The Stone is a long campaign adventure for the Bushido role-playing game, published by Fantasy Games Unlimited in 1981 (second edition) but now out of print. Series 2 of this campaign continues from where the first series left off, with the characters returning to Masaki Village in Iyo Province from their exploits in Osumi Province. There they were (or should have been) successful in uncovering a misunderstood magician, a slave cult, a gang of bandits and a ghost all linked to a mysterious stone which had appeared after an event of great devastation. They also defended Osumi Province from a major invasion by Hyuga Province. The Daimyo of Osumi Province is eternally grateful, and has pledged the support of his distant cousin, the Lord of Imabari.

On their return to Masaki, where they had successfully carried out tasks for Lord Chozo, their master, including retrieving a stolen gem, rescuing his son and wiping out a yakuza gang, they find that things have changed little in their 12 week absense.

This campaign is more tailored to the characters in my own group than series one. However, the character-specific "interludes" are clearly marked, and the rest of the adventure is independent of them. You may well be able to use or adapt one or more of the interludes to your own party, or use the source material in them to invent your own. I felt it was important to let each member of my group develop their own PC in a direction of their choosing, and I used this mechanism of main sections punctuated by interludes. Also, to prevent tho other players getting bored during an interlude, a selection of mini-adventures, or sidelines, is included to be run in parallel with the interludes.

The first section concerns Lord Chozo’s preparation to lead a rebellion and depose the Daimyo.

Episode 1. The Hiring. Lord Chozo has bought a school in Matsuyama to front the campaign and train the recruits. The troubleshooters are asked to manage the school and recruitment to Lord Chozo’s army.

Episode 2. The Stone. Lord Chozo has a mission for the troubleshooters - to sneak into the citadel in Matsuyama and steal the Stone of Slôn, the magical stone which supposedly gives the Daimyo the power to cause all men to rally behind its owner. This, once it becomes public knowledge should be sufficient to trigger an uprising against the Daimyo.

Following this, the troubleshooters will set up a secret training camp for graduates from the school.

The second section concerns sabotage raids to undermine the Daimyo’s power base.

Episode 3. The Training Camp. A raid is planned against the Daimyo’s secret training camp.

Episode 4. Interlude - The Ninja Training Camp. The secret ninja in my group is given the opportunity to set up a ninja training camp - but first he must convince them he can lead them.

Sideline. Stolen Statue. A beaten monk wants help recovering a stolen statue.

Episode 5. The Gem Train. A raid on the Daimyo’s gem train should increase Lord Chozo’s coffers, and reduce the Daimyo’s income.

Episode 6. The Assassin. One of the troubleshooters is the target of an assassination.

Episode 7. Interlude - The Other Assassin. Another assassination attemps is made on one of my group - the daughter of one of the Emperor’s concubines.

Sideline. Reward Help Wanted Poster. A merchant wants help to find his missing daughter

Episode 8. Interlude - The Daimyo’s Shugenja. The shugenja in my group meets a small group of shugenja sent by the Daimyo.

Episode 9. The Bandit Killers. An ambush is planned for the Daimyo’s personal bodyguard.

The third section concerns the rebellion itself.

Prelude. Two of the adventurers are sent to make alliances with the other fiefs of Iyo Province.

Episode 10. Interlude - The Daimyo’s Ninja. The secret ninja in my party is asked to organise a raid on the Daimyo’s private ninja clan.

Sideline. Kami of the road temple. A mischievous wind kami has moved into a shrine.

Episode 11. The Invasion. An army arrives from Hyuga to help the Daimyo put down the revolt.

Episode 12. The Rebellion. The showdown is a small scale battle in Matsuyama Castle involving planning, strategy, small unit battles, individual encounters and challenges.

Sideline. Spider Mould. A hermit needs fungus from a spider nest.

Sideline. War Party After a battle, the party is mistaken for survivors of the enemy.

Sideline. Toll Bridge or was that TROLL Bridge?

Episode 13. Interlude - The Future Wife. One of my group is on the famous pilgrimage of the 88 temples of Shikoku in memory of his late wife. As he completes it, a kami appears to him and shows him a vision of his future wife - unfortunately she is in Hyuga Province.

Episode 14. Interlude - The New Wife. One of my group is sent to broker a military alliance with a neighbouring province - and the best way might be to marry its Daimyo!