Kashiwabara Fortress

Kashiwabara Fortress was a fortress overrun by bandits in western Ōmi, Japan.

History[edit | edit source]

In 1582, the Kakushiba ikki members Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke arrived at the fortress after being misled by their ally Rufino about the true location of the Templars known as the "Architect" and the "Scholar." There, they found Rufino arguing with his friend Ermigo about how the Templars had used him to gather intel about their targets. During the argument, it became clear that Ermigo was the Scholar, at which point Yasuke confronted Rufino about lying to him and Naoe. Rufino attempted to justify his actions, claiming he was just trying to protect Ermigo, who was his friend. When Yasuke argued that Templars like Ermigo did not deserve mercy, Rufino revealed that Ermigo was the only one to show him kindness when he had no one, and both he and Yasuke reached for their weapons.^[1]

At that moment, Gaspar, the Architect, came out of the fortress' tower with his guards and blamed Ermigo for being followed. He then ordered his men to kill everyone present, beginning with Rufino, but Ermigo stepped in front of him and took the shot instead. Naoe used a smoke bomb to cover herself, Yasuke, and Rufino, and the trio proceeded to fight Gaspar and his guards, ultimately killing them. Rufino then comforted the dying Ermigo, who wished that his friend could have joined the Templar cause, and was forgiven by Naoe and Yasuke, who invited him to join their league. Before leaving the fort, Naoe and Yasuke recovered a note from Gaspar's body detailing his superiors' plans for Japan.^[1]

Naoe and Yasuke later infiltrated the bandit-infested fortress, eliminated its samurai daisho, acquired the naginata Time-Honored Crescent and the kusarigama Featherstorm from two separate treasure chests, then climbed atop the fort's watchtower to survey the surrounding area.^[2]