Podcast of the Five Rings By cover art

Podcast of the Five Rings

By: Podcast of the Five Rings Nick Burdine Zachariah Sierra Logan Jensen Heath Zwiefler
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  • Summary

  • Podcast of the Five Rings is an actual-play show of four friends playing through the official adventures of the 5th Edition Legend of the Five Rings Role Playing Game released by Fantasy Flight Games. We aim to put out high-quality, entertaining episodes that bring attention to the L5R RPG. Support the show at patreon.com/pot5r to gain access to extra Pot5R content like bonus shows, original music, Discord perks, and more!
    2020 Podcast of the Five Rings
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Episodes
  • S1E1: Tales of a Fallen Castle

    S1E1: Tales of a Fallen Castle
    Feb 4 2020
    The Emerald Magistrates, Soshi no Burezu and Togashi Yoshi, have been ordered to track down and kill the evil sorceress Kitsu Sokori and her servant Gaku, who have been known to conduct blasphemous magic with live captives, and who, more recently, have been implicated in a string of disappearances and murders along Rokugan’s coast.The trail of clues brought the magistrates to the house of Yasuki Keiji, a Crab Clan samurai living in Clear Water Village. There, they discovered that a woman matching Kitsu Sokori’s description had stolen a precious family heirloom from Yaskui Keiji—a centuries old map detailing the lands of the Hiruma family, and the blueprints of a fallen castle now lost to the dark powers of the Shadowlands, Daylight Castle. Keiji explained that he believes Sokori is planning to use this map to infiltrate Daylight Castle for an unknown reason. He then asked the magistrates to travel beyond the wall separating Rokugan from the Shadowlands, go to Daylight Castle, and retrieve the map. Keiji also asked the magistrates to take his nephew, Kaiu Tomo, with them on their mission as part of a coming-of-age ritual, and as an opportunity for Tomo to prove his courage to his family and honor the memory of his ancestors.Kaiu Tomo, Togashi Yoshi, and Soshi no Burezu then traveled to the Spear of the Dawn Watchtower on the Kaiu Wall—the closest entrance to The Shadowlands from Clear Water Village. There, they had an audience with Hida Hachiro, commander of the castle watchtower on the wall. After tense negotiations, Hachiro begrudgingly granted permission for the party to move beyond the wall on the condition that if the party finds any historical texts relating to Crab history or culture at Daylight Castle, these texts must be returned to him upon the party’s return. Hachiro also ordered a small retinue of samurai led by one of his most seasoned retainers, Hida Nagahide, to travel with the party in order to guide them safely through the Shadowlands.While on the wall, the party heard reports from scouts returning from the field of an oni named Atsumari—a powerful demon partially responsible for the defeat of Daylight Castle—raising an army of the dead deep in the Shadowlands.After training, studying, and living with the Crab at the watchtower for a week, the party was finally allowed passage into the Shadowlands, an escort of brave warriors at their side, and a myriad of dark rumors filling their heads… Characters and Locations/ GlossaryAshigaru- Conscripted peasants forced to serve as light infantry in times of war.Atsumari no Oni- Demon general who served in the Maw, the Shadowlands army which conquered Daylight Castle.Bayushi Tsubasa- Scorpion samurai. Personal retainer of Hida Hachiro.Bishamon- Fortune of strength.Bushi- “Warrior.” Samurai who serve their lords using martial arts.Bushido- “The way of the warrior.” The code of conduct by which all Rokugani samurai strive to live.Castle of the Emerald Champion- Emerald Champion’s seat of power. Permanent station of the Emerald Magistrates.Clear Water Village- Small community deep within Crab territory. Location of Yasuki Keiji’s estate.Daimyo- A great lord appointed to the head of a family. Answers directly to the Emperor.Daisho- A set of swords, the Katana and the Wakizashi. It is a symbol of a samurai’s status within society.Daylight Castle- (see “About Daylight Castle” in Episode 1 show notes).Emerald Champion- Commander of the Imperial Legions and enforcer of Imperial law.Emerald Magistrates- Agents of the Emerald Champion tasked with upholding Imperial law in places where local jurisdiction is uncertain.Fortune- A god.Fukurokujin- Fortune of mercy and wisdom.Fu Leng- The Dark Kami. His fall from the heavens made a bridge between Ningen-do and Jigoku, resulting in the creation of the Shadowlands.Gaku- Servant of Kitsu Sokori. Kidnapped Otomo Hiroshige. Thought to have been killed in Slow Tide Harbor.Gempukku- A coming-of-age test for young samurai. Upon its completion, the samurai will be considered an adult.Gunsō- A sergeant.Hida Hachiro- Crab samurai. Taisa of Spear of Dawn Watchtower.Hida Nagahide- Crab samurai. Gunsō of Crab ranging party.Jigoku- The realm of evil.Kaiu Wall- (see “About the Wall” in Episode 1 show notes).Kami- Elemental spirits of nature.Kansen- Malevolent spirits.Katana- A long sword about three and a half feet in length.Kitsu Sokori- Maho-Tsukai. Connected to string of crimes along Rokugan’s coast. Ordered dead by the Emerald Champion.Maho- Magic evoking dark spirits.Maho-Tsukai- Practitioners of Maho rituals.Ningen-do- The realm of mortals.Oni- Native inhabitants of Jigoku. Powerful demons with magical powers.Otomo Hiroshige- Son of an imperial noble. Rescued from Slow Tide Harbor by Emerald Magistrates.Otosan Uchi- Political capital of Rokugan. The Emperor’s formal seat of power.Oyumi- A crossbow.Rokugan- (see “About Rokugan” in Episode 1 show notes).Ronin- “Wave man” ...
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • S1E2: Wrestling with the Shadows

