A powerful Oni named Kurokinoko (Black Mushroom) caused great discomfort to Akihiro’s mysterious wife and needed to be slain. The PC’s were charged with finding this Oni and killing him. They must return his head and a mysterious "Dragon Pearl" (allegedly owned by Akihiro's wife) to the material world and hand them both to Prince Akihiro.
To reach the Oni's domain, the heroes traveled to a strange enchanted island, barely two large rocks with a small shrine at the top. The island is located in the Inland Sea and is avoided by local pirates and fishermen thanks to the “curse.” The seas are full of unnaturally aggressive sharks that bumped the hull as the PC’s approached, and the currents were treacherous. Eventually, they descended into the tunnel beneath the shrine after a grueling ordeal.
The PC’s emerged onto a similar structure, identical to the island they left but whipped by a terrifying gale. Dense fog was seen in all directions. At the top of the platform beside the shrine was a large temple bell on a stand, along with a mallet. It seemed unaffected by the gale. A sign read “RING FOR SERVICE”. Yukichi struck the bell, which emitted a thunderous peal that rolled out into the storm, stilling it almost immediately.
A few minutes later, a weird, mumbling, croaking song was heard across the water. Eventually, they saw what seemed to be an old man in a small wooden boat sculling across the weirdly still waters as he emerged from the fog. The boat was just barely big enough to hold everyone. His face was obscured under a comically large straw hat. The boatman stuck out a small bamboo bucket, shook it to indicate payment, and accepted anything. The PC's left the boatman alone and remained civil, and the trip seemed about an hour long. They landed on a gravel beach, quiet and alone. In the distance, the PC's saw the rooftops of what appeared to be a Yayoi village.
When the PC’s reached the village, they saw a simple stone wall surrounding several Polynesian-looking huts. A series of farm fields stretched inland, with women and children tilling, joined by a few men. The PC’s did not attempt stealth, triggering an alarm. The women and children ran into the palisade, while the menfolk not working (less than twenty) came running out, armed with bows, clubs, spears, and wicker shields and armor. A single warrior with a shield and club came out and attempted to communicate with them. His name was Aterui, and he spoke a little Japanese; his father was a lost sailor who found his way here many years ago. The PC’s established their friendly intentions, so he allowed them to approach the village gates.
When they observed Prince Akihiro's heraldry on some of the heroes, Aterui summoned the village shaman, who recognized it as the crest of a foreign chief the Yayoi know as "Lord Silver Moon Tanuki". This changed how they interacted with the PC’s. They were brought in and feted with a feast and dances for entertainment. Perceptive players noticed that nearly everyone involved was very wary in conversation, revealing little and visibly on edge. They will be allowed to stay the night but asked to depart at sunrise the following day. The village elders have had dealings with the Prince and found him tricky and duplicitous. They also feared the disruptive effect he had on the attractive youths of the village. The PC’s asked about Kurokinoku; the villagers explained that he was a great terror to their people and the lord of the land. They are forced to pay him an annual sacrifice, chosen by lots from among the young of the village. They are also subject to occasional raids by Bakemono - the sacrifice permits them to exist here but doesn't really keep them safe.
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