#Scenario Episode 3 — Foreign Invitation

Contents

"The sword does not cross the nation. But the swordsman crosses it."

#§ Meta Card

#§ Background

4~6 weeks after the Episode 2 final. Before moving to Kyoto, the Kanto main-tournament advancers are invited to the Nagasaki welcome event. The pretext is "celebrating advancement to the main tournament," but in reality it is an exchange match with the foreign-invitation team — Joseon, Ming, Nanban, and Arab.

This episode is the outer path(外道) of the Tatsujin Tournament — not the formal main tournament but a diplomatic and cultural exchange event. Yet the foreign swordsmen, spearmen, and archers the PCs meet here become the major rivals of the Episode 5 main-tournament final. Also a daily-life experience of the Foreign Schools — the PCs directly see how a real foreign warrior fights.

#§ Act 1 — Arrival at Nagasaki, First Meeting (Session 1)

#Scene 1: The Port of Nagasaki

The PCs arrive at Nagasaki. The sight of the port — Nanban ships, Ming merchant ships, Joseon fishing boats, Arab spice ships. A market where many languages mix. A scene entirely different from Sakihara or Edo.

• Hook A: a port guide gives a PC information on the "foreign-invitation team" — they have already arrived and are awaiting the welcome banquet. Receive the team roster.
• Hook B: at the market, a Nanban trader approaches a PC. Haggling over Nanban masterworks (Western swords, guns, jewels). Some are clues to a foreign Divine Treasure (linked with 45-foreign-relics).
• Hook C: a diplomatic official (the Nagasaki magistrate) greets the PCs. Guides them through the welcome-banquet protocol.

#Scene 2: First Meeting with the Foreign Team

At the welcome banquet, meet the 5 foreign players:

• Yi Mingi (李民起, Joseon · 5-dan · Joseon Sebeop): the friend from Episode 2 — returns. The Joseon-side representative.
• Ma Seungyeong (馬承英, Ming · 6-dan · Ma Family Spear): a descendant of the Ming Ma clan. Courteous but strong in pride.
• Karl von Bernstein (Karl von Bernstein, Holy Roman Empire · 5-dan · Liechtenauer-ryu): a two-handed greatsword. Huge build. Blunt.
• ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb (ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb, Ottoman · 6-dan · Sipahi + Turkish composite bow): a mounted master archer. Islamic faith. Cultured.
• Don Alfonso (Don Alfonso, Castile · 5-dan · Destreza + Jineta): a rapier swordsman. Splendid clothing. Pride.

The first conversation with each NPC — the PCs hear foreign customs, languages, and swordsmanship philosophy. The first demonstration of the multilingual Negotiation check (the new rule below).

#§ Act 2 — Exchange Match, Foreign School Experience (Sessions 2~3)

#Scene 3: Exchange Match Round 1 — Single-Bout Duel

An unofficial bout — no score, interview first. 1 PC faces 1 foreign player in a single bout. Choose 1 of 3 variant rules:

Rule Variant A: Weapon Exchange — the PC and NPC exchange weapons. The PC holds the foreign swordsman's weapon for the first time. Ordinary weapon check -2 (unfamiliar weapon). Directly experience the true worth of a Foreign School.

Rule Variant B: Consent Rule — rules agreed in advance by both sides (e.g., no killing, limited to 1 kind of stance, limited to 5 rounds, etc.).

Rule Variant C: Night Bout — a duel under torchlight. Both sides' Perception -2. An irregular atmosphere.

Bracket example (2 PCs):

• PC1 vs Ma Seungyeong (Ma Family Spear) → experience Pear-Blossom Single Point
• PC2 vs ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb (Turkish composite bow) → experience Sipahi Breathing

Narrative: win or loss is irrelevant. Both sides can gain friendship/respect after the interview.

#Scene 4: School Experience Workshop (optional)

A PC directly asks a foreign player for "school admission." After staying 1 week, make the following check:

School admission check: 2d10 + Wisdom + the relevant school skill >= 11

• on success: temporarily acquire 1 Foreign School at the Licensed(初心) stage (limited to that scenario).
• on failure: understanding of the school's essence + when facing that school in Episode 5, check +1.

