The Legend of the Five Rings

Compiled from various material

By Mirumoto Sendoshi

Ce netbook est une tentative pour rassembler le plus d'informations possibles au sujet de
la guerre des clans et de l'histoire de Rokugan durant la période qui devrait faire l'objet du
supplément Distant Thunder que nous attendons depuis un certain temps.
Pour l'instant, j'ai laissé ces informations dans la langue d'origine ( il faudrait sans doute
des semaines pour tout traduire ). J'espère néanmoins que ce travail sera utile aux Maîtres de Jeu
de la Légende des 5 anneaux. Si vous avez des suggestions, des idées, d'autres documents qu'il
pourrait être intéressant d'incorporer, envoyez-moi un e-mail à :
toybox@club-internet.fr

Je cherche également des personnes susceptibles de m'aider à traduire cette somme

d'informations colossale, dans le but de la rendre accessible aux non anglophones. Toute forme
d'aide sera la bienvenue.

Mirumoto Sendoshi

This netbook is an attempt to compile as many information as possible about the Clan
Wars story and the history of the fantasy world known as Rokugan, during the a period that
should be covered in a future supplement called Distant Thunder.
I have not translated anything yet ( it would take weeks to do this alone ). I hope
nonetheless that this work will be useful to the L5R GMs. If you have any suggestion, ideas, or
documents that could be included in an updated version, e-mail me at :
toybox@club-internet.fr

I'm also looking for people who could help me to translate this huge amount of
documents into french, in order to make it available to the players who only speak french ( the
much reviled Frog Clan  ). I'll be grateful for any kind of help.
Mirumoto Sendoshi
The scorpion clan coup by Hiruma Hakaseko ( found on Neil Laughlin site, including Ryan
Dancy stuff )
A timeline by Ryan Dancey found on Neil Laughlin's site, and also on Togashi Amadan's site
( for the Akodo Kaze's annotations )
- The Imperial Edition, first printing of the L5R Basic Set:
 - Shadowlands, the first L5R expansion:
- Forbidden Knowledge, the second L5R expansion:
- Anvil of Despair, the third L5R expansion:
- Crimson & Jade, the fourth L5R expansion:
- Time of the Void, the fifth L5R Expansion
Rulebook stories
- imperial edition
- shadowlands
- emerald edition
- anvil of despair
- crimson and jade
Letters

Crane Clan

- letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four
- letter five ( shinsei's )
- letter six
- letter seven

Unicorn clan

- letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four
- letter seven
- I've not downloaded the other unicorn letters yet

Dragon Clan

- letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four
- letter five
- letter six
- letter seven

Lion Clan
 - letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four ( Ikoma )
- letter four ( Kitsu )
- letter six
- letter seven
- letter eight
- letter nine

Crab Clan

- letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four

Scorpion clan

- Letter one
- Letter two
- Letter three
- Letter four

Phoenix Clan

- letter one
- letter one addendum
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four

Naga
- letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four

Unaligned letters

- letter one
- letter two
- letter three
- letter four
- letter five : shinsei's ( see crane )
- letter six

Monks
- letter six
- letter seven
- letter eight
 - letter nine

Yoritomo
- letter one
- letter two

The scorpion clan coup by Hiruma Hakaseko

For nearly one thousand years, the Scorpion Clan performed its duties for the Hantei
Dynasty. Just as the crane are the Emperor's left hand and the Lion are the right, the Scorpion
were the Emperor's "underhand". They performed duties that were below
the Lion's honor and the Crane's dignity, soiling their names so the Emperor's would remain
untarnished. And so it was for one thousand years...
Until the day Bayushi Shoju--the Scorpion Champion--discovered an ancient prophecy that told
of the demise of not only the Hantei Dynasty, but of Rokugan itself. Shoju was forced to make a
decision: allow the prophesy to unfold or destroy the source of Rokugan's destruction.
In Shoju's mind, there was no alternative. He would destroy the Hantei Dynasty, thus thwarting
the prophecy.
But before he could assume his mad undertaking, he would need to make preparations. The
Clans would unite against him if he tried to take the Imperial capital. He would need a version
that would allow him to take the capital.
And he would need to take care of the Emperor's greatest general, Akodo Toturi...
As far as Shoju was concerned, the only threat to his success was the Lion Champion, Akodo
Toturi. The Lion's honor was unquestioned in Rokugan, but the
Scorpion can find the flaw in any man's armor. For Toturi, it was his love for a young geisha. A
geisha trained by Shoju's own wife, Kachiko.
On a night filled with wind and rain, Hatsuko slipped a single drop of poison in the Lion
Champion's drink, thus removing Toturi from Shoju's reckoning. Once Toturi was finished, all
Shoju would have to deal with would be the armies of the Crane. "The armies of the Crane..."
Shoju nearly laughed as he whispered the words.
With Toturi missing, leadership of the Lion would transfer over to the Matsu family, led by the
young and inexperienced Matsu Tsuko. Shoju relied on the vanity of the young Matsu, knowing
that she would not accept aid from the Akodo family, or from the rest of the Empire, for that
matter. And while the Matsus fought with the other Clans for the right to attack the
Scorpion, Shoju would fortify his position and await the decision of Rokugan's Great Bear...
Having them as neighbors for one thousand years taught Shoju a thing or two about Crabs, and if
all other contingencies failed, he knew he could count on their respect of strength. When Hida
Kisada saw how Shoju took the capital, he would recognize his position of power and aid his
attempt to hold ancient Otosan Uchi. Then, the other Clans would be forced to accept his claim.
At the least, he would have time to defend his actions.
Of course, trusting the Crab would only be his first mistake...
 Ryan Dancey, on Scroll 3 of the Scorpion Clan Coup:
Nine brothers and sisters of the Sun and the Moon, the Kami, fell to the earth 1,000 years ago.
Eight swore to protect and teach the Rokugani. One become corrupted and swore vengence on
his siblings. A simple peasant and seven samurai defeated the corrupt Kami at the dawn of
history to make Rokugan safe.
The twisted madness of Fu Leng has begun to grow in power. The first Black Scroll has been
opened and read, and the corruptive influence of the Dark Kami has begun to be felt in the
Empire. Word comes from the outer provinces that a great illness has hit many
small towns, killing hundreds. No treatment seems to be able to stop the disease, and the
shugenja and monks who have been trying to stop the plague have fallen ill as well.
Hida Kisada, the Great Bear, Diamyo of the Crab Clan has long contemplated a change in the
Imperial Dynasty. Locked out of the politics of the Imperial Assembly by the crafty Crane,
unable to marshall enough force to destroy the Shadowlands once and for all without the
combined might of the Dragon and the Lion, and wary of Phoenix magic and Unicorn
tactics, he has brooded for many years. On recieving word of Shoju's coup, and shortly thereafter
receiving word that Shoju asks for his assistance in consolidating the Scorpion's power, Kisada
knows that the time is right for his greatest military campaign ever. With simple but clean brush
strokes, he composes a reply to Shoju, then tells his sons Yakamo and Tsukune to ready the Clan
armies for a march across the Emerald Empire.
Sitting on the Emerald Throne, contemplating the massed warriors surroudning the Imperial
Palace, Shoju takes heart when he hears that at last Kisada is on the move.
Shoju's doom is at hand. He will either be the greatest of the Scorpion Diamyos, or the last of the
Scorpion line.
This is the Scorpion Clan Coup!

Here's a brief timeline of events and the sets they are expressed in: Scorpion
Clan Coup Scrolls 1-3:
The Scorpion Clan Diamyo, Bayushi Shoju has come to believe that an ancient prophecy long
held by his clan (the Prophesies of Uikku) indicate that the 38th Hantei Emperor will be the
source of a consuming evil that will destroy Rokugan.
He acts on these beliefs by killing his liege, the 38th Hantei, and then attempting to hold the
Imperial Capiol of Ototsan Uchi against the massed armies of the other Clans. This defense will
be successful if the Crab Clan throw their alliegence behind Shoju.
In the end, Hida Kisada, Crab Clan Diamyo does not support Shoju. The Lion Clan Diamyo,
Akodo Toturi kills Shoju in the resulting general melee in and around Otosan Uchi.
[ The next events occur after the end of the Coup, but before the Imperial Edition begins ]
The story branches into several sub-stories at this point, most of which have some final
resolution by the release of the 5th expansion, Time of the Void.
The Crane Clan lead a pogrom against the Scorpion Clan in retaliation for the Coup, seeking to
destroy them utterly.
{Note from Kaze: This was what was written in the original promo material for the Shadowlands
expansion, but it was later erased. In the official timeline, the pogrom never
happened.}
At the palace, the son of the dead Emperor is named the 39th Emperor of Rokugan. The son is a
vain and churlish man who was spared from the Coup and the attempts of the Scorpion
assassins to kill him by unknown plot developments that may be explored in future sets. He is
enraged at the Scorpion, and as a part of an elaborate series of revenge-motivated actions,
he declares that he will take Bayushi Kachiko, the most beautiful woman in Rokugan, and wife
of the recently deceased Shoju, as his new bride, ending Shoju's line.
Akodo Toturi believes this course of action is unwise, and he protests the Emperor's actions.
Having been nearly killed earlier by a poison slipped into his sake, thus failing in his duty
to protect the 38th Hantei Emperor, combined with the public rebuke of the new Son of Heaven
is too much for Hantei the 39th. He orders Toturi stripped of his family name, and he
orders all the other Akodo to abandon their names as well, save Akodo Kage, the reversed
Master Sensei of the Lion Clan who is above reproach. Further, he refuses Toturi the
opportunity to commit seppuku, and instead sends him forth from the Capitol a dishonored ronin
- the ultimate disgrace.
Somewhere in the Empire, not currently disclosed, Yogo Junzo receives news of the Crane purge
and the actions of the new Emperor. He betrays his families thousand-year oath to guard and
protect the "black scrolls" - ancient spells used to bind and banish the dark god Fu Leng at the
same time the Empire itself was founded. When he opens the scroll he guards, its
malevolent powers consume his spirit, and he becomes a puppet in the service of Fu Leng. The
opening of the Scroll also unleashes a deadly magical plague that begins to spread
through the Empire, killing thousands.
The plague reaches Otosan Uchi, and many members of the Imperial Court are stricken,
including the new Emperor and all the remaining Hantei heirs - in fact, the Imperial City is
decimated by the plague despite the best efforts of the various shugenja and monks who have
arrived to treat its victims.
In the aftermath of the Coup, the purge of the Scorpion, and the terrible sickness sweeping the
Empire, the various Clans begin to turn on one another, first in minor skirmishes, then in
outright warfare.
Following a thwarted assassination attempt on the Emperor (thwarted, suprisingly enough by
Kachiko herself, who is wounded in the process), word is sent to all the Clans that
the Emperor is dying, and that he will name as his successor the Clan noble who best exemplifies
the code of bushido and the command of the Tao of Shinsei.
Stepping out of the mists of legend and rumor, a strange group of halfman, half serpent creatures
known as the Naga reappear in Rokugan, though sightings of the creatures are
few and far between.
Doji Satsume, Crane Clan Champion and Emerald Champion dies during this time, though the
nature and reasons for his death remain unrevealed.
{Note from Kaze: One version of the card Occult Murders or Dripping Poison mentioned the
Emerald Champion being found with poison bubbling in his ear. However, the Herald Letter for
the Scorpion Coup period implies very strongly that the Emerald Champion commits seppuku
for failing to protect Hantei the 38th. It has yet to be explicitly stated which is the
truth, however.}
The Imperial Edition, first printing of the L5R Basic Set:

The Clans are actively at war. A series of battles are fought at the strategic crossroads of Beiden
Pass. Toturi, the former Lion Clan diamyo has been retained by the forces of the
Dragon Clan to lead their army at Beiden Pass, for reasons not understood even by the other
Dragon generals. Chief among these generals is Mirumoto Hitomi, young scion of the
Mirumoto Family. Hitomi has many strong passions, and her greatest is a festering hatred for the
son of the Crab Clan daimyo, Hida Yakamo, who killed her beloved older brother
years earlier in a duel of honor.
At Beiden Pass, Toturi wins several battles, and loses a few as well. Many temporary alliances
form around these skirmishes, but in the end no faction is able to hold and control the pass. At
the largest of these battles, the youngest son of Hida Kisada, Kida Sukune fails to anticipate
Toturi's battlefield tactics and his forces are overwhelmed. In disgrace, he
returns to the Crab Lands to the wrath of his father. Shortly thereafter, Sukune vanishes.
At or around this time, Hida Yakamo loses a hand in a battle with Hitomi. Kuni Yori, a powerful
Crab Clan Shugenja grafts a hideous claw-like appendage to Yakamo to replace his missing
hand, using some terrible ritual that neither will discuss. Empowered by this magical device,
Yakamo returns to the field of battle, locates Hitomi in the fray, and in turn severs one of her
hands - with the sword of her brother, which is subsequently destroyed.
{Note from Kaze: Yakamo lost the hand during the battles at Beiden Pass. Later, Hitomi snuck
into the Crab camp and attacked Yakamo, who soundly defeated her and left her for
dead. This is from a writeup in one of last year's Imperial heralds.}
At about this same time, Kuni Yori induces Yakamo to lend his name to a fearsome Oni which
manifests in the material world and commences an extensive battle of wills with Yakamo for
control of Yakamo's name. More than one such Oni is summoned, but one individual creature in
particular begins to test the will of Yakamo with regularity. It appears that some secret bargain
has been struck by the Crab Clan to utilize the monstrous powers of the Shadowlands in their
own bid for the throne.
Shadowlands, the first L5R expansion:
The Naga send an emissary, called Dashmar, to the Imperial Assembly to inform the Empire that
the Naga have awakened from an ages-long slumber to fight the rising tide of evil they
sense in the Shadowlands. As the Ambassadors of the Clans are consumed with the raging civil
war, few take any serious heed to Dashmar's words. Rebuffed, he seeks to locate those
individuals who will hear the wisdome of the Naga and act accordingly.
In the libraries of the Phoenix Clan, the Elemental Masters have detected the opening of the first
black scroll, and perhaps more. They dispatch on of their number, Isawa Tadaka to seek out the
black scrolls and recover them so that the Phoenix may learn what they truly are.
The Scorpion Clan begin to rebuild their forces in secret. They retake many of their ancient
castles and fortifications. Kachiko is able to use her behind-the-scenes power in Otosan Uchi to
end the Crane purge and to restore the Scorpion some measure of safety. At this time she also
begins to secretly poison the Emperor, seeking to torture him greatly before killing him as
punishment for killing her husband. Acting with all decorum, Kachiko becomes in some sense
the unofficial regent of the Empire, wrapping the bureaucracy around her finger.
{Note from Kaze: As noted above, the Crane purge has now officially never happened.}
Forbidden Knowledge, the second L5R expansion:

