Ryoko Owari Toshi Journeys End City (2nd Largest City in the Empire).

Aka: City of
Lies, City of Stories, City of Green Walls, City That Dung Built, Ryoko Owari or
Reeking Scorpion Cesspool (Crab)
Control of the city changed hands several times over the years, but Ryoko Owari
always retained its reputation for being a hotbed of criminal activity, having many
gambling dens, geisha houses and opium parlors. The city maintained a mask of
legitimacy as Rokugan's center for medicinal opium trade. Poppies were grown in
vast fields that surround the city, and it's involvement in the opium trade (both legal
and illegal) made the city very profitable for its rulers.
Shosuro Kaneie - 1st governor?
Shosuro Kurodo - 6th governor
Shosuro Atsusuke - 12th Governor
Shosuro Sokichi - 13th Governor
Shosuro Kohei 16th Governor (Accused of plotting against Bayushi Jo, Haunts the
Old Shosuro Temple)
Shosuro Sanekata - Governor during Crab Invasion.
Current Ruler: Shosuro Akane (Female) Widow of Shoshuro Sanekata (Acting Regent
until their son decides to take the title of Governor)
History
Founding
The city was founded by Shosuro Kaneie in the 5th century under the rule of Hantei
IX. It was a simple fort which stood against the expansionistic ambitions of the Crab
Clan, with a nearby small town north of the fort named the "Journey's End" in hopes
of attracting settlers. The city would be known as the "City of Green Walls" because
the original city walls were quarried from local limestone.
Growing in size
The city was still a small fort under the rule of the Sixth Governor, Shosuro Kurodo.
His ground-breaking policies led to the prosperity of the city that would lead Ryoko
Owari to become the second biggest city of the Empire. It was also under his reign
when the kajinin firemen appeared. The river that neatly bisected the village soon
became an attraction for merchants from other clans, and the village soon became
a city. The fertile fields surrounding the city were home to vast crops of opium,
harvested, processed, and distributed for medicinal purposes.
The Garbage Rebellion Edit

The Garbage Rebellion was begun when the Twelfth Governor, Shosuro Atsusuke,
taxed collecting refuse, breaking a Kurodo's promise. Atsasuke eventually was
forced to overturn his decision. Since that time the eta communities of Ryoko Owari
were known as the Leatherworkers.
The Crab Invasion Edit
Early in the seventh century (616-??), (During the reign of Hantei the XVII) Crab
forces seized Ryoko Owari during the Crab Invasion of Scorpion lands, and held it for
a little more than a year. The crab took the city in Seven Days, the Thunderguard
were no match for the Crab army. Hida Atsushige took the city and implemented
martial law. The Scorpion Governor withdrew to Shiro no Shosuro and waited for the
vice and sin of his city to destroy the crab army. The Crab held the city for a little
over a year but were plagued by vice and sin as the Scorpion Governor predicted.
The Crab were not able to press their military advantage and invade the
surrounding areas, failing to take Yogo Castle. Mantis Mercenaries (Wave Men)
harassed the crab forces at every turn and Atsushige and his men abandoned the
city. The Liberation Day Festival is a local holiday to be held every year to honor the
return of Shosuro Sanekata, the governor of Ryoko Owari at the time, who had
predicted that the Crab could never hold his city. (1 st Day of the month of the Ox
(February))
Recently Mantis Mercenaries (Wave Men) are hired by Bayushi Hideari (Clan
Daimyo) to quell the rebellion of peasants rioting in the city over food shortages and
price inflation. Hideari saves the city from Imperial intervention but spends a
fortune in the process.

Notable Locations
Fisherman Quarter: The noisy quarter had a strong odor of fish and stale
water, it had narrow and cramped roads, and the buildings were of one or
two stories. Fishing, freight, and storage were the most important industries,
but also brewers and potters were located there. The fish, rice, or opium,
collected all around the city came and was unloaded at the docks. A black
market of everything flourished around them.The kajinin of this quarter were
the Fire Eaters and the Moment's Edge Firemen.
The North Rim: The corrupted Moment's Edge Firemen kajinin were
responsible for fire fighting.
Northwest Dock: the dock was not very deep and it was specialized in
more expensive items.

