te ESike =nTs Oumiden a ‘How to Use This Book of Customs ofthe Unicorn Clan s Caljin Customs 5 Birth. 5 Cempubku, ‘ Courtship 6 Superstition 7 Witeevsen 7 Retirement 6 Funerals... ’ sory ofthe Unicorn Clan. ® New Mechanics... vo 10 ‘Complete Unicorn Fest List. 4 New CourtlerAbiides.....ccvevvvve 12 ‘The Moto coesvesveevsdB ‘Ouisiders (2). eoontearsecanent “The Molo Province sseneseesee dt ‘Major Moto Holdings. “ Daikol Sedo, remnttl ‘Mizu Mura (Laketown) .o...-c0ess000 15 Shiro Moro ceseustessennee dS Toshi ne Aidan Kawa... Minor Moto Holdings. ‘Mura Nisa Kava Nemut.. Shiro Kishi Mura Watchtower esessescseeee Baratersitorial Holdings o-oo 18 Important Mote NPCS... st ‘Moto Chagata ‘Moto Chaozhu Moto Chen, \Vasals ofthe Moto Family... ice tes Moto Mechanics ‘Ancestors Moto Chang. Moto Minghan Solercssrsiiss svescres 3S New Dojo. ss 23 Dojo ofthe Gemterseevvesseireeees 23 Dojo of the Left 23 ‘The Moto Bush Scheal 23 ‘The Press of Dest... 2 Junghar Defender, 25 Kol Raider. 26 Mis ncpsersrns 2 Outsiders (3) 2 The Me Provinces 2s Major Ide Holdings. 2s Duzal Toshi sana Shito ide 2 30 30 ‘Mi Unni Kl Hanbira Minor Ide Holdings ‘Taro Koji Shinomen Tosser... Plum Blossom Pas, aves Seno Ful no Danset wo Sa. Important Ide NPCS ‘kasha. WeTadsji Vassls of the Ide Family. The Su Fay Me Machen. “Ancenort de Suse. Ie Golan Te Dabs. Calm Heart Dojo Ide Emissary School ‘he Inch ... ‘Ousders (4) “The uch Previn ‘Major lucht Holdings... isa Kest shigoTuchi, Seikitsu Pas... ‘Minor Tuchi Holdings Okwyakt«. Amyorten uct NPC Ichi Live Tach Yue... \Vassls of the Tachi amy. “The Kenshin. “The Butue Ichi Macha. Ancestors. tuchi Tube. Ichi Mori. New Spells... ‘Ashins Rainbow Shield Blessing of Mizu-no-Kami Eyes of Nature Fury ofthe River Move as Water The Seed of anon... Sorcerers Rokugen Te termnghr gee ‘The Utaks, ‘Outsiders 3). ‘The Uiaka Points. Major Utaku Holdings ‘Bikar. - Alani Shiro Utaku Shojo... (tale Seid Minor Utak Holdings... ‘bukit Yash. Earthquake Shrine ‘KarayamiHla Mura mpotent Utaku NCS 30 Uakushiko 30 Vasile ofthe Kais Family 31 The Hyuga Frnily 3 The Naoko Family. 31. Uiaka Mecha. BI Ancestors 32 Unew Kemoko 233 Unk Kuro 38 The Utaks Infantry School 4 The shinjo 34 Oursides(6) 34 The Shinjo Provinces. 35. Major Shinjo Holdings. 35. shire Shinj. 36 pam Mur 36 Oshindoka Tos. 37 Mizu-Umi Ryo 137 Minor Shinjo Holdings 38 Eile Road snd Bulls Watehrower 238 Bugaishe 38 Hlgen Yuk 39° Extatertril Holdings. 40 The Ruins of Kalpa 41 Ryoko Owan Toshi 4. Important shinje NPCS 41 ShinjoSheno... 41 Shinjo Fisruko vassals of the Shino ‘The Mara Family Shino Mechanics. “Ancestors ‘ShinjoIneiro Shinjo Ronin “The Vigan The Horiuchi. ‘ousiders (7) The Horii Proviso... Shinden Horiuchi... morta Horiuchi NPCS... “Horiuchi Shen se, Horach Mechanis. ANCEOE Horiuchi Junichi. Behind the Vell... The Burning Sands ‘Other important Groups ‘The Lotds of Death Muchitsu Nightmare ofthe Unicom Outsider Keep. ..-s..eeee F 53 Typical Inbabitans 53 Oulsider Keep Overview 54 Outsider Keep Map. 54. The Unicorn Territory Map 4 55 $5 56 56 7 is io) n T n T sOUTSIDERS PART ONE ‘Otomo Taneji rode in silence. There had been little conversation dluvng the long journey from the Crane lands, and now that the parly was approaching the outer edges ofthe Unicorn provinces, “Tanai four himself srangoly nats. He had been to every major Unicom court, ofcourse, and krew ther lands nearty as well as he Ienew his family’s own provinces, but this time his concern for his raster distracted hum. ‘Miya Hatort had nob spoken other than to answer questions in ‘vera week. The tension was obvious in his fae and posture. Despite his years of service, Taneji had never sen his lord under so much sts, The Shadowed Tower had kidnepped his wife Kama months ‘goin plot toblacymail Hato into spying on the Crane. The Fmer- ald Champion Yasuki Hachi had rescued her and placed her under ‘the care ofa ma that noone in the Empire dared eros: the Unicom ‘Clan Khar, Moto Chogatas, Despite Hach assurances, Tan} ew ‘that #tori would not beat ease until he knew for certain that his wife was safe again “Laughter from elsewhere in the party caused Tanet to frown, _Sekkou a usual, was oblivious. Once he had heard that Kamako was safe he Kars protection, he had veturned ois usual, mindlessly jovial self. The