More black scrolls are recovered. Many shugenja are now aware of their existence, and of the
awesome powers they can convey. Isawa Tadaka and Isawa Uona have become corrupted by the
knowledge gained from the scrolls, but still they labor to understand their significance.
Battles large and small are common. Land is taken, retaken, and lost over and over, churning the
farmlands of the peasants into huge fields of mud. The harvest is terrible. Famine, combined with
the still raging plague, continues to exact a tremendous toll on the Empire. Combat related
deaths, deaths from starvation and disease exceed one million Rokugani.
{Note from Kaze: This is out of a total of 30 million, according to the RPG Rulebook.}
The barriers between the material world and jigoku, the nether regions of the underworld begin
to weaken. Immensly powerful Elemental Terrors are unleashed - oni of heretofore unknown
powers.
Hitomi, raving from her injury, is conveyed to the Imperial Capitol by a band of Ize Zume (the
tattoed men) who are fleeing one of the many battles at Beiden Pass. In Otosan Uchi, Hitomi is
tended by Kachiko, who seeks to twist the hatred in her heart for Yakamo into an all out desire to
destroy the Crab Clan itself. In return for her support, Kachiko provides a powerful artifact, the
Obsidan Hand, for Hitomi's use.
A Test is held to chose a new Emerald Champion. Many samurai from across the Empire have
arrived for the Test. Among them are Doji Hoturi and Kakita Toshimoko, the young Diamyo of
the Crane and his sensei, the Iaijutsu Master. Kachiko manages to entrap Hoturi and use another
ancient artifact, the Egg of Pan'ku to create a duplicate of him, the lands of the Crane, where his
boorish behavior and increasingly insulting remarks soon so enrage the Lion that they march
openly on the Crane lands.
{Note from Kaze: According to the writeup in the Herald, the 'egging' of Doji Hoturi happened
back in Imperial Edition, a few months before this, gametime-wise.}
Shattered by his Lord's behavior, and convinced that there is something greviously amiss,
Toshimoko enters himself in the Test of the Emerald Champion at the last minute, and defeats
all challengers, including Hitomi. She survives, but leaves the Capitol to return to the Dragon
lands to confront Togashi Yokuni, the Dragon Clan Diamyo. Donning the Emerald Armor,
Toshimoko lets Kachiko know that he will not stand for her meddling in his affairs. However, as
the representative of the Emperor's justice, his first actions must be to return home and
kill Hoturi. With heavy heart, he sets out to fulfill his destiny.
Anvil of Despair, the third L5R expansion:
The forces of the Shadowlands rise to unheard of powers when Yogo Juzo, the corrupt minion of
Fu Leng appears in the Empire leading a vast army of goblins, oni, ogres, trolls, and
other foul creatures. A portion of this force detaches itself from the main body of the
shadowlands horde and links up with the False Hoturi.
Doji Hoturi is rescued from Kachiko's clutches by an unknown servant, and transported away
from Otosan Uchi. Lucid, but greatly weakened, Hoturi is able to get word to Toshimoko of
what has occurred. During this time, the False Hoturi's forces have been systematically
destroying the main Crane Clan fortifications. The Cranes are forced back and back - never
able to achieve victory, but never being completely defeated.
Toturi finds himself surrounded by the remains of the Dragon forces detailed to his command by
Yokuni, along with many ronin who entered his service during the battles at Beiden
Pass. After months of combat, this army has become a battle-hardened force of superior strength
and arms, used to living off the land and the gifts of the peasants. Incredibly,
the man once reviled throughout the Empire as the ultimate disgrace has restored his honor in the
eyes of many, and now leads one of the most powerful military forces in the Empire.
Instead of turning his attentions to the petty civil war the rest of the Clans are fighting, Toturi,
listening to the Naga who have come to advise him, sets his sights clearly on the main
body of the Shadowlands Horde.
Mirumomoto Hitomi reaches Togashi Yokuni and engages in an extensive, secret dialog with
him. When she is finished, she returns home to the Mirumoto Lands to raise and equip a new
army of Dragon Bushi, and Yokuni vanishes from the Dragon Clan lands. He travels south by
means unknown, and holds a secret rendevous with Kachiko. Kachiko knows a terrible,
terrible secret - the Emperor has become possessed by a foul spirit, and the power and evil of that
spirit can be only one person.
The Emperor of Rokugan, Son of Heaven, is the Dark God, Fu
Leng.
Yokuni tells Kachiko that the return of Fu Leng was long prophecied. The wards kept strong by
the Black Scrolls have now been so weakened that Fu Leng is able to physically control a mortal
body. Out of revenge for his original defeat, Fu Leng chose the Emperor
himself. However, Fu Leng could not have known that the Emperor's illness was not caused by
disease, but by the poisons Kachiko continues to administer. Unable to take a new host, the
Emperor is trapped in a body unable to stand, unable to walk, unable to do anything other than
scream in anger. But the power of Fu Leng continues to grow, as each Black Scroll is opened and
read. Soon, he will be able to overcome the infirmities of his host body and then the Empire will
know an enternity of darkness - the revenge of Fu Leng.
Yokuni instructs Kachiko on the things that must now be done. A great cycle is ending, and the
future is in the balance. She must return to the palace, despite her fear, and continue to
poison the Emperor's body - keeping Fu Leng as weak as possible for as long as possible. She
must also hide the knowledge of his return from the rest of the Empire as best she can - such
information would surely tear the Empire's fragile civilization asunder.
Yokuni reveals that the lineal descendant of Shinsei himself walks the Empire as they speak.
Shinsei's descendant is aware of his place in the cosmic drama as well - the Seven Thunders
of legend have been reborn in this time and place to face their ancient foe, and Shinsei's
descendant will locate them, instruct them, and gather them together for the final confrontation.
While Kachiko is away from the palace, the guards at Otosan Uchi detect a massive fleet of ships
sailing northward up the coast. Incredibly, the Crab Clan have constructed troop ships
in secret and have used them to move their army, unseen, north to attack the capitol directly.
The Lion Clan armies who guard Otosan Uchi deploy across the plains surrounding the city.
They are lead by the hot-headed but tactical genius Matsu Tsuko. Tsuko assembles her command
staff on a hill overlooking the Plains of Otosan Uchi and prepares to direct the battle. To her left
are the massed armies of the Lion, and to her right, the dark and ominous presence of the Crab
army, reinforced with oni summoned from Jingoku.
Before the battle begins, a messanger appears from the Capitol. As Tsuko reads the message, the
blood drains from her face, and she drops to her knees, fists clenched. The message is simple -
Tsuko is to allow the battle to be fought without her direction. She has no idea why such an order
would be issued. There is no rational reason for the defense of the Capitol to be so compromised.
But the chop on the order is the one mark she cannot ignore - the one sigil that commands
obedience.
It is the signature of the Emperor himself.
The armies clash in a day of ferocious battles. The Crab forces ultimately win through, for
despite the ferocity of the Lion bushi, without direction they are unable to maintain an
effective strategy across the entire battlefield. As the Lion forces finally break and run, the
triumphant Crab army, lead by Hida Kisada himself stride to the great oaken doors of the
palace and hew them from their mounts.
Kisada, Yakamo, and a small detachment of bushi enter the palace to confront the Emperor.
They fight their way past the remaining Imperial Guards, finally locating the Emperor's inner
chambers.
What happened within remains uncertain to this day. What is known for sure is that Yakamo
emerged, carrying the body of Kisada. Both men were splattered with blood, and Kisada had
suffered a grevious injury. The source of that wound, the Ancestral Sword of the Hantei still lay
lodged in his gut as Yakamo dragged his father from the Imperial palace. The Crab army
retreated as well, and as dawn broke over the plains of Otosan Uchi, none remained to witness
the new day fall on the blood stained fields.
[ The following is a quick summary of "off screen" events that occur on or about this time ]
The chaos in the Empire leads to a rise in banditry and criminal acts. The Unicorn Clan assumes
a large role in trying to stop this tide of crime, seeking out the various bandit groups and evil
shugenja and putting them down. The peasants gain a newfound respect for the unicorn as the
guardains of what little peace and security they retain.
Yogo Junzo receives new commands from his master. He is to begin destroying the monastaries
of the Shintao - the Brotherhood of Shinsei. His mission is to find the descendant
of Shinsei and kill him before he can reunite the Seven Thunders.
Most of the Clans split into two factions - one that realizes the horror growing like a cancer at the
center of the Empire, and the other that seeks to gain adavantage in the civil war and the contest
for the Emerald Throne.
Many of the minor clans of the Empire are enticed to enter an alliance lead by the Mantis Clan,
the most powerful of the minor clans. A man named Yoritomo leads the Mantis, who are
mercenary bushi located mainly on the islands laying just off the eastern coast of Rokugan. The
alliance consists of bushi and shugenja from across the Empire, united by a common cause: Stop
the bloodshead, force the Great Clans to honor their ancient obligations and oaths, and ensure
that the Empire is saved from those who would destroy it.
Crimson & Jade, the fourth L5R expansion:

As the fourth expansion begins, the eyes of the Empire turn to the lands of the Crane.
Beset by the Shadowlands Horde, the Crane bushi have given much ground, but have in turn
learned much of their foe. Crane samuari from across the Empire have returned to aid their
kinsmen, and the coffers of the clan have been emptied to recruit, arm and equip a mercenary
force lead by the man named Yoritomo, the Son of Storms. Where Yoritomo once boasted that
he could field nearly 100 men, the legions that now bear the mon of the Mantis stretch farther
than the eye can see.
(Personal Note from Kaze: This is just me, but, since the Way of the Dragon book mentions that
the total number of ronin and minor clan samurai added together is 200,000, and since
Yoritomo led the largest of the dozen or so minor clans, I think 10,000 or 40,000 might be a
more accurate number. A lot lower than the Lion Clan's 500,000, though. Anyway, just a
personal note.)
The False Hoturi, leading the Horde through the final pass before the Valley of the Ashahina
believes that this will be the final conflict - the Crane will die here, in a region of the Empire
that has never seen conflict in the 1,000 years since the Founding. As the Horde crosses the final
rise, The False Hoturi is stunned to see not the demoralized and broken remnants of
the Crane army he has been pursuing for months, but instead a razor-sharp line of infantry
prepared to charge across the prepared ground and engage his forces!
The battle that day was epic. Many heroes died on that field, and many legends were born. Of
them all, the story that will resonate the longest is of Doji Hoturi, weakened but determined to
end this foe who sullied the name of the house of Doji. The real Hoturi reached the False in the
middle of the melee, and issued the ancient challenge. Two blades flashed, but only one struck
true. And in moments, the threat to the Crane was dead, cleaved entirely in two by Hoturi's
lightning fast stroke.
A roar arose from those nearby, and the mercenary army, the Crane stalwarts, and young Hoturi
himself smashed into the wall of the Horde with renewed vigor. No matter what the
storytellers say - know this. Even the most cold-hearted, infernal oni summoned from the deepest
pit of jigoku can know mortal fear.
Far across the Empire a less glorious, and more tragic tale is unfolding...
Matsu Tsuko reels from her defeat at the gates ot Otosan Uchi. Hida Kisada may have died in the
attempt (or so the rumors say), but she failed utterly to protect the Capitol and her Emperor. As
the days grow longer and winter grows close, Tsuko is left to her own bitter memories of the day
she was forced to stand and watch as the armies of the Lion died.
Far to the south, Hida Yakamo tends to his injured father. Word has gone forth from the lands of
the Crab that Kisada is no more - but his incredible strength of will, combined with the
Armor of the Shadow Warrior that protects him is keeping Kisada alive when any lesser man
would have perished.
Yakamo looks around him at the grim faces of the Crab warriors, and sees little that raises his
spirits. Where once there was a fierce pride in the duty to defend the Empire against the
Shadowlands, now Yakamo sees only the image of broken faith and shattered illusions on the
faces of his bushi. Kisada will never lead the armies of the Crab again, and may not survive the
winter. Yakamo listens to the elders of his family and he thinks long and hard on the price of
victory. Then he makes a fateful choice.
Tsuko too makes a fateful choice. She is drawn to the camp of Toturi like a moth to the flame.
Something within her cries out for solace, and she unconciously knows that only Toturi can put
her aching soul to rest. There is only one person fit to lead the honorable warriors of the Lion. In
this time of turmoil and confusion, only one person has shown a clarity of purpose
and unswerving duty towards the Empire. That person is the dishonored son of her own Clan, the
man the Lion call "Toturi the Black". Today, no Lion samurai would follow Toturi, regardless of
the need. Tomorrow, those who do not may indeed cause the end of the Empire and the
enslavement of mankind.
Tsuko sneaks into Toturi's camp late at night, deftly avoiding the sentries. She makes her way to
his command tent, and surpises Toturi's guards. They make motion to detain her, but Toturi
himself steps from the shadows of his tent, sees Tsuko standing in the frigid night air, and
ordlessly beckons her to join him within.
Tsuko explains herself quickly - if the Lion are to survive, they must break their ancient oath to
defend the Emperor, and instead, embrace the true nature of that promise, to defend the Empire
itself. Toturi is unmoved. Beyond the walls of his tent sleep hundreds of bushi, ronin and clan-
aligned warriors from across the Empire. These men and women, he tells Tsuko, have chosen to
follow the banner of the Wolf not due to some need to placate their ancestors or to prove
themselves worthy of lands and titles, but because doing so may yet save the Empire from itself.
The Lion, like every other clan, will be welcomed to the growing ranks of the army, should they
choose to join.
But Tsuko knows that the Lion will not, cannot join Toturi's army. While she lives, they must
follow her, and the promises that bind the Clan together. While she lives...
A flash of steel, a moment of intense pain, then Toturi's blade sweeps through the crisp night air,
and Tsuko is no more. In the morning, Toturi will read her death poem, and weep. In the
days ahead, the Lion will learn the true meaning of sacrifice and virtue.
A second cut is made that night as well. Howling with the incredible, burning pain, Yakamo
saws the tainted claw from his own wrist, searing the putrefied stump in the embers of the fire
keeping Kisada's chambers warm. The pain is too great for even Yakamo to bear in silence, and
his screams echo through the dank chambers of Hida palace. Yakamo drags himself from
Kisada's chambers, and painfully staggers into the inner sanctum of the Crab Clan. There, among
a hundred other rare and fabulous items, is an articulated hand made entirely rom the finest Jade.
As his vision narrows and his breath grows short, Yakamo places the hand on his wrist, and
wraps the joint with a silken cord enscribed with the wards and protections against evil taught to
every Crab bushi in childhood.
Yakamo's last sight is of a strange, hooded figure leaning over him, pressing cool herbs into his
torured flesh, and whispering a soothing ritual. Yakamo's last thought is a startling one -
"my fingers....itch...." then he finally gives way to the darkness.
{Note from Kaze: This gets changed later. See below.}
As the fourth expansion ends, the stage is set for the Day of Thunder and the Time of the Void.
The Elemental Masters of the Phoenix are all corrupted (save Isawa Kaede, who has
vanished). Tsuko's sacrifice shows some of the Lion where their true path lies - but many remain
bound by oaths they do not understand, but will fulfil nontheless. Deep in the heart of
Otosan Uchi the festering hatred of Fu Leng grows stronger with each passing heartbeat. His
minon, Junzo, is burning the temples of the Shintao, and the Libraries of the Phoenix, seeking the
descendant of Shinsei.
Alone in his mountain fastness, Togashi Yokuni alone knows that the great cycle is nearly
complete, and the events he has waited a thousand years to witness are about to unfold.
For on the fields far below him seven Thunders walk the Empire, and Shinsei's descendant has
arrived to speak the tao and explain what must be done to end the menance of Fu Leng once and
for all. Yokuni may save an Empire, but if he does, he will kill his own brother...
[ Just a quick interjection here - previously I described the struggle Yakamo went through to
attach the Jade Hand. As with many things in Rokugan, there are many stories that may fit the
observed facts. My notes from the time indicate that something close to what I wrote occured.
However, I believe that either John Wick or Ree Soesbee wrote fiction at a later ate with a
different story. As in all things story related, you should assume that Wick or Soesbee's accounts
are more "cannon" than mine.]
{Note from Kaze: The fiction Ryan refers to was published in the Imperial Herald. Yakamo is
given the Jade Hand by Togashi Yokuni while Yakamo and Kisada are hiding in a cave after
escaping from Fu Leng. At this time Kisada wishes to commit seppuku, which is what Tsuko
does shortly after, however Yakamo tells him not to, as they still need him if they are to rid
themselves of the Shadowlands menace.}
A brief interlude, then we get to the heart of the matter - Time of the Void.
During the time expressed in the "middle third" of the expansions, roughly from Forbidden
Knowledge to the end of Crimson & Jade, there were several smaller stories that were expressed
in the cards and in various other sources which have some bearing on the larger story.
At some point along this time-line, the Black Scroll "Return of the Fallen Lord" was recovered
(supposedly by a Lion shugenja...) Shoshi Bantaro, a poweful Scorpion shugenja
used that spell to return Bayushi Shoju, the Scorpion Clan diamyo to a hideous state of un-life.
Shoju's undead form was twisted by hatred and evil and had little connection to his
previous life. Kachiko was saved from his clutches by her personal servant Akiyoshi, who was
probably the same person who snuck Doji Hoturi out of Otosan Uchi, and may have some
relation to Toturi's geisha that has yet to be described.
{Note from Kaze: It has been officially stated that Akiyoshi was not 'Toturi's geisha' (the one
that poisined him way back in the Scorpion Coup). However, both were Kachiko's agents. If
there is any connection, it is unknown as of yet.}
Akodo Kage, the only remaining "Akodo" in the Empire was discovered to have ties to the
mysterious Kolat, a group of assassins and sabateurs who are almost completely unknown
in the Empire. Rumors that he was a "Kolat Master" persist, but nothing was ever proved, and
eye-witness accounts describe his death and immolation following the end of the Clan War.
{Note from Kaze: Officially, it was declared that, though Kage was seen by someone (Kakita
Toshimoko, I think) to have died, there haven't been any assertions that he was Kolat. As far as I
know, almost no-one has actually ever heard of the Kolat.}
The Elemental Masters of the Isawa became increasingly corrupted by their researches. Isawa
Tadaka, always the strongest of their number summoned a powerful oni from jingoku and gave it
a portion of his own name to bind it to the material world. By torturing this oni, the Phoenix
were able to learn much of the dark god Fu Leng and his minions. However, the price they paid
was terrible indeed. By the beginning of Time of the Void, all the Masters (save Kaede) were
either slightly or completely insane. The worst among them, Isawa Tsuke engaged in a
murderous rampage against his own kinsmen, striking down any Phoenix shugenja who crossed
his path.
The Hooded Ronin, a personality who had appeared earlier in the war (in the Shadowlands
expansion) was revealed as the descendant of Shinsei. Shinsei's unbroken line had preserved
secrets of the battle against Fu Leng and of the thousand-year cycle that was ending. Combined
with the wisdom of Togashi Yokuni, the Hooded Ronin was able to locate and bring together all
seven reincarnated Thunders. As TotV opens, the armies of the Clans have gathered together at
last to fight Fu Leng and the Shadowlands horde. Many of their number have chosen to side with
their oaths and allegiances, and defend the Imperial Palace against Toturi's army and the
Thunders. As the winter gave way to spring, the Empire prepared itself for one last convulsive
battle. Hanging in the balance - the entire fate of the world...
 Time of the Void, the fifth L5R Expansion, and 1997 ORIGINS Award
Winning Best Trading Card Game Expansion of the Year! (Thanks
everyone!)

