#Scenario Episode 5 — Grand Final (Kyoto Main Tournament)

Contents

"Kyoto has seen a thousand years of swords. Today it sees a thousand years + one sword."

#§ Meta Card

#§ Background

1 week after Episode 4. The PCs are Kyoto main-tournament advancers. Top 16 → top 8 → top 4 → final → victory. A 5-session campaign climax.

Main-tournament participants:

• Kanto and Kansai main-tournament advancers 16 (including the PCs)
• foreign friends and rivals (some Episode 3 NPCs — Yi Mingi, Ali, Don Alfonso, etc.)
• shadow remnants (depending on the Episode 4 result)

Main-tournament operation:

• the formal best 2 of 3 system.
• referee council + the Emperor's attendance (political weight).
• Prizes: victory 5000 kan, runner-up 2000 kan, top 4 1000 kan, top 8 500 kan, top 16 200 kan.
• Political influence: the title "Swordmaster of the Realm" for the winner + a daimyo's retainer post or a free choice.

#§ Act 1 — Arrival in Kyoto, Top 16 (Session 1)

#Scene 1: The Weight of Kyoto

The PCs arrive at the Kyoto main tournament. The whole city has the main-tournament mood. The Emperor, daimyo, officials, and commoners all pay attention.

Meetings (already-met NPCs):

• Yi Mingi (Joseon — Episode 3) — friendship/rivalry with the PCs
• ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb (Ottoman — Episode 3) — courteous, cultured
• Don Alfonso (Castile — Episode 3) — active in issuing duel challenges
• Sano Keijiro / Yamada Tomo (Episodes 1, 2) — return if they advanced

New meetings:

• Hon Yairo (本 八郎, 7-dan, Kyoto main-house Yagyu orthodoxy) — main-tournament victory candidate 1
• the Jigen-ryu master (示現流 巨匠, 8-dan, of Kyushu origin) — main-tournament victory candidate 2 (Jigen-ryu orthodoxy)
• 1~2 shadow remnants (depending on the Episode 4 result) — participating in disguise

#Scene 2: The Top 16 Brackets

Brackets announced. PC + 16 rivals matched.

Bracket example (2 PCs):

• PC1 vs a Yagyu main-house top 8 candidate
• PC2 vs Yi Mingi (the Joseon friend/rival)

Each bout is best 2 of 3. Wounds recover automatically each round.

#Scene 3: PC Top 16 Duel

Core rules + use of the 80-02 school-matchup table.

Narrative: in the first duel, the PC shows the essence of their own school. Crowd reactions (the 80-07 table).

Result: advance to the top 8.

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

#Scene 4: Top 8 Duel

Genuinely strong foes. The PCs' dan is 7-dan == the foes' dan averages 7~8-dan.

Brackets:

• PC1 vs the Jigen-ryu master (8-dan)
• PC2 vs ʿAlī ibn Yaʿqūb (Ottoman 6-dan, foreign friend)

Each bout is best 2 of 3, overseen directly by a referee.

#Scene 5: Advancement to the Top 4

PC + 1~2 companions advance to the top 4. Full-scale 1 on 1 duels.

Top 4 brackets:

• PC1 vs Hon Yairo (Yagyu main-house 7-dan)
• PC2 vs a shadow remnant (a disguised fiend 6~7-dan) — depending on the Episode 4 result

#Scene 6: The Fiend's Identity Exposed

Among the top 4, the shadow remnant's identity is exposed (deliberately or by PC identification):

• Branch A (defeated the Thousand-Face Old Sorcerer in Episode 4): the remnant is weak. Defeated immediately after the identity is exposed.
• Branch B (external exposure in Episode 4): the remnant infiltrates the main tournament. The identity is exposed during the duel → the referee council intervenes.
• Branch C (refusal in Episode 4): the remnant + the Thousand-Face Old Sorcerer appear at the main-tournament climax.

#§ Act 3 — Final (Sessions 3~4)

#Scene 7: Right Before the Final

PC + 1 rival advance to the final. 1 week of rest + a political banquet.

Political banquet:

• an audience with the Emperor is possible (when the PC's main-class dan is 9 or higher, or holds nationwide fame).
• the daimyo's retainer offers (the PC decides after victory).
• the shadow remnants attempt a final conspiracy against the PCs.

#Scene 8: Final Duel

Final PC vs final rival:

• Rival candidates:
• the Jigen-ryu master (8-dan, Kyushu — if Hon Yairo is defeated)
• Hon Yairo (7-dan, Yagyu main house — if the Jigen-ryu is defeated)
• the Thousand-Face Old Sorcerer (9-dan, fiend — Branch C)

Final rules: best 3 of 5 system (the formal final). Referee council + the Emperor's attendance.

Final combat traits:

• the PC's Wounds recover automatically every round.
• on a Critical Hit, the GM gives a 1-minute cinematic description (heroic tone).
• for a fiend final (Branch C), a sacred weapon is recommended (45-foreign-relics).

#Scene 9: Final Result

Branches A and B: the PC wins or is runner-up. High honor. Friendship/respect with the rival forever.

Branch C: PC vs the Thousand-Face Old Sorcerer in the final. On defeat, the Shadow Tournament is permanently ended. On failure to defeat, the PC dies or flees.

#§ Act 4 — Victory, Conclusion (Sessions 5~6)

#Scene 10: Award Ceremony

If the PC wins:

• the Emperor's personal investiture: directly bestows the "Swordmaster of the Realm" Renown Title.
• prize 5000 kan + 5000 kan political reward = 10,000 kan.
• the Divine Sword of the Realm awarded as 1 item (45-foreign-relics or 1 core masterwork).
• a daimyo's retainer post or a free choice.

If the PC is runner-up:

• prize 2000 kan + fame +2.
• part of the political influence.