conversation Sekkou had been holding with one of “Hach’s magistrates fr most ofthe day continued beside Tame, much tothe couriers chagrin “ye always found the Moto cours @ bit unorthodox, to tell the truth? the young shugenia said. "They an intense prope. Between ‘angry Moto, grim Shinjo, and rigid Uta, thine de lan is sorely Tacking a sense of humor” “The older magistrate shrugged noncommittally and stared off to the sou. "Te was not always 50 he said after a few moments? consideration. Oh?" asked Sehkow innocently. “T assume you mean before the Moto gained control?" “es said Hator unexpectedly "The Unicorn gem mu diferent tay than they were in my youth.” “Seem diferent, Hatoré-sana? Are they not truly differen “Ok, they ave different, yes the historian confirmed. "Bu not 9 muh as they would have ws believe” The shugenja frowned.“ do not understand” Hators looked north to the plains unfolding before them. ~The Shingo are... o wert shoul say, merry peopl. They enjoyed the simple chings in life despite their vast wealth, and were well regarded by mos familis throughout the Empire, Though thee were thos whe disdained ther gaijin tastes, hore were ew who would cll them enemies” Difficult to imagine, given their current demeanor Tanefi observed. sno more than they deserve” one magistrate said coldly “Filthy olat” “Do not beso hasty" lator admonished. “What would have befallen the Carte had the Empire judged you according to the cexannple of Aina Yjinden and his fllowers™ Taneji and Sekkow exchanged a quick glance. The great traitor ajnder was sore subjetarnong many Crane, and was not a secret they spoke of freely is mame had, fact been wipe frame the Impe- ral Revonds and now only samurat suck as these — magistrates Intended to tan against suck maces — knew of him, The magi trate sed nothing, although ke veddened visibly. He turned away, clearly finished with the conversation, "The Moto are quite dour? Seow said, returning to his previous comments. "T find it difficult fo imagine the Unicorn as a'merry ep) Hatorseme, especially considering how feared the armies “The Moto know that an excessively cheerful mature soften mis taken or incompetent aor returne,wouldn you say, Sekou™ The sagen chuckled “I seem to reall hearing that bf, es? “At any rt the hsorian continued, the Moto ae not odour as ane might imagine. They peer allow the re of ust blieve they sre uncouth, graff barbarians. It's to their adoantage fo uso believe {her frit leads one to wuderestimate ther. in truth, they enjoy Iie to the ules. Centuries of hardship ad sufi nt the Burning Sands have conditioned them celebrate Life tevery opportu. ‘AMot celebrations athingto behold, nded” He glanced around at Fito ade “Bu hey reer that thers mot ie privy to such things” “How cat one fay dominate the cla 9? Tan asked. “They are but one of sx seems od that their niet dovumance could tng abut such change inthe clan” “The Mato who dull n Rogan were once few mumber, that 4550. But wh Shinj eure, howtandsof Moto nomad fom the Burning Sends accompanied her The Ie, Iuhi, and Horiuchi ave small fails, ad he Utakw and shun est many inthe ar ‘Agus the Shadow, The Mato are lighly mare than a thin ofthe lan rset He nodded 0 Tame. *Peres 15 surprising after all” “rf so many peopl underestimate the Moto sekeow pondered, “why would Hac choose Chega’ tobe Karka protein?” or the it ine weeks, ator laughed. “Thee are many who Telieve Chagta ol” he began “bul Yasui Hach’ is mat one of them. Onby a trol would nat recngie his might. The Unicom Fave not suffered military defeat since ely n the Wa of Sper Chagtat has never been defeated personal combat and mos foe ‘sheough fo fac hn do not ie ttl the tale” He shook hs head No, faery of mine wou lay see to Shio Mot, hen he as sma a enemy fr more dangerous than me" "wl we take he from Shiro Mot then” inguied ani, "Wt wee able to def her propery from Kyun Miya™ -Miys Hator was sent fra while shen, weighing his words care ally, "The time as come to etury home said fnally “I wll not Ive fe HOW TO US= THIS BOOK ‘Secrets ofthe Unicorn isa sourcebook designed for players and GMs alike who are interested in adding more depth and detail to the Unicorn Clan. Unlike Way of the Unicorn, which detailed the history and the clan’s major institutions, this book gives