Rosanzeru

Overview
Rosanzeru is a colony and overseas Protectorate of the Nippon Empire, negotiated with literal gunboat diplomacy, with the Carmine King of Socal during the Revolution and formation of the New California Republic. Created as a trading hub and naval outpost by the Edokko, Rosanzeru and the NCR are at an uneasy truce, thanks to neither side being confident in it's ability to defeat the other.

The Edokko have reached unheard of levels of technology on the continent, even possessing newly made flintlock guns and even ironclad ships but lack the numbers and magical ability of the mainland and especially the NCR.

Name Lists
Choose an Edokko (in Pan-Pacific) name if from Rosanzeru/Nippon, a North Pacific or a Northwest Coast name if from a Gaian or Haida realm, a Californian name, or talk to your DM about other cultures, California, and therefore Rosanzeru, is a diverse place with immigrants from all over.

History
Established in 2667, during the Revolutionary period of California, the Edokko took advantage of a moment of weakness when they demanded a territorial base in Socal for trade so that Edokko merchants "may not be subject to the arbitrary caprice either of the Government of Sacramento, San Francisco or its local Authorities at the Sea-Ports of the Empire".

Los Angeles was chosen as San Diego was already the capital of Socal and LA was an existing trade hub next to the islands they already annexed from the Brethren. Edokko rule began with the occupation of the city on May 26th. Teitoku Kamui, commander-in-chief of Edokko forces in America, took formal possession of the island at Long Beach, where the Edokko banner was raised under a fire of joy from their Gansuringā.

Content with simply influencing their neighbors, the Republic, to maintain a trade friendly stance, the Edokko appear to have come as traders and merchants as opposed to outright conquerors, although rumors that this is just a vanguard force continue to persist. The Edokko themselves have not intergrated themselves much into the surrounding societies, believing themselves culturally superior, although the Tengu they brought over accidentally have spread throughout the west coast, inhabiting desolate and naturally beautiful areas.

They have been busy building a budding industrial center, public works, peaceful assimilation into the Empire, and removing Cetic influence since taking over the city and surrounding area. Agriculture, fishing, and industry have all increased tenfold since the Edokko arrived, with even a joint project with the gnomes hoping to produce electrical horses that will ride around tracks, like antediluvian San Francisco, and attempting to negotiate a Lightning Rail with the Republic itself.

Cultures

 * Edokko: The Emperor of Japan has ruled for millennia, and it seems that him and his Empire still live, more powerful than ever before. His Dragonborn conquerors called Edokko, are a honorable group, often taking honor in account first before social rank. Having quickly annexed Los Angeles to the Empire, they have established a foothold on the mainland for their Eternal Emperor.
 * Tengu (Kenku): Originally immigrants unintentionally brought over with the Edokko, the Tengu are a group of Avian, raven-like group of humanoids, long considered protectors of spots in nature. tengu are by nature incredibly secretive and obsessed with maintaining their privacy. They were also impulsive and unpredictable, and driven by their whims.
 * Angeleno: Though centered on the Los Angeles - San Diego axis, the Angeleno stretches far into the mojave desert and the arid interior of southern California. The Angelenos consider themselves descendants of the stars themselves, and shines to small golden statues of "Oscar" are frequent attractions in their cities.
 * Calaotians: After the Cataclysm, the refugee Hmong, said to be from far across the great ocean, farther even then Hawai'i or Nippon, were better adapted than their native neighbors to survive the hardships and misery of the dark ages. While they are still a fairly distrusted minority, they dominate the southern reaches of the San Joaquin valley and the hills around it.


 * Khalifi: The descendants of the "Little Arabia" group of Arabs located in socal, particularly in LA, have flourished since Tiamat's reign, comprising the majority in several Socal counties. They take their influences from their Arabic lineage, the surrounding Spainish influences, and Old American culture.
 * Tehrangeleno: The descendants of the Iranian dispora located in Socal, they have remained distinct from the Khalifi.

Cities
Mostly the city-state consisting of Rosanzeru itself, with a couple suburban areas around the city proper.

Government
The Governor, called the Ondai, is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of The Eternal Emperor. Usually lasting until death, or dismissed by the Emperor, like all three positions in the Triumvirate. The Ondai is the supreme lord over Rosanzeru, with his word law, only overridden by the Emperor himself. The position also entails judicial oversight and some legislative powers. As of 2777, the Ondai does not command the Imperial Edokko Army or Imperial Edokko Navy units stationed in Rosanzeru, however a private police force called the Keisatsu are under his command.