    S1E2: Wrestling with the Shadows
    Feb 19 2020
    Yoshi, Buro, Tomo, and their Crab clan escort set off from the Spear of Dawn Watchtower into the desolate world of the Shadowlands. After departing from the wall, Hida Nagahide explained to the party that Atsumari has enlisted the aid of the Crimson Moon tribe, a mercenary tribe of the ratlike Nezumi living in the Shadowlands. After careful deliberation, the party decided to make toward the Weeping Bog. Their hopes were to cross the River of the Last Stand at a less conspicuous place that wouldn’t be watched by Atsumari’s scouts.While crossing the river, the party was attacked by a group of drowned corpses, resurrected by the malevolent powers of the Shadowlands. There were no casualties, but it was the party’s first glimpse at the horrifying magic in store for them, and an unsettling sign that tainted creatures are beginning to amass close to the Carpenter Wall.That night, the party camped on the Black Waste. It was an opportunity for Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo to build new friendships with their protectors and partake in Crab traditions beyond the wall. The next day, the party chose to take a rarely traveled high road through the Twilight Mountains—a place known for its shifting cliffs, and eerie, smoke-like peaks. On a particularly dangerous pass, one of the Crab samurai lost his footing and almost fell to the valley below, however, Togashi Yoshi saved his life with a well-placed throw of his grappling hook. While camped out in the Twilight Mountains, the party got a sight of the skulking Crimson Moon tribe traveling through the forest beneath them—a haunting reminder that the twisted forces of the Shadowlands are hunting them in their sleep.On their third day beyond the wall, the party began to hear dark whispers in their minds, as if the mountains were speaking to them telepathically. Distracted by the voices in their heads, the party veered off course into an unknown part of the mountains and away from the road leading them to Hiruma valley.Lost, confused, and tormented by the mountain’s dark whispers, one of the Crab escort, a samurai named Yasuki Hidekawa, unmasked and proclaimed that they were being lead to certain death. Renouncing Hida Nagahide’s authority and refusing his orders to carry on, Yasuki Hidekawa demanded to turn around. The punishment for insubordination beyond the wall is death, so Hida Nagahide, being left with no other choice, drew her sword, ready to cut Yasuki Hidekawa down on the spot.Character and Locations GlossaryThe Black Waste- Barren field at the base of The Twilight Mountains in the Shadowlands.Bo- Humble wooden staff, roughly six feet long.Bokken- Wooden practice sword used for sparring.Crimson Moon Tribe- Mercenary tribe of Nezumi outriders hired by Atsumari no Oni.Hiruma Takana- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.Hiruma Yuto- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.Jade- Green stone known for warding off evil spirits, oni, and the Taint of Jigoku. Vital for traveling in the Shadowlands.Kaiu Daisoto- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.Kuni Akari- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.The Nezumi- (see “About the Nezumi” in episode 2 shownotes).River of the Last Stand- River in the Shadowlands. Runs parallel to the Kaiu Wall. Site of historic battle between Shadowlands forces and the Crab clan.Setting Sun Bridge- Bridge on the River of the Last Stand. Crab clan outpost.Tetsubo- Long, narrow wooden club about the height of a person covered in metal studs or spikes.The Twilight Mountains- Mountain range in The Shadowlands. Known for driving people to madness.Unmasking- Outpouring of raw emotion. Considered highly dishonorable in Rokugani society. The Weeping Bog- Broad delta of the River of the Last Stand. Named for its dead willow trees.Yasuki Hidekawa- Crab samurai. Member of the ranging party sent to protect Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo.Additional Info (Links)About the NezumiCreditsAlbum Art by Dylan Munoz"Shadowlands Theme" by Brandon Spain"Ethereal Presence" by Brandon Spain"Camp Jam" by Brandon Spain"Elegant Fight" by Brandon Spain"Crab Wrestling Song" by Brandon Spain"Black Wastes" by Brandon Spain"Bog Rock" by Brandon Spain"Crimson Moon Tribe" by Brandon Spain"Katana" by Taira Komori @ http://taira-komori.jpn.org/freesounden.html"swamp" by dobroide @ https://freesound.org/s/16771/"flesh rip" by alvarojmarquez @ https://freesound.org/s/58611/"puking" by gerogisound @ https://freesound.org/s/469888/"train_passing_mountains" by lorenzosu @ https://freesound.org/s/65986/"howling wind" by inchadney @ https://freesound.org/s/157204/  
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    1 hr and 58 mins
  • S1E3: Daylight Rising