finer detail othe different families, their organiza- tion, holdings, vassal families, and lesser-known schools, among other things. seco the Unicorns broken down into chaptersas follows ‘The Introduction deals with the Unicorn Clan’ history, some general customs that rhe elan asa whole embraces, and several new mechanical options appropriate for Unicorn characters, Chapters One through Six each deal with an individual family: the Moto, Ide, 1achi, Utaku, Shinjo, and Horiuchi, Each chapter presents information on the family’s holdings, including several points of interest for each holding and some adventure hooks for GMs, major NPCs within that family,descriptions of vassals families that serve them (explained Tater inthis chapter), and new mechanical options for charac- ters fom that family Chapter Seven: Outsider Keep details Bugaisha, « unique Unicom holding. All the information needed for a GM to use Outsider Keep as the centerpiece of an adventure, ot for a player to have a background involving Outsider Keep, is presented Chapter Bight: Behind the Veil details the darkest, most unpleasant truths about the Unicorn, Every clan has some shame that they bury deep within their histories, and this chapter explores what tragedies or secrets that the Unicorn hide from everyone, even themselves, CUSTOMS OF THE unicorn GAIJIN CUSTOMS ‘The Unicorn are not like any other clan in Rokugan. While zost clans follow the general cultural guidelines described in Rokugan end the Legend of the Five Rings Player's Guide, the Unicorn diverge significantly in several area, They practice a strange blend of Rokugani tradition and gaijin customs picked up during their centuries of travel beyond the Empire Itis a commen misconception thatthe Unicom maintain their “barbaric® ways out of some inability to adapt to or understand Rokugani culture. This is untrue. It has been over three centuries since the Unicorns return, and the majority of Unicom alive today were born in the Empire. The Unicom understand the culture of their homeland quite well; they consciously choose to maintain their strange customs. Theit “arbaran’ ways are apart of their history, the same customs that allowed them to survive ina hostile world. The Unicorn practice their ways not because they disdain tradition — they honor tradition as much as any other Great Clan. Their difer- ent experiences have simply given them different traditions ‘Some of the differences between the Unicorn and other clans are essentially cosmetic, For example, since the Moto assumed contro, they refer to thei lan daimyo as"Khan and “Champion” interchangeably. Unicom carry a variety of exotic weapons, but all Unicorn stmurai still own and maintain a daisho. The Unicorn have a more feiendly relationship with lower classes, but the superiority of the samurai caste is still rigidly enforced. Other differences are more pronounced “The most notable way Unicorn differ from other samuel is thatthe Unicom are mostly nomadic. Unicorn settlements are camps rather than villages. The few large Unicorn cities serve mostly as trading posts and places to meet with visitors from other clans. Many Unicorn cities are remnants from the time when the Fox Clan (and later the Lion) ruled the Unicorn lands, Since the Unicorn’ return, these cities have been largely rebuilt and show a definite guijn influence. For nomadic Unicorn, the favored housing structure is a special tent called ager This isa domed, circular tent made of felt reinforced by wooden rods called khan, These tents are designed with one door, windows, and a skylight called a toono (which doubles asa smoke escape). Important nobles, including the Khan, live in larger ger called a chomchog, ‘The chomchog used as the Khan's dwelling is s0 grand that strequites team of two dozen oxen t0 cary it. Another notable difference berween the Unicorn and other clans is that the Unicorn do not share their Rokugani brethren’ aversion for touching flesh, Close friends will greet one another with a friendly handshake. Married couples embrace publicly: Unicorn enjoy eating red meat, and are particularly fond of beef, mutton, and venison. The only tem nant of Rokugani distaste for flesh has to do with dead humans, Unicorn samurai and peasants avoid touching, corpses with the