The second-in-command is the head priest, the Seidai Kannushi (literally grand/prosperous priest) and the interpreter of the Emperors will.

In control of the Military is Shōgun, the supreme leader of all armed forces in North America.

Civil law
A set of harsh but fair laws have been implemented. The freedoms of religion, press, movement, property, and social and sexual equality. The right to collectivize into guilds is also guaranteed. However, the Keisatsu can and have taken people in the middle of the night, often due to perceived independence movement support.

Having immediately set up free public elementary and primary schooling, combined with a small geographic area, has led to Rosanzeru having the highest literacy rate on the west coast, if the the continent. The schools also allow them to place a heavy emphasis on moral and political instruction, a means of forming proper "Imperial Citizens" from early childhood, in addition to having and encouraging an inventive and entrepreneurial populace

Immigration laws
Strict immigration controls are set in place, helped by the limited area covered by Rosanzeru. The main reason for the limited immigration is the Edokko's desire to restrict independence movements. Trade and travel is allowed, with a type of passport system in place. Ondai police are allowed to freely check anyone's papers within Rosanzeru, detaining and usually deporting any violators.

Criminal law
Edokko citizens are encouraged to assist in maintaining public order, and they participate extensively in crime prevention campaigns, apprehension of suspects, and offender rehabilitation programs.

The officials who administer criminal justice are allowed considerable discretion in dealing with, often with similar crimes of similar severity receiving wildly different punishments.

Serious crimes such as murder and arson are punished by death. The Ondai maintains execution grounds outside the city, as a warning. The death penalty often carried collateral punishments. One was parading the criminal around town prior to execution. A similar one was public display of the criminal prior to execution. A third was public display of the severed head.

Samurai were often sentenced to commit seppuku in lieu of these forms of punishment. Seppuku is a term of suicide for the samurai.

For moderate offenses, offenders are either usually imprision or exiled, usually to the NCR, as the Edokko preferring to avoid lengthy jail sentences when dishonor and shame would do instead. Exiles are tattooed, marking them as such.

Finally for minor offenses such as fighting or theft, corporal punishment is common, with flogging the preferred choice for men and stockades for women. A convicted criminal could be sentenced to a maximum of 100 lashes. Samurai and priests were exempt from flogging, and the penalty was applied only to commoners. The convict was stripped of all outer clothing and struck about the buttocks and back. Light flogging provided for 10 to 50 lashes, while heavy flogging stipulated 60 to 100 strokes.

Confiscation exists as a punishment for merchants.

Military law
Consisting of mostly the Edokko themselves for their professionally trained combat units, they do accept natural born Californians in the auxiliary and logistical units, such as military mines, construction, and supply divisions. Promising foreign candidates can be trained as a samurai but not be given the title, instead called Bushi.

Prisoners of war have no rights other than what their captor deems necessary/fair.

Much like the NCR, laws pertaining to soldiers are quite severe. Cowardice before the enemy, especially desertion, is punished with death by beheading or immolation. Dishonorable conduct usually leads to a court-martial and may result in execution for particularly severe crimes.

Property Law
The Edokko instigated a thorough land reform program, selling on credit large tracts of land to peasants and several peasant co-ops, in a once mostly successful plan to effectively buy their loyality. The remainder has been granted to Edokko Samurai, allowing them to begin gaining political and economic power. Edokko land ownership has slowly increased as peasants, unable to afford both the loans and high taxes, sell their land to either the slowly growing local co-ops or to the Samurai themselves. Edokko ownership has reached roughly 50% by 2777.

Arcana Law
Having a limited amount of magic ability themselves, the Edokko are deeply distrustful of any magic user. Most Arcane magic is banned, while clerical magic is heavily regulated. Attempts by Yoosi Davis to slacken the laws have met much resistance in the past.

Shinto
Practicing a form of State Shintoism, the Edokko Dragonborn are some of the fiercest defenders of their faith. Usually believing that Bahamut, The Platinum King, is also the Eternal Emperor, they view the Emperor as their father and ancestor.

Shinto is an ancient religion that combines cultural rituals, animist spirit worship, and a limited number of Buddhist traditions. In the centuries after the calamity, veneration of the Emperor grew into a demand for absolute obedience. Today the Divine Emperor is hidden from the people and believed to be in a perfect, eternal state of meditation, while his will is carried out by a sprawling clerical bureaucracy.