This workshop is at GM discretion — the core device by which the PCs actually experience this expansion's Foreign Schools.

#Scene 5: Private Meetings

Evening — 1:1 interviews between the PCs and the NPCs:

• Yi Mingi: information on the Joseon situation — Japan-Joseon relations after the Imjin War. The possibility of peace between the two nations.
• Ma Seungyeong: the Ming situation — the disbanding of Qi Jiguang's unit. The Manchu threat. Proposes "Eastern cooperation" to the PCs.
• Karl: the Holy Roman religious conflict. The Catholic-Protestant split. Explains the value of "freedom of faith" to the PCs.
• Ali: Islamic scholarship and science. Discusses the difference from Nanban scholarship (Jesuit astronomy).
• Don Alfonso: Castile's conquest of the New World. The definition of honor. Asks the PCs about "a swordsman's mission."

#§ Act 3 — The Shadow of Political Conspiracy (Sessions 3~4)

#Scene 6: A Suspicious Death

The night of the 3rd day. 1 of the foreign players — Ma Seungyeong (or GM's choice) — is assassinated in their sleeping quarters. The body is found. A dagger stab wound.

Investigation clues:

• The dagger is Japanese-made — but its form is not Iga/Koga style.
• On the body's clothing is a talisman — a Negoro-ryu(14-01) marker.
• But the Negoro temple has no hostile relations with the foreign players.
• → Someone disguised the assassination as Negoro-ryu.

PC actions:

• track the clues with an intelligence/Perception check
• cooperate with the foreign players (Yi Mingi and Ali cooperate actively)
• report to the magistrate (the magistrate is cautious due to fear of a diplomatic dispute)

#Scene 7: The Shadow's Identity

The result of the investigation — the instigation of the Shadow Tournament side. The motive is "to prevent the humiliation of foreign warriors surpassing Japanese warriors in the main tournament" — a lie. The real motive is sowing chaos on the main-tournament stage + cover for fiend infiltration.

The assassin: a disguised fiend spy (Minion-grade, a fiend variant of the Tengushi class 28 or shinobi class 03). Flees immediately when the identity is revealed.

Combat possible: the PCs pursue to capture the assassin. A chase through the port, market, beach, etc.

#Scene 8: Maritime Duel (optional)

The assassin flees to a Nanban merchant ship. The PCs pursue in a small boat. A maritime duel.

Maritime duel new rules (this episode only):

• the narrow space on deck — all relocation -1
• evasion check +1 / attack check -1 due to the swaying
• 1 round of Qi Depletion on falling into the water (00-05 §9) — on a successful swim check (2d10+Physique ≥ 11), return to deck on the next round; on failure, lose 1 Wounds + keep swimming
• basic squad actions are not possible (only individual PC actions)

#§ Act 4 — Departure for the Main Tournament (Sessions 4~5)

#Scene 9: Aftermath

After resolving the assassination case — determine the foreign players' evaluation. Results:

• Ma Seungyeong dies (proceeding as scripted): the Ming envoy is enraged. On a PC success, friendship with Ming is restored. In Episode 5, a new figure appears on the Ming side (Wang Bonggyu(王鳳閨), Ma Seungyeong's junior martial sister(師妹), 6-dan).
• Switched to an attempted assassination (when the PCs intervene actively): Ma Seungyeong survives. Appears as an Episode 5 main-tournament final rival.

#Scene 10: Farewell Party + Departure

A farewell party between the foreign players and the PCs. Determine the friendship with each NPC — whether an alliance is possible in the main tournament.

Hooks (Episode 5 links):

• Yi Mingi — an Episode 5 main-tournament final rival or ally (PC choice)
• ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb — an Episode 5 main-tournament rival. Friendship possible during the final
• Karl / Don Alfonso — Episode 5 main-tournament rivals. A contest of Bearing outside the final (the diplomatic banquet)

The PCs depart — heading for the Kyoto main tournament.