same vehemence as any other Rokugani Such tasks are suitable only for eta. A Unicorn who touches a corpse oris stained by an enemy's blood will visita priest for proper purification as soon as tis practical to do so BIRTH The Unicom place a great deal of value on family bonds, soany addition tthe family is greeted with joy and acelebra tion, As oon as the bir is complete and the heath of both other and child are certain it isthe father’ duty to spread word of his childs bist. Mose samurai do so by leeping onto their fastest horse and riding about the city or camp where they dwell, shouting the newborn child’ name with great excitement. Any children old enough to ride will accompany the father in his task. Thus any addition to 2 lrge family seldom goes unnoticed as father and child cause a great ruckus in their urge to spread the news. ‘Though in other clans such an outward display of emotion {s frowned upon, among the Unicorn this san honored trad tion. Unicorn ambassadors tothe lands of ether clans realize that cis tradition is frowned upon beyond their own borders and are thus more restrained in expressing thei joy should 4 Unicora child be bora far fzom home. VASSAL FAMILIE: this book introduces a number of vassal families, lesser samurai who serve the great families, Though cere eee Cte ei (Court: Kyuden Seppun and Rokugon) these vassal families have never detailed specifically before, Sentech marr ei tion within the samurai class. Within the family and Gira eerie ter tesa ts Pert eee enter ttt ied distinetive service to the clan, Outside the clan, how: ever, they are identified by the name of the family the Favoring one’s vassal name above the samurai ee renee erate tae) eee eee eeeoe that the individual presenting himself known that the listener would be more famil ee ee eee eon een errant ‘Onshigawa vassal family that serves the Moto. To all Moto and other Unicorn samurai, he is known as ‘Onshigawa Sukhe. In the Ikoma histories and to outsiders, however, he is known as Moto Sukhe, Whe presenting himself to others outside the clan, Sukhe may introduce himselfas*Moto Sukhe of House Onshi- Pr enh cere tee ee tentang ny other clan should visit Sukhe in the Onshiga eee ea acess) eee sett visitor realizes that he is in Moto lands.‘Through out their time wandering the lands beyond Roku an, ie was importane that she Unicorn remain song and unt fied, For this reason Shinjo and the Champions that suc- ceeded hes, rewarded samurai couples who bore large families, The more children born to take up the mantle, the better chance they had to survive in a strange and often hos tile world, After several generations, the Unicom came to view those who had many children as exteaordinarily lucky. In modern times, with the Unicorn maintaining a more secure position back home in the Empire, Unicorn samurai re no longer granted instant promotions for bearing large families, Nonetheless, the Unicorn believe that those who have many children are forcunate indeed. The notable excep- sion to this superstition is among che Utaku, who generally believe that their women have better things to do than waste time giving bird ‘Unicorn children begin their equestrian taining as soon as they begin learning to walk It is not unusual to see a Unicorn father out riding on the plains, followed by a small gang of toddlets mounted on sute-footed ponies =ENGINOSHI, THE CSLESTIAL SWORD OF THE UNICORN CLAN In the Shinjo ancestral home, a dignified looking sword rests in a place of honor. Moto Gaheris placed this sword here shortly after Tsi Xing Guo forged the Celestial Swords for the clans, leaving it in the same place of honor that Hayai, the clanls Ancestral Sword, pene ee eee aren arty neers et ear) Blade that Gaheris and his successors always carry at their side; they have never seen fit to correct the false peerage es Enginoshi is the most exotic Celestial eee beet eens eres oar) decorated with fur and jade inlays. The Fortune of Pesnete cceeeernttey tetee ea n influences when he crafted it, and the Unicorn took advantage of the weapon's strange design so that their Champion could always carry a powerful blade while none realized its origin. The blade is currently ielded by Moto Chagatai, Unicorn Khan. Ce eee re erect ee eer eee eed erent Pee ere ere bud