The kami are worshiped at kamidana household shrines, family shrines, and public shrines. The latter are staffed by priests who oversee offerings to the kami and the provision of religious paraphernalia such as amulets to the religion's adherents. Other common rituals include the kagura ritual dances, age specific celebrations, and seasonal festivals. These festivals and rituals are collectively called matsuri.

According to Japanese mythology, there are eight million kami, and Shinto practitioners believe that they are present everywhere. They are not regarded as omnipotent, omniscient, or necessarily immortal.

Believing the Kami to be spread out in nature and that natural phenomena are divine itself, unofficial Shinto shrines have been built all over the west coast.

Infastructure
Using what limited magic they do have, the Edokko have prioritized an extensive irrigation system, based mostly on magical desalinization from the ocean itself, also producing valuable salt in the process.

As mentioned above, thanks to a joint Edokko-Gnome project, construction has begun on what amounts to a future trolley car network, potentially greatly increasing mobility around the city.

The Ruins of Tomorrowland, a near-mythical land of wonder and amazement that drew in visitors from across the world still exists. A landmark once representing the heights humanity had reached and could reach again, it was tragically razed to the ground by a particularly aggressive faction in a civil war early in California's history. The destruction was so thorough that none could bring themselves to say the true name of the complex, instead referring to it as "Tomorrow's Land" in reference to the hope it once sparked. The destruction would set of Zakariyya Ghazi's conquest of Socal, in order to avoid that pointless of bloodshed once again. He was buried there to remind his people that regardless of what one accomplishes in life, one cannot truly restore the past. Today it serves as the primary burial grounds for the Abbas dynasty and a prominent Imam Shrine surrounds his grave. The Edokko allow this practice to continue, seeking to avoid war but also maybe earn new allies within the Republic.

Defenses
The largest city, Rosanzeru, has a population of 200 thousand people, the second largest, Burbank, has 101 thousand. There are no other cities of note in the kingdom, and 12 towns. The remaining population lives in numerous small villages, isolated dwellings, etc.

The city proper of Rosanzeru has 7 active castles. Around the border is 30 castles, mostly in spots to defend the border at chokepoints where applicable or on the Eastern Wall.

Construction on an eastern wall (roughly 50 miles total) has been completed over the last century, designed to protect from the Long Beach area to Pomona, from both the NCR but also Arixan Legion, should the need arise.

Military
The Edokko military is arguably the most well trained, well supplied force on the mainland. Consisting of professionally trained samurai and a dangerous newly created and quickly trained flintlock Gansuringā units. A small army in comparison to the surrounding realms, they rely on their superior technology and training, along with a entrenched position.

The average Samurai possesses a flintlock rifle, at least one flintlock handgun, and their traditional double sword sets. Stories tell of singular samurai holding off dozens of Californian soldiers but their techniques and technology are slowly spreading to California and beyond, despite the Edokko's best efforts to the contrary.

Industry and Trade
Located in a relatively resource light area, the Edokko are here mostly for trade, trading exotic goods and services for the natural wealth of California to be imported back, or hoarded by the Triumvirate.

Commonly traded items include fine porcelains, clockworks of all types, swords and armored (both famed for their durability). Services include custom metalworking, construction, and many cultural services, such as geshia and acupuncture.

Foreign Relations
Most important to the Edokko is maintaining the tense truce that exists with California. The office of the Shoshidai exists solely for this purpose and has thus far been able to grease the appropriate wheels. The completion of the Eastern Wall did not help relations but has remained a road bump.

Otherwise with the exception of the Haida pirates, the Edokko purposely maintain at least amicable trading relationships with the other west coast realms. The Haida however are pursued and hunted for being thieves and pirates.

The Samurai Clans
Consisting of several families vying for political power and land in this new world, the Samurai are the most powerful Edokko force after The Triumvirate. They are as listed;
 * Watanabe Clan
 * Tsu Clan
 * Kato Clan
 * Nogami Clan
 * Hojo Clan
 * Matsue Clan
 * Sato Clan
 * Takeda Clan

The Shinobi
A covert agent or mercenary from Edokko California. The functions of a shinobi include espionage, deception, surprise attacks, and assassination. Their covert methods of waging irregular warfare are deemed dishonorable and beneath the honor of the samurai. The social origin of the Shinobi is seen as the reason they agree to operate in secret, trading their service for money without honor and glory.

Like the samurai, shinobi were born into the profession, where traditions were kept in, and passed down through the family. The shinobi was trained from childhood, as was also common in samurai families.

Outside the expected martial art disciplines, a youth studied survival and scouting techniques, as well as information regarding poisons and explosives.

