#Scenario Episode 2 — Kanto Semifinals

Contents

"A regional swordsman cannot stay in the region."

#§ Meta Card

#§ Background

Episode 2 is 2~3 months after Episode 1. The PCs hold a pass to the regional semifinals. At the temporary bracket headquarters in the Edo Flank Zone, 30 winners of the Kanto region's 30 regional qualifiers compete — the top 3 advance to the Kyoto main tournament.

From this stage, the best 2 of 3 system is formally introduced. The level of the rivals also rises at once. Those with political and economic interest also gather at the tournament.

#§ Act 1 — Arrival in Edo, Investigation (Session 1)

#Scene 1: The Weight of Edo

The PCs arrive in the Edo Flank Zone. A gathering of participants from various regions. Here they meet various schools for the first time:

• a Jigen-ryu swordsman (came from Kyushu)
• a Yagyu Shinkage-ryu swordsman (a prestigious house of the Kanto region)
• a Tennen Rishin-ryu swordsman (a Bakumatsu-era-only scenario — when the historical background matches)
• a participant of Joseon origin (Joseon Sebeop, Foreign School)
• a Nanban participant (Liechtenauer-ryu or Destreza, Foreign School)

Return of Episode 1 rivals: Sano Keijiro (if a winner) and Yamada Tomo (if a winner) accompany as fellow participants.

#Scene 2: Bracket Announcement

A bracket is drawn placing the PCs into the top 8 of the 30. The first opponents are revealed.

#Scene 3: School Research Time (new rule)

School research check (option for all PCs):

• gathering information about 1 technique of another school
• check: 2d10 + Wisdom + the higher proficiency of intelligence or Perception >= 11
• on success: when facing that school, check +1 (limited to 1 bout)

#§ Act 2 — Top 8, Top 4 (Sessions 2~3)

#Scene 4: Top 8

Bracket example (assuming 2 PCs):

• PC1 vs a swordsman of Joseon origin (Joseon Sebeop license) → first encounter with a Foreign School
• PC2 vs a Yagyu Shinkage-ryu swordsman (martial-way philosophy)

Each bout: best 2 of 3 system, Wounds recover automatically each round.

Foreign swordsman narrative: the swordsman of Joseon origin, Yi Mingi(李民起), has a conversation with the PCs: "the sword differs by nation, but one person's sword is one." Friendship regardless of win or loss.

#Scene 5: Top 4

Brackets: the two PCs proceed into different top 4 matches from each other (a party-split narrative is possible).

• Excellent opponents:
• Jigen-ryu swordsman - specialized in the preemptive single strike
• Yagyu Shinkage-ryu representative - martial-way defense
• Fiend-suspicion participant (optional): 1 of the arrogant applicants is in fact a fiend. Identity unknown (the PCs can detect it with a Perception/disguise-detection feat).

#§ Act 3 — The Night of Edo, Temptation (Sessions 3~4)

#Scene 6: Invitation to a Banquet

The top 4 advancers go to a banquet invited by the Edo daimyo. A political temptation — the PCs are offered a specific school/retainer post. A narrative bonus on acceptance, freedom maintained on refusal.

• Hook A: the Edo daimyo offers 1 of the PCs a "retainer post." On acceptance, the core 04-05 Renown Title path.
• Hook B: Sano Keijiro's Hokushin Itto-ryu master offers a PC "formal admission." On acceptance, a school change is possible (depending on background).
• Hook C: a Shadow Tournament contact - offers 1 PC an "unofficial bout." (the Episode 4 path)

#Scene 7: Revelation of the Fiend's Identity (optional)

If the PCs identified the fiend among the top 4 — report to the referee council? A direct confrontation? Later developments change depending on the method of revelation.

• If the fiend's identity is revealed: the referee council intervenes, the participant is disqualified. But the fiend transfers to the Shadow Tournament (appears in Episode 4).
• If not revealed: it can serve as a PC opponent in the top 4. An ordinary bout.

#§ Act 4 — Final, Advancement to the Main Tournament (Sessions 4~5)

#Scene 8: Semifinal Final

3 advance to the Kyoto main tournament. Brackets: depending on PC results, they compete for seats up to 3rd place.

#Scene 9: Major Event — Appearance of an Aboveground Yoma

During the final or right before the tournament ends, an aboveground yoma appears in the Edo Flank Zone — 1 Veteran-grade(連級) body intrudes. PC + top 4 NPC cooperative combat.