I won't go into the minutia of the Day of Thunder itself, because that story is told well and better
on the backs of the stronghold cards. The text from those cards can be found in several places on
the web, and it appeared in an Imperial Herald as well.
Here is what happened in thumbnail:
1. Initial Skirmishes. The Naga fought and destroyed a sizeable portion of the Shadowlands
horde on the outskirts of the capital using ranged attacks, their own
pearl magic, and tactical guidance provided by Mirumoto Daini.
2. The Elemental Masters fought between themselves in a brutal series of magical battles that
removed many of the Phoenix shugenja from the assault on the capitol and killed most of them.
In the end Isawa Tsuke was destroyed by Shiba Ujimitsu, the Phoenix daimyo, who died in the
conflict. Of the Elemental Masters, only Tadaka lived - (and Kaede, who was and remains
missing).
3. The Lion Schism was healed by Toturi, who rode into the battle at the head of an awesome
army of ronin and clan samurai. Calling on the Lion to heed the cry "For
Rokugan!" he stopped the intra-clan battle and managed to avert the total destruction of his
former clan at their own hands.
4. Yoritomo gained recognition as a major clan daimyo from Toturi and the other seven thunders
just before they entered Otosan Uchi to face Fu Leng.
5. The Unicorn battle maidens rode down Yogo Junzo's horde, killing the undead creatures he
commanded, and Otaku Kamoko killed Junzo herself by trampling him with
her mighty steed.
6. The Seven Thunders, Togashi Yokuni, and the Hooded Ronin proceeded into the palace to
hunt down Fu Leng and destroy him.

6.a. In the throne room, Togashi Yokuni revealed that he was in fact Togashi, one of the kami
who founded the Empire, and brother to Fu Leng. Fu Leng mortally wounded Togashi, but
before he died, Mirumoto Hitomi (Dragon Thunder) used the Obsidian Hand to rip open his
chest and pull forth the 12th black scroll, which had been hidden within Togashi for a thousand
years. In the process, Hitomi consumed much of Togashi's spiritual essence and gained some of
his powers.
6.b. Fu Leng laughed to see the 12th Black Scroll, believing that its appearance gave him the
victory. When Hitomi opened it, instead of gaining his true and total powers, the Hooded Ronin
took great delight in informing Fu Leng that his long imprisonment was now complete, and that
the 12th Scroll had given him total control of the possessed body he inhabited - and had made
him mortal.
6.c. There was a great battle, many desperate moments, and in the end, Toturi and Hoturi killed
Fu Leng with a double strike of their ancestral swords, carrying the day for the forces of light
and the Seven Thunders.
7. A whole lot of people died. The known dead include Doji Hoturi, Isawa Tadaka, Isawa Tsuke,
Isawa Tomo, and Isawa Uona, Togashi, Yogo Junzo (completely dead), Alhundro Cornejo
(unaligned anachronism), most of the Phoenix shugenja, and thousands of other ronin and clan
samurai of greater or lesser repute.In the end, Toturi was named Emperor, the whole Empire
began the slow process of rebuilding, and the stage was set for the Jade Edition and the Hidden
Emperor story arc, which began at the end of June.
Ryan S. Dancey
Brand Manager, Five Rings Publishing Group

RULEBOOK STORIES
Rulebook Stories

Imperial Edition

Kachiko watched as the Emperor slid deeper into the sickness that had befallen him. The scents
of incense were thick in the room from the holy men that prayed to the Gods of Fortune, but she
knew it would take more than prayer to save the dying Lord. Wise men from across the Empire
-- the shugenja -- pored over their ancient scrolls of wisdom, but so far, none of their spells could
break the Great Lord’s fever. Already news was arriving from every Province, telling of the six
Clans moving against each other. It was only days ago that the Emperor’s Emerald Champion
had fallen and until a new Champion could be chosen, the Clans would be free from enforcement
of the Laws of the Land. While some Clans would cling to the Provinces they already controlled,
others would be acting quickly to snatch up the Provinces that were vulnerable to attack.The
thunder of samurai riding into battle was commonplace. Fields were aflame with the ravages of
war, and word of the ninja moving among the shadows was in the air. It was a time of distant
thunder, and distant thunder always warns of present danger.
The Emperor’s coughing resumed in earnest and Kachiko leaned in close to whisper in his ear
and touch his trembling hand. It would not be very much longer that the plague would claim his
life. So often the wise men marveled at the Lady’s courage, being so close to the Emperor at the
hour of his greatest weakness.
Kachiko looked at the wise men and smiled so delicately. "They believe you are dying of the
plague, but we know differently, don’t we my Lord?" The Emperor could do nothing but tremble
under her tender touch, knowing that dark forces were moving against the six Clans and he was
helpless to hinder it.
For five millennia, the Clans of the Empire of Rokugan have been stalwart supporters of the
Dynasty of the Hantei Emperors. The Empire has grown strong and mighty under his wise
leadership.
Many races thrive within Rokugan, including the mysterious Naga of the deep forests, the Ogres
of the mountains and many small goblinoid races who inhabit the edges of the Empire, the
Shadowlands. Beyond the Imperial borders there are lands still unexplored, filled with barbaric
races with strange and incomprehensible lifestyles.
Rokugan has a strong culture, based on the philosophy of the Five Rings, a belief that the forces
of the five Elements -- Earth, Air, Fire, Water and the Void -- are the basis for all life, thought
and action. Many scholars spend their entire lives trying to understand the complex interactions
between the Elements.
Now, rumors fly from the capitol bearing terrible news. A plague has decimated the Imperial
Family. Bodies litter the streets. The greatest healers of the Empire have failed to save the lives
of hose who have been infected, thought they have finally stopped the spread of the illness.
Many of their number fill the burial pits as well.
The Emperor lingers at the edge of the Void, struggling to survive long enough to name his
successor. He seeks one who will unify the Empire through martial power, through general
acclaim, or through enlightenment of the spirit.
The populace fears civil war and the chaos which will follow. Each Clan works behind the
scenes to see one of their own named to the Emerald Throne, but internal factions have proven to
be an insurmountable distraction. The ancient rivalries between the forces of light and darkness
divide brother from sister, Clan from Clan.
It is a time for strong leaders. It is a time for elemental magic, biting steel and deeds of honor. It
is a time for Legends!

Shadowlands

The vast chamber was silent and still. She was alone. Her footfalls led her to the Emerald Throne
of the Hantei Dynasty and she looked upon the carving that showed the sun goddess and the first
Emperor and the fissure that separated the two. Shadows fell across the image, making the crack
seem deeper that it was, or perhaps the shadows revealed its true depth.
"The first steps have been taken, sweet Mother Sun," she whispered. "Already, one of your
chosen has fallen. I have wounded one of your Seven Thunders." There was the slight sound of
laughter in her voice. "I cast him down from the light of your favor. He is nothing." Her fingers
caressed the lion head engraved in the throne. "The next fall will be even more delicious than the
Crane’s"
She spun about, the folds of her kimono folding all about her and she fell into the arms of the
Emerald Throne. Only the darkness heard her laughter. She spoke, "Aramoro?"
The darkness answered. "Yes, my Lady?"
The lids of her eyes gently closed. "Kisada has made his alliance with the dark lands?"
The darkness answered again, "Yes, my Lady."
She smiled. "Excellent."
"But there is other news that troubles me."
She snuggled into the Throne, her eyes closed and her smile unfaltering. "Yes, what is it"
"Lord Toturi is leading an army of Dragon samurai."
"We knew that Aramoro. You have not told me anything new."
"He brings with him the armies of the Naga."
Her back straightened and her eyes flashed open. "Naga?"
"Aye, my Lady."
Thunder rolled in the distance as the darkness waited her commands. Her eyes seemed lost for a
moment, but then she regained command of her thoughts. "Panic will not serve us well at this
hour," she said. Then, she regarded the darkness once again. "Tell Lord Kisada. Suggest to the
Great Bear that Yakamo would serve us well in this situation. I am sure he will come to the same
conclusion."
"Yes, my Lady." The darkness was silent again.
"Naga?" she whispered. "Indeed, the situation has changed." But then she remembered the young
Dragon samurai-maiden who had only recently left the palace and she smiled. "A small surprise
for you from me, Lord Togashi," she said. "I only wish I could see under that mask or yours
when you see how much she has changed." It took all of Kachiko’s will not to fill the room with
victorious laughter.

Four months have passed since the storms of war came to Rokugan. Already the face of the
Empire has changed. The peaceful fields of flowing green have become wastelands of scorched
earth, soaked in the blood of fallen samurai. As if the days were not dark enough, news of the
treachery of Doji Hoturi have spread like wildfire through the Empire. The Crane Lord led an
army of madmen against his own Clan at the Battle of Kakita Castle, and if it was not for the
armies of Phoenix, Unicorn and Dragon (led by Shiba Tsukune, Otaku Kamoko and the ronin,
Toturi), the Crane would have been destroyed. The Crab armies were forced to retreat from their
sanctuary at Beiden Pass back into their own Provinces. Hida Sukune has faced defeat after
defeat from the fallen Lion Champion Toturi, and now he returns home to face his angry father,
the Great Bear Hida Kisada, while the Unicorn hold Beiden Pass, the crossroads of the Empire.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Clan have discovered that the forbidden Black Scrolls have been
opened. Dark prophecies surround the opening of the Scrolls, and while the Phoenix Clan await
the return of their Master of Earth from his investigations in the Shadowlands, they wonder what
evil force may have been released with the opening of the Scrolls.
The Emperor falls deeper and deeper into a death-like trance as the remnants of the Scorpion
Clan form a dark plan of revenge in the Imperial Palace. The six Clans throw military might at
each other while the Scorpion grows stronger, as if they were taking the very life from the slowly
dying Hantei.
And far to the West of the Empire, Mirumoto Daini has returned. Two months ago, the ronin
Toturi sent him out to seek assistance against the growing armies of the Shadowlands creatures,
and he returned with an army -- an army of Naga. The legendary serpent folk have come to the
Empire for a single purpose: to put an end to the Clan War, for if Rokugan will not unite to fight
the rising evil of the Shadowlands, they know that both Empires will be destroyed.
But Lion armies are on the edge of Crane Lands, waiting for the command to strike, and the
Unicorns know it is only a matter of time before one of their comrades tries to gain control of
Beiden Pass. Now, more than ever, the time has come for action. The time of distant thunder is
over. A dark shadow has been cast over the Empire, and only unity will be able to stop it.
Emerald Edition

Kachiko’s eyes were fixed on the horizon where the sinking sun bled its crimson color over the
countryside, the only sound in the room the steady breath of the body that lay sleeping behind
her in the silken covers. She looked across the fields of her husband’s Empire, remembering the
events that had led her to the alliance she was forced to make, and the actions of the man who
forced her to make them.
"Toturi." She whispered the name with a voice edged with hate and venom. "Only you, Toturi.
The rest of them are driven by pride. Only you understand the purity of honor."
She took a deep breath, the cool evening air slipping through her teeth. Then she smiled. "But
you have provided me with something I did not have before. Now I have what I need to take the
Lion’s heart into my hand, and I shall squeeze it until the Lady Matsu begs me to let it go." She
coiled her fingers into a fist as her eyelids dropped and her voice dropped to a slight whisper.
"And then I will have you too, Toturi. You will be mine, body and soul."
Kachiko heard a stirring behind her and she turned from the sunset, letting the crimson light fall
about her silhouette. She let her gaze fall across the figure in her bed and her smile turned to milk
and honey. "You are awake," she said. "Very good my Lord. I have much to tell you."
"I have much to tell you," the man answered.
She stepped across the floor, her footsteps making no sound against the nightingale floor. "The
first thing we must speak of is the revelation of your true allegiance."
He nodded. "Of course."
She reached the edge of the bed and put her hands on either side of his legs. "You and yours have
long been associated with my Clan."
"Only by rumor," he answered.
"Soon, all rumors will be confirmed."
She drew closer and he reached up to caress her cheek. "Yes," she whispered. "And the Lion
Clan will learn why it is unwise to tempt the wrath of the Scorpion..."
"And the Kolat," he said, his breath soft against her cheek.
"And the Kolat," she echoed. As he wrapped his arms around her, she thought of the two Lions
again and she laughed. Soon, she thought. I cannot crush their armies so I will crush their hearts.

It has been nearly a year since the beginning of the war for the Emerald Throne and there is no
end in sight. The Lion army, under the leadership of Matsu Tsuke, continues its relentless attack
upon the Crane, and with only an army of Phoenix samurai defending Doji Palace, all seems lost
for the commander Shiba Tsukune and the family of the fallen Champion. The Unicorn have
continued to hold Beiden Pass, preventing any and all armies from moving through the
crossroads of the Empire, while the army of Hida Yakamo holds off the ronin Toturi and his
motley band of samurai. Little does Toturi know that an army of Shadowlands creatures and
madmen are awaiting him in the hills just to the north of Crab Territory. They wait for the Great
Bear, Hida Kisada, to advance on the ronin’s army, thus trapping Toturi between three might
forces, all bent on his destruction.
But far to the west, Mirumoto Daini brings back an army of the mysterious race of serpent folk
known as the Naga. They will be the deciding factor in the battle that will be fought at the
doorstep of the indomitable Crab provinces.
And in the Shadowlands, the corrupt and insane Yogo Junzo continues his quest to recover all
twelve of the Black Scrolls. He has cast away all previous allegiances to kin and Clan. Now he is
devoted solely to a dark master whose name is only whispered by those who remember and
mumbled on the lips of the dead men who march in his dark army.
A black aura of dooms hangs over the heads of those who would save the crumbling Empire, but
the darkest day is yet to come.
And it is closer than you think.
Anvil of Despair

The rain was cold on her skin, but the shivering in her bones was not from the rain. She looked
up to the Imperial Palace where only an hour ago her plan for revenge had been crushed like a
paper boat on a coral reef. The night wind blew her black hair across her eyes, stinging them
shut. All she could hear was the wild wail of the wind, the steady rhythm of the rain and the
rapid beat of her frantic heart.
But then, a voice surrounded her, a voice like the thunder that resounded about the Plains of
Otosan Uchi. "I told you that it would come to this, Lady," the voice said.
Her eyes flashed open. She knew the voice, remembered it as if she had first heard it in a dream.
Its resonance struck deep inside her and she pulled her ruined kimono tight about her body. She
heard his form moving above her as lithe as a serpent, but she kept her eyes turned away from
him. She did not want anyone to see the fear in her eyes, not now.
"T-to hell with you and your prophecy," she stammered at the voice in the darkness. "Toturi’s
army is on the march. I will go there and join with the fallen Lion. He will have much to gain
from what I have learned tonight."
"No." The voice was steady and calm. "He knows. Toturi knows his part in destiny ... as you do,
Lady."
She shook her head, the pain in her side growing steadily. "No. No, I cannot. There is nothing
left..."
"You know what you must do," the voice interrupted. "You must return to the palace. The
Emperor’s body is weakened from your poisons. You must continue to keep it so. If you do not,
all will be lost. You are needed, Lady. And you are wise enough to know not to try to deny
destiny."
She was still for a long time, but then, slowly, she nodded. "I do."
"It is as I told you before. You are to play a greater part in all of this than you know. Perhaps the
greatest part. And there are others."
She blinked away the rain in her eyes. "Six others?"
"No," the voice said as she felt the presence fading into the rain. "There are seven. Do not forget
that the descendant of Shinsei walks among us as well."
And with that, the voice was gone. Despite what the voice had told her, she did not move, did not
dare move. "But I must," she whispered to herself, her voice only barely audible over the wind
and thunder. She looked up at the palace one more time, and remembered what she had seen. She
shuddered, but then she steadied herself, remembering the reason why she was here at the palace.
As delicate as a kiss, a single name passed through her lips as she felt the strength return to her
as if it had never left.
She stood in the rain and began the long walk back to the Imperial Palace. The lights burned
brightly there, and a
maniacal laughter could be heard ringing through the halls. It was the Emperor’s voice, but the
laughter was not his.
The laughter belonged to something older.

For a year now, war has held Rokugan in its grip, and one look at the once-green fields of the
Emerald Empire can tell you it has taken its toll. Lawlessness has claimed the land as peasants
cower in their cottages for fear of wandering bandits who no longer need worry about the
Emperor’s justice. Instead of trying to restore the Hantei Dynasty, the Clans decided to turn on
themselves, fighting over a prize that was never theirs.
And now, the Empire must pay the price for their lack of vigilance.
One by one over the last year, all but two of the Black Scrolls have been opened, and as their
magic has been released, so was released the evil soul that was trapped within them. When the
first scroll was opened, the evil found a home in the poisoned body of a dying Emperor. As each
scroll’s seal was broken, the force within the Emperor ate away at the dying man’s mind. Finally,
there was nothing left within the body but its true master. While the seven Clans of Rokugan still
struggle against each other to gain the Emerald Throne, their prize now
belongs to the source of the Shadowlands: the dark lord, Fu Leng.

