact of the Vow Ritual

The PC who pressed the blood seal is bound by the vow's binding for life. Any attempt to break the treaty automatically causes Energy -5. Amanoryu can track that PC's location anywhere in the Spirit Realm.

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#§ GM Control

#GM Notes

1. Enforce the diplomatic protocol. If PCs do not set down their weapons or refuse the food, apply a clear penalty. This teaches respect for culture.
2. Use Amanoryu as a mirror, not a villain. He is rational and polite. If the PCs treat him as a "bad oni," it backfires.
3. Actually print the 12 condition cards. Present physical cards or a whiteboard so players can see the combinations.
4. Maintain the balance principle. If the PC side insists on conditions that are too favorable, Amanoryu can declare the meeting broken off.
5. Respect the blood-seal scene. The ritual is short but solemn. Do not let players turn it into a joke.
6. State the follow-up seeds clearly. Treaty effects last for months to years. The GM should record them exactly.

#1 Session vs 2 Sessions

#Risk Table

#Follow-Up Seeds

#Session-End Checklist

• [ ] original treaty stored
• [ ] list of adopted conditions
• [ ] acquired core grade and count
• [ ] record the PC who pressed the blood seal
• [ ] Three Ways and Six Hearts tendency
• [ ] follow-up seeds (renegotiation · emergency aid, etc.)
• [ ] domain morale change
• [ ] code the relationship state with Amanoryu's territory

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#Related Links

• Upper Index: Side Quest Index
• NPC: Intelligent Beings of the Spirit Realm
• Spirit Realm: Spirit Realm Topology · Hell GM Guide
• Resources: Core Economy · Barrier System
• Related Side: 21-03 Spirit Realm Merchant's Bargain (Negotiation line)
• Core: Non-Combat Checks · Three Ways and Six Hearts

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One who has lived 500 years as a yoma may be wiser than one who has lived 50 years as a human. And his memories, longer than a PC's lifetime, make the PC's simple sense of justice feel heavy. The essence of this quest is to make the PCs experience that weight directly.