Yoma: the unique yoma of the forest of the Edo Flank Zone, "Night Howl (夜嘯)" — Veteran-grade. Physique +4, Courage +3, Finesse +2. Fear aura. Attack +5.

Combat result: on success, the favor of all tournament participants + Kanto regional fame +1. On failure, a narrative of some NPC deaths.

#Scene 10: Advancement to the Main Tournament

The top 2~3 PCs are confirmed for the Kyoto main tournament. Award ceremony. A ceremonial parade. The road to Kyoto opens before the PCs.

#§ Connecting Hooks

• Episode 3 (Foreign Invitation Episode): the friendship with Yi Mingi links to mediation among the Episode 3 foreign-invitation participants
• Episode 4 (Shadow Tournament): a confrontation with the shadow associate met in Episode 2
• Episode 5 (Grand Final): the Kyoto main tournament is confirmed
• Personal Renown Title path: on accepting the Edo daimyo's retainer post, the core Renown Title branch

#§ Major NPC Sheets

Yi Mingi (李民起, 5-dan, samurai, Joseon origin, Joseon Sebeop)
Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique +1 / Wisdom +1 / Presence +1 / Fate 0 (1-dan +3 + 2nd/4th-dan +2 = total +7)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 4 (3+Physique 1) / Defense 12 (10+light armor 2)
1-dan auto: Swordsmanship(Trained) + Negotiation/Cross-Cultural/Scouting(Novice)
School: Joseon Sebeop (Foreign School, this expansion 10-05, license 3 points)
Technique: [Stance] Taesan Stance + Jocheon Stance switch (1 round 1 time)
Background: a descendant of a Joseon military officer. Studied at a Japanese warrior house. A dream of joining the two nations with the sword.
Narrative: respectful of the other's culture, wise. Open-minded. A lasting friendship with the PCs is possible.

Yagyu Rikushi (柳生 陸志, 5-dan, samurai, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu successor)

![Yagyū Rikushi, Shinkage-ryu heir and arena finalist: low defensive stance, katana held diagonally, settled weight; face blank](../../../assets/interior/20260624/batch-5-additional/EX2-15.webp)

Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique +1 / Wisdom +1 / Presence +1 / Fate 0 (total +7)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 4 (3+Physique 1) / Defense 12 (10+light armor 2)
1-dan auto: Swordsmanship(Trained) + Negotiation/Etiquette/Perception(Novice)
School: Yagyu Shinkage-ryu (core, Master 4 points)
Technique: [Kata] Martial-Way Orthodoxy + [Kata] Non-Lethal Subdual
Background: the second son of the Yagyu house. A candidate for shogun's swordsmanship instructor.
Narrative: orthodox martial way. Refusal to kill. A figure who always asks "why do you fight."

Fiend-suspicion participant (Tengushi, 5-dan, disguised)
Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique +2 / Wisdom +1 / Presence 0 / Fate 0 (1-dan +3 + 2nd/4th-dan +2 + fiend modifier +2 = total +7 + fiend)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 5 (3+Physique 2) / Defense 11 (10+light armor 1)
1-dan auto: Unarmed Combat(Trained) + Infiltration/concealment/Perception(Novice)
Identity: Tengushi (core 04-character/classes/04-28). The fiend-modifier rule applies.
Technique: [Kata] Sky Walking + [aptitude] Mountain Concealment (this expansion 01-02 conversion)
Narrative: infiltrated the Tatsujin Tournament. Motive unclear (links to Episode 4).

#§ Yoma (Intrusion)

Night Howl (夜嘯) Veteran-grade
Wounds 6 / Energy 10 / Defense 8
Courage +4 / Finesse +2 / Physique +4
Technique: Fear aura [aptitude] (Fear -1 in the same zone), 3-hit strike (check +5)
Narrative: a regional legend. Approached the Edo Flank Zone out of curiosity.

#§ Rewards

• The 3 main-tournament advancers: a pass to the Kyoto main tournament + 50 kan + fame +3
• School-interest bonus: a chance to be admitted by a specific school master (free, 1 time)
• Yoma cooperation bonus: the merit of repelling the Veteran-grade yoma + Yi Mingi's permanent friendship
• Personal Renown Title path: choices such as the Edo daimyo's retainer post

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"If winning in the region was proof of oneself, winning in Edo is proof of the era."