Crimson & Jade

Aramoro stepped into the still room from the night, cold rain dripping down into his armor
against his skin. Across the room, a single figure stood, occasionally silhouetted in a flash of
lightning as it streaked across the black sky. Thunder followed soon after, rumbling over the
rafters of the ancient home of the Hantei family.
As soon as he saw the figure, he fell to his knees and placed his long, slender blade at his side
with a single silent motion. "My Lady," he whispered, his breath hinting at the exhaustion that
wracked his frozen muscles. "I bring you news."
Another flash descended, but the shadows clung to her, revealing nothing to him. He could smell
the perfume of her hair drifting across the room, but he heard no sound from her, save for the
single "Yes?" that hung in the air many moments after it was spoken.
"I followed Akiyoshi, as you commanded." She did not respond; he continued. "Your suspicions
were correct. She has been to see the ronin."
"Where else would she go?"
Aramoro continued, feeling the bitterness of her words seep into his skin. "Much have I learned,
my Lady. Yoritomo’s ambassador was there, as well as a representative from the Brotherhood."
She nodded. "Junzo is looking for the descendants," she whispered. "That is why the
Brotherhood is there. Yoritomo is there because he is as opportunistic as a crow spying a shiny
bauble."
"There is no alliance between them, my Lady. The Clans refuse to acknowledge his claim.
Yoritomo swears the Alliance will fight to prove their worth."
"And destroy the Empire in doing so." Again Kachiko shook her head. "It is just as Yokuni said.
All of his prophecies are coming to pass."
"My Lady," Aramoro whispered. "There is more. The Lady Tsuko..."
Kachiko spun on her heel, her kimono whipping about her. "You have news?"
"Hai. She was at the ronin’s camp."
She moved across the room as the lightning struck behind her. Aramoro fell completely
prostrate, not certain if the chill in his bones was from the rain or his Lady’s icy stare. "Tell me,
ninja," she said.
"She was there, my Lady." Aramoro’s eyes focused on the wood panels inches from his nose.
"She begged him to return, to reclaim the mantle, but..."
The thunder crashed, the paper panels and wooden beams of the house shuddering as the ninja
continued whispering to her. When he was done, he remained prostrate and silent. Kachiko
paused for a moment, then turned back to the window. For a moment, she swore she saw a
shadow there, but in the span of a breath, it was gone.
"It is all true," she whispered. "All true."
She turned back to the ninja, her face shifting in the shadows. All the darkness had left her eyes.
When she lifted Aramoro’s chin with her fingertips, he could see them gleaming like the
lightning in the window behind him. With her lips only a breath away from him, she said "My
beloved husband’s brother. You swore you would protect me and follow my every wish, my
every command without question?"
Aramoro nodded. "Aye, my Lady. You know I did."
"Then I have only one command left to give you, my devoted Aramoro." She looked into his
eyes, knowing his response perhaps even before he did. "I want you to leave me."
"...My Lady?"
"Without question, Aramoro. Remember? Leave me now. Join the others. Our army must be
ready when the moment is right." She saw the confusion in his eyes and she smiled, and at that
moment, she realized it was the first true smile since the war had begun. "I cannot have you
standing between me and my destiny. Go. Now."
Aramoro nodded and stood and she stood with him. She looked up at the ninja as his full height
dwarfed her own. "May the Fortunes watch you, my Lady." As swiftly and silently as he had
arrived, he was gone. Leaving her alone with the rain, the darkness and the thunder.

For nearly two years, the battle for Rokugan’s throne has ravaged the Emerald Empire. For
many, the war seems to be lost already. The dark lord Fu Leng sits on the throne, possessing the
body of the Empire’s rightful ruler, the young Hantei.
But not all have given up hope. In their researches of the Black Scrolls that once imprisoned Fu
Leng, the Phoenix have decoded an ancient prophecy. The Black Scrolls tell of a time when the
ancestors of the Seven Thunders (the mortals who bound Fu Leng a thousand years ago) will
return to do battle with their ancient enemy one last time. These Thunders will be brought
together by a descendent of Shinsei, the man whose wisdom taught Rokugan the philosophy of
the Five Rings.
As the prophecy begins to unfold, Fu Leng has sent out his general Yogo Junzo to hunt down the
Thunders and Shinsei before they can gather their resources. Junzo took his master’s orders to
heart, destroying temple after temple, looking for Shinsei’s hiding place. The Brotherhood of
Shinsei -- the monastic order that keeps the shrines and temples -- are the targets of Junzo’s
attacks. However, the Brotherhood has proven to be a bit more of a resourceful enemy than
Junzo counted on.
Meanwhile, the minor clans of Rokugan have seized what they see as an opportunity. While the
great Clans fight amongst each other, the minor clans have joined together under the banner of
Yoritomo of the Mantis Clan. They hope to prove this by doing what the great Clans have not
been able to do: unite the Empire against the Shadowlands.
But even the efforts of the Yoritomo Alliance may be too late. Already, Fu Leng’s armies march
across Rokugan, killing and corrupting as they go. Those who fall before them are turned into
mindless rotting corpses, marching with their dark master’s name on their numb lips.
The Clans have realized their errors. Even now, they begin to join together in an effort to
stop Fu Leng. But his armies march on, gaining victory after victory. And even heroes
grow weary...
 LETTERS FROM THE IMPERIAL ASSEMBLY

THE CRANE

LETTER ONE

Greetings and good will to you -

It is my duty to bring news from the Empire to you, our most
trusted ally, for it is only with your assistance that we may
save Rokugan from an age of eternal darkness. There is much
to say, and so I shall dispense with the formalities.
With the Crab Clan turning their back on their duty, the
Shadowlands have begun to creep into the Empire. Already we
have seen armies of dead men marching across Rokugan, and
the first major battle between the Clans has taken place. We
lost much in the battle, but in the end, the sacrifices that
were made brought us victory. Master Toshimoko was vitally
instrumental in our victory, bringing much honor to our Clan.
His courage is to be remembered.
We gained two vital allies on that day: the Lion Clan and the
Phoenix Clan. The Dragons were also instrumental in our
victory, but it was the actions of Matsu Tsuke that allowed us
our victory. It was she that stood against the destructive
power of the Crab. And though the Phoenix army was situated
for an attack, they chose not to do so, thus keeping the Crab
armies from attacking further into our lands.
Yes, we have achieved the first victory in this war, but the
only victory that matters is the reunion of the Clans under the
Emperor's banner. Our alliance with the Lion Clan is tenuous at
best, and we have never understood the enigma that is the
Dragon Clan.
As for the rumors of the rebirth of the Scorpion Clan, let me
put your worries to rest. I have just received a letter from our
Champion, Doji Hoturi. He even now speaks to the Emperor in
the Imperial Palace, and he assures me that there is no need
to be concerned with the fallen Bayushi family. Their Champion
is dead and their scheming High Lady is separated from the
politics of the Empire.
But the rumors of the Naga...that is something I can say
nothing of. We have seen what may be Naga, but reports are
never conclusive. We shall have to investigate further.
We have also seen evidence to prove the rumor that Akodo
Toturi (the fallen Lion Champion) has gathered a small band of
samurai about him. They seem to be mostly Dragon and
Unicorn, although many ronin have also joined him. If you can,
appeal to him, for he is a man of great wisdom in the ways of
war, and he would make an invaluable ally to us in this dark
time.
That is all the news I can bring you for now, my friend. Go
with the wisdom of Shinsei in your heart and pray to the
Seven Fortunes that this conflict finds its resolution soon.
Kakita Yoshi

LETTER TWO

Dearest ally,
It has only been a month since we faced imminent doom at
the hands of the Crab. Luckily for us, the ronin Toturi arrived
with his army of Dragons and the Phoenix Shiba Tsukune to
assist us in our darkest hour. Toturi left to face the Crab at
Beiden Pass, leaving the Phoenix samurai-maiden here at Doji
Castle in case the he failed at Beiden. He did not fail and has
proceeded to chase the Crab army all the way back to their
provinces. Unfortunately, a threat that we had been expecting
since the beginning of the war has come to pass. The Lion
have invaded from the North, and Tsukune has found her
tactical talents put to the test against the Lion Champion,
Matsu Tsuko. Only with the use of the most talented shugenja
in Rokugan has she been able to keep Tsuko at bay. She is
slowly being pushed back, however, and we fear that we may
soon lose Doji Castle. We have sent for allies from the Unicorn
Clan, but we have not heard any response. Hopefully, our new
ally in the Imperial Palace shall assist us in this struggle. Kakita
Toshimoko "the Grey Crane" has won the Test of the Emerald
Champion, defeating thirteen samurai to become the Emperor's
personal champion. It has been two weeks since the
tournament, and we have not heard from Lord Kakita as of
yet. We suspect the villainous Kachiko has sabotaged our
correspondence, but we have no proof.
We have received word from the Palace, however, and it did
not come from any official messenger. The masked ronin who
arrived just after the Battle at Kakita Palace delivered to the
ronin Toturi our Champion, Doji Hoturi. He was thin, sickly and
barely clinging to life. The ronin told us that it was the Lady
Scorpion who created the impostor with an ancient and
magical egg. Lord Doji insisted in his drugged and delusional
state that he had killed the Lady Scorpion just before his
escape, but we cannot be sure. Have faith, my ally. Soon, the
Unicorns will arrive and we will be delivered from the fury of
the Lion. We have sent messengers to Toturi to ask for his
assistance as well. Since the Unicorn control Beiden Pass, he
will not have to go north to ride about the Lion lands, thus
cutting his travel time by weeks. In the meantime, Doji Yosai
stands with Shiba Tsukune, and together with shugenja and
samurai, they will hold off the Lion until assistance arrives.
Kakita Yuri
 LETTER THREE

There is no time for pleasantries. The armies of Matsu Tsuko

have destroyed Doji Palace and are now on the march
southward toward the sacred halls of the Asahina family. The
shugenja have made no preparations for war. We never
expected the Lion to turn their backs on their duty to protect
the Empire. Our only hope lies with a tiny army on the west
side of the great river that divides the Empire. A young Dragon
samurai has sent word to us that he leads an army of Naga,
and he will arrive as soon as he can. He assures me the Naga
have a way to cross the river. I do not doubt him, but I fear
that he may still arrive too late. We have received word of the
Unicorns betrayal of Toturi when they turned him away from
Beiden Pass, and we are appalled. What could have convinced
them to not only turn their backs on Toturi, but on us as well?
Certainly a poisoned tongue has been whispering into the ear
of Shinjo Yasamura. And speaking of poisoned tongues...
Doji Palace fell, not because of the battle tactics of Matsu
Tsuko, but because of the black sorceries of the Scorpion
Clan. The doppelganger of our Champion arrived at the
moment of Lady Tsuko's retreat with his army of gibbering
Shadowlands madmen and massacred the shugenja of the
Phoenix. Only three survived along with their general Shiba
Tsukune. Daidoji Uji was helpless before the onslaught of the
Shadowlands and he too was forced to retreat. At the
moment of the attack, our scouts told us that the Lion armies
made an initial advance against the dark forces, but then
suddenly halted. My most trusted scout told me it was after a
man wearing the sigil of the Emperor himself ordered Matsu to
stand her ground. He also told me he saw the Lady of Lions
watching the battle, and that her face was a mask of pain and
helplessness. Perhaps now she realizes her error. Perhaps not.
Whatever the truth may be, it is now too late. If Daini arrives
with his Naga, will they be enough force to stop the advance
of the Shadowlands army? I cannot say. All I know is that our
Champion lies recovering in the south, the venom in his veins
still too much to allow him any action. He awaits the arrival of
Daini, and we hope that perhaps they have the cure to the
Scorpion poisons that keep our Champion from leading us in
battle against the False One with burning eyes who burns our
villages to the ground and salts the ashes that he leaves
behind.
Kakita Yuri

LETTER FOUR

My friends,

On the day of our greatest triumph comes the darkest news

this war has yet to bring. First, the news of our victory at
Asahina Temple should have reached you by now. We thought
it would be our final stand against the army of madmen, but
we were wrong. We had prepared the temple against attack,
but our commander, Daidoji Uji, knew that we could not stand
long. It was then that our Champion returned to us, along with
a Dragon samurai and an army of shapeshifting Naga.
Together, we stood against the Shadowlands, and on that
day, we defeated them utterly.
Before the Shadowlands army's first charge, however, a
shugenja from that festering horde called out our commander.
Hoturi stepped forward to take the challenge, but the Phoenix
samurai-maiden, Tsukune, begged him for the opportunity to
face the necromancer. Hoturi permitted her, and the
samurai-ko charged down into the open plain and cut down
the necromancer with one mighty stroke from her naginata.
The Shadowlands army then found themselves under a
downpour as the Phoenix shugenja sent a thunderstorm of
merciless power over them. The thing that claimed to be Doji
Hoturi tried to keep his army together, but he could not. The
Naga charged into his ranks, moving faster than any horsemen
ever could. Their archers fired arrows into the air, landing only
half a moment before the Naga hit the main body of Oni and
madmen.
The battle was engaged. Our Lord Hoturi led Daidoji Uji's
forces against the personal guard of the False Hoturi. For the
first time our Lord faced the thing Kachiko had created and
their duel began in the midst of the mighty clash of arms.
Hoturi had to fight through three guards before he reached
the False One, and their duel was mighty indeed. But in the
end, our Lord crushed the false one, removing his head from
his body with one single stroke. The army was routed,
encircled and burned until it was nothing more than ashes and
memories. We were victorious, my friend. We were victorious!
It was then that a lone rider came out from the north,
carrying a message for our Lord. I have never seen him before,
but I am told that he was the masked ronin who saved Hoturi
from the clutched of the Lady Kachiko. Our Lord turned to us
and told us the news. The Emperor's soul no longer resides in
the Emperor's body. Now, the mortal shell carried the soul of
the Dark God that Shinsei and his Seven Thunders banished a
thousand years ago: Fu Leng.
Lord Hoturi commanded me to write you as quickly as possible
to tell you this news. We need to gather together with all
speed and communicate this news to the rest of the Clans.
They must know the truth. Open your coffers, my friend and
bring to our ranks the ronin of Rokugan. Theirs is a force that
has yet to be brought to bear. This is a lesson our Lord has
taught us well. Bring ronin to your ranks. We must do more
than unite. We must hire any samurai who would join our
cause. It is time to use those riches we have built for the last
thousand years. Be well, and may the Seven Fortunes be with
you.
Doji Kuwanan

LETTER FIVE ( Shinsei's letter to every Clan )

You know me.

I have stood with the armies of Rokugan and I have stood
against the armies that reek of the stench of the grave. You
have stood with me. You have stood against me.
The Brotherhood has hidden me well, but now the time has
come for all of us to stand in the sun.
Matsu Tsuko knew this when she spilled her own blood with
the blade of her ancestors. She could not serve the creature
that sits on the Emerald Throne, so she chose the only option
her honor would allow her. It was an act of courage, not fear.
We must learn what she hoped her act would teach us.
Those of us who will not serve the darkness must stand
against it.
We do not have to stand alone.
To the Crab, I offer this:
Your choice is not as easy as it seems. You could choose the
path of darkness. If you do, victory for our enemy will be all
but complete. Look at your fallen Champion. There is your
reward for fighting against this evil. Choose wisely.
To the Crane, I offer this:
You began this war seeking peace. Now your army is one of
the mightiest in Rokugan. Will you look past your besmirched
honor and see what is required of you? Revenge is a powerful
weapon, but it is dull and impotent compared to duty and
honor.
To the Lion, I offer this:
If you listen, you can still hear Tsuko's words on the wind.
Listen to them carefully. They were spoken a thousand years
ago by another Lion.
To the Phoenix, I offer this:
Nothing is certain, not even the rise of the fallen fire bird.
Everything in this world must be earned. Sometimes, the price
is blood.
To the Scorpion, I offer this:
Your mistress knows her destiny. She knows what she must
do. Do you?
To the Unicorn, I offer this:
You have returned to a land that was never really your own
and now you are the sole defenders of those who have sworn
to serve you. Even so, if we are all standing in the light of a
new dawn, a greater task lies ahead of you.
To the Dragon, I offer this:
When the night departs and the sun rises, the seeds of
darkness remain. If they are left to grow, the roots will find
your heart and drink it dry. Becomes gardeners, my friends.
To the Alliance, I offer this:
You are a new ally. They will not trust you. They do not trust
each other. You have an opportunity. Your show of fraternity
may prove to be the lesson the Great Clans must learn. Do not
stray from your path. Your importance is yet to be realized.
And for Toturi, I offer this:
Victory can be the greatest trap of all.
I have traveled deep into the Shadowlands. I have learned
much from my journeys. It is time for me to pull back my hood
and let you see my scars.
May the Seven Fortunes guide you,
Shinsei

LETTER SIX

The walls of Otosan Uchi stand before me. Kinsmen dressed in

battered armor surround me. It is the heart of summer, and I
can feel the sweat beading down my back. The farmers the
Unicorn have brought with them give me cool oranges to help
stifle the heat. I thank them and they bow and scramble
away.
So much has changed since all of this began. I remember
coming to this city two years ago, looking to petition for
peace. I did not find peace, only a trap that I fell into all too
easily. Suddenly, a story that Toshimoko told me when I was a
child comes to mind.
Shinsei was walking down a path when he heard a cry for
help. He tipped his wide-brimmed hat back and saw a small fly
caught in a spider's web. The fly called out to Shinsei: "Help
me! Help me, oh wise one."
Shinsei asked, "Why should I help you, little one?"
"For if you do not help me," answered the fly, "the mistress of
the web will drink my blood and leave my body to rot in this
web!"
Shinsei shook his head. "Whose fault is it that you fell into this
trap, my friend? Is it the spider's fault, or your own?"
"Will you not help me?" the fly cried.
Again, Shinsei shook his head. "If I take you from the trap, the
spider will go hungry. Who am I to deprive another of such a
fine, plump meal?" Then, without another word, Shinsei stood
straight and continued his walk.
I always thought Shinsei to be a cruel, cold-hearted man for
leaving the fly for the spider. It was not until recently I
understood the meaning of that story. Every creature has a
purpose on this earth. Part of the fly's purpose is to be caught
in spider's webs to be devoured by the mistress of the web.
I have a purpose in this war. I have fulfilled part of it. I have
one more part to play, and it will not be an easy one, and it
will involve the mistress of the web, once again.
Another of Toshimoko's lessons now comes to my mind. When
I was very young, he brought me to a small village on the
outskirts of our lands. There, the villagers brought in oranges
-- villagers much like the one who has just left my sight. "One
day, Hoturi-san," Toshimoko told me. "One day you will be
called upon to dispense justice to those who have sworn
fealty to you. And that is when you will learn the deepest
truth of courage."
"What is that, sensei?" I asked.
"A coward seeks vengeance, Hoturi-san," he told me. "It takes
a courageous man to find compassion in his heart."
Those words are with me now, as I watch Otosan Uchi.
Somewhere within, I will find my destiny.
I only hope I have the courage to fulfill it.
Doji Hoturi

