The Dawn of Broken Banners
The Dawn of Broken Banners
“Break the supply line. Expose the traitor. Shatter the banner before dawn.”
— Hook · Military sabotage and fortress defense
“Kagemori Fortress is surrounded, and its defenders will lose the battle unless the enemy's supplies and battlefield command are broken before dawn. Lady Masako Takamori asks you to cross the occupied mountains, destroy the Kuroda supply train, uncover a traitor within the fortress, and strike the invading general at the moment his army commits to its final assault.”
— Hook · Military sabotage and fortress defense
The party is brought to a war room beneath Kagemori Fortress while distant drums shake dust from the ceiling. A map shows red markers surrounding the fortress, blue markers dwindling along the walls, and a single mountain road marked with black ink. Lady Masako explains that the Kuroda army will attack at dawn, but their victory depends on supplies arriving through Cedar Pass and false signals from within Kagemori. She offers the party command seals, local guides, and whatever aid can be spared.
Lady Masako Takamori
Lady Masako summons the party to a sealed war room shortly after they arrive at Kagemori. She treats them as independent agents because the fortress command structure may already be compromised.
Rumours
d5 · table- 01The Kuroda army carries no winter provisions, suggesting that General Akimoto expects the war to end before the next snowfall.
- 02A black lantern seen on Kagemori's eastern tower appears only when the fortress commander changes shifts.
- 03Villagers say General Akimoto once spared an enemy settlement, but no one agrees on why.
- 04The Kuroda standard bears a crane with one broken wing, a symbol associated with an old succession dispute.
- 05A wandering swordmaster called Lady Chiyo has been seen near both armies and may be choosing which side deserves victory.
If the party fails, Kagemori falls at dawn, its civilians are exposed to reprisals, and House Kuroda gains control of the province's mountain passes. If they succeed, the fortress survives and the political balance of the region shifts in their favor.
Background Lore
For three generations, the coastal province of Aokiri has been ruled by the House of Takamori, whose shoguns maintain peace through strict laws, disciplined armies, and a network of fortified mountain roads. Now Lord Shingen of the rival House Kuroda has invaded with a larger force and surrounded the Takamori stronghold of Kagemori. The defenders can still win, but only if the enemy's supply chain and battlefield command are disrupted before the final assault.
Kagemori Fortress is surrounded by the army of House Kuroda. The defenders can survive only if a small group destroys the enemy's supply train, exposes a traitor inside the fortress, and defeats or drives away General Akimoto before dawn. The mission is a race against time, and every delay gives the invaders another advantage.