#Scene 11: Campaign Conclusion

The PC decides their own path:

• daimyo's retainer (start a political campaign)
• wandering swordmaster (start a free campaign)
• opening a master's dojo (a disciple-raising campaign)
• travel abroad (a foreign campaign — with the friends of Episode 3)
• fiend/yoma hunting (a sequel to 50-tournament — pursuing the shadow remnants)
• retirement (campaign conclusion)

#Scene 12: Option — Tatsujin-grade Special Match (10-dan)

After the main tournament ends, an option — Tatsujin-grade special match (10-dan):

• possible when the PC wins + holds the 10-dan Tatsujin Renown Title, or is recognized by a master-grade NPC.
• a 1 on 1 exhibition duel with a Yagyu/Jigen master-grade NPC (no killing, ceremonial).
• the duel result is irrelevant — a chance for the PC to receive direct teaching from a master-grade.
• transition to a Tatsujin-grade PC is possible (1 additional dan in the campaign sequel).

#§ New Rule: Tatsujin-grade Special Match

The PC challenges 10-dan (Tatsujin):

• main-tournament victory + holding the 10-dan Tatsujin Renown Title, or recognition by a master-grade NPC.
• a 1-session exhibition duel with a master-grade.
• after the duel, 1 on 1 teaching by the master-grade — a PC-exclusive skill (Fighting Spirit, Speed, etc.) +1.
• the PC transitions to 10-dan (Tatsujin).

#§ Appearing NPC Sheets

Hon Yairo (本 八郎, 7-dan, samurai, Yagyu Shinkage-ryu main house)
Courage +2 / Finesse +3 / Physique +1 / Wisdom +1 / Presence +1 / Fate 0 (1-dan +3 + 2nd/4th/6th-dan +3 = total +8)
Energy 13 (10+Finesse 3) / Wounds 4 (3+Physique 1) / Defense 12 (10+light armor 2)
1-dan auto: Swordsmanship(Trained) + Negotiation/Etiquette/Perception(Novice)
School: core orthodox Yagyu Shinkage-ryu (main house, Master 4 points)
Technique: [Kata] Martial-Way Orthodoxy + [Kata] Non-Lethal Subdual + [Stance] Swordmaster Spirit
Background: the heir of the Yagyu house main line. The 1st-ranked candidate for shogunate swordsmanship instructor.
Narrative: courteous, martial-way ideals. Refuses to kill when dueling the PCs. The PCs become friends or rivals.

the Jigen-ryu master (示現流 巨匠, 8-dan, samurai, Kyushu)
Courage +3 / Finesse +2 / Physique +2 / Wisdom 0 / Presence +1 / Fate +1 (1-dan +3 + 2nd/4th/6th/8th-dan +4 = total +9)
Energy 12 (10+Finesse 2) / Wounds 5 (3+Physique 2) / Defense 12 (10+light armor 2)
1-dan auto: Swordsmanship(Trained) + Hardiness/Focus/Intimidation(Novice)
School: core orthodox Jigen-ryu (Master 4 points, a masterwork weapon is a prerequisite)
Technique: [technique] Preemptive Strike Enhancement (tied to a masterwork weapon) + [Kata] One-Strike Kill (limited: Critical Hit + 1 combat 1 time + masterwork grade = 3 conditions — [00-05 §10](../ex2-00-meta/ex2-00-05-extended-mechanics.md#10-공격-보너스-한정-조건-균형-攻擊補助限定均衡))
Background: a Jigen-ryu master of Kyushu. A lifetime on the single road of the sword.
Narrative: weighty, strong. The PCs' strongest rival. Deep respect for the PCs after the duel.

Thousand-Face Old Sorcerer (see the Episode 4 sheet; on appearing in Episode 5, transitions to 10-dan Tatsujin)
※ Appears in the final only in Episode 4 Branch C. Apply the core [04-02 §Tatsujin dan](../../co/co-04-character/co-04-02-progression.md) rule (stats +1 / skill +2 points).

Already-met NPCs (Episodes 1, 2, 3): updated at GM discretion (dan, Renown Title).

#§ Appearing Yoma

Shadow remnant fiend (Minion-grade, 6~7-dan, varied)
Narrative: infiltrates the main tournament depending on the Episode 4 result.

Ritual yoma (Elite-grade, appears during the main-tournament ritual)
Narrative: the spiritual corruption of the main-tournament ritual → 1 ritual yoma appears.
PC + rival cooperative duel.

#§ Rewards

#Victory

• prize 10,000 kan (5000 + 5000 political)
• the "Swordmaster of the Realm" Renown Title
• the Divine Sword of the Realm, 1 item (GM's choice, 1 item from 45-foreign-relics)
• a daimyo's retainer post or a free choice
• the master-grade teaching option (10-dan transition possible)

#Runner-up

• prize 2000 kan
• fame +2
• partial political influence

#Top 4

• prize 1000 kan
• fame +1

#Top 16~Top 8

• prize 200~500 kan
• honor

#§ Connecting Hooks (campaign conclusion or sequel)

• Campaign conclusion: PC wins → chooses their own path → campaign conclusion.
• Sequel campaign: the PC opens a master's dojo → a disciple-raising campaign is possible.
• Foreign campaign: the PC travels abroad with the foreign friends → use the 60-03 background-relocation guide.
• Shadow sequel: pursuing the shadow remnants → a sequel scenario (GM's own making).
• Tatsujin-grade campaign: the PC transitions to 10-dan → a Tatsujin-grade campaign (1st-expansion compatibility is possible).

---

"A thousand years of swords gather in the hand of one swordsman. But that swordsman too is one person. The moment one person can lift the weight of a thousand years — that is the path of the swordmaster."

— Conclusion maxim of 50-tournament Episode 5