LETTER SEVEN

My gentle cousin -
The war is over, and we are coming home. On the plains of
Otosan Uchi, the armies of Rokugan united against the Dark
One, struggling in one last battle against the forces of the
Shadowlands, and we were victorious. But the battle left us
with heavy losses - losses which seem almost too much to
bear.
When the dawn came, Toshimoko led his men - all wearing the
mon of the Imperial Guard - onto the field of battle. It was all
I could do to keep our Crane army alongside him. He fought
with the fury of a man possessed, his katana striking deep into
the heart of that unearthly fray. Beside me, the Lions
rampaged against a horde of undead, and I saw Tsanuri draw
her steel against the remains of the Crab, Amoro. Then the
lines closed around me and I had no time for thought. Four
times the Phoenix were cut down by the strange magic of the
Dark One, and four times they rallied behind Scorpion lines.
Phoenix defended by Scorpion – a strange sight, but a
welcome one. As the shugenja cast their spells, the jade flew
above my head and into the archers on the walls around the
palace. Tides of arrows returned fire, and I saw many
shugenja fall beneath their burning rain. Despite their valiant
struggle, I fear the Phoenix have taken the heaviest wounds
of all.
As the sun rose, it seemed as if a tide turned within the
battle. I saw the battle-maidens of the Unicorn driving the
undead toward us, and we cut the zombies down like chaff
before a woodsman’s axe. The spirit of the legion was
breaking, their servants were racing into the woods, making
for the south. Goblins, mujina - all were fleeing, and I knew
that somewhere deep within the Emperor’s palace, we had
won. When the Thunders came forth from the keep, I counted
their number. Nine had entered the palace to fight the evil
within. Only six had returned.
Three men lay within the funeral pyre on the plains of Otosan
Uchi, but I had eyes only for one flame. Today I watched my
brother’s body burn. When I was young, our father called me
into his chambers before I was sent to study war with the
Daidoji. "My son," he told me, "some men put faith in the
things of steel - the sword of strength and skill. Others say
that the path lies in the eyes of a great soul - the sword of
the spirit."
Now that soul lies in flames on the field of the Emperor’s
palace.
The Empress stood before the pyre as well, and in her hand I
thought I saw a braid of black hair and white. Strange times
make strange allies. I have heard Toturi will give the Scorpion
back their house, their place in the Empire. Perhaps not, I do
not know. The Crane have enough houses of our own to
rebuild.
If we are to have again what we have lost in this war, it must
be through faith. Let us return to the lands of the Doji and
regain our way, and our hope will renew the soul of our
people. I swear to you, if it takes all my strength, I will lead us
beyond the flames and to a new beginning.
Kuwanan

THE UNICORN

LETTER ONE

My distant friend -

It has been a long time since we have had a chance to speak,

and much of it has to do with the Crab army positioned
directly to the south of our Provinces. It is a massive army,
and even with the swiftness of our steeds, we are unable to
move against it.

For now.

However, if you are reading this letter, it means that our spies
were successful in their task and we have found a means of
moving our cavalry out of our Provinces and into the
battlefield. Soon, we shall be moving against this wall before
us from its backside. A Crab may have a powerful shell, but if
you turn it onto its back, you will find that it has a tender
belly that bleeds.

We have heard talk of the engagement between the Crab

army and the Crane army and how the Lions and Phoenix came
to the Crane's aid. We have also heard that an army led by
Lord Yasamura came to the assistance of the Crane. It is good
that the Clans are working together in this hour of darkness,
and it is also good that our presence was there to show
support for our allies. However, we have also learned to never
trust the Crane or Lion. They have always worked to their own
interest, constantly competing for the Emperor's favor. We
should warn the Phoenix against further actions lest they find
themselves on the wrong end of a political bargain.

I should also tell you of our lost Unicorns. As I mentioned

before, a single unit of cavalry led by Lord Yasamura became
separated from our Stronghold when the Crab army retreated.
We sent them down into the battle to observe and support,
but the retreat of the Crab (something we did not expect) cut
them off. We have heard they have joined with Akodo Toturi
and his wandering band of samurai and ronin, but that is only
speculation. Our spies have also told us that they have seen
the Phoenix Master of Earth in the camp of an army of walking
dead men, but I am not certain if that report is to be trusted.

With the Crab armies positioned just to our south and the
returning Phoenix armies approaching our borders, perhaps it is
time we sought allies among the serpent folk our ancestors
encountered during their journey to Rokugan. Or perhaps even
turning to the Phoenix Clan would provide us with allies. We
have never had reason to mistrust the Shiba family, and now
with the Shadowlands moving further north every day, we
need to discover a means to halt the approaching darkness
quickly.

Speed has always been our greatest strength, but now it

would appear that even the speed of the wind may not save
us if we cannot break through the rock hard carapace of the
Crab.

Shinjo Yokatsu

LETTER TWO

May the winds bring good fortune to you.

At last, we have found allies in this war! The Lion Clan has
stepped forward and offered us much land in exchange for an
alliance and we have accepted. The agreement is simple. We
are to prevent any army from moving through Beiden Pass,
and in exchange, we shall be given lands in the south for our
services. The ronin Toturi has been a valuable ally; however,
as the Lady Kachiko has told us, associating with a dishonored
ronin will not improve our position in the Empire. We have left
Shinjo Yasamura at Beiden to prevent any movement into the
Pass.

You may also have heard of the Test of the Emerald

Champion. That is where we met the Lady Kachiko for the first
time. She was a generous hostess and impressed our
diplomats greatly. We have heard tales of her bravery in
protecting the Emperor from assassination, but imagine our
surprise when her bodyguard, Bayushi Aramoro, saved Ide
Tadaji from a ninja assassination attempt! We were unable to
identify the assassin because he destroyed his own features
with his climbing gear before Lord Aramoro could catch him,
but we are in debt to the Lady Kachiko and her brave
bodyguard. We then witnessed the Crane Iaijutsu Master's
daring victory over the Dragon samurai-maiden for the position
of Emerald Champion, a brilliant duel that put a Crane in the
position of the Emperor's personal champion. Ide said he
thought the Lady Scorpion was a bit disappointed by this
surprise victory, but we also understand how the long rivalry
between the Scorpion Clan and the Crane Clan could still hold
resentment in Lady Kachiko's heart. It must be said that we,
too have some animosity for the Crane. Their Champion has
gone mad and is now leading Shadowlands armies against our
own fortifications in the southern regions of our provinces.
Kakita Yoshi assured Ide Tadaji that it was not Lord Hoturi,
but that is difficult to believe when Otaku Kamoko says she
saw him with her own eyes. We have been warned by the Lion
and the Crab about the treacherous ways of the Crane, and
when Lady Kachiko reluctantly agreed that she has found
reason to doubt the word of Cranes in the past, we knew that
we should not trust them. They have sent us messengers
asking us for assistance, but we have refused to answer
them. The Lion have promised us that they will be merciful
with the Crane, and that we shall inherit half their lands when
the war is over. In the meantime, we have much to worry
about in the south. Lord Doji and his army of ghouls must be
stopped, and we are the only army capable of doing so. Keep
well, and we shall speak more later.

LETTER THREE

May the Winds Bring Good Fortune to You,

Events are proceeding rapidly and we must be prepared to

take advantage of any further changes that fortune seems fit
to make. Shinjo Yasamura has turned Toturi away from Beiden
Pass and into the Lion lands. There, he faces the animosity of
his former clansmen and the added threat of another army -
the exact nature of which we cannot ascertain. But Lady
Kachiko assures us that this enigmatic force serves the
Emperor, and that the two armies will crush the ronin and his
rag-tag band beneath them. We have done well to leave
Toturi to his fate, for no honor could be gained in sharing such
an ignominious defeat.

Further south, a perplexing and uneasy situation has

developed in the campaign against the Crane. Doji castle has
finally fallen to the Shadowlands army led by their former
Champion. The corrupt Lord Doji now marches towards the
temples of the Asahina family, where the remnants of the
Crane have gathered with the Phoenix Shiba Tsukune to make
a final stand. Despite Matsu Tsuko's claim that the Crane will
be treated mercifully, it now seems clear she has nothing less
than their utter destruction as her goal. More disturbing is the
fact that she and her army stood by and watched while the
Shadowlands army crushed the last defenses of Doji castle.
Have the Lion become so obsessed with vengeance that they
have forgotten their vow to defend the Empire? Would they
step aside and permit the destruction of Rokugan lands - lands
promised to us by treaty - merely to end some petty feud?
And why in the name of the Seven Thunders have they done
nothing to stop the unholy monstrosities that now stalk the
shattered remnants of Doji Castle? Lady Matsu is no longer
trustworthy, and I fear that her treachery may have dire
implications for our clan.

But we are not without resources. We did not join the Lion to
inherit a scorched Crane wasteland, nor do we intend to be
thrown to the wolves as Toturi was. Lord Doji has quite clearly
made a pact with the forces of darkness, and once the
Asahina temples fall, our lands will be next. Otaku Kamoko has
led our finest horsemen to our southern borders, in preparation
for an inevitable attack. The weak and corrupted Crane have
fallen like wheat before the Shadowlands army. But we are not
the Crane, and our enemies seem to have forgotten that.

We are alone now, my friend, without a friend or ally in all of

Rokugan. But we have swiftness in our blades and purity in our
hearts, and we are ready to face the dark days that are
approaching. Keep your wits about you and remember that
you are Unicorn. We will speak again soon.

Ide Tadaji

LETTER FOUR

Now, more than ever, we have been cut off from the rest of
the Empire. Our armies who move inland have told us the other
Clans have retreated to their lands and seem to be waiting.
None will speak to us. Communication from the Imperial Palace
has ceased. The Lady Kachiko, once our most trusted advisor,
has disappeared. My friend, we are alone.

But this is nothing new to us. We who have wandered for

generations in the vast wasteland to the north and west of
Rokugan. We will survive as we have always survived: with our
speed and with out wits.

I can tell you nothing of the news of the Empire. I can only
tell you rumors. It is said that the Crab Kisada attempted to
slay the Emperor and was himself slain in the attempt. We also
know the Crane have won a victory against the Shadowlands
army led by their traitor Champion. The snake Hoturi has been
laid to rest, his body burned and his army destroyed, and we
must celebrate with them now that they have seen the error
of their ways in following such a man.

Shinjo Yasamura, in the meantime, has left behind Beiden

Pass. He has a more pressing duty, a duty that they other
clans seem to have forgotten. When we swore our fealty to
the Emperor and became his "Samurai", we swore we would be
the keepers of justice in Rokugan. Now, with all the samurai of
the land engaged in this selfish battle for the throne, injustice
runs rampant throughout the Empire. Bandits - peasant and
ronin, human and shadowlands - run rampant through the
villages, taking what they need and leaving behind only
bloodshed and suffering. Others who should be performing this
duty continue to be drawn further into this bloody conflict for
the throne, leaving the people of Rokugan to die at the hands
of criminals and oni.

We have seen this before. We shall see it no more.

Forget this foolish quest for the throne. Forget the fighting
between selfish men and return to the duty we swore we
would perform. Find those preying upon our green land, seek
out the evil men and unholy creatures who would massacre
helpless peasants, and destroy them. Teach them that there
is still law in Rokugan. Protect those who cannot protect
themselves, and assist them in rebuilding what they have lost.
It is the people of Rokugan that will keep the soul of this
nation alive. If we protect them from the folly of their
would-be rulers and end the depredations against their homes
and persons, then this nation will survive to see the dawning
of a new day. This is our duty. This is our destiny. And we are
the only ones who can perform it.
 LETTER SEVEN

Brothers and Sisters!

We have bested the Dark Lord, and a new Emperor sits

upon the throne of Rokugan! It was like no other war we
have ever seen, here or in the lands or our ancestors. The
battle before the palace was fierce and brave. Junzo's
reinforcements, send to make the palace impenetrable,
were crushed beneath the speed of our steeds. With flying
hooves and swift arrows we circled the battlefield like
Shinsei's crow, picking off units of Goblins and Undead. We
watched as the Lion stood together after Toturi's
command, and we charged by their side as the palace
gates opened. It was magnificent!

But I could not stay to fight by the side of my Clan. Shinsei

called my to battle the Evil One, and I followed. When we
walked inside the palace I was not sure if we were ever
going to leave. The creature which was our Emperor
laughed when it saw us, and its laughter held the ringing
sound of madness. As I watched Togashi and his brother
collide, the hooded descendant of Shinsei reached out and
touched my hand. I looked into his eyes and suddenly, for
the first time, I knew we would win. It might not be my
sword which killed the beast, but we would win.

When the Thunders finally charged the Emperor, the battle

was fierce and desperate. The Phoenix's shards of jade
flew through the air like lightning, and the swords - mine,
the Crane, the Lion and the Crab - surrounded Fu Leng like
a barrier of steel. I was knocked back early in the fight, my
head reeling from the savage blow. That's when I first
noticed. By the door of the room, Mirumoto Hitomi stood,
the twelfth scroll clenched in one hand and the dripping
heart of her Champion in the other. She was staring across
the room, heedless of the battle we fought. It was as if
she no longer cared who won. After the fight was over and
the Emperor was dead, I turned to find her. She was
standing over the body of her Champion, holding his bloody
heart in her dead, cold hand and staring down at his face.
The look in her eyes as she picked up his daisho was as
empty and broken as the body at her feet.

I think - I fear - she has gone mad.

When we returned from the Emperor's throne room, the

field was littered with corpses. Literally hundreds of men,
even thousands, from every clan in Rokugan were
scattered on the plain before Otosan Uchi. The stories
Yokatsu and Yasamura have told me about the oni who
tore through their lines are enough to make the fiercest
Lion turn pale. Yet they survived. Yasamura even has oni's
teeth strung and tied to his saddle. He says that they will
remind him of his destiny, but I think they are to remind
him that he is still alive. I have learned that destiny isn't
something that can be forgotten easily.

Toturi was made Emperor shortly after the battle had

ended. The sun shone down on the plains, and the blood
on the grasses was redder than the flames of the pyre
they built for the bodies of the dead. "A new beginning,"
Toturi said, "A new age." An age downing in fire, blood and
madness.

An age dawning in destiny

Kamoko
Otaku Kamoko
 DRAGON CLAN

LETTER ONE

My most honored ally -

The Dragon Clan sends you greetings, good ally, and

wishes you well on all your journeys. These are dark
times, and to make a journey across the once pleasant
plains of Rokugan is now a perilous and possibly foolish
act. Only the wise and the naive travel in darkness. We
hope you are not naive.

We bring you news of the Empire, friend. We have taken a

part in the recent battle between the six Clans, and there
is much to tell and explain. At the surface, our actions
may seem irrational, but as it is with our Clan, there are
deep truths to be found under the dark clouds of mystery.

The battle was fierce, and there were many times when a
victor could have been decided, but at a moment's
notice, victory was snatched from his grasp. Seizing
victory is much like fishing: you must learn to give a little
on the line, lest the weight of your prize work against you.

Strangely enough, it was the Phoenix Clan who showed

great wisdom in the final decisive action of the battle.
There had been many opportunities for the Lion Clan to
walk away with the victory, but it was always our samurai
that kept them from ravaging an enemy's Province. But
at the last moment, the Crane Clan sought alliances
among the Clans, and it seemed their action might prove
successful. That was when the Crab Clan made its move
into Crane territory, but they were unsuccessful, finding
themselves blocked by the battle wisdom of Daidoji Uji
and the keen blade of Iaijutsu Master Toshimoko. The
Phoenix Clan had an opportunity to attack then, with the
defending armies all engaged to the south, the army led
by Shiba Tsukune was unhindered in her path to the Fief
of the Crane, but she showed great wisdom in her
reluctance to attack. The Crane had won the day, and we
allowed it to be so, for it is better that they win than the
Crab. However, the Empire has been cut in half by the
armies of Crab, prohibiting us from communicating with
the other Clans. It seems their intent was not on victory,
but in gaining superior position.

As for our own Clan, you will rejoice to hear that our
armies were ever-present on the battlefield. We won
many duels and our Champion was seen on the field for a
time, slicing down Unicorn armies with his sorcery and
steel. Also, a small band of samurai has been cut off from
the major force by the Crab blockade. It is currently
under the command of Mirumoto Hitomi, along with the
ronin Akodo Toturi.

When we discover more news regarding the Empire, we

shall let you know. In the meantime, keep your own ears
and eyes open for news from other Clans.

Togashi Yoshi

LETTER TWO

Brother,

The wind brings news from all corners of the Empire. To

the west, our brother Daini returns with ancient allies.
From the east, we hear news of the Test of the Emerald
Champion. To the north, the Phoenix tell of the Black
Scrolls and to the south, our scouts bring news of the
actions of our army and the ronin Toturi.