Burakku Shikabane Tamashi
Translated to "Black Soul Society", it was imported with the Edokko when they took control of Los Angeles, without their knowledge, spreading since to greater California. A highly organized crime syndicate, are notorious for their strict codes of conduct, their organized fiefdom nature, and several unconventional ritual practices. Often controlling black markets, they also run an extensive underground magical trade where one can buy anything from weapons and magical accessories to souls and memories, with money being spread throughout the organization

=== The Wah Dragon Boyz  === A loosely organized crime syndicate dating back to several antediluvian gangs, they frequently engage in protection rackets, the illegal drug trade, and and illegal monster trade.

Hapag-Lloyd Trading Front
The largest trading company in California, they control a great deal of trade and are extremely wealthy. They are attempting to influence the Triumvirate into more friendly trade treaties and establish themselves as the most powerful trading company within the city

The Brotherhood of Steel
A Warforged clan dating to antediluvian America, they now serve the Republic as shock troopers and work closely with The Rangers. In Rosanzeru they are trying to learn the technological secrets, particularly metal working and clockwork.

The Followers of The Prime Mandate
Pro-imperialist underground society, intent on dismantling the Republic and restoring the Yudkows, in Rosanzeru they seek to empower independence movements and terrorize the Edokko populace.

The Five Finger Collective
The Thieves Guild

History
Established in 2667, during the Revolutionary period of California, the Edokko took advantage of a moment of weakness when they demanded a territorial base in Socal for trade so that Edokko merchants "may not be subject to the arbitrary caprice either of the Government of Sacramento, San Francisco or its local Authorities at the Sea-Ports of the Empire".

Los Angeles was chosen as San Diego was already the capital of Socal and LA was an existing trade hub next to the islands they already annexed from the Brethren. Edokko rule began with the occupation of the city on May 26th. Teitoku Kamui, commander-in-chief of Edokko forces in America, took formal possession of the island at Long Beach, where the Edokko banner was raised under a fire of joy from their Gansuringā.

Establishing a more permanent government would be initially difficult, until the Eternal Emperor personally stepped in and the current system was created. Originally though the three are notionally equal, this is rarely the case in reality, with the Shōgun usually holding the most power outside the Triumvirate due to his military connections and Seidai Kannushi inside the Triumvirate due to his direct connection to the Emperor, with the Ondai as the swing vote between the two.

Immediately after settling, they began construction on a defensive wall to the east, their most vulnerable flank. Using what limited magic and sorcerers they have, they would shape the earth into a wall about 20 ft tall and 15 ft wide, said to have taken inspiration for a much larger wall back across the seas.

Content with simply influencing their neighbors, the Republic, to maintain a trade friendly stance, the Edokko appear to have come as traders and merchants as opposed to outright conquerors, although rumors that this is just a vanguard force continue to persist. The Edokko themselves have not intergrated themselves much into the surrounding societies, believing themselves culturally superior, although the Tengu they brought over accidentally have spread throughout the west coast, inhabiting desolate and naturally beautiful areas.

However, Edokko culture and technology have slowly been blending into the surrounding realms, with the most noticable effect being the equipment of the Republic, especially their special forces, taking on more Edokko characteristics. Cultural blending has also taken place, particularly with the art of the geisha and sake becoming wildly popular.

They have been busy building a budding industrial center, public works, peaceful assimilation into the Empire, and removing Cetic influence since taking over the city and surrounding area. Agriculture, fishing, and industry have all increased tenfold since the Edokko arrived, with even a joint project with the gnomes hoping to produce electrical horses that will ride around tracks, like antediluvian San Francisco, and recently attempting to negotiate a Lightning Rail with the Republic itself.

Architecture
The Edokko have maintained the style of architecture they brought with them from Nippon, with the distinctive buildings being built almost exclusively after their arrival.

Nearly all buildings share common construction features. The floors are generally built on raised posts. This helps keep the building dry in the rainy season, allows cool air to circulate underneath when it is hot, and discourages most vermin (rats, mice, and snakes) from entering the building. The walls of these buildings are thin and do not support the weight of the roof (which is often quite large). Instead, carved support pillars and crossbeams hold up the roof. This allows many of the walls to be moveable, sliding or entirely removable. Owners can reshape the interiors of their houses depending on need.