#§ New Rule: Multilingual Negotiation

The core rule of this episode. Used when conversing with foreign NPCs.

#Check

Multilingual Negotiation check: 2d10 + Presence + Negotiation proficiency >= Target Number — apply the core 03-03 §non-combat Target Number 11~17 table. If there is a Cross-Cultural general feat, it applies as a GM-set bonus or alternative condition.

• Has the foreign-Adaptation general feat: check +2
• Learned that language (specified in background): check +3
• Accompanied by an interpreter NPC: check +1 (varies by the interpreter NPC's trust)

#Effect

• Success: the intent is conveyed accurately. Thereafter, ties with that NPC +1.
• Failure: a misunderstanding occurs. GM discretion (a small rudeness, a cultural clash, a temporary break in conversation).
• Fumble (double failure): a diplomatic incident. The magistrate intervenes. Thereafter, Negotiation with that NPC -2.

#Application

• multilingual Negotiation is needed for all 5 foreign players
• each NPC's Japanese ability differs — Yi Mingi and Ali are fluent in Japanese, Karl and Don Alfonso fragmentary, Ma Seungyeong can do brush-talk in Chinese writing

#§ Appearing NPC Sheets

Yi Mingi (李民起, 5-dan, Joseon Sebeop) — returns from Episode 2
※ Same as the 50-03 sheet. However, in this episode the alliance-expectation value +1.

Ma Seungyeong (馬承英, 6-dan, samurai, Ming, Ma Family Spear)
Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique +1 / Wisdom +2 / Presence +1 / Fate 0 (1-dan +3 + 2nd/4th/6th-dan +3 = total +8)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 4 (3+Physique 1) / Defense 12 (10+light armor 2)
1-dan auto: Spearmanship(Trained) + Military Science/Cross-Cultural/Negotiation(Novice)
School: Ma Family Spear (Foreign School, this expansion 11-03, Master 4 points)
Technique: [technique] Pear-Blossom Single Point + [Kata] Hundred-Flower Chain Thrust
Background: a 4th-generation descendant of the Ming Ma clan. After the disbanding of Qi Jiguang's unit, recognizes the precariousness of the Ming situation.
Narrative: courteous, prideful. Greatly cherishes his junior martial sister Wang Bonggyu. The center of the assassination case right before the main tournament.
Role: dies or is wounded during Scenario Episode 3 (optional).

Karl von Bernstein (Karl von Bernstein, 5-dan, samurai, Holy Roman Empire, Liechtenauer-ryu)
Courage +2 / Finesse +1 / Physique +2 / Wisdom 0 / Presence +1 / Fate +1 (1-dan +3 + 2nd/4th-dan +2, Finesse/Physique/Presence ± adjustment = total +7)
Energy 11 (10+Finesse 1) / Wounds 5 (3+Physique 2) / Defense 13 (10+heavy armor 3)
1-dan auto: Swordsmanship(Trained) + Hardiness/Faith/Cross-Cultural(Novice)
School: Liechtenauer-ryu (this expansion 10-07, license 3 points)
Technique: [technique] Zornhau + [technique] Meisterhau
Weapon: two-handed greatsword (Zweihänder)
Background: the second son of a Holy Roman knight house. Travels east to avoid the religious wars. Catholic faith.
Narrative: huge build, blunt. Honor and faith are the top priority. Enjoys drinking. Curious about the "mystery of the East" toward the PCs.

ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb (ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb, 6-dan, samurai, Ottoman, Sipahi)
Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique +1 / Wisdom +2 / Presence +1 / Fate 0 (total +8)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 4 (3+Physique 1) / Defense 11 (10+light armor 1)
1-dan auto: Archery(Trained) + Horsemanship/Cross-Cultural/Negotiation(Novice)
School: Turkish composite bow (12-08, Master 4 points) + Saracen cavalry (15-04, license 3 points) — Horsemanship license
Technique: [Stance] Sipahi Breathing + [Kata] Sultan's Arrow + [Stance] Scimitar Stance
Background: from the Ottoman sultan's guard cavalry. Scholarly cultivation. Interested in science and astronomy.
Narrative: courteous, cultured, faithful. Fluent in many languages (Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Japanese). Scholarly exchange with the PCs is possible.

