Hekasu drops the bucket in surprise from Aruzhan. "Calm down, mom, it's just a taste. I scooped the gunk aside. I," in the words the GM used, "know the practicalities of drawing water from a well without getting a mouthful of algae."
Hekasu then reaches for his katana, frowns, then looks to the others. "If any of you have a tanto or similar dagger, there's some residue right there." Then he glances at Aruzhan, "but don't worry, I won't touch it directly. I think that's what ignited here, when it touched the water."

"Burning water?" Hekasu blurts out, surprised. "Ah, hmm. I guess it can do its own boiling," he jokes. He dips a pinky in the water then taps it to his tongue, trying to get a taste of anything that might be off about the water itself.

Hey, solving logistics problem should be the climax of ANY Crab campaign.

I know that in the AEG continuity the Castle and its environs were not reclaimed from the Shadowlands until 1130-1131.  But thanks to the Adventure Oni's Mask and the Shadowlands Sourcebook, it occurs to me that despite Rokugan descending into civil war and anarchy, this could still be an opportunity to take back the Hiruma Family's ancestral home.  And for a Crab focused campaign, many sessions could be devoted to it.   Granted it would be more martially focused, but there are opportunities for courtiers to shine, such as acting as "ferrets" for the Kuni and using their social skills to make sure the NPCs remain untainted and spotting those who are before they become a greater threat.

Phase one is pretty obvious, leading a force of Crab to take control of the castle from its denizens for which the Shadowlands source books gives plethora of threats to face.  Likewise many of these threats could be used during an extended siege period.

Phase two would be the cleansing and rebuilding of the stronghold.  Here courtiers and artisans could put their talents to use making sure the repair crews remain untainted and restoring the damaged or destroyed parts of the castle or completely replacing the areas too heavily tainted for the Kuni to simply purge.

Phase three would be to help the Kuni use the processes they used to purge their wastelands of Kansen and taint in the lands surrounding the Castle and eventually all of Ienikaeru province.  Granted, it would be blasted and barren, but at least it would not be corrupted.

A possible fourth Phase might be for Kaiu Engineers to extend the carpenter wall out to and around Shiro Hiruma in much the same manner that Wall Maria and Wall Rose extend out to surround Shiganshina and Trost in the Attack on Titan  series.  Again, this would be an opportunity for Courtiers and Artisans to shine.

Just some of my thoughts?  Anyone have other ideas?

"Well, I feel a bit relieved if we're not going to have a showdown with a spirit. I had begun to, ah... wonder, slightly, when it looked like an entire horse disappeared!"
Hekasu looks back at the water, "Well, define 'drinkable.' You could probably scoop a cup of it and pour it into your mouth... but it's going to be chewy."
 

Sorry, i will soon! Just finishing up some stuff on the sheet. Didnt wanna join without officially finishing

"Hiruma-sama, that well over there," Hekasu gestures toward it. "Is it commonly used?" He makes his way over to inspect it.

The gates of Kyuden Asako have closed three weeks before the official start of the Winter Court. Unseasonable blizzards have swept across the Phoenix Lands. Fortunately for our intrepid party, their invitations came and travel was timely arranged.
This is not the Winter Court. Hantei II is wintering at Kyuden Akodo, as are all the Clan Champions and Elemental Masters. Rumors fly throughout the town that Otomo's son will be attending, searching for a wife among the Asako. Several taisa from the War represent all the Clans, and a retired elderly Priestess of Bishamon is preparing the opening ceremonies.
Today, though, the festivities have not yet begun. After three days of nonstop snowfall, there has finally been some sun. The servants have cleared away an outdoor terrace, lit eight braziers around. Four shugenja students, likely old enough to take their gempukku in the spring, tend to the fires, moving the warm air about for a pleasant early-fall temperate.
Various under-dignitaries have assembled to talk. Even if the official Winter Court hasn't started, maneuvering has begun. Favors are being discussed behind fans, while veterans share quiet moments for comrades lost.
Into this scene, our PCs enter!

The gates of Kyuden Asako have closed three weeks before the official start of the Winter Court. Unseasonable blizzards have swept across the Phoenix Lands. Fortunately for our intrepid party, their invitations came and travel was timely arranged.
This is not the Winter Court. Hantei II is wintering at Kyuden Akodo, as are all the Clan Champions and Elemental Masters. Rumors fly throughout the town that Otomo's son will be attending, searching for a wife among the Asako. Several taisa from the War represent all the Clans, and a retired elderly Priestess of Bishamon is preparing the opening ceremonies.
Today, though, the festivities have not yet begun. After three days of nonstop snowfall, there has finally been some sun. The servants have cleared away an outdoor terrace, lit eight braziers around. Four shugenja students, likely old enough to take their gempukku in the spring, tend to the fires, moving the warm air about for a pleasant early-fall temperate.
Various under-dignitaries have assembled to talk. Even if the official Winter Court hasn't started, maneuvering has begun. Favors are being discussed behind fans, while veterans share quiet moments for comrades lost.
Into this scene, our PCs enter!

Okay, sorry for the AFK guys. I got a new job about 300 miles away from where I currently live, so  I've been apartment hunting. I will sit down this afternoon/evening or Monday and get things together to start. I'm going to make a new thread for the game.
If you guys are good with not rocketing into the action, we can start the thread with general IC roleplaying as you meet at the opening of Winter Court while I get my OOC life organized 😂

Well here's what I'm thinking.  My character's father was a Togashi Chronicler.  He started investigating blood magic, Fu Leng, etc., and his discoveries led to his home being torched.  His son was the only (miraculous) survivor so he was taken in by the nascent Tattooed Monk order and given the religious name of Jinyo, meaning "Embers" or "Survival."  This provoked his desire to master the elements, particularly fire, and join the war.  That will form the backdrop to where he found his nemuranai, which I'll explain when I give you the full character info.

No idea about my weapon yet, though since I'm leaning towards a tattooed monk, my fists will be deadly weapons as they say.  I do have a pretty interesting idea for my nemuranai, though.  I will be home with access to my books by Monday so I'll finally be able to do some research and get into our 23 questions...and counting.:)

I'm in, provided we have a bit of lead time to roll up PCs.  I'm away from home until June 10 so I don't have all my books.

Im doing a bayushi deathdealer!

Our Podcast Court Games has an interview with Max Brooke and Katrina Ostrander discussing Building a School as in Path of Waves you might be interested in.

https://courtgamespod.com/podcast/5e-school-creation-w-katrina-ostrander-and-max-brooke/
 
We also built the Kakita Artisan School in there you might want to take a look at:
 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tzYpcgGcLfVCrG_ZEJMg2AJv8mt56NaJ/view
 
Hope you enjoy!

Nope. There are extremely few katana in the Empire. The Kami, their family daimyo maybe, the Emerald Champion. Might be one or two others.

I'm good with giving a bit of time before we get started.
As I mentioned above, I'm going to set this in the Dawn of the Empire/Reign of the Shining Prince era. Year 44 Winter Court, probably Kyuden Asako. If you're concerned that your family/school/thing isn't available in this timeline, message me and we'll talk about it.
Going with a Fate of The Realm playstyle, so I'm adding these:
Question 21: What role did you in the War Against Fu Leng? Where did you serve? After answering this question, give yourself 30 experience representing how you grew to face the challenges leading up to the Day of Thunder.
Question 22: What item saved your life - or maybe even your soul? There came a moment in the War - in a battle, during a strategy meeting, in keeping your focus against the dark whispers promising you victory if you just give it a name - that one thing you had is the only reason you still stand free and pure today. That item has begun to awaken to your destiny. Talk with me to design your nemuranai.

I'm good with giving a bit of time before we get started.
As I mentioned above, I'm going to set this in the Dawn of the Empire/Reign of the Shining Prince era. Year 44 Winter Court, probably Kyuden Asako. If you're concerned that your family/school/thing isn't available in this timeline, message me and we'll talk about it.
Going with a Fate of The Realm playstyle, so I'm adding these:
Question 21: What role did you in the War Against Fu Leng? Where did you serve? After answering this question, give yourself 30 experience representing how you grew to face the challenges leading up to the Day of Thunder.
Question 22: What item saved your life - or maybe even your soul? There came a moment in the War - in a battle, during a strategy meeting, in keeping your focus against the dark whispers promising you victory if you just give it a name - that one thing you had is the only reason you still stand free and pure today. That item has begun to awaken to your destiny. Talk with me to design your nemuranai.

Okay, looking at responses to figure out who is interested and who was just commenting ideas.
Von, Masakiyo, Ruffles, and Harzerkaze all said they were interested. Nheko and Neilcell, just commenting?

"And of course, other than those horse tracks. They go to the shrine, but they don't leave. We should continue with much caution."

Allows your target defend themselves so the next strike isn't a critical, if they would have been incapacitated otherwise. Plus you can extend it for the scene.