Equally noticeable is the roof. This is almost always built along a single ridge-pole, rising to a high peak in the center and sweeping down into huge overhanging eaves. The roofs of Rosanzeru are tiled whenever possible (to reduce fire hazard), but wooden shingles, thatch, and reeds are also used. The eaves generally extend three feet or more beyond the line of the house, allowing for broad sheltered verandas to be built around the outside the building. In this way rain water is carried away from the insides of the house. Most houses have wooden shutters, extending from floor to ceiling, that can be fitted under these eaves during times of storm. Some have hinged shutters that swing up into the rafters when not in use.

Inside, ceilings are often not built and the crosswork of rafters that support the roof is exposed. Indeed, walls do not always reach to the top.

Ornamentation is very simple and unobtrusive as a rule. Natural colors are favored, although brass and gilt are used by those who can afford it. For most people there is a deliberate attempt to make the building harmonize with the natural surroundings as much as possible. To help achieve this harmony, buildings are laid out according to specific proportions and arrangements. There is normally a central room or area around which all else is built. The proportions are normally on the order of two units of length on two sides to three units on the other two. Obviously, these proportions are not absolute and there are many variations, especially in the homes of commoners. However, in the houses of samurai and nobles the rules of dimensions and proportions become more and more rigid, since each change reflects a change in the status of the owner. Bonsai often are planted in exterior wall niches.

Tucked away on many a street or in the corner of a market are small shrines and notice boards. The shrines, tended by the neighbors, are almost like tiny huts. It is normal for offerings of incense or sake to be placed at their entrances. The noticeboards are roofed to protect from rain and are plastered by many official pronouncements.

The streets are narrow and often crowded with stalls.

Geography & Climate
Rosanzeru is a city built on a coastal plane nestled between two mountain ranges and a hilly peninsula. Below the mountain peaks are canyons, valleys, deserts, rivers, lakes and ocean beaches.

Rosanzeru, actually a gigantic metropolis made up of dozens of different neighborhoods, occupies every nook and cranny of this incredibly diverse topography, from the high snowy peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains to the sun-kissed sands of Venice Beach.

Lying between mountain ranges formed millions of years ago, the city is in the middle of a huge sand bowl that came to be known as the LA basin. Although most of it is arid land, there are actually several lakes in the Rosanzeru area. The largest are Castaic Lake in Castaic and Pyramid Lake near Gorman. There are also several rivers. At 97 miles long, the Los Angeles River is the longest, although mostly a narrow, mostly ruined concrete-lined rain run-off channel. There are also coastal wetlands. The largest one remaining is Ballona Creek near Marina Del Rey, which harbors a small Lizardfolk community.

The Santa Monica Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains surround the north and eastern boundaries of the city. The snow-capped peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains often contrast with the Rosanzeru city skyline. These mountains range in height from under 3,000 feet to over 10,000 feet at Mt. Baldy. The Santa Monica range to the east averages under 3,000 feet in height. Rather than the pine forests that grace the highlands of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Santa Monica Mountains feature coastal sage scrub, chaparral and oak woodlands. The 1,600-foot-tall peak of Mt. Hollywood in the Hollywood hills at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains is home to the Griffith Fortress. It also faces Mt. Lee, host to the world-famous Hollywood sign, maintained by the Angelenos since the reign of Tiamat.

The geographical features typifying Los Angeles more than anything else are the beaches lining the Santa Monica Bay which forms Rosanzeru's western boundary. Some of these beaches are wide and sandy. Some abut cliffs or palisades. Some feature rolling dunes of sand. Others are simply piles of small rocks.

Natural Resources
While the city exists more as a trade hub than anything else, there is some light industry. Wood is harvested from the mountains and there is a large fishing community. Small ranches and farms dot the surrounding area. Most notably, a blossoming Craftsman industry is in demand, with Edokko swords, guns, and armors all highly sought after.

Hospitality Rituals
First, the custom of leaving the katana at the door of a castle or palace when entering while continuing to wear the wakizashi inside.

The host will provide each character with a pair of soft tabi and zori for his feet. It is improper social behavior to wear outdoor footgear in any building except the stable. Persons of culture wear tabi and zori. Next the host serves small ritual cups of tea. Drinking these shows acceptance of the host's hospitality. Refusal to do so is improper social behavior.

After tea, bath is prepared if nighttime, and the guest is led to a changing room, where they must doff their clothes before entering the bath. Guests can bathe in shifts to guard their possessions, but failure to bathe is improper social behavior. The bath itself consists of a short scrub while standing beside one of the tubs, followed by a long, luxurious soak in the tub’s steaming hot, perfumed water. When each bather finishes, he will find that his clothes have been neatly folded and that a bright, fresh kimono has been provided. The kimonos are provided for use during the character’s stay and failure to wear them is a breach of social behavior.