With instruction from the Fallen Lion, our brother Daini

has returned with the Naga. His messengers tell us that
he does battle with the Shadowlands and their
shugenja-general, the twisted and corrupted Yogo Junzo.
Daini tells us he has learned much of the Shadowlands in
his battles, and his knowledge will prove to be invaluable.

As for the east, we have learned of the Lady Scorpion's

attempt to put our own Mirumoto Hitomi into the Emerald
Armor. Our battle-sister has fallen under the Lady
Scorpion's sway, her poisoned tongue has darkened
young Hitomi's heart and filled it with dreams of revenge.
However, it was not Hitomi who won the tournament, but
the Gray Crane, Kakita Toshimoko. Even with the ancient
power of the Obsidian Hand, Hitomi was unable to defeat
the Iaijutsu Master, and only the magic of the Hand was
able to save her life.

With the finding of the Obsidion Hand also comes the

finding of the Black Scrolls. You know now that it was the
shugenja Yogo Juzno who opened the First Scroll, and the
prophecy speaks, "When the First is opened, so shall
follow the others." The Phoenix Elemental Masters have
taken to studying the power of the scrolls, but they have
found themselves being corrupted by their power. We
must not hear the Scrolls' siren song and find ourselves
tempted by their power as the Phoenix have done. They
will find the secrets the Empire must know, but we must
remain pure from their influence, for only purity may save
us now.

And do not forget Toturi in the south. Our Champion gave

to him the Fan of Command and chose him to lead our
armies. We have much to learn from his knowledge of
tactics and strategy. He has taken Togashi Mitsu as his
advisor, and with his knowledge, they shall make our
army into a deadly force.

Be faithful. Be true. A dark time is coming, and we must

be strong. And when the darkness of midnight fall upon
us, remember that you are Dragon. You are never alone.

Togashi Yoshi

LETTER THREE

Brothers,

The ronin Toturi no longer leads an army of Dragons. The

army he leads now is an army of Dragons, Unicorns and
others who have seen through the mist of politics the
Lady of Scorpions has dropped over the Empire. Toturi is
the only one with clarity of vision and the strength of
purpose to lead such an army. Some among us are
protesting that so many of our number should not be
following one such as he, but I can assure you that his
purpose and ours are as one. He will not fail us.

However, the dark time that has fallen upon Rokugan will
not fade with the passing of the spring into summer. We
must make haste if we are to be ready when the twilight
turns to night. Already the houses of the Crane are
falling. first Kakita Palace and now Doji Palace. The
houses of the Asahina family are next. Only the tiny army
of Naga led by our own Daini will be able to stand against
the Shadowlands army, and they may not be enough.
Toturi has been cut off from the Crane by a charmed
Shinjo Yasamura. Our spy in the Capital said that a young
Scorpion Lady was sent to convince the young Unicorn to
keep Toturi from moving through Beiden Pass. If this is
true, then Lady Bayushi's influence extends much further
than we anticipated. It is imperative that she not extend
that influence any further. All the pieces must be in place
when our Champion returns. If she continues to try to
avert the inevitable, then all will be lost. She has even
gained influence over the young Mirumoto Hitomi. The
samurai-maiden now wears the Obsidian Hand, the
ancient Scorpion relic. Once she was one of our bravest
warriors, and now she is just another pawn of Lady
Kachiko. The Scorpion are also responsible for the deep
rooted corruption that has awakened in the Shadowlands.
Its source is Yogo Junzo, the shugenja who once guarded
the First Black Scroll. It was the Scorpion's duty to guard
the Scrolls, to ensure their isolation, and now they have
failed even that. We do not know how many have been
opened, but unspeakable consequences await all of us
should their secrets be unlocked.

Take care in these dark times, my friend. Soon, darker

days will arrive, and we must be ready. We have been
warned.

Kitsuki Yasu

LETTER FOUR

My Brothers, our Champion has returned.

I have been directed by him to tell you of the dark times

that have descended on our Empire. You have no doubt
heard by now that a new army of Shadowlands creatures
walks the land. Commanded by the undead shugenja,
Yogo Junzo. What you may not know is that Junzo is
connected somehow to another, far darker power - a
power which has taken control of the Emperor himself.

The Great Fleet of Hida Kisada struck the Imperial City

without warning. The Crab destroyed the Lion army
stationed there and occupied the surrounding area, while
Kisada and his son Yakomo stormed the palace with the
intent of taking the throne. None yet know what occurred
there, but scant hours later, the Crab army retreated
from the city, scattering to the four winds. Rumor has it
that The Great Bear was slain by the Emperor's hand, and
that his son has been corrupted to the will of the
Shadowlands. Tales of sprung up of the young Hantei
weilding magics that the blackest shugenja will not touch,
and throwingarmies about like a child's toys.
Unfortunately we cannot confirm any of these ravings.
None who have entered the Imperial Palace have thus far
emerged alive.

As if this were not grim news enough, Junzo's horde had

unleashed atrocities upon the Empire that would chill the
blood of even the bravest samurai. We have not yet
ascertained the exact connection between Junzo and
Hantei but it is clear that the two are acting together.
Even Yokuni, in his beneficient wisdom, could not have
anticipated such darkness. With the Imperial City in
shambles and an army of Shadowlands monstrosities
walking the lands, we must take steps to ensure that this
evil does not engulf us. If Hantei were to acquire the
knowledge which we possess, he would be unstoppable.

I have ordered most of our forces back to our mountain

strongholds in anticipation of an assault from either
Junzo or the Imperial City. If they come for us, they will
have to take us in a location of our choosing. Mirumoto
Daini has been granted permission to remain with the
Naga, while Togashi Mitsu and his legion is tattooed men
continues to move with Toturi's rag-tag army. With the
Crane victory at the Asahina Temples, perhaps these
forces can join together in a common effort against Junzo
and his allies.

And Hitomi? Hitomi is lost to us. She treads a path that

none of us can follow, and we must abandon her to the
destiny she has embraced.

The time has come to hold fast our couse. Hantei has
been lost, and we must prepare to defend ourselves
against the darkness which claimed him. If we stand
strong, and Toturi is truly the man Yokuni claims he is, we
may yet survive this night to see the coming of a new
day. Courage, Brother.

Mirumoto Sukune

LETTER FIVE

You know me.

I have stood with the armies of Rokugan and I have

stood against the armies that reek of the stench of the
grave. You have stood with me. You have stood against
me.

The Brotherhood has hidden me well, but now the time

has come for all of us to stand in the sun.
Matsu Tsuko knew this when she spilled her own blood
with the blade of her ancestors. She could not serve the
creature that sits on the Emerald Throne, so she choose
the only option her honor would allow her. It was an act
of courage, not fear. We must learn what she hoped her
act would teach us.
Those of us who will not serve the darkness must stand
against it.
We do not have to stand alone.

To the Crab, I offer this:

Your choice is not as easy as it seems. You could choose
the path of darkness. If you do, victory for our enemy
will be all but complete. Look at your fallen Champion.
There is your reward for fighting against this evil. Choose
wisely.

To the Crane, I offer this:

You began this war seeking peace. Now your army is one
of the mightiest in Rokugan. Will you look past your
besmirched honor and see what is required of you?
Revengeis a powerful weapon, but it is dull and impotent
compared to duty and honor.

To the Lion, I offer this:

If you listen, you can still hear Tsuko's words on the
wind. Listen to them carefully. They were spoken a
thousand years ago by another Lion.

To the Phoenix, I offer this:

Nothing is certain, not even the rise of the fallen fire
bird. Everything in this world must be earned. Sometimes,
the price is blood.

To the Scorpion, I offer this:

Your mistress knows her destiny. She knows what she
must do. Do you?

To the Unicorn, I offer this:

You have returned to a land that was never really your
own and now you are the sole defenders of those who
have sworn to serve you. Even so, if we are all standing
in the light of a new dawn, a greater task lies ahead of
you.

To the Dragon, I offer this:

When the night departs and the sun rises, the seeds of
darkenss remain. If they are left to grow, the roots will
find your heart and drink it dry. Become gardeners, my
friends.

To the Alliance, I offer this:

You are a new ally. They will not trust you. They do not
trust each other. You have an opportunity. Your show of
fraternity may porve to be the lesson the Great Clans
must learn. Do not stray from your path. Your importance
is yet to be realized.
And for Toturi, I offer this:
Victory can be the greatest trap of all.

I have traveled deep into the Shadowlands. I have

learned much from my journeys. It is time for me to pull
back my hood and let you see my scars.

Shinsei

LETTER SIX

From the shadows,

I watch him.

He stands with the Crane - the weak

Hoturi - and makes battle plans. I
wonder if he knows how Kachiko tricked
Hoturi, and then tricked the Empire
with her trick. I wonder if he knew,
how close he would stand to the
Crane, I wonder.
Now he walks from the Cranes to the
Lions. The Lion commander is
handsome, strong, beautiful, perfect.
He's more Crane than Lion. They
speak and look at the Lion army that
stands at the gates, waiting for them.
They speak and look at the army of
marching dead men that waits for them.
Within the gates is the master of the
armies, but even he has a master. He is
a slave to darkness. His chains are
heavy, but they bring him strength.

Just like my own chains.

I have a duty to perform, a destiny to fulfill.

It has nothing to do with Yokuni.

It has nothing to do with "Shinsei."

The voices in my head tell me to

"Forgive!" but there is no room in my
heart for forgiveness. Only vindication.

Soon, I will face him, but only when I

am ready. Only when he is as my
brother was. Only when he is bruised
and battered with blood in his eyes
and his lungs, that is when I will face
him. I will watch the fear in his eyes
grow. I will bathe in it, use it to wash
away my soul's pain. Then, once I
have seen his fear, and he has felt it in
his belly, he will know how my
brother felt. He will know. He will know.
And then, I will send his soul screaming
away with that knowledge, that at
the moment of truth, his heart was filled
with fear, and he failed. He failed.

My brother told me a story once when I

was a little girl, watching him train.
A story about Shinsei and Togashi. When
Yokuni speaks to me, I wonder if he
knows I know. I wonder if he knows
what my gift has whispered to me.

I know my destiny, and I am ready for

it. There is no fear in my heart. I see
the obsidian glass creeping into my
skin and I see the eyes of others
wonder if its tendrils have
reached my heart and I smile. My heart
turned to black glass long before all
of this.
From the shadows, I watch him.

Soon.
Very soon.
Hitomi

LETTER SEVEN

My kinsman -

I will tell you what I remember.

I stand at the doorway of the

great battle, and I see them fight -
Toturi, the Crane, the others...valiantly
stuggling again and again against an evil
they cannot possibly understand. I look
into the shadows across the room,
and I see hooded eyes fixed on mine.
Waiting to see if I will join the battle. I
look in this eyes, and I realize. He
knows. I turn my face to the battle
again, my hands filled with blood,
and I watch the Dark One fall
beneath their blades. I witness
the death of two Thunders as their
blood spreads in an ocean of scarlet on
the floor. And when the battle is done, I
look on as the others free the Crab
from his chains. I search his eyes as
they help him stand, but in them I find
nothing.
When they leave, I stay in the throne
room. I look at the broken chains, the
shattered throne. I stare into the eyes
of each of the four dead men on the
floor, and as I do, I reach down to the
broken body of Togashi, and I take
his swords from his side. I know them -
the weight, the brightness of the
steel. Memories of the day of their
forging surface in my thoughts.
Memories that are not mine. There is a
soft noise in the shadows near me,
but I do not look. I am drawn back in
time, to the place where I sat,
watching the crowning of the
first Hantei. To the day when my
brother, Satsu, died from the Crab's
tetsubo. A movement, and I
see the faces of men who died a
thousand years ago. They change,
and I see the face of the Crab. There
are soft footsteps across the throne
room, but I turn away. There is
nothing left for me now.

Some time after, I walk into the

brightness of the morning, out of the
Palace. I leave with four swords at my
side. No one else should bear them.
No one else can carry their weight. I
look down from the palace wall and see
my brother, Daini, with his Naga. Let
him stay with them. Perhaps their sleep will be kinder than
my awakening. Toturi stands upon
the wall, watching the last of the
fighting below. I stand near him,
placing my hand along the stone at
my feet like a crouching spirit, and
look down at my men. Dragon blood
was spilled across those fields.
Something stirs in me, and I wait for it
to speak - but it is silent, and the
swords rest uncertainly in my grasp.
But what I remember most
occurred before the fight, before we
entered the Palace. At the last moment
before the others arrived, Togashi put
his hand on my shoulder and his
eyes met mine. That was when I looked
beneath his steel mask for the first
time. I could see his face - his thoughts.
In his eyes was the image of his
destruction. The face of death was my own.

His swords are heavy in my hands,

my own daisho shifting at my side
with each step I take. His voice - my
voice - rings in my ears, and it's
laughter is unfamiliar and
strange. I close my eyes and his broken
body flashes against the
darkness. It was not until I saw the
sun again that I realized my black
hand still held his bleeding heart.

No one should have to carry four swords.

Hitomi

LION CLAN

LETTER ONE

My friend, victory is ours!

The Crab Clan has been forced from its invasion of the Crane
Provinces and is even now retreating to the North. They have
taken a defensive position just south of the lands of the
Unicorn Clan and have remained there as if daring us to drive
them away.

We have made a brief alliance with the Crane Clan, my friend,

and it is all to our benefit. In doing so, we have placed them in
a situation where they are dependent upon our protection,
thus allowing us use of their vast wealth to feed and furnish
our armies. As you know, the lands delegated to us by the
divine wisdom of the Emperor have never provided to us the
wealth the Crane Clan enjoys. However, now that we have
built an alliance between our two Clans, the wealth we have
long desired is available to us.

The victories that we gained in the battle have put us in a

unique position. We now have the resources to move against
the Crab Clan, thus ending the threat to the Throne and
restoring the Emperor to his rightful strength. We know that
the Kuni family has used some dark magic to sap our Emperor's
strength, but with courage and swiftness, we can put an end
to the villainous Hida Kisada's plans and bring glory back to the
Hantei Family's name. And when the Emperor sees that it was
the Lion and not the Crane that has done this, we shall stand
alone at the Emperor's side.

You should know that the Kakita family already suspects our
motivations for assisting them in the battle. Kakita Toshimoko
came to us, looking for audience, telling us that the Emperor's
new bride is responsible for the evil that is sweeping through
our land. But we know otherwise. Our spies tell us that it is
Doji Hoturi who is allying himself with Bayushi Kachiko, and
since Toshimoko was Lord Doji's sensei, we can only cast
suspicion upon him as well. In short, trust not the Crane Clan.
They have led the Empire into this darkness, and we shall be
the ones who lead the Empire into a new dawn.

Also, during the battle, a young samurai-maiden from the

Phoenix Clan struck down one of our shugenja. A strike against
a Lion is a strike against the Emperor. Her name is Shiba
Tsukune. Remember that name, my friend. Remember it well.

The times seem dark, but things are not as bleak as they
seem. Stay true to our destiny - the protection of the
Emperor - and the dawn will arise soon enough.

Matsu Tsuko

LETTER TWO

Brother-in-arms,

There is much to speak of, and not enough time. I shall be

succinct.

The ronin Toturi has evaded our wrath for two years, but no
longer. You know that he has come out of hiding from the
Dragon Keeps and now leads their army against the Crab. He
defeated them at Beiden Pass and now hopes to starve them
out of Yasuki Palace on the fringes of their provinces. But
what is waiting for Toturi in the lands of the Crab is a trap. He
thinks that he must only face Yakamo, but he is wrong. Hida
Kisada, the Great Bear himself, is also waiting for him, along
with armies of dark legions from the west. While we do not
publicly approve of such actions, we know that the
Shadowlands army will cause Toturi to retreat to Beiden Pass,
and when he does, he will find the Unicorn army he left there
to guard it not as friendly as when he left it. We have made a
pact with the Unicorn: If they assist us in destroying Toturi,
we shall give them half the Crane lands we shall capture. Also,
a hidden Scorpion army led by Toturi's childhood friend, the
Crane Champion Doji Hoturi, is waiting in the north for his
retreat. Toturi is trapped on all sides.

In the meantime, our Champion is laying waste to the Crane

armies. With the help of the Crab, we managed to destroy
Kakita Castle, and now she lays siege to Doji Castle. Only the
pathetic armies of the Crane are there to protect their lands.
An upstart army of Phoenix is also there, led by the
samurai-maiden Shiba Tsukune. Of course, I need not tell you
of her crimes against our Clan. Soon, both she and the Crane
will be finished and we shall divide their lands with the Unicorn
for their trust and alliance. As for the rumors that it was the
Lady Scorpion who "created a false Hoturi" we can only say
that the Crane have been driven to great lengths if they
expect the Empire to believe such a lie. Lady Kachiko has
spoken with our Champion, and assured her that the Crane
have lost favor with the Emperor and that we are his most
favored. It was also Lady Kachiko who suggested the alliance
with the Unicorn, and she has urged Lady Matsu to take quick
action against the Crane before they are able to re-establish
communication with the rest of the Clans; we have done so.
The war is nearly finished. The Crab and Dragon will destroy
each other and the naive Unicorn will be at our beck and call
as the Phoenix drive themselves to darkness with their "Black
Scrolls." The Throne is safe and we shall be sitting on both
sides of the Emerald Throne, as it should have been since the
beginning.