kharma* om the target, with no save possible. ea ‘Megumi is a Quality katana, inflicting 4ks damage end adding 3 tots wielder's Katana skill and two extra dice on all initiative rolls. The wielder's Water is dou bled for the purpose of determining movement. Ifthe penenee ere Perea eres poprrerrctnnay eiesil GEMPUKKY Each summer, on the plains surrounding Shiro Shinjo, all ‘youths who have come of age gather for a mass gempukkeu cer ‘emony, Before the assembled clan, they receive their swords and sweat oaths of loyalty to the Unicorn Clan. Though all Unicorn ace welcome, outsiders are only rerely invited to view the gempulku celebration. Unlike many Unicorn custom: their gempukke is highly traditional, unchanged since the days when they were the Ki-Rin Clan, The vows the prospec tive samurai swear stil refer to the Unicorn asthe children of the Ki-Rin, servants of Shinjo’ even though the clans name has changed and the Moto now rule. Immediately following the gempukku ceremony, all able bodied Unicorn sre invited to join a three day festival called the Naadam. The Naadam is a highly physical competition involving horse racing, archery, and wrestling. The Naadam is so popular that lesser versions are held throughout Unicorn lands throughout the year in preperation for the Shiro Shinjo Naadam, Samurai and heimin are both invited to compere, and ore regarded as equals during the festival The city or vi lage that is home tothe winner gains great prestige forthe fl lowing yesr. A samurat who wins the Naadam is inveriahly ‘granted 2 promotion to an important position in recognition of his skills. A peasant farmer or craftsman who wins the Naadam is given enough koku to live fora year without work ing, An ashigaru who wins is granted a promotion or even granted sttusas low ranking samual ‘The Unicorn sre unique among the Great Clansin that they will allow gaijin to swear fealty. This is still exceedingly rare, and done only after a foreigner shows unusual rustworthi ness and loyalty to the clan. Via a special cath overseen by the Unicorn Champion, the gaijin swears his loyalty, cuts his palm with Unicom steel, and presses the wound against the slashed palm ofa true Unicorn, At the end ofthis ceremony, che gaijin isa Rokugani forevermore in the clans eyes. The Unicorn are alvvays careful to bar eny magic during che course ofthis cere mony —for the use of blood during magica rituals invariably draws the attention of evil spirits COURTSHIP During their time as wanderers, Shinjo forbade the Unicorn to marry within their own bloodline, This custom insured that the Unicorn would continue to grow, adapt, and learn the ways of foreign cultures by taking wives from the various lands through which they traveled, The Unicorn continue to cling to this tradition since their return, arranging Unicorn marriages, a complicated matter. ‘A Unicorn samurai keeps careful note of his lineage, and will frown upon any arranged marriage that defies this trad tion no matter how politically convenient it may be. For Instance, a Shinjo samurai will urn down an arranged mar age with a Moto maiden if is ancestor five generations past married a member of her line it makes no difference whether the relation between the two is allied through marriage or blood. Most samurai do not enforce this custom past seven generations of relations, but an especially sriet Unicorn may not be so forgiving. A particularly uncompromising Shinjo, for example, refuses to marry an Asahina because his grandf ther martied an Isawa (the family from which the Asahina originated centuries 2g0). To this day, some Unicorn prefer to venture out into the desert or the wild Yobanjin lands to seek spouse rather than risk pollucing their bloodline. Frustrated Unicom diplomats have frequently attempted to put an end to what they see as an archaic and outmoded tradition, as more chan a few politically beneficial marriages have been ruined, Inthe minds of some, this custom is the single reason Unicozn have so few enduring alliances with other clans. Powerful families such asthe Moto and Bayushi do not take rejection lightly, and view the Unicorns barbaric tad tions asa pathetic excuse to pass up a beneficial alliance. This, of couzse, only leads Unicorn t0 become insulted by such slights to their