TOTURI

Firsl son of an Akodo and a Matsu, Akodo Toluri has

lived a life of delicate balances. He was celebrated by the
Akodo as an heir 10 his father's house. However, the Matsu,
expecting a daughter, Immediately turned upon the boy
with suspicion - he would clearly be a weakling and a
failure. At five, Toluri was taken 10 the Akodo dojos, 10 be
trained in kenjutsu. Toturi's training proved disastrous. The
child wasmeek. more interested in theTao than in warfare.
'Iotun simply seemed 10 have no talent and worse: no
desire. The Akodo soon came 10 agree with the Matsu - the
boy was useless.
At home, Thluri's parents turned their attenuon to their
second son, a boy born three years after Toturi. The child,
Akodo Arasou. grew 10 manhood uuder the eyeof theLion
Clan, whostudied every move the boy made. Arasou's force
and courage was great, and his skill with the blade
impressed his Matsu sensei. Toturi was sent to a Phoenix
monastery a nearly forgotten shame on his parents' house.
However, only days before Arasou was elevated to
Champion. he was killed in battle against the Crane, Too old
to sire another son, Toluri's father was forced to recall him
from seclusion to lead the Akodo.
In three years, Toluri has never failed his duty to the
Throne or his clan. He constders strategy more important
than bloodshed, a strange view whidi sets him apart from
many Lion. His skill in tactics and his ability to negotiate
have given him the reputation of a good daimyo, if not a
good warlord.
When the Scorpion slaughtered the Hantet Emperor, it
was Toturi who led the final charge to retake the Emerald
Throne. Although successful his rash actions on that day
cost him his name, his family, and his honor. He wanders
the land, a lost and broken hero.
But he has not forgotten that he has a greater destiny to
bear. As he travels, the renin tome to him, to see the great
Akodo Lord brought so low. They come 10 mode him, but
stayto listen as he leaches the law ofbushido, and the path
of courage. They seek him to throw stones, but they stay
because they cannot deny the strength of his souL Now,
thousands of ronin serve Ihe Black Renin, obeying his
commands and giving theirlives to follow his path.
 _'RY,A - £'lCP£R/£N(£1I
The ronln knOWJ1 as Dairya is ODe of the most powcriul
htera in the Empire. His pmwess with the blade is
snatched, as are lhe epic stories of his feroctry and foul
opel: To the peasant he is a hero. 10 the samurai, he is
= WOIst thing a man can become - honorless,
alllusloned, and mercenary.
lsawa Dairya was born the son of Isawa Nesan, Master
Fire, but long ago he abandoned hJ~ claim to the name
ed ",on of the Phoenix Clan. Isawa Nesan was murdered
.. her own son's hands. and Dairya endured the ritual of
e Forgetting sundered from the ka",i for his crime. Since
.et time, Dairya has turned his single-minded devotion
-ward mastermg the blade. He has shown that he shows
remise in tIlis fieJd, as well, and over the course of fifteen
eera he has become one of the greatest kett;utsu fighters
1the land, feared from the regions of the Lion through the
emtones oflite Crane.
He has only lost one battle - the fight in whim he lost
je eye. He is a dangerous man.

=~

r.AlW.AH
BQl1l the son of a ronin trader, Thkuan has Jived a hard
lle. He has been a soldier. a diplomat for the Sparrow, and
sen a general- underthe command ofjotun. Buthisstory
s not truly the tale ofany of those things.
He is a man whose life is guided by fate.

."..
 AKODO GODAIGO
Matsu Hitomi was the most famous samurai-ko of the
early empire. Though originally trained for theLion's Pride,
she broke with tradition and donned her brother's armorto
avenge his death. Her fierce devotion 10 war earned her
command of her late brother's unit, and they obeyed her
word without question.
During a WBr between the Dragon and the Crab, the
daimyo of the Mirumoto came 10 the Lion Champion and
asked {or military assistance. Hitomi and her unit were
placed under the command of the Dragon, and led several
assaults against the Crab armies and their Scorpion allies.
However, the daimyo sent Hitomi to aHadc. the castle
defended by her lover. Hilomi refused the Older and killed
the Dragon defmyo in his lent, then led her troops away
from the field of baule. Her death became as legendary as
her life, as she fought 10 escape the overwhelming Dragon
forces and oilier Lion forces led by Akodo Godafgo.
Godaigo and his forces eventually trapped her troops
near a small peasant village now known as the Omoidoso
Toshi, Ihe City ofRemembrance. Though the Dragon offered
rewards and titles, Godaigo refused Ihem, and left for the
wandering life of a ronin. He was never seen again.
Other than lhis story, ltnle is known about Godaigo.
, There are many speculations as to why he aligned himself
wtth the Dragon instead of Malsu Hilomi, bUI these must
remain speculations. U is known that his forces eventually
trapped her et Omoldosc Toshi. Godaigo and Bttcmi last
met at that village, and their moments together are only
known by the villagers. His betrayal of Hitomi is legendary,
and different interpretations of the tale have led lo many
folk stones.
Historians have no record of Godatgcs death, and there
are those who say he is condemned to walk the earth
forever, denied honor, denied rest - denied even death. He
is a symbol of all betrayers, a dark stainon the honor of the
Lion, and remembered only lor his crime against Hitomi,
not the victories of his life.