Matsu Hirotu

LETTER THREE

The time for rejoicing is near, my comrade.

Our ancient enemy, the Crane, are finished. They have

retreated from Doji Castle and are fleeing south for the
temples of the Asahina family. Their shugenja will give them no
more protection than their samurai have. The battle was a
complete rout, thanks to our beloved Matsu Tsuko's courage
and strategy. We have occupied Doji Castle, but have found
the tell-tale signs of corruption there and have abandoned it.
Obviously, the Crane have thrown in with the undead legions
of the Shadowlands. They have followed their Champion's
example out of desperation. They have no honor left. Even the
Emperor's bride has turned her back on them, calling them eta,
outcasts. The Emperor's Champion, however, refuses to
believe our claims. Toshimoko claims that a scout from the
Phoenix armies that helped protect Doji Castle tells him that a
Shadowlands army assisted our beloved Champion in
destroying Doji Palace. But our own Akodo Kage was there and
assures me that such is not the case. Indeed, news of the
attack comes from one of the Isawa family, who we all know
have been falling under the influence of the Shadowlands. As
for the impetuous Phoenix samurai-maiden who slew our
shugenja and routed our army many months ago, word has it
that she escaped the doom that our beloved Champion
prepared for her. Obviously, she must have used black magic
to do so. Another sign that neither the Phoenix or the Crane
can be trusted.

The Shadowlands have become a significant force in the

Empire, and we must turn our blame to the Crab. It was their
duty to guard the Empire against the dark power of that land,
and they have failed in that duty. Where is Hida Kisada? Why
does he not rise up to destroy the ghouls that wander our
countryside? I shall tell you where he is. He has fled to the
south with a significant army. Even now he waits on the
southern beaches, but what is he waiting for? We cannot say.
Yet. However, the Emperor's spies have reported to us that he
has sent many members of the Kaiu family to the southern
islands of the Mantis Clan. We have not gathered information
on what Kaiu Suman and his family are doing there, but I
assure you, as soon as we discover the truth, you shall be the
first to know.

Ikoma Ujiaki

LETTER FOUR ( Ikoma )

There are traitors among us my clansmen.

There are those who would deter us from our duty to the
Emperor. Honeyed words and poisoned tongues have tried to
cloud our vision and turn us from the path of our ancestors.
We must not allow them to succeed.

The mystery of Hida Kisada's whereabouts has been solved.

His fleet sailed north from the islands where it cowered, and
attempted to take the Imperial City by surprise. You may have
heard many wild rumors in these dark times, but I can assure
you he did not succeed. Our armies scattered the Crab to the
four winds, and the Great Bear himself was slaughtered like a
dog as he tried to storm the palace. I personally saw his son,
Yakamo, fleeing the city with Kisada's corpse in his arms.
You have by now heard of the Crane victory at the Asahina
temple. Their pathetic forces will soon try to wreak some
measure of revenge for the justice we have dealt out. They
must be hunted down and destroyed like the dogs that they
are. Some remnants of the Crab army have escaped and may
try to regroup. Show them what it means to challenge the will
of Heaven. And lest we forget, the traitor Toturi continues to
defy us - marching a pitiful band of ronin towards the Imperial
Palace in a vain effort to prevent the inevitable. Bring us his
head as a gift to the Imperial Throne.

But most importantly, we must locate some sign of our

Champion, Matsu Tsuko. She received a letter from the
Emperor's wife just before the Crab landed and has since
vanished. We need her to help restore order within our ranks,
to once more lead the Lion towards our proud destiny. There
are those in our ranks who have questioned the Emperor's will.
There are Lions who whisper that Hantei has fallen, and that
the old ways can no longer be followed. They must be shown
the error of their disloyalty before our enemies can exploit
their weakness. Find Tsuko, my clansmen. Find Tsuko, and we
can finally reclaim our sacred place at the Emperor's side.

You know who sits on the Emerald Throne. You have heard his
name. Now you must ask yourself a simple question: Shall I
serve the Throne, as I have sworn to, or shall I turn from my
duty and betray my ancestors' memory? That is what you
must consider. If you betray your duty, you have no right to
call yourself a Lion. This is the promise you swore. You did not
swear to serve the Throne when it suited you, you swore that
you would serve the Emperor or die. Are you men of your
word? If you are, then you will follow the Emperor's commands
without question. If not, then you are no better than a lying
Scorpion.

Do what you must and show the rest of the Clans what it
means to be a samurai

Ikoma Ujiaki

LETTER FOUR ( Kitsu )

It is over

The time when we placed our pride before the welfare of the
empire has passed, and we must now do what is necessary to
ensure Rokugan's survival.

The Crab have taken the Imperial City, defeating our army
there with a surprise attack from the sea. Our Champion,
Matsu Tsuko, was ordered to stand aside while Hida Kisada
marched his forces throughout the streets. The Lion forces
attempted to fight them, but without Tsuko's leadership and
tactical knowledge, they were no match for the Great Bear.
He swept us aside and entered the Imperial Palace.

What happened next, I do not know. From what I have heard,

Kisada engaged the Emperor in single combat and was slain.
How a weak and sickly man could kill the likes of the Great
Bear is beyond me, but a few hours later, the Crab army
scattered, leaving the city in our hands. Then, we received an
announcement from the palace - an announcement delivered
by a hideous oni in the guise of Hida Yakamo. We were to take
up arms again and march against the Emperor's foes. Joining
us in this endeavor would be an army of Shadowlands
abominations commanded by Yogo Junzo.

Now comes the time of our most painful choice. We have

sworn fealty to the Emperor, whoever it is that sits on the
Emerald Throne. We have failed in our duty to protect the
Empire, and now we must decide how to serve the Throne: Do
we serve the man who sits upon it, or do we fight to place a
better man there? The decision is yours. I know it will be a
painful decision, but is one that must be made.

You have heard news of the Crane victory at the Asahina

Temples, Find them and join them if you can; our feud with
the Crane is passed. The Unicorn are said to be holding order
in the countryside, slaughtering bandits and destroying
shadowlands creatures where they can be found. Help them in
their efforts. And yes, the ronin Toturi is on the march, with
an army of samurai in opposition to Yogo Junzo. As painful as
it is, we must ally with the traitor for the greater good of the
Empire. His strength may be all that is keeping us from eternal
darkness. Above all, we must find Matsu Tsuko. With her
gone, our Clan is without leadership, and I fear that many will
listen to the 'Emperor's' inhuman advisors in her stead.

If these words shock you, it is only because they are the

truth. If you cannot swallow your pride, then Rokugan will
surely be lost. We must strike against the evil now, or all that
we claim to stand for is naught but dust in the wind. The
threat is among us, my brethren, and it bears the Emperor's
name. If we do not see it for what it is, then we are nothing
more than puppets to its will. Let us teach it what it means to
deceive a Lion.

Kitsu Motso
 LETTER SIX

For days I have watched as armies begin to build

outside of Otosan Uchi. Two armies in particular have
caught my interest. They are the armies of Kitsu
Motso and Ikoma Tsanuri, two armies that carry the
banner of the Lion Clan.
Tsanuri's army stands before the gates, defying
any who hope to enter. Behind her family banner is
the banner of the Matsu family. It is hard to believe
that the protege of the Fallen Lion has chosen to
stand there. If I was asked to guess which side of
this battlefield she would be on, it would not have
been that one.
And on the other side of that field stands the
banner of the Kitsu family, also supported by the flags
of the Matsu. The proud and handsome Matsu has
gathered quite a force, but I do not know if he has
the ability to hold his army together if he should
engage the army of the Lioness.
As I said, I have watched for days as these two
armies have stood, staring, waiting, watching. A dark
violence is building here, like the tension of a bow
string that has been drawn too long, too far.
Long ago, my father told me a story of two cats
and one bowl of milk. Both of the cat's hovered over
the bowl, staring and unmoving. They snarled and
bared their claws as each dared the other to try a
sip. For days they sat still, perfectly motionless,
each muscle tense and ready to pounce at the first
sign of movement.
Each of them was so engrossed with the other
that neither of them saw the wolf that crept up upon
them and tore each cat to pieces. Then, when he
was down tearing their meat from their bones, he
washed it all down with a nice bowl of milk.
Shinsei says, "When the student is ready, the
Teacher is there." I do not give my advice when it is
asked for, but on this day, I watch the Lions gather,
ready to destroy themselves to prove their courage
and I must ask myself, "Why?"
For all of you who call yourselves Lions, I have
only this to say.
The wolf is waiting.
If you are not ready for him, he will tear you to
pieces.

Miya Moto
 LETTER SEVEN

To my comrades-in-arms among the fortresses of the

Lion,

You know me. You heard my voice in council, and you

know my heart. Those of you who have served in my legion
know that I sought only to lead my people as I felt my
oath demanded. I stood at the gates of Otosan-Uchi,
attacked on all sides by my people, torn between loyalty
and reason. I would have died there, beside my kinsmen.
At the hands of my kinsmen. I would have died fighting for
what I thought was our duty.

I was wrong.

When Toturi, the ronin, came before us and showed us

the way that we had lost, we rallied and turned up on the
palace with all the fury of a hundred storms. The gates
opened, and the filth within the walls spewed forth across
the plains in a battle like none I have ever seen. But with a
wildness in their eyes and a strength in their hearts that
was unmatched, ten thousand Lions took the field that day
for Rokugan -- and beside the forces of Crane, Crab and
Unicorn we charged, praying it would be enough. Praying
all would go well within its walls. I charged into the fray
with Motso beside me, and a legion of undead parted
before our blades. I tore away their porcelain masks and
tried to ignore the faces beneath. Once they were familiar
faces.

Once they were men -- just soldiers, like you or I -- but

now they had become abominations. Food for a Lion's
blade.

Even when the zombies disarmed me and thought to

place upon my own face the mask of their Master, I fought
with nothing but my hands and my courage. I thank the
Seven Fortunes that it was enough, and I ran their
once-Crab leader through with his own rusted blade.

Many men died on the field that day, but those who
survived -- Gohei, Agetoki, and the rest -- showed the
Shadowlands the strength of a Lion's heart.

Remember them, my brothers, when you speak of this

day to your children.

Remember not only the seven who entered the gates of

the Palace, but the thousands who died on its fields. Their
 sacrifices were just as great.

When the bodies of the dead were burning on the plains,

I went before Toturi and offered him my life. He looked into
my eyes and said, "To tread on the sword that defends
you is an offense to the soul of bushido. Rise, daimyo of
the Lion, and take your place at the council of your peers."
I stood beside the daimyos of the great clans of Rokugan,
and I felt like a falcon among eagles.

I am a soldier. I was not raised to be a politician, nor a

leader of men. I swore my blade to the Lion, and to the
Emperor. Now that Emperor commands me to lead you into
the future that is before us. If you choose, you can follow
me there, and we will fight as soldiers. Side by side.

Tsanuri

LETTER EIGHT

My dear old friend,

It has been long since I heard from you, and your words
stir memories in my soul that I had thought were long lost.
It is good that I remember them. The time of the Clan Wars
has passed, and there are those who say that the histories
of our time will be written by the victor -- written to cover
the past. It is only the memories of people such as you and
I who will know the truth. I pray that those times do not die
with us -- that our struggle will not have been in vain.

Perhaps the tales which were told of Shoju's reasons

were not entirely to be trusted. In the wake of the return
of Fu Leng, the prophecy which the Scorpions claim to have
been their motivation rings all too true, "And the Last of the
Hantei line shall be the Doom of Rokugan."

After the Scorpion assaulted the Palace of Otosan Uchi,

the battle appeared hopeless. The Lion were lost,
wandering aimlessly without their Champion, the Crane
wounded and too prideful to fight by the side of their
ancient enemy. The Phoenix had been all but crushed in the
initial battles, the Unicorn too far ro be of use, and the
Dragon were locked in their isolated mountains, alone and
unwarned. Of the other clans, only the Crab had the
strength to defeat the Usurper Shoju, and no man could
know what truths lay in Kisada's heart -- or to whom his
true loyalty belonged. This has been recorded.

What has been lost to time is the true nature of the

battle -- the struggle of wills that tore the Scorpion from
their exalted position and left a broken throne, a broken
sword and a broken man. I have collected the
correspondances of the clans from the days before the final
battle, and kept them sage in a secret place. Now it is time
to open them again -- to remind the Great Clans of the
truth about the origin of the Clan Wars and the beginning of
the Time of the Second Thunders.

You hold in your hands the last letter of your people as

was written so many years ago. Use it well. Show those
who will understand, and teach those who wish to learn the
truth about the past. It is in our hands to make certain the
future will never repeat the harsh lessons learned in the
Clan wars. It is our souls who will pay the penalty if we fail.

Ikoma Kaoku

To Arms! To Arms!

The Imperial Palace has been taken -- the Imperial Line

has been struck down! All the petty whining of the Crane,
their Iaijutsu Masters and their diplomats, could not protect
the Emperor from the doom brought to him by the Scorpion.
Now there is only our wrath and our courage left to defend
the Empire. Gather on the Osari plains, my comrades, and
we shall march to the palace and remove this Usurper from
the Emerald Throne with the fury of our blades! Toturi has
left us in our time of need, and vanished without trace --
we shall have our revenge on the Crane for their part in
that matter, once the fields of the Emperor have been
returned to the Hantei line. For too long, the Crane have
stolen our lands and our honor, and the Akodo have allowed
them to take from us what was rightfully ours. Now we
must prove that even weakened by Toturi's arrogance and
pacifistic prattle, the Lion are still a clan to be feared.

There are those who once said that the Crane were the
right hand of the Emperor, and the Scorpion were the
underhand -- now both has [sic] failed his trust, and there
is only the Lion, the heart of the Emperor and his left hand
-- to guard his line. Although the Emperor has been foully
murdered by the Usurper, there are rumors that the son of
the Imperial line may have survived, hidden within the
palace by his last faithful servants. For the sake of the
Empire, I pray to the Fortunes that it is so.

Meet me before the walls of the Imperial palace, and we

will show all of Rokugan -- Crane, Crab or Scorpion, -- that
the Lion are not so easily conquered. Meet me on the field
 of battle, and we will have our victory!

Matsu Tsuko

LETTER NINE

The wind brings news from all corners of the Empire - dark
news, and sorrowful times, after the loss of Toturi the First.
The omens and portents of the futures bring evil tidings,
and rumors of war.

While the Naga move across the land screaming battle-cries

against the Empire and slaughtering the noble Dragon, the
Unicorn do nothing. Although they say they speak with
Toturi's voice, they turn their heads to the threat of these
invaders. Perhaps the Naga have always been our enemies,
perhaps they fought with us only against the greater evil.
One thing isfor certain: now that the Dark Lord has been
driven from our land, the Naga have not proven to be our
allies. The Unicorn say that their loyalty is to the Empire.
But I say Yokatsu's true goal is the Jade Throne, and
nothing will make him content until he sits in judgement on
the rest of the Great Clans. His Otaku maidens proclaim
military law upon the half-empty cities of the Scorpion, and
Ryoko Owai is sealed by Unicorn command. They make no
move to stop the war in the Dragon lands. In fact, they do
nothing at all, save scream that they will defend the Empire
until Toturi returns. A defense which they have not proven.
We have not forgotten that the Unicorn stood idly by during
the Clan War as our armies were cut down on all sides by
the Shadowlands. While we fought the battles of the Great
Clan War, while our Tsuko-sama was destroyed, they did
nothing but watch. And now they thnk to rule us, to
declare them- selves the right hand of the Emperor. We will
not submit our rightful place by the Jade Throne, and we
will not take lessons from children.

Although few of Akodo's children remain among us, the line

of the Ikoma is descended from the same noble blood.
Tsanuri will lead us back to our rightful place, if we have
the courage to follow where she leads! Rise with your sword
ready, for we fight to keep our place at the side of the jade
Throne. In the Empire's moment of weakness, the darkness
rises again. We have two goals, my friends: restore an
Emperor to the Empire, and destroy those who would stand
against us.

We are the Lion. We cannot fail.

Kitsu Okura
 CRAB CLAN

LETTER ONE

My most trusted ally,

It is good that you have decided to join with us, it shows that
you have wisdom that others in the Empire have obviously lost.
This is a dark time, and with the Emperor wasting away in his
Palace, there is need for strength. We are that strength. We
shall lead the Empire from this hour of darkness into a new
dawn. When we achieve the Emerald Throne, you shall have
great rewards for your loyalty. This is my promise to you. For
generations, the Crab Clan has guarded the Great Wall that
separates the Shadowlands from Rokugan, and rumors run
rampant through the Empire that we have become corrupted
from the evil of that land, but rumors have as much
consequence as a strong wind. In time, they will pass. As for
the battles we wage across the Empire, I can tell you much.
The Clans have engaged in the first major battle of the War,
and though the untrained eye would say we were not victorious,
I assure you, our victory is not easy for the untrained eye to
see.

Our samurai were unparalleled on the field. They proved their

bravery and honor as the sorcery of the Phoenix Clan swept
over them and as the Unicorn Clan rode against them with their
mighty steeds.

And though we were not victorious in the battle, much was

achieved. Many Phoenix samurai were killed, and by whittling
down their puny forces, the secretive shugenja leave
themselves vulnerable to future attacks. The Unicorn may have
mighty steeds, but with every mount our archers cut down,
their cavalry grows weaker and weaker.