In the morning time, breakfast is laid out on a low table surrounded by cushions. The breakfast can include a pot of strong green tea, a large serving bowl of cold umeboshi (sour pickled plums), bowls of rice and sheets of nori (dried seaweed to be crumbled into the rice or used as a wrapper into which rice is stuffed).

The New Year
This festival begins on the first day of the year with the ritual visit to the local shrines and temples. Prayers are made for fortune and good health in the coming year. Streets and shops are brightly decorated. Friends exchange small gifts and special New Year’s cakes are made. Shukenja and sohei have special observances to make for the first 12 days of the year.

Second of March
Young girls are honored in the Doll Festival. Each year girls are given elaborate dolls and special performances are held at the shrines. The dolls often become treasured items to be passed on from generation to generation.

Twenty Ninth of June
This day is known as the Lover’s Festival and is marked by romantic liasons and small intimate parties under the night sky. It recalls the tale of two lovers separated for every day of the year but this one. Symbolic of this are two stars in the sky united to each other on this night by the bridge of the Milky Way. First of Chuang: On the first day of the festival of the dead, special celebrations are made for the new harvest. A large banquet of fish and sweet rice cakes is prepared and offerings of food are made to the gods and ancestors of the family. The temples hold special religious dances which the nobles attend.

Twenty Seventh of July - First of August
This long running festival is held in honor of the dead. During this time special meals are prepared, tombs are visited, and prayers are said requesting aid and blessing of ancestors. During this time unwholesome spirits are particularly active.

Second of August
The festival of the dead is ended by a separate and distinct event, the Procession of the Lanterns. On the night of the sixth day, the young men of the shrines march in a procession, each group beginning at its own grounds and converging on the sea. Each man carries a pole festooned with lit lanterns and each temple vies to have its strongest youth carry the most lanterns on a single pole. It is normal for up to 50 lanterns to be carried by one man. Upon reaching the sea, an elder shukenja of the shrine says prayers over the group and sets the lanterns afire. Blazing, the poles are hurled into the sea. This is said to carry the prayers of the townsfolk to those who have died at sea. Bad omens from this festival predict poor fishing and ill luck on the ocean for the next year.

Fourth of September
The quiet and comtemplative Chrysanthemum Festival is held to observe the blossoms and remember friends who are absent. Friends make pilgrimages to the peaks of nearby mountains and raise a glass of chrysanthemum wine to their dear friends. People normally wear a sprig of holly in their belts or hair on this day.

The Fox Spirit
"As you continue along the trail/road, you hear a cry for help from a dense thicket."If they investigate, they find a fox caught in a trap. This is actually Tai, a fox spirit, who was accidentally caught while hunting. If released, Tai tries to discover the PCs’ business and offers a favor

The Cherry Grove
"The travel through the wild lands has been tiring. As you approach the coast, you hear the roar of distant waves crashing. As you continue onward, it seems to sing a sad lament."Those characters listening closely to the lament (Perception ) hear actual crying coming from the hills away from the sea. If any choose to investigate the sound it becomes more distinct as they approach."A young maiden, sitting on a hilltop beneath an ancient cedar, looks out to sea and weeps. There is something unnatural about the maid, and a garland of cherry blossoms decorates her hair."The maid is Sei, a lesser nature spirit (cherry tree). She at first seems shy and demure. If questioned about her weeping, she mentions that she mourns the death of her kin and the kidnaping of one of her cousins. As long as the PCs are friendly, she invites them to her home. If the characters refuse, she bids them sadly on their way. "The maid’s home is an enchanting cherry grove hidden within a tangle of gorse and dogwood. Upon stepping into the clearing, the you are suddenly surrounded by a dozen spirits stepping from the trees with bows drawn."If the PCs attack instead of showing restraint, the girl intervenes, but she will not later give them the magical cherry pits.

The maid introduces the characters to her clan.

The Oni's Bodyguards
An Oni has a special bodyguard of 12 human children. Captured when they were four to five years old, these children have been reared by the oni. Their lives have been hard and they are almost totally wild and savage. They are armed with spears but are not allowed armor. Knowing no other life, they are almost perfectly loyal to the oni.

The Burnt Orchard
Here is the ruin of a once lovely cherry orchard. All that remains are a few fire-blackened skeletons of these graceful trees and the cruelly hacked stumps of their sisters. A sense of loss and mourning pervades the air.