traditions. The clan strongest custent alliance stems from a maztiage between the Shinjo and Hida families ‘one generation ago. As the Hida are nota concerned with the delicacies of polities and value allies wherever they can find tera its unlikely that further reluctance to marry into the ‘Hida will damage this friendship. SUPERSTITION “Tosay the Unicorn are superstitious is something of an under- statement. Even superstitious clans such as the Mantis and Crab do not hold sheir superstition so highly asthe Unicorn, but chs is mostly due tothe Unicorn unique perception of luck ‘Toa Unicorn, good luck or bad luck not andom-they ae skills to be cultivated like anything ese. Just as one man right be born with a great talent with the sword and another right become a mighty swordsman through skill and deter- rmination, so might one individual be born lucky and an ill favored person become lucky through proper application of superstitions. ‘All Unicorn carey at last one lucky charm, usually passed con to them by their parents or elder siblings. Many of these lucky charms pass through families for generations, and become potent nemuranai as well as foci for superstitions. A lucky charm i created when some mundane item grants good fortune. A pair of dice used to win a great amount of koku, a dagger which fended off an assassin, the head ofan arrow used to win the Naadam archery contest ~any ofthese could be a lucky charm once they are brought to a shugenja and blessed in the name of an appropriate Fortune, This item should never be used for its original purpose or the luck wil go bad. A lucky kenife should never be used to cut. Lucky dice should never be used for gambling. Generally these items are bound up in ribbon and worn as an amulet or cartied in an inro box on one obi One tale is told of a Shinjo magistrate in Ryoko Owari Neatly killed by a bolt of lightning, he saved a charred limb from a nearby tree and dedicated it to Osano-Wo. Yeas later, the magistrate was set to summon reinforcements to aid the defense ofa besieged castle, and found himself ambushed by ‘enemies, In desperation, he prayed to his wooden amulet for ‘good fortune. With that, feak storm erupted, allowing the magistrate to escape and return with reinforcements in time to prevent the caste from falling. The tale is popula, though the magistrate and castles names vary with the telling, Even so, few Unicorn would ever question the al veracity ‘Coins are very lucky, and to find one is a sign of good for tune. Ifa coin is found in a peculiar place, itis even more lucky. The luckiest possible omen is to find a frog that has swallowed a coin as ftogs ae also extremely lucky creatures. “The Unicorn aso take the art of divination seriously; more so than any other clan except the Mantis and Phoenix. Both samurai and peasant folk magicians have a variety of tech ‘niques both Rokugani and gaijin that they use to read the future’ portents, from Kawacu coins and yarrow sticks to ‘more exotic dvinations. The cracks ina deers shoulder bone, placed in a campfire, will portend the future for one who knows how to read such chings.The birth of « new foal is also highly portentous The seasons frst newborn horse is always the luckiest, and will share its luck with its rider if well treated. A stillborn foal the worst luck; ifthe seasons first foal is suillborn i portends an unlucky year WAR “The Unicorn are nota clan tat seeks war, or takes pleasure in ‘wat, bu they have great talent at warfare. The Unicorn mili tary is among the finest in the Empire. The officers are well trained, Delineation of rank and responsibility is clear and wel organized, allowing Unicorn forces to operate smoothly and eificiently both in small groups and large armies. ‘The Unicorn have adapted a numberof gaijin techniques and formations into their fighting style, and thei cavalry is “unparalleled Pethaps the only things that prevent the Unicorn from becoming the premier military power in Rokugan are the [| Lion Clas superior numbers versus the Unicom Clan rela tively peaceful nature. The clan learned to fight during their wanderings out of necessity — it was rate that sucha large {group of wariors was received peacefully in foreign lands. ‘Through practice, the Unicorn became adept at warfare, and