Fisherman's Gate: it was used to sell the fishermen's wares to the

farmers on the countryside nearby, and by farmers moving their goods
into the city.
Madame Yakkoku's: located in the path between Fisherman's Gate to
Teak Street. It was the house of Yakkoku.
The Juniper Teahouse: A three story building in the North Rim
neighborhood. In the first floor they serve sake, which is free for the
Thunder Guards. The second floor is where the chiefs of the kajinin
Moment's Edge Firemen made their homes. The attic has its floor
covered with mattresses, to smoke illegal opium.
The Crab Caves: The Crab Caves is one of the neighborhoods of the
Fisherman Quarter. It lies between the Wretched Gate and Timber Street. The
name of this neighborhood was earned when the Crab army of Hida Atsushige
was seduced and broken, ensuing the Liberation Day. The Fire Eaters kajinin
were responsible for firefighting. It was the location of city's first brothel
district, but since the licensing of Teardrop Island, it became a second-rate
nightless city. The biggest fish city market was located there.
Houses of Lean Meat: two houses joined together owned by the
gambler Lean Meat.
Madame Karaku's Inn: A brothel in the Crab Caves neighborhood at
Ryoko Owari Toshi. Old, used-up prostitutes went, making it the
cheapest brothel. It was run by Madame Karaku.
The Fisherman's Dock: where the small fishing boats unload fresh fish
for the market. The Moonfish eyes were high priced. Moonfish was an
elusive fish which was hunted during night in the River of Gold. Raw
moonfish eyes were prized as aphrodisiacs.
The Peasant's Gate: it was used by poachers who did not have access
to a boat.
The Wretched Gate: beyond this gate was the Leatherworker Quarter,
the eta neighborhood.
The Loops: It covered the dockside around the three wharves between
Juniper Loop and Pine Loop, and back to Salmon Avenue. The Fire Eaters and
Moment's Edge Firemen kajinin overlapped their territories there for
firefighting. Sailors and stevedores made up the bulk of the neighborhoods
people.
Ash Street Dock: the dock off of Ash Street was primarily used for the
transport of rice. There were coopers, warehouses, and sake brewers.

Timber Dock: it was an old dock off of Forest Street, which predated
the city wall. Timber was hauled down there. Arrow Road became
Forest Street after the Ryoko Owari Toshi's wall was built. At that time a
coalition of merchants from Arrow Road lobbied successfully to have
the gate put by their street. It then became much easier for the
foresters to bring their wares to the dock at the end of that street.
Blossom Dock: the dock off of Timber Street. Here the legal opium
poppies were stored and shipped. The Fire Eaters heavily protected this
area.

Leatherworker Quarter: The first pleasure section at Ryoko Owari was

located in the current Leatherworker Quarter, too close to the Noble Quarter.
After the Lion invasion this area was destroyed, and the Governor legislated
to conduct those activities onto Teardrop Island, where they could be more
readily isolated from the rest of society. The eta settled in the ruins, because
the Bridge of the Dragon allowed the leatherworkers to clean the Noble
Quarter much more quickly. The quarter had a distinctive smell produced by
the type of work that named it. The aspect of the area was flat because there
were few structures above one story. Their unpaved roads made brown the
predominant colour, being the buildings covered with mud. The inhabitants
were not allowed to dye their clothes. The majority of mortuary workers
stayed near the cemetery in the Little Shadowlands, the kageshiru kept to
the south in the Festering Pit, and the proper leather workers lived in the
Dragon's Shadow.
Dragon's Shadow: The neighborhood stretched about a mile upstream and a
half a mile downstream from the Bridge of the Dragon, which connected it to
the Noble Quarter. The residents were involved in leather trade and the
wealthy saddle makers.
The Great House: it was the house of the Leatherworkers community
and where he met with other community leaders to discuss matters.
The Well: it was the meeting place for the leatherworkers when they
had a little leisure time.
The Festering Pit: This was where the the Kageshiru, or stinkers, gathered
their wares before selling them to the local farmers.

Blossom Hill: it was called because of the opium poppy blooms could
be seen from
Here in the proper season.
The Marketplace: fertilizer was gathered here with carts. Samurai castoffs were also traded.
The Little Shadowlands: It is bordered on the west by the city cemetery, and
on the northeast by the city wall. The smell there was of smoke which came
from the crematorium.
The crematorium: The Crematorium is a tall three-story stone building
inside The Little Shadowlands. A plain flight of steps ascended to the
second floor, where bodies were viewed and prepared. The third floor
was storage, both for bodies and for funeral trappings. The lowest floor
housed the furnaces.
The Burning Gate: it was the area right outside the Wretched Gate, and
it gained its name for the smoke produced by the opium consumers
there.
The Houses of the Torturers: residence of the city's torturers.

Merchant Quarter: The Merchant Quarter of Ryoko Owari Toshi was the
heart of the city. Hundreds of merchants plied their trades there each day,
clogging the narrow roads. There was little political or direct criminal
activities in this area, as illegal substances were more commonly stored in
the many warehouses along the lakeshore and some smuggling was done on
the wharves. Whenever tragedy had struck Ryoko Owari, the Merchant
Quarter was always the first section of town to be rebuilt. The kajinin of this
quarter were the Little Gate Firemen, the Firemen of Daikoku's Garden, and
the Strong Arm Firemen.
Two Gates:Two Gates was one of the neighborhoods of the Merchant Quarter at
Ryoko Owari Toshi. It lied between the northeast wall of the city, down to the Gate of
Increasing Fortunes, then along Topaz Avenue to the Bay of Drowned Honor. Middle
class merchants, the better class of sake brewers, potters, and artisans lived there,
with shops highly specialized as wheelwrights, paper mills, weavers of sails and
coarse peasant garments. The kajinin of this quarter were the Strong Arm Firemen.
Ki-Rins Gate: It was built to lead to the provinces of the former Ki-Rin clan
but the plan to construct a road through the mountains was forgotten due to
difficulty. It became a meeting place for foreigners and those who sell foreign
goods. It is flanked by pillars of gold-flecked purple stone.

The Gate of Increasing Fortunes: It leads to the Scorpion Clan's eastern half.
An image of Daikoku sits on both sides of the gate. There are many tea
houses, sake houses, and many, many inns, which included geisha houses.
Southern Treasures: a general merchandise shop. It was labeled as
Whispers Antiques, Artifacts and Oddities.

Moment's Edge Bridge; The Moment's Edge Bridge crosses the River of Gold and
joins the East and West sides of Ryoko Owari Toshi. It was named for the words said
by Togashi Nyoko upon her lethal duel against Hida Raiden, who quickly fell under
Nyoko's blade. The bridge's gates went down into the water preventing warships
from entering the city from upstream. Beside, the Bridge of Drunken Lovers was not
gated.
The Wharves: The wharves consists of the deep docks on the south and east sides
of the Bay of Drowned Honor which stretched back to Silver Avenue. They docked
only large merchant barges. It suffers spring floods. The Kajinin of this quarter were
the Strong Arm Firemen.
The Northeast Wharf: varied imported cargoes were unloaded here, and the
ships carried away sake, pottery, and medical opium. It came under the
control of the Black Lotus Cartel.
The Iron Wharf: this was where shipments of Crab iron were unloaded.
The Grand Wharf: This was where the largest and most expensive barges
docked.
Downhill: Downhill stretches from the Gate of Condescension to somewhere around
the Grand Wharf. Its southeast boundary was Gold Avenue. The kajinin of this
quarter were the Little Gate Firemen, the most honorable and dutiful of Ryoko
Owari's fire fighters. Many of the merchants sold crafts or services that were of
interest to samurai such as sword polishers, saddlemakers, tailors and sculptors of
netsuke.
The Little Gate: a thick tiny gate with a door in the center called 'the
neeedle's eye'. A great iron bell was on top to be rang if ever attacked.
The Little Dock: the city's smallest dock made for pleasure. Boats departed
from there to the Licensed Quarter.
Seven Corners: it was the city's busiest intersection, made of Copper Avenue,
Quicksilver Diagonal, and Alabaster Street with the terminus of a footpath
towards the Grand Wharf.
Jotomon's Dojo: Sensei (Kitsuki Jotomon)

Climbing Towards Heaven: house of the finest carpenter in the city.

Inn of the Orange Blossom: The Inn of the Orange Blossom is located on the
corner of Saffron Street and Brass Avenue, in the Downhill neighborhood of
the Merchant Quarter. It was a quaint little inn, with a few rooms upstairs, and
tables downstairs, run by a Yasuki merchant.

Fields of Gold: It is the wealthiest heimin city's neighborhood. It stretched from the
Garden of Daikoku to the wall around the Noble Quarter, bordered by Monk's Edge
Avenue to the southeast and by Gold Avenue on its opposite side. The kajinin of this
quarter were the Firemen of Daikoku's Garden.
Daikoku's Garden was built and paid for by area merchants to show their
gratitude to Daikoku, the Fortune who has blessed the city with such
prosperity. It is two different gardens with different styles. The Garden of
Contemplation was a zen garden tended by the Monks of Daikoku, while the
Poppy Garden had gone slightly wild with a mix of blooms and weeds, but it
was thick of visitors.
Star of Silver: a silver smithy.
Speed of the Northlands: horse shop and stables

Temple Quarter: The Temple Quarter of Ryoko Owari Toshi was one of the
quietest of the city's Quarters.
Daikoku's Shadow: Daikoku's Shadow was one of the neighborhoods of the Temple
Quarter at Ryoko Owari Toshi. It stretched between the Pious Gate and the Temple of
Daikoku, and then between the city wall and Monk's Edge Avenue. The area held the
great temples of the city, and was one of the few areas free of kajinin gangs, being
the temples protected by the monks of Daikoku itself.
The Gate of Oni's Teeth: crossed by Mountain Goblin's Rest Road, from where
came the Crab commerce and the goods from the Beiden Pass. The first gate
was replaced with a structure honoring the lovers Riko and Okami after they
freed Ryoko Owari Toshi from Hukuro no Oni, the dreadful Owl With Teeth.
New Temple of Shoshuro:

Temple of Bayushi:
Temple of Osano-Wo:
Temples to the Fortunes:
Temple of Daikoku: The Temple of Daikoku was the center of power for the
Order of Daikoku. It was located within the Temple Quarter, in the Daikoku's
Shadows district, the tallest structure in Ryoko Owari and one of the richest of
the city. The temple had a giant statue of the Fortune of Wealth, Daikoku,
which was carved from a pink flawless stone. Apart from their religious
duties, the Monks of Daikoku patrolled part of the Temple Quarter to put out
any fires there. They were known for eccentric or even bizarre behavior. It
was told that several monks went to a gambling house on Teardrop Island
and, after being presented with the choice to participate or leave, bankrupted
the house with a flawless display of gambling prowess. Owners of every
major gambling house made donations to the temple on a regular basis.
The Pious Gate: Also known as the Sevenfold Gate, was between the Noble
Quarter and the Temple Quarter of Ryoko Owari Toshi. Across the top was the
Lucky Boat of the Seven Fortunes carved from the local green limestone. The
brass fronted doors were a gift from the Crane Clan. The sides facing the
Temple Quarter each contained eight panels depicting events from the lives
of Hantei Jimmu Tenno and the Seven Kami. The sides facing the Noble
Quarter had eight panels depicting events from the lives of Shinsei and the
Seven Thunders. It was called Sevenfold Gate for this depiction of seven
Thunders, Fortunes and Kami.
The Temple of Amaterasu: The Temple was built to honor the Sun Goddess. It
was a structure built of a stunning white limestone. A dazzling golden mirror
globe rested upon the tall central pillar. The ball was rumored it was made of
gold and gifted by the Dragon of Fire itself, and any who tried to steal was
consumed in fires. It dated from the Fifth Governor and it was said the place
to find white limestone vein was guided by Amaterasu herself.
The Small Holies
The small neighborhood was made up of a large number of shrines and
Fortunist temples, as this section of the city was reserved for lesser Fortunes.
Many were combined together into small, single temples to save space. Isora,
Fortune of the Seashore, and Suitengu, Fortune of the Sea, for example both
shared a temple with other marine related Fortunes.
The kajinin of this quarter were the Temple Road Firemen. They consisted
primarily of devout young men who considered their duty a sacred task that
they must fulfill in order to fulfill their destiny in the mortal realm.

Old Temple of Shosuro: The Old Temple of Shosuro was one of the two
temples at Ryoko Owari Toshi dedicated to the Thunder Shosuro, and it was
crumbling almost into ruin. The ghost of Shosuro Kohei (16th Governor)
haunted the temple, and it was abandoned. A new temple is under
construction to honor the founder of the Shosuro family. Kohei had committed
seppuku within the old temple after he was convicted as member of a plot
against the Scorpion Clan Champion Bayushi Jo. He had not betrayed his lord
and when Kohei was dying in agony he swore his spirit would not rest until
the stain was taken from his name.
The Temple of Sadahako, Fortune of Geisha and Artists:

Licensed Quarter / Teardrop Island

The Floating World / Ukiyo: Entertainment Quarter. No fireman (Kajinin).
Leatherworkers are not allowed to enter the Licensed Quarter.
The Island Dock: The only legitimate way to enter Teardrop Island. Guarded by the
Thunderguard
Swords Polished: No weapons are allowed to enter the Licensed Quarter. Swords are
polished by a skillful technician.

The Island Garden: Lavish pleasure garden. Opium is openly smoked here.
House of Foreign Stories: Geisha House, Tea House & Gambling Den. Gaijin
entertainers tell foreign stories, tales, songs here. The gaijin women serve foreign
drinks here. Foreign works of art are also sold here. Tobacco, Sake and Opium are
openly consumed in the main hall. The Gaijin Magda runs the place. The rooms
upstairs were smaller and more intimate than the main ones found on the ground
floor. The balconies of exterior chambers allowed a great view of the Island Garden
and the Pleasure Road. The inner chambers were reserved for the owners and the
women who resided there.
House of Plum Blossom: This non descript location could only be found by someone
with bizarre or exotic appetites or those looking for it with a knowledge of its
existence. (Protected by Scorpion Magic). The house was prepared to satisfy ninjo,
those desires and urges that would show weakness if indulged publicly. Some were
harmless as smoking opium, but other passions were bizarre, dangerous, and
violent. Many young innocents came into the house to never be seen again, or if
they were, their faces could not be recognized. It was a house of brutality, savagery
and unspeakable cruelty. The woman who operated the house was not a woman at
all, but a demon in human form.
House of the Morning Star: Geisha House. It is a large, graceful and traditional onestory geisha house. Its decoration with style and taste, with a well-tended garden
and pond. Its purpose is to satisfy expectations, and it does so. In its heyday,it
rivaled the House of Foreign Stories as the second most prestigious geisha house on
Teardrop Island.
House of the Red Lotus: The House of the Red Lotus is a geisha house in Ryoko
Owari, and one of the most beautiful places there according to many.
House of Water Lilies: Another geisha house. It is a fairly recent establishment in the
Licensed Quarter (opened in the late 11th century). Other geisha houses looked
down upon the Water Lilies with derision, calling them little sisters. It was clean and
polished building, with sparkling hardwood floors and beautifully carved artwork on
the roof pillars. It was near the water's edge, in the center of Teardrop Island, just
across the street from the House of Foreign Stories.

Noble Quarter
The Old Section: Home to almost every Scorpion in Ryoko Owari. Exempt from the
vice of the rest of the city.
The Old Section: Oldest part of the city

The Civil Hall: Heart of city politics, houses cells and torture chambers
Shosuro Palace: Home of the Governor. Original structure was raved
during the crab invasion years ago. Replaced with a simple wood and
brick structure.
Dragons Gate: Thunder Guard HQ
The Gate of Condescension: Narrowest gate in the Noble Quarter
The Scorpion Garden: Lavish pleasure garden for the nobility
Sacred Truth Home: Holding of Hoji Bokusui
The New Section: Newest section of the city. Construction started under the
reign of Hantei XIX
The Bettaku: Cluster of small houses. (South Peony Drive). Mostly
women live here, generally families of minor noble status. They are the
out of sight lovers or mistresses of prominent nobles.
**The Magistrates Residence: Current Emerald Magistrate was
appointed by the Emerald Champion (Akodo Kenburo)

Other Locations
Akodo Estates: Home to Lion Ambassadors (Akodo information
network)
Bay of Drowned Honor: Large Shipping Hub
Ryoko Owari Prison: Overseer Yogo Shiriko
The Great Lunar Cave: Hidden location in the foothills.
Towers of the Eyes: The towers were built by the Crab Clan army during
their occupation of the city at great expense.