    S1E3: Daylight Rising
    Mar 5 2020
    Yoshi, Buro, and Tomo ended their third day in the Shadowlands with a staredown between Yaskui Hidekawa and Hida Nagahide. Hidekawa insisted that their mission was a deathtrap and refused to move forward, prompting Nagahide to order Hidekawa to his death. In response, Hidekawa challenged Nagahide to a duel to the death, insisting that if he was to die that day, he wants to die an honorable death against a worthy opponent. After tense negotiations, and carefully weighing her options, Hida Nagahide eventually ordered Hidekawa to commit seppuku for his insolence and rejected his challenge to a duel. The next morning, the party burned his body in remembrance of the man he once was.The next day, the party discovered the Hiruma Valley, completing their trek through the Twilight Mountains—the first time in nearly four centuries for Rokugani samurai to lay eyes upon the forgotten place.While travelling toward Daylight Castle on Last Stand Plain, the party encountered an old man wandering the field. This man explained that he travels the world, studying battles and meeting new people, playing games with them from the collection of games he keeps in a large sack. He then offered a challenge to the party: if they could defeat him in a game of their choice, he would tell them a secret about Daylight Castle. But if he wins, someone from the party must give him their name.Bravely accepting those terms, Kaiu Tomo challenged him to a one-on-one game of Rokugani Hold Em’. His skills were no match for The Stranger, however, and this mysterious man easily defeated him. In a last ditch effort, to trick the The Stranger, Tomo wrote a fake name on the old man’s ledger—the name of the recently departed Yasuki Hidekawa. Recognizing the ruse, the old man called Tomo out for his deception. Tomo quickly responded by drawing a weapon on the man attempting to attack him.His attack missed and angered The Stranger. He then assumed his true form—an oni with the body of a spider, human-like appendages, and covered in pale flesh with a long serpentine neck and rows of sharp, obsidian teeth contained within the snout of a dog.In the ensuing battle, most of the party avoided serious injury, deflecting the ferocious blows of the oni’s snapping maw. All except for Hiruma Takana, who had his left arm completely bitten off by the demon, and now has a black, festering wound on his shoulder where the oni attacked him.After slaying The Stranger, the party tended to Takana’s wounds and attempted to clean their weapons of the oni’s vile blood, which left some of their equipment permanently damaged. Desperately trying to regroup themselves after the devastating battle with the oni, and as Takana fades in and out of consciousness, the party decided to make camp on Last Stand Plain. That night, in their dreams, the party was brought to a simple, yet immaculate temple where they were greeted by an unknown woman wearing the colors and mon of an unfamiliar clan. “I’ve been waiting for you,” she says…Character & Locations GlossaryChampion- A stand-in for another person in a duel. Considered and honorable position.Duel- A highly revered part of Rokugani samurai culture. Considered not just a martial contest, but a spiritual one as well. To deny a duel is seen as a shameful act.Invocation- Prayers to powerful spirits in exchange for earthly gifts. Techniques which allow one to communicate with the kami and ask for their assistance.Kiho- Spiritual techniques for aligning one’s inner power—ki—to the wider cosmos. Techniques for tapping into the limitless power of the natural world.Obsidian- Black stone considered to have malicious power. Often used by Maho-Tsukai or Oni for dark rituals.Plain of the Last Stand- The field surrounding Daylight Castle. The site of a massive battle where Shadowlands forces defeated the Crab and took the castle.Sake- Rice wine.Seppuku- Ritualistic suicide. Considered an honorable death for samurai who have shamed themselves.Shuji- Social techniques which allow the user to communicate clearly, avoid social pitfalls, motivate their allies, and manipulate their rivals.The Stranger- Mysterious wanderer who the party encounters in Hiruma Valley.CreditsArt:Album Art by Dylan MunozMusic:"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain"Shadowlands Theme" by Brandon Spain"Seppuku" by Brandon Spain"Bardic Inspiration" by Brandon Spain"Ethereal Presence" by Brandon Spain"Dragon Theme" by Brandon Spain"Bali Cremation Ceremony" by RTB45 @ https://freesound.org/people/RTB45/sounds/149186/ -https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/Sound Effects:"keys rattling" by hdrck16 @ https://freesound.org/people/hdrck16/sounds/135004/ - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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    2 hrs and 15 mins
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