Isoto

Isoto is a castle town on the western shores of the Kaishatero Sea, just north of the City of Koshishimo. It was constructed in the early years of the shogunate as a means to protect the city from northern raiders. Now, it marks the border of the shogun’s southern holdings, lands he is desperately trying to hold on to. Governance of the town has been entrusted to Shugo Molishu Rochi-simu, cousin to the current shogun, Molishu Umi-tachi, who rules in his stead. The shugo governs with an iron fist, determined to defend the Molishu Shogunate until the very end.   Isoto is called the Three Hill Castle, named for the three hills upon which the fortress is built, overlooking the Kaishatero Sea to the east. On the easternmost hill stand the barracks and the military headquarters. On the central hill lies the shugo’s palace, a luxurious estate fit for a high ruler. On the westernmost hill rises the main castle complex, made up of several courtyards, including the council house and the beacon tower, which serves both as a great watchtower and as a signal beacon to the City of Koshishimo to the south.   Below the hills stretch rice fields and a thriving wharf, where ships still drop anchor, sell their wares, and set sail again. Yet times are growing harder. With the recent conquests of the Mersoto Clan, the shogun’s southern holdings have been cut off from the rest of his lands, and the overland routes have become perilous. Not only do enemy armies now patrol the roads, but nearby priests have ceased to obey the shugo’s orders, abandoning their wards and refusing to grant Arcane Seals to adventuring parties. As a result, monsters once again stalk the highways. So long as the sea routes remain open, Isoto may endure, but if those, too, are lost…   It is little wonder, then, that the shugo now grants Arcane Seals with the shogunate’s approval to any adventurer or samurai willing to clear the roads and reopen the trade routes. He offers titles and the friendship of the shogunate, though in these times, such rewards mean little.   The original purpose of Isoto was to defend the southern city against invading warbands from the northern island of Rabirimyaku, the Labyrinth Mountains. Though the castle is less than a century old, it has already proven its worth, not against northern raiders, but against threats from within.   The realm has fallen into chaos since the death of the last shogun, Molishu Umi-tachi’s father, three years ago. Now the clans have risen in rebellion, and the shogun loses ground with each passing day. Meanwhile, the Makhoren, the divine court behind the emperor, have lost all authority, save for their sacred descent from the God-King Maikho. Spiritually untouchable, yet politically powerless.   But the shugo of Isoto remains a small player in this great game of war, and still he stands firm. Loyal to his clan and to his blood, he will hold the castle of Isoto, no matter what comes.