It was the Crane Clan that won the day, appealing to the other
Clans for support. This may seem as if it were a defeat, but you
must look at it as a victory for us. The Crane Clan won the
support of the Dragon and Lion Clans, but you and I both know
the long rivalry the Lion and Crane have had. That is an alliance
that is as short-lived as a Scorpion's promise. And speaking of
Scorpions, I have been in contact with a member of the Bayushi
family who has made promises to me. I hold no trust for
Scorpions, but those eager to restore their honor will sacrifice
much to gain little. I will keep you aware of our future alliances
with this fallen Clan. Our time is swiftly approaching, my friend.
The Shadowlands stir even now, and we are the only Clan who
have the knowledge to handle the horrors of that vile place. It
has been too long since the Empire has felt the terror that we
have grown so accustomed to, and once they see the empty
eyes and pallid skin of the walking dead, they will remember, and
they will beg us to send it back.

Soon. Very soon, the Empire shall be ours, and we shall restore
it to a second golden age.

Hida Kisada

LETTER TWO

My cousin,

I send you these words now to assure you that all is not as it
may seem in the Empire. Yes, we have taken significant losses
at Kakita Castle and at Beiden Pass, but do not misunderstand
our tactics. Our losses have been minimal compared to the other
Clans. One only needs to look at the burning husk that was
once Kakita Castle to know that the entire western region of
the Crane Clan has no western fortifications, leaving them
vulnerable to an attack from the Shadowlands, or from an army
advancing from our Provinces. You have probably heard of the
Test of the Emerald Champion that was held in the Imperial
Palace, and you have also probably heard of the Iaijutsu Master,
Kakita Toshimoko, winning the tournament. This has little
meaning to our plans. The man is old and vulnerable to a chilly
wind or perhaps even a poisoned sip of sake. It is of no
significance, my cousin.

Our allies in the Imperial Palace shall take care of the Gray
Crane. And lastly, let us speak words of the ronin Toturi. He and
his army of Dragons have proven to be quite troublesome.
Again, this is no worry to us. As we speak, his army is poised
just north of our lands, preparing to starve us out of Yasuki
Castle. Little does he know of our army that is moving up from
the south or our allies who move in from the north under the
cover of night. Imagine his surprise when he faces his childhood
friend, Doji Hoturi, leading an army of Shadowlands madmen. I
only wish I could see the surprise on his face. The Great Bear
awaits to the south to catch the Fallen Lion between the two
armies, and then, when he tries to retreat back to Beiden Pass,
our lovely ally in the Imperial Palace has made certain that he
will find his allies the Unicorn less than willing to give him
passage. He will be forced to move north into Lion territory, and
there, he will find his Clansmen waiting for him.

All is ready. We have dealt with the samurai who provided us

with defeats at Kakita Castle and Beiden Pass. Our alliances
have provided us with the force we will need to gain the
Emerald Throne within the year. My cousin, prepare for victory!
 KUNI YORI

LETTER THREE

My dear friend,

Another three months brings us even closer to victory. Even

now, the ronin Toturi has been turned back from our gates and
flees toward the trap that we and our secret ally have planned
for him. Our allied spies in the Crane Clan have sent word to him
of the assault Matsu Tsuko leads against Doji Palace, and he
has called off his attack on the Eastern walls of our lands. He
retreated to discover Beiden Pass is no longer a route that is
open to him, also due to the careful machinations of our secret
ally. Now Toturi is forced to move through Lion territory to
reach the crumbling estates of the Crane, and when he does, he
will find not one, but two armies waiting for him. Not even Tsuko
knows of this second army. Once the ronin is crushed, all
resistance to our rightful claim will be crushed. The Lion will
have what they have always wanted: to stand on both sides of
the Throne, while our secret ally expects to be sitting behind it.
She believes that they can control the Great Bear with sweet
whispers and promises. The cost of her error will soon be
evident.

Do not be concerned with the Phoenix tactics that have so

many of the shugenja of Rokugan in a panic. The old wives tale
of "black scrolls" and "the age of darkness" are simply a ruse to
distract us from our true goal. The Crab have battled the
Shadowlands for a thousand years. If there is a threat from the
dark lands, we will conquer it as we always have: with strength
and courage. Our shugenja, Kuni Yuri, has researched two of
the black scrolls himself, and he assures me that the reason the
Phoenix do not want them opened is because they want to have
complete control over their power. The Phoenix tell us that they
are "corrupting" and "evil," and yet, they ask us to send them
any that we have uncovered as quickly as possible. Does Shiba
Ujimitsu think we are so stupid as to not see the truth of such a
ploy? Punish the Phoenix for their insolence, my friend. They
deserve nothing less than your full attentions.

That is all the news I have for now. Our spies in the Lion armies
assure me Doji Palace will fall in days, and our messengers in the
south assure us that our mighty fleet is near completion, thanks
to the work of Kaiu Suman and despite the sabotage efforts of
the troublesome Mantis Clan. They will be the first to fall when
our allies march on the Capital from the West, while the Great
Bear sails our armies in from the East. What a sight that will
make!

Hida Tsuru
 LETTER FOUR

We are fools.

We have been deceived from the beginning. Things are not in

hand as we had originally believed. They are far, far worse.

I sailed with my father at the head of his great fleet. I strode by

his side as he unleashed his armies on the Imperial city. The Lion
army was waiting there for us, but they were as children before
an angry wind. We crushed them beneath us, and took the city
as our own. Kisada strode into the palace as if he had been born
there. The chosen son of heaven ready to claim his right as
Emperor. The Imperial Guard was nowhere to be seen; we
should have known then that something was wrong, but we
were too drunk on our own easy victory to notice it. We
entered the Emperor's throne room ready to wrest the crown
from him and end this conflict once and for all.

And then, it all fell apart.

The sickened body of Hantei stood there like a puppet, his eye
glowing with an unholy green light. Strange magics twisted
around his body as he picked up my father up and broke him
between his hands like a twig. I stood there dumbfounded as he
threw the Great Bear across the room with a strength no mortal
man possesses, cackling in a voice like a thousand screams. I
felt certain I was next, but before he could turn his attentions
to me, he seemed to wilt, and collapsed into his bed-sheets
unconscious. I suspect that the Lady Kachiko may have had
some hand in this. Whatever the reason, that creature in the
Emperor's guise wielded more raw power than I had ever seen
before. I had no desire to see what else it could do. Kisada's
body had been shattered, but the Great Bear still lived. I
gathered him up and fled the palace, ordering out army to
retreat and regroup to the south. The Imperial City has been
left in the hands of that... thing in the palace.

You may hear rumors that the Great Bear has been killed. Do not
believe them for an instant. I have personally seen to it that my
father has reached safety and that he will be secure while he
recovers. I cannot disclose his location for fear that this
message will be intercepted.

Our alliance with the Shadowlands is a sham. They have tried to

use us to their own ends and we have paid the price for their
treachery. We must now teach them what it truly means to
cross the Crab. Purge them from your ranks if you find them,
and strike them down wherever they may appear. Do not waste
precious resources squabbling with the other Clans, for they can
 only distract us from the true threat.

And wherever you go, spread the word that the Emperor is not
to be trusted. He has been swallowed by something ancient and
evil, and if we do not strike back, all of Rokugan will follow him.
More than any of the others, we understand the Shadowlands,
and are best equipped to destroy their evil. We must act
against them now, or there will soon be no Empire left to claim.

Hida Yakamo

SCORPION CLAN

LETTER ONE

My best beloved servant,

Much has happened in the two years since our ancestral sword
was broken and our Champion was killed on the doorstep of our
burning, crumbling home. Since my marriage to the Emperor, I
have grown to love him for his wisdom and his sense of justice
and mercy. Of course, I have had to accomplish much in the
Emperor's house, for there was not a single soul that trusted
me. And when the Emperor first fell under the influence of the
plague, the Imperial surgeon believed that it was I who was
responsible. Even though the good doctor could find no
evidence of poison, I was still held under a steady eye of
suspicion. And when I foiled the assassination attempt on his life
- taking the blade for the young Hantei - the shadow of doubt
that was cast over my devotion dwindled significantly.

Now I am the voice of the Emperor. Since he has contracted

the plague, even the shugenja are fearful to approach him. Only
I have the courage to wipe his brow with a cool cloth, to
administer to him the medicine that he needs, and to hear his
whispered words. Some feel that our Emperor is unwise to send
home the ambassadors of the Clans, but there is wisdom in his
actions; it is just that we are not wise enough to see it. Also,
he has wisely chosen to remain neutral in the recent conflict
between the Clans, preferring to see which families will be
strong enough to remain when the dust settles.

I have had many visitors since the Emperor has given me charge
to direct the Court. The head of each of the families came to
me to ask that their ambassador be allowed to return to the
Court, and while it was a great pleasure to entertain each of
them, I refused their offers. We must keep the Clans from the
Emperor, for if only one of them contracts this deadly disease,
then the entire Clan will be infected as well. I am certain you
can see the wisdom in my decision.
You will also be curious to know of the recent conflict involving
the Crab army invading the castle of the Kakita family. When
"The Great Bear" Lord Hida Kisada came to me to ask that his
ambassador be returned to the Court, I had mentioned to him
that I was disappointed that he had neglected his duty to guard
the walls that separate Rokugan from the Shadowlands. I also
pointed out to him how vulnerable the lands of the Kakita family
were to invasion, should the Shadowlands chose to move
against the Crane Clan. I also pointed out to him that if an army
set itself on the crossroads just south of the Unicorn ancestral
lands, that the southern and northern Clans would be isolated
from each other. Unfortunately, Lord Hida saw this and has used
it to his advantage.

Although his sons' armies (Sukune and Yakamo) were successful

in capturing the Kakita family castle, they were unsuccessful in
holding it. A brief alliance with the Lion Clan allowed them to
wound the Crane, but the Phoenix and Unicorn armies were
powerful enough to keep Lord Hida from clipping the Crane's
wings. The Kakita family castle has been burned to the ground,
much like - dare I say - the way our own was burned to the
ground by the Crane Champion Doji Hoturi two years ago. A Lion
shugenja was also killed by a Phoenix samurai-maiden, although
I have not been able to make certain of her name.

With the Clans moving against each other, we have much to

fear, my beloved servant. If they continue to battle with each
other, we will certainly be put into a compromising position. One
by one, the Clans will fall until there is only a single Clan
remaining. The others will be too weak to stop the victor, and
that victor will soon turn his greedy eyes toward the Emerald
Throne. But remember, my servant, that it is not always he who
sits in the Throne who has the power.

Sometimes, it is the one who stands behind it.

B.K.

LETTER TWO

My best beloved one,

I am writing you from my home-I mean, my husband's home -

here in the Imperial Palace. There is much work to do and I do
not have the time to express to you all the concern I have for
the direction of the events in the Empire. My greatest concern,
of course, is for Lord Doji and his present condition. I must
admit to having contributed to his madness. If only I had not
allowed him to see my husband, perhaps the plague would not
have affected his senses the way it did. So far, the fortunes
have seen fit to keep my person safe from the vengeful touch of
the plague, but Lord Doji was not so fortunate.

Of course, I am also concerned about the activities of the ronin

Toturi. I have spoken with Hida Kisada about his actions, and
have arranged for the Fallen Lion's influence to be removed from
the picture.

Toturi has been quite troublesome. He has spread a rumor that I

was responsible for Lord Doji's madness, and that I have
manipulated the Unicorn to serve my wishes. Nothing could be
further from the truth. When the Unicorn ambassador Lord
Tadaji arrived for the Test of the Emerald Champion, we spoke
extensively on the subject of Lord Toturi and the treachery that
the Crane have spread across the Empire. He agreed that the
Crane have been less than honest in the past and could not be
trusted in such a time as this. He agreed to keep his cavalry
from assisting the Crane in their present dilemma, and to keep
Toturi from aiding them by protecting Beiden Pass.

Of course, the Lion have also been very agreeable. Once they
saw the damage the Crab inflicted, they agreed that it would be
child's play to destroy Doji Castle, thus putting an end to the
Crane threat to the Throne. Every man, woman and child in
Rokugan knows that the Crane wish nothing more than to have
a Doji sitting on the Emerald Throne, and I only made certain
that such a thing would never come to pass. As I write these
words, Lady Matsu is laying siege to the Crane lands, hampered
only by the Phoenix samurai-maiden Lady Tsukune and her army
of shugenja. I must find a way to convince the Phoenix to
remove her from the Crane lands. Perhaps if Lord Ujimitsu paid
me a visit, I could convince him of the validity of such actions.

Everything is going as planned, my beloved. Toturi is marching

his army into a trap, the Unicorn have promised to protect the
Pass and Hida Kisada is even now marching his army toward the
Palace. The strength of the Great Bear has impressed me, more
so, dare I say, than the strength of Lord Doji. And since Kisada's
lovely wife was recently found to be the victim of a ninja's
poison, he will certainly be looking for warm company on the
cold winter nights that will be arriving soon.

B.K.

LETTER THREE

My best beloved one,

It is all I can do to keep the tears from falling as I write this to

you. Despite the defeat of the Crane at Doji Castle, despite the
trap that we have prepared for Toturi in the Lion territories, and
despite the fact that we are only weeks from complete victory,
I have found that many of my kinfolk have turned away from me
and dedicated themselves to a mistress with a much deadlier
appetite.

I speak, of course, of the Shadowlands.

I know, do not be deceived, I know the siren song that sings

out from that dark land. I hear it as well as you do. Perhaps I
even hear it clearer. Perhaps that is why I can keep myself
focused on what must be done. Our revenge against the Clans
is nearly complete, and yet, many of you are giving yourself
over to the corruption that hopes to claim the Throne for itself.
Look at the example it made out of Yogo Junzo. Do you think
Junzo will be as giving as I if he claims the Throne? Do you think
his rewards will be as sweet? Think well on what I have said.
There are many who believe a woman has no right to be at the
head of our Clan. They would rather allow a walking dead
mockery dictate our destiny. Soon, you will have to make a
choice. Yes, ours is a more difficult path, but when we reach
the end of it, we will not be the same as those gibbering idiots
that the Shadowlands has enslaved to its dark will.

Think well, my best beloved one. It was I who caused the

downfall of Doji Hoturi. It was I who arranged the trap that
awaits the fallen Lion. His greatest student - the raven-haired
Tsamuri - shall be his downfall. It was I who will allow Hida
Kisada to sail his barges into the royal harbor, and I will stand
behind him as he sits on the Throne, my tender lips whispering
into his old and vulnerable brain. The Great Bear has only one
son left, and young Hitomi is ready to deal with him. I have
prepared her - and equipped her - for the task. The Great Bear
will be without an heir when this war is over, and where do you
think his next heir will come from? Our revenge is nearly
complete, my best beloved one. Do not be swayed by promises
of power now. Be patient, as patient as only a Scorpion can be.
It is only a matter of time now. When this war is finished, the
Clans will be crushed, the Throne will be under our control, and
revenge shall finally be ours.

B.K.

LETTER FOUR

He is dead! What can I do? He is dead. He is dead...

No time. All is lost. He is dead! The great Bear is dead! I saw it

with my own eyes! The blood and his scream and his eyes as he
looked at me - reached out to me for help. But I could offer him
nothing. I ran. Bishamon help me. I ran for my life. Even now I
am in my private chamber. Hiding in the secret room I found
when I first arrived. Writing as quickly as I can before the fear
devours my reason.

My hand is calming. My scrawling mad notes are slowly forming

into words and sentences. I must tell you as much as I can
before the panic fills me once again.

Hida Kisada is dead. Do not believe otherwise. I saw it with my

own eyes. In the throne room. I stood vigil while I waited for
him to arrive so our plan of vengeance would be complete. The
empty Emerald Throne would soon be filled with the Great Bear
of the Crab Clan: a tired old man who would be easy to
persuade. But it was not to be. For while I waited, a thin
shadowy form stepped into the room and smiled at me with eyes
of fire. I recognized the lips, the brow, all his features, but
those damnable eyes. It was the brat Emperor, up from his bed
and walking! And his eyes burned with green fire that was older
than his years, older than... older than...

Kisada strode in, covered in the blood of courageous Lions,

expecting me and the throne. What he found was... was... oh. I
cannot! The brutal battle that ensued... Kisada, he... the blood.
The throne. The sword. I saw Yakamo carrying the bloodied
corpse, running for his life.

Running... yes. Run! Run now! Flee to the lands north where the
Unicorn have traveled. There is a desert there. A long, sweeping
desert with barbarian nomads who may take you in. There is
nothing left. All is lost. Do not let anyone see you. Use the old
ways, my beloved. Even now, a shadow spreads across the
capital. Something ancient has awakened here. I must remain
behind, but I will not allow you to do so. I care not for Yokuni's
talk of 'destiny' and 'duty,' but he is right. I have chosen this
path. But I will not force any others to join me in my fate. Run.
And may the Seven Fortunes follow you.

Go now.

B.K.

PHOENIX CLAN

LETTER ONE

May the Seven Fortunes be with you this day.

Our trusted ally, much has occurred since last we spoke, and
our Clan is in the middle of all of it. The Crab Clan has turned its
back on the Shadowlands; this much you already know, but
there is more to learn. The Crab armies moved into the lands of
the Kakita family, thus threatening the holdings of the Crane
Clan. Immediately, we were contacted by Doji Yosai for
assistance.

Although our armies are not as strong as the Lion or the Dragon,
we sent our force to aid the Crane Clan. An unexpected arrival
was that of the Lion Clan. All three armies hesitated, unsