#Side Quest 10 — Drifted Pilgrim

Contents

Core Rulebook References

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

- Reference: Yoma Compendium · Spirit Realm Faith

This Supplement References

- Required: Side Quest Index · Drifted Outsiders · Barrier Boundary Events

- Required: Morale·Fear · Spirit Realm Travel Rules

- Reference: Young Lord · Reclusive Onmyoji · Spirit Realm Intelligences

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#§ Overview

#One-Line Summary

A drifted pilgrim appears outside the Barrier and asks for help. His body is covered in blood. Three beings are pursuing him from behind. What he says is — surface truth. But what he does not say is — the essence. Will you open the gate. Or not. Even if you open it, will you watch him. Are his words genuine lies, or partial truth.

#Design Intent

A side quest designed to make the PCs feel in their bones that the Barrier's boundary is also an ethical boundary. A different kind of pressure from yoma attacks — the judgment of someone who asks for help. The player is made to place the weight of "if not saved, they die" directly on the scales themselves.

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#§ Scent — The Air of This Quest

#Opening Narration

"Dusk. A border guard rushes up from the western Barrier boundary. 'There is a person outside the Barrier. A man in monk's robes. He has fallen, bleeding. He is pounding on the Barrier.'"

"The PCs run. When they approach the Barrier boundary — inside, blue light. Outside, the man. 40s. A dark-blue Buddhist robe. No right arm. Where it should be is not a clean cut but a torn wound. Blood is falling onto the ground outside the Barrier."

"'…Please.' He says. '…Just one night. Just one night, let me inside. Behind me… behind me, three of them…'"

"He points west with his finger. Nothing is there yet. But if the PCs concentrate — things moving in the grey mist. Slowly. Not chasing. Slowly, as if they already know."

#Sensory Card — The Texture of This Quest

• Sound: The pilgrim's labored breathing. Slightly faster than normal. Natural, but — at times, a discontinuity between breaths. As if holding it by force and then releasing.
• Smell: Two smells blended on the pilgrim's body: the natural smell of sweat and blood + a faint frankincense. Frankincense is a scent absent from the domain.
• Light: Dusk. The Barrier's blue light mixes with sunset orange. The pilgrim's face is half orange, half blue. Confusion about which is real.
• Touch: Touching the Barrier boundary, it is 1 degree colder than usual. As if the Barrier is reacting to this situation.

#The Heart of the Scent

The fear of uncertainty. A yoma attack is a clear enemy. This quest is the pressure of not knowing whether someone is an enemy or a friend. The GM plays the subtle cracks of tension in the pilgrim's manner of speaking.

#Pilgrim Dialogue Samples

"I… came from Sasebo, western Hizen. I was an ascetic monk. A month ago, I was caught up in the Spirit Realm during a Barrier relocation. Chased by three kubikiri… I lost my arm. Just one night — please. I will leave by morning. I will not burden you."

(After a pause, quietly) "…What I can give to you all is — only a sutra passage. If even that — would be accepted."

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#§ Structure — 4-Act Scene Overview

#Act 1 — Appearance and First Judgment (Barrier West Gate, 30–45 minutes)

Pilgrim discovered. Truth-or-falsehood judgment. Consult with lord and Gensho. 1st decision (accept/refuse/conditional).

#Act 2 — Observation After Acceptance (Interior of Domain, Night, 45–60 minutes)

If pilgrim is accepted, provide lodging. Neighboring residents' reaction. Observation of pilgrim's behavior during the night. Pursuers' attempt to appear.

#Act 3 — Revelation of Truth (Night to Dawn, 60–90 minutes)

The pilgrim's true purpose revealed (or not). Pursuers' identity confirmed. Possibility of betrayal tested.

#Act 4 — Conclusion (Morning, 30–45 minutes)

Final response. Pilgrim's fate decided. Report to lord. Morale reflected. Three Ways and Six Hearts tendency.

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#§ NPCs

#The Pilgrim — Kikyo (桔梗, Age 45)

• Appearance: Height 175cm. Thin. Dark-blue Buddhist robe. No right arm (torn away below the shoulder). Long face. Narrow eyes. A little beard.
• Self-proclaimed name: Kikyo (桔梗). 70% likelihood of being an alias.
• Self-proclaimed background: Ascetic monk from Sasebo. Drifted in Spirit Realm. Being pursued.
• True identity (secret): Multiple possibilities. GM chooses one:
• A. True pilgrim (30% probability): All words are true. Pursuers are also ordinary yoma.
• B. Spirit Realm disguised yoma (35%): A yoma capable of maintaining a human form. Purpose is to enter inside the Barrier. Predation of residents or information gathering.
• C. Spirit Realm contractor (25%): A human who has contracted with a Spirit Realm faction. Purpose is to investigate the Barrier system.
• D. Fugitive criminal (10%): Human. The true reason for being pursued by the Spirit Realm is a crime the domain does not know about.
• Manner of speaking: Polite. Formal register. Slow. Gaze occasionally surveys the Barrier structure (detectable with Perception Target Number 13).
• Signature line: "This Barrier… what remarkable craftsmanship. Is it from an onmyoji of 50 years? Or — someone even older?"

#The Three Pursuers

Appear far outside the Barrier. Slowly approach.

#Scenario A (True Pilgrim)

Three kubikiri variants. Ordinary yoma. Wounds 4 each. Their purpose is to kill the pilgrim.

#Scenario B (Disguised Yoma)

Three Spirit Realm magistrates — Spirit Realm intelligences of Kuzunoha's caliber. Pursuing Kikyo as a "fugitive yoma." Waiting outside the Barrier. If Kikyo is handed over, there is a reward for the domain.

#Scenario C (Spirit Realm Contractor)

Three rival contractors — investigators of another Spirit Realm faction. To steal Kikyo's information. If Kikyo is protected, possible confrontation with the domain.

#Scenario D (Fugitive Criminal)

Three former associates — those whom Kikyo betrayed. Taking revenge in the Spirit Realm. If Kikyo is handed over, they leave without incident.

#Hoshino Gensho (Appraisal Judgment)

• Role: Assists in judging Kikyo's authenticity
• Check: Gensho sees Kikyo directly. Exorcism Target Number 13 allows partial detection of his spiritual identity.
• Signature lines (by scenario):
• A: "A real person, this one. A drifter. Accept him."
• B: "…Hard to say. Human qi, and… something more. Be careful."
• C: "This person… is deeply connected to the Spirit Realm. But there is no malice. For now."
• D: "A human. But what he carries is — guilt. Very deep."

#Akihisa (Decision Delegation)

• Role: Delegates the final decision. Entrusts the judgment to the PCs.
• Signature line: "I cannot decide to whom this domain opens its gate. It is not my gate — it is all of our gate. Please, become the gatekeepers."

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#§ Act Details

#Act 1 Details — Appearance and First Judgment

#Scene Setup

Barrier west gate boundary. Dusk. Kikyo 3 paces outside the Barrier. Blood. A small gathering of border guards, PCs, and residents.

#Truth-or-Falsehood Judgment Checks

#GM Scenario Selection

The GM decides one of A/B/C/D before the session based on the campaign's tone and player experience. No changing it during the session.

Recommended ratios:

• First play: A (true pilgrim) or D (criminal) — easy to understand
• Intermediate play: B (disguised yoma)
• Experienced players: C (Spirit Realm contractor) — maximum ambiguity

#1st Decision Options

#Akihisa's Advice

"What I recommend is — conditional. Accept, and watch. Watch, but do not be rude."

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#Act 2 Details — Observation After Acceptance

(When accepted or conditionally accepted)

#Scene Setup

Empty house on the western side of the domain. Kikyo settled in. Medical treatment. 1 border guard stationed permanently. PCs rotate surveillance.

#Nighttime Perception Checks

#Nighttime Events by Scenario

#A (True Pilgrim)

• Quiet night. Kikyo sleeps deeply from exhaustion.
• Wakes at dawn, sits at the Barrier boundary and chants a sutra passage.
• Pursuers approach the Barrier boundary · Barrier HP -3 attempt · PC defense

#B (Disguised Yoma)

• Around 2 AM. Kikyo quietly rises.
• Attempts to paralyze the border guard (using talisman).
• Observes the internal facilities from inside the Barrier. Attempts to visit residents' houses.
• If discovered, reveals true nature → combat (lord-grade variant, Wounds 6)

#C (Spirit Realm Contractor)

• Kikyo rises during the night.
• Attempts to approach the direction of the shrine → intent to examine Gensho's fan or the Barrier core
• If discovered, attempts to open dialogue → negotiation possible · proposes information exchange

#D (Fugitive Criminal)

• Cannot sleep all night. Crying.
• At dawn, kneels before the PCs → confesses. Confesses past crime.
• Requires an honest choice: hand over · protect · or execute

#Resident Reactions

• Scenario A/D: Neighboring residents have no goodwill but no hostility
• Scenario B/C: Signs of resident anxiety · some households locking their doors

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#Act 3 Details — Revelation of Truth

#Scenario A — Dawn Barrier Defense

4 AM. 3 pursuers approach the Barrier west gate. PC defensive combat.

After combat ends, Kikyo gives thanks and presents a sutra passage. Departs late at dawn.

#Scenario B — Disguised Yoma Revealed

Kikyo reveals his true nature. Combat with PCs.

During combat, the "three magistrates" outside the Barrier may intervene:

Magistrate: "We have been tracking this one. If you dispose of him or hand him over — there is a reward for the domain."

Reward: 1 stable core.

#Scenario C — Spirit Realm Contractor Negotiation

Kikyo is discovered approaching the shrine. Dialogue begins:

Kikyo: "…You saw. I will speak honestly. I am a human but a proxy for a Spirit Realm faction. What I was trying to investigate is — this Barrier's secret. How your Barrier has held on for this long. My master wants to know that secret."

#Scenario D — Criminal's Confession

Dawn. Kikyo kneels and confesses.

Kikyo: "…I am not a pilgrim. 10 years ago I betrayed a domain and sold it out. Due to my betrayal, 200 domain residents died. I fled, and the Spirit Realm's vengeful spirits are pursuing me. The vengeful spirits are my former associates. You may — send me away. I deserve that."

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#Act 4 Details — Conclusion

#Scene Setup

Morning. Incident resolved. Report to lord. Domain normalized.

#Lord's Reaction

#Gensho's Post-Incident Analysis

Gensho gives individual advice to the PCs after the incident.

"What the Barrier protected was not only the domain's physical safety. The Barrier was — a testing ground asking what you would choose. Your choices determine the character of the Barrier. The domain must live with the result of this choice going forward."

#Three Ways and Six Hearts Tendency Finalized

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#§ Step-by-Step Progress Guide Table

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#§ Success/Failure Branches

#Scenario A — Perfect (Accept · Defense Success)

• Kikyo's gratitude · sutra passage presented
• Barrier HP -3 (during defensive combat)
• Unstable cores +2 (3 kubikiri harvested)
• Morale +1 · Three Ways and Six Hearts 忠 +1, 慈 +1
• Renown (known to the outside pilgrim community)

#Scenario A — Refusal Disaster

• Kikyo dies (outside the Barrier)
• Next day, Kikyo's body found · residents shocked
• Morale -1 · Three Ways and Six Hearts 魔 +1

#Scenario B — Dispatched After Reveal

• Kikyo (yoma) dispatched
• Lord-grade variant core acquired (on Target Number 15 success)
• Magistrate reward (1 stable core)
• Morale +1
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 忠 +2

#Scenario B — Caught by Deception

• Kikyo leaks internal Barrier information · escapes
• Barrier HP decrease rate +1/week (3 months)
• Morale -2 · Fear +1
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 魔 +1 (shameful)

#Scenario C — Negotiation Success

• Kikyo departs quietly
• Partial Barrier information leaked (minor · 3 months)
• Diplomatic channel with Spirit Realm faction opens (follow-up)
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 眞 +2

#Scenario C — Handover

• Kikyo handed over to outside contractor
• Reward (2 unstable cores)
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 魔 +1, 眞 +1
• Kikyo's grudge · follow-up risk

#Scenario D — Handover (Justice)

• Kikyo handed to vengeful spirits · Kikyo executed
• Vengeful spirits resolved · domain peace
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 忠 +1, 慈 -1
• Moral weight (sending a person to death)

#Scenario D — Protection (Mercy)

• Kikyo accepted into the domain
• Vengeful spirits' dissatisfaction · periodic boundary line threats
• Morale -2 · Fear +1
• Three Ways and Six Hearts 慈 +2, 忠 -1
• Long-term risk

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#§ Rewards

#Basic Rewards by Scenario

#Special Rewards

• Kikyo's Sutra Passage (A perfect): Item granting a permanent +1 bonus to Sorcery/Exorcism checks.
• Outside Pilgrim Community Renown (A perfect): Pilgrims from other domains hold goodwill toward the domain. Subsequent diplomatic sides become easier.
• Magistrate Reward (B dispatch): Stable core + diplomatic channel. Relationship with Spirit Realm law enforcement agency.
• Spirit Realm Diplomatic Channel (C negotiate): Subsequent Spirit Realm diplomatic side quest unlocked. Mediation possible.
• Vengeful Spirits' Gratitude (D handover): 200 vengeful spirits return to peace. Domain morale maintains long-term +0.

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#§ GM Controls

#GM Notes

1. Decide the scenario before the session. No changing it during the session. The truth must be fixed for the players' detective checks to function clearly.
2. Do not make the truth-or-falsehood judgment too easy. Target number 13~15 is the baseline. Even if a player succeeds on a check, provide only "something is off" as information.
3. Maintain moral pressure. Kikyo acts like a human. Do not let dispatching or refusing become emotionally easy.
4. Be specific about neighboring residents' reactions. Describe in detail how residents view Kikyo. Make players conscious of "the residents' gaze."
5. Keep the pursuers' identity vague until the end. All of Scenarios A/B/C/D start with similar silhouettes; the specifics are revealed at the conclusion.
6. Show the responsibility after the choice. Whatever choice is made, there are follow-up consequences. Maintain the weight of choice.

#1-Session Rule

This quest is a 1-session completion. Extending to 2 sessions breaks the tension.

#Risk Table

#Scenario Selection Guide

#Follow-Up Seed Summary

#Session-End Checklist

• [ ] Record chosen scenario
• [ ] Kikyo's final status (returned/dispatched/handed over/protected/died)
• [ ] Resources acquired/lost
• [ ] Morale value updated
• [ ] Three Ways and Six Hearts tendency per PC
• [ ] Pursuers' final status
• [ ] Follow-up seeds recorded
• [ ] Resident reactions summarized

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#Related Links

• Parent Index: Side Quest Index
• NPC: Drifted Outsiders · Spirit Realm Intelligences · Young Lord
• Barrier: Barrier Boundary Events · Barrier System
• Morale: Morale·Fear
• Related Sides: 21-03 Spirit Realm Merchant's Bargain · 21-06 Negotiable Yoma
• Core: Three Ways and Six Hearts · Non-Combat Checks

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One who opens the gate is one who guards. One who guards is one who judges. One who judges is — one who is judged. What this quest teaches the PCs is not the privilege of the gatekeeper but the burden of the gatekeeper. Whatever Kikyo was does not matter. What matters is how the PCs saw themselves when they looked at him.