passed these lessons along to their children Despite thei alent at warfare, the Unicorn do not take the same jy infighting as che Crab and Lion. Asa clan, they prefer life of peaceful exploration. If challenged, however, the Unicorn fight rutblessly and show no mercy Even the aggressive Moto family — feared throughout the Burning Sands for thet daring desert raids — fights more out of a sense of survival than bloodlust “Te Moto ace aggressive and ambitious as a rule ecause is thei duty to secure the clans future — if fighting is the most efficient means to that end, then 30 be it To this end, they have culivated a reputation of utter ruthlessness in battle By their philosophy, ifone desires mercy from the Moto, one should not make wae with the Moto: 'A Moro commander will make it is primary objective to kul the opposing army’ commander. A Moro commander will accept surrender, but only ifthe opposing officers give up thet lives and thei troops swear layaly to the Moto, One dramatic Moto commander began the custom of leaving an opposing general with “Shinsei’s Smile,” a colorful ‘euphemism for slashing the throat of an armed opponent ‘with one skilled stoke of saber: The Moto military has alorys been divided into three distinct and independent armies, and since the Moto zssumed control, his orginization has been extended ro encompass the entice clan, These thre armies are named the Baraunghar (also called the Right-Hand Army, the Army of the Right, or the Army ofthe West, the Junghar (also called the Left Hand ‘Army, the Army of the Left, of the Army of the East, and the Khol (also called the Army of the Center, or the Khans Army). “The Baraungharis the smallest of these three armies, designed for lightning raids in the vast desert and are well augmented by Itichi magic, The Junghar is the largest, designed for defending the vast Unicorn provinces! eastern borders and bolstered by crack Battle Maiden Troops. The Kholis the most elite ofall three armies. The Khan personally selects each ‘member ofthis army for their tactical cunning and physical strength, and members of al che Unicom families have near ‘equal representation, The Khol are the most feared soldiers in the clan, incorporating veteran soldiers from every Unicorn family.RETIREMENT Retirement is a fate most Unicorn look upon with mixed emotions. On one hand, to setle down in one's old age is a ‘sign of victory —a reward for a life well lived. On the other hand, fora clan chat draws such exhilaration fiom exploration 1d wandering, old age can bea difficult thing to accept. there is anything a Unicorn hates its to be bound in one place for too long, The idea of entering a monastery and dwelling these indefinitely is distasteful. What's more, most Unicom find it bypocritial. How can one be expected tofind enlightenment in a single place when there is such a wide, ‘beautiful world waiting tobe discovered? Ttis for ths teason that there ate so few true monasteries in Unicorn lands. There are many orders of monks tobe sure, but like most Unicorn these holy men are nomads, Unicorn ‘monks can be found anywhere in Rokugan. In fact, most Unicorn samurai who retire seize upon a monk’ lack of weed for teavel papers to venture into lands long forbidden and see the wonders they have always been denied by politic. FUNSRALS/DSATH ‘ike all Rokugani, the Unicorn exemate their dead and hold ‘waditional funeral ceremonies. One major departure from a normal funeral ceremony is that the ashes of high-ranking ‘Moro, Shinjo, Uta, and Ide family members are not interred in their graves. Close friends or family members scater their ashes in secret locations, while a public “grave” is erected 0 that others can come to show thei respects. In this way, even enemies defile the public grave, the departed soul is safe from dishonor. The graves of past Khans are a jealously guarded secret. No two Khans are ever intersed inthe same place, and only the Khan’ son or chosen heir knows where the previous ani ashes truly ie HISTORY OF THE UnIcoRA CLAN Ki-Rin Clan established: date unknown, ‘After losing to Bayushi in the Kami contest to see who will rule them, Shinjo begins wandering the Empire, gathering like-minded individuals to her banner. In time, they settle in the wide, open plains on Rokugan’s