Campaign: Duties and Oaths

1. Establishing and Developing a Bastion

   • Build and expand the party's foothold through the Bastion System.
   • Invest resources earned from expeditions, taxes, and alliances to develop the bastion’s infrastructure, defenses, and influence.
   • Manage relationships with the local towns and villages under Clan Yurami's protection, earning their trust or forcing compliance.

2. Monster Hunter-Style Expeditions

   • Venture into the untamed wilderness to hunt deadly dinosaurs and mythical creatures that threaten settlements or hold valuable resources.
   • Uncover the secrets of the land, such as hidden artifacts or ancient shrines tied to the divine pantheon of the Nagan Empire.
   • Use cunning tactics and teamwork to overcome the monstrous challenges, as magic will be scarce and hard-won.

3. Clan Politics and Rivalry

   • Navigate the treacherous waters of Yurami politics, with various Samurai lords scheming for power.
   • Handle the growing threat of Clan Liadon, whose warriors and spies seek to undermine Yurami's rule.
   • Make alliances—or enemies—among the other lords, shaping the fate of the Protectorate and the party's standing.

4. Martial Prowess and Supernatural Encounters

   • Engage in dynamic, blade-on-blade combat with rival samurai, bandits, and rebellious warriors.
   • Encounter supernatural threats sparingly but powerfully, such as evil spirits, divine interventions, or artifacts of immense power.
   • Explore the role of honor and duty, with the weight of the samurai code influencing choices and consequences.

Martial Combat and Tactical Challenges

The campaign will emphasize grounded combat encounters where strategy and preparation matter as much as raw power. With a focus on martial skill:

• Mastery of Weapons and Techniques:
  Characters will need to understand and use the strengths of various martial weapons and techniques. For example, a well-timed thrust could counter a charging dinosaur, while a precise bowshot might disable a flying predator.
• Teamwork in Encounters:
  Tactical positioning, formation strategies, and role specialization will be vital. Encounters may involve overwhelming enemies requiring careful prioritization or multi-phase battles against formidable foes, such as a tyrannosaur or rival samurai commander.
• Resource Management:
  Supplies such as healing items, ammunition, and specialty tools like bolas, nets, or climbing gear will need to be rationed wisely, especially during extended expeditions.
• Occasional Supernatural Moments:
  Most encounters will be grounded in realism, but key battles may feature supernatural elements, such as a spirit-possessed samurai or a monstrous creature empowered by an ancient artifact, providing rare but memorable moments.

Bastion Building and Management

The bastion will reflect the party’s growing influence and ability to shape the Protectorate. Its development is both a mechanical and narrative cornerstone:

• Customization:
  Players will make decisions on how to allocate resources, from constructing defensive walls or barracks to commissioning specialized buildings like monster stables, smithies, or arcane research labs.
• Story Integration:
  Each upgrade will tie into the campaign's progression. Building a watchtower could reveal enemy activity earlier, while investing in trade infrastructure may lead to alliances with wealthy merchants or new supply chains.
• Impact on the Region:
  The bastion's growth will ripple outward. A strong fortress may discourage bandit raids but draw the attention of rival samurai lords. Alternatively, focusing on diplomacy and economic prosperity might win the favor of towns but leave defenses lacking.
• Dynamic Threats:
  Rivals or monsters may challenge the bastion, prompting the party to defend or repair it. Political intrigue could also lead to sabotage or betrayal from within.

Immersive Political Intrigue

Clan Yurami's leadership is fracturing, with the current clan leader nearing his end and no clear successor in place. This creates a volatile political landscape:

• Ambitions of Samurai Lords:
  Each lord within the clan has their own goals, whether to claim leadership, expand influence, or protect tradition. The party’s interactions with these lords will shape alliances and rivalries. For example, siding with a progressive lord might alienate traditionalists but unlock access to innovative tactics or resources.
• The Succession Crisis:
  The inevitable death of the current clan leader will force the party to pick a side—or seize power for themselves. Their standing within the clan and Protectorate will be determined by the alliances they forge and the outcomes of their choices.
• Factional Dynamics:
  The party must navigate the interplay between traditionalists, reformists, and opportunists within Clan Yurami, all while contending with external threats like Clan Liadon.

Monster Hunting and Exploration

The Protectorate's dense jungles and rugged terrain are teeming with life, both mundane and mythical. These wildlands hold danger and discovery in equal measure:

• Monster Battles:
  Battles against massive dinosaurs or legendary beasts will test the party's combat prowess and ingenuity. A hunt for a rampaging stegosaurus may require luring it into a trap, while fighting a winged predator could involve aerial maneuvers or scaling tough terrain.
• Exploration of Ancient Ruins:
  Hidden within the wilderness are ruins from the Nagan Empire’s past, such as temples dedicated to forgotten gods or remnants of earlier protectorates. These ruins may contain artifacts of divine power or clues about the region’s spiritual history.
• Tracking and Hunting Mechanics:
  Players will need to track their quarry, deciphering signs like broken vegetation, disturbed ground, or monster calls. Success may depend on preparation, with tools like bait or environmental manipulation giving an edge.

Moral and Ethical Dilemmas

As the party enforces Clan Yurami’s rule over the Protectorate, they’ll face complex decisions about governance and justice:

• Taxation and Local Support:
  Will the party impose heavy taxes to bolster the bastion’s growth or take a lighter approach that fosters goodwill but limits resources? Their reputation among the towns and villages will depend on their choices.
• Dealing with Rebels and Outlaws:
  Bandits and rival samurai may challenge the party’s authority. Will they negotiate, show mercy, or ruthlessly eliminate threats? Each choice may have political and personal consequences.
• Honor vs. Pragmatism:
  As samurai retainers, the party must balance their personal ambitions against the code of honor. A ruthless but effective decision may secure the bastion but draw scorn from allies who value tradition.
• Shaping the Protectorate’s Legacy:
  The party’s decisions will ultimately determine whether Clan Yurami’s rule is seen as just and strong or oppressive and divisive. Their legacy will affect not only their bastion but also the entire region's future.