Don Alfonso (Don Alfonso, 5-dan, samurai, Castile, Destreza + Jineta)
Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique 0 / Wisdom +1 / Presence +1 / Fate +1 (total +7)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 3 (3+Physique 0) / Defense 10 (10+no armor, evasion type)
1-dan auto: Swordsmanship(Trained) + Horsemanship/Bearing/Negotiation(Novice)
School: Destreza (10-09, license 3 points) + Jineta (15-05, Trained 2 points)
Technique: [aptitude] Art of the Circle + [Kata] Decisive Single Point + [Stance] Short Stirrup
Weapon: rapier + dagger(sword breaker)
Background: the second son of a Castilian noble. From the New World military officials. Strong in the Iberian sense of honor.
Narrative: splendid clothing, swordsmanship, and ideas. Enjoys issuing duel challenges. Does not fear death for the sake of honor.

Disguised assassin (Minion-grade, Shadow Tournament spy, fiend shinobi variant)
Courage +2 / Finesse +2 / Physique +1 / Wisdom +1 / Presence 0 / Fate -1 (Minion-grade standard, fiend modifier)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 4 (3+Physique 1) / Defense 11 (10+light armor 1)
Identity: fiend spy (core 04-character/classes/04-28 Tengushi or 04-03 shinobi variant)
Disguise: Negoro-ryu Ninjutsu (14-01)
Technique: Warrior-Monk Raid + Wind-Body Stance
Narrative: flees immediately when the identity is revealed. Moves to the sea when pursued.
Role: assassinate Ma Seungyeong + sow political chaos.

#§ Appearing Yoma (Intrusion / Investigation)

Nagasaki port Black Dog (黑犬) — Mob-grade squad
Wounds 3 / Energy 6 / Defense 7
Description: a pack of impure dogs living off the port's leavings. Deformed by the influence of the demonic(魔).
Role: intrudes during the Act 3 port chase.

Namba estuary Yashi(夜屍) — Minion-grade
Wounds 4 / Energy 9 / Defense 8
Description: a yashi transformed from those drowned at the port. Active only at the beach.
Role: appears during the Act 3 night beach investigation.

Nanban ship Western Shadow(洋影) — Minion-grade
Wounds 5 / Energy 10 / Defense 9
Description: a foreign spirit(?) the Nanban ship dragged along. Identity unknown.
Role: appears on deck during the Act 4 maritime duel (optional).

Political-conspiracy related: disguised assassin (see the NPC sheet above)

#§ Rewards

• Main-tournament advancement confirmed: all PCs' main-tournament passes are confirmed (dan +1 recommended — 6~7-dan)
• Multilingual Negotiation results: ties with 1+ foreign NPC — an alliance is possible in Episode 5
• Foreign School temporary license: on a successful Act 2 workshop, 1 school license (limited to that scenario)
• Nanban trade goods: a purchase right for 1 Nanban masterwork (1 item from 40-props or 45-foreign-relics)
• Assassination-case resolution reward: the magistrate's letter of thanks + the Ming envoy's gratuity (30 kan) + foreign NPC friendship

#§ Connecting Hooks

• Episode 5 main tournament (Grand Final): survivors among the 5 foreign players return as main-tournament rivals. Who the PCs ally with or rival is decided in this episode.
• Episode 4 (Shadow Tournament): behind the disguised assassin — the Shadow Tournament's main camp. A direct hook into Episode 4.
• Personal Renown Title path: friendship with foreign players → the core Renown Title "Friend of Foreign Lands" or "Bridge of the East" branch is possible.

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"A different sword is held in a different hand with a different breath. But the sword itself is the same — one road of steel joining the end of one person to the end of another."