western border and ‘become the Ki-Rin Clan in the taition of the majestic steeds of Tengoku that Shinjo recalls fondly. Shinjo visits Fu Leng: date unknown During the early stages of the war with Fu Leng. Shinjo travels deep into the Shadowlands in search of her beloved brother. She discovers that the forces of Jigoku have twisted him deeply. Fu Leng attacks Shinjo, and she realizes he could kill her easily, but he allows her t lve. He sends her back tothe Empire with a message: I was not given a chance to partic pate in your contest to be Emperor" Cleadly, Fu Leng plans to conquer the Empire that he was not allowed to aid in building. ‘The Ki-Rin’s Exodus Begins: year 45 Following the war with Fu Leng, Shinjo decides that she must explore beyond the Empire in order to prepare Rokugan for anything that may threaten them in the future. Shinjo's vassals, the Otaku, Tuchi, and Ide families, choose t follow her. A small number of her followers remain behind. Hantei _lves Shinjo one of a pair of magical mirrors created by Shiba and Isawa, which will allow Shinjo to communicate with her Emperor even while traveling abroad. Lady Doji gives her sister precious sandalwood fan, ‘Some of Shinje's followers remain behind to tend herlands, bur the majority march down Exiles Road toward a mysteri- ‘ous destiny. The followers of Shinjo come to eal their time aveay from the Empire the Ki-Rins Exodus, ‘Encounter with the Ujikchai: year 45 “After months of murderous travel through the Burning Sands, ‘Shinjo and her followers reach the steppes dominated by the nomadic Ujikchai tribes. The Ujikchal attack the neweomers fiercely, and the Unicorn defend themselves. In time, the Ujik Hai are defeated not by force of arms, but by the awe ‘with which they come wo regard Shinjo, Rumors of her divin- ity spread throughout the tribes, and many pledge themselves to her in order to receive her guidance and protection, ‘The Ujik-Hai who swear fealty to the Unicorn come to be known as the Moto family. The Ki-Rin remain among the Uiilhai for over a century. ‘ox Clan founded: year 90 “The aggressive armies ofthe Lion Clan force the remaining Ki-Rin from thetr lands. Asa gift for the last of Shinjos children, the Emperor bestows Minor Clan status upon them, ‘naming them the Fox Clan He grants them new land near the small Kitsune Mori ‘The City of Sorcerers: year 152 ‘The Ki-Rin, having left the Ujilchat lands, encountera city of sorcerers to the west, These sorcerers wield powerful evil ‘magic, and attack the Unicorn scouts savagely. The aged Tuchi is badly wounded, but seals one oftheir books’ and carefully learns the secrets contained within. He teaches this magic toa hhandful of his students, giving birth to the secret practice of Meishodo. The dark sorcerers are the precursors to the Cuabsl (Gee Chapter Nine), Shinjo atthe Oasis of Spits: year 153 ‘After leaving the City of Sorcerers, Shinjo discovers a strange shimmering oasis in the desert. Shino enters the oasis while ‘Otaku Shiko stands guard. Shiko evencually falls asleep, and ‘when she awakens the oasis and Shinjo are gone. Shinjo returns after a week, showing all the signs of a ‘woman months pregnant. She explains to her closest advisors thatthe oasis was a passage tothe Spirit Realms, but she will not divulge where she has been nor who the lather of her child is. Months later, she gives birth to five children, all possessing the ability to change their shape, though their favorite forms are those of a human and a strange, one-homed beast called a “unicorn” As the childeen grow, they eventually lose the golden glow of the Spirit Realms and their ability 0 change their shape. Four choose to remain steeds, and one remains a human. Thus the blood of Shinjo founds not only the Shinjo family, ta bloodline of powerful steeds to deliver hae vassals into bate. ‘War with the Roce: year 223 Crossing a vast mountain range, the Ki-Rin are attacked by ‘men riding gigantic birds, large enough to carry aman and bis steed off The two forces battle for days amid the snow-capped ‘mountains before students of Iuchi call down the mountain- side to crush their enemies. The gambit is successful, but destroys the pass through which the Ki-Rin entered, permanently blocking the path leading back to the Ujikhai and Rokugan,