The River of Gold: a center of trade, piracy and conflict. The lands it touches belong to no single faction, carved into small holdings by a diverse cast of petty tyrants: vassal families, ronin bands and even minor clans. The bounty of the River of Gold, abundant as it is, must be seized by force and kept by the sword. The region has been neglected for centuries, an unworthy investment for Imperial prospects, its issues dealt through local squabbles and the occasional feud.
That was before a tsunami destroyed the topsoil of the Empire’s basket. Before a catastrophic hail storm devastated Scorpion lands. As the Emerald Lands prepare for famine and economic collapse, all eyes turn towards the River of Gold. Control of the river is essential for the survival of entire clans, and maybe the preservation of the Empire as we know it.
Amidst the tragedies and agonies surrounding its shores, there is the chance to achieve something wondrous — and enact horrors and misery on a scale unseen in ages.
In this series we follow a group of Emerald Magistrates, recently elevated and assigned to this troublesome jurisdiction. We will accompany them as they make the city their home, pursue nefarious plots and enforce the law of the land and the Will of the Scion of Heaven. As seasons turn, rebuilding will give way to war, harvest and intrigue — offering them fresh opportunities to shape the River of Gold and the Empire.
Will there be an end to these agonies, or shall these golden shores be forever clad in crimson?
Crimson Gold Agonies is a podcast covering the adventures of four young magistrates as they deal with upheaval across the Emerald Lands. It is an ongoing game , played using mostly the Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) setting and rules published by Fantasy Flight Games.
Crimson Gold Agonies uses as its foundation the current setting published and owned by Fantasy Flight Games. Historically, there are the three major events that are essential to the podcast’s plot:
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The Emerald Lands have been struck by a series of environmental disasters. The most recent was an unusual confluence of desert winds, causing a series of storms and deluges that is being called “ the Great Hail ”.
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The Emerald Champion has died at some point during Winter, and no replacement has been appointed. Their assassination was orchestrated by a cabal of high-ranking noble loyalists, which took this drastic action to prevent any possible coups after the death of the current Scion of Heaven.
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The Moth clan , a minor noble family, has its holdings in the remote but important town of Hirosaka. The ruling family of the Moth, the Kaikoga, are a mysterious sort, known only for their dreamwalkers and explorers. They are considered the ultimate authority in the realms of thought and the beings within, but are poorly understood by their fellow nobles.
The game is organized into seasons, each containing three self-contained arcs; currently, we have released the pilot arc and just concluded the first arc. It is the perfect jumping point!
You can find more about the show by looking for Crimson Gold Agonies in any place where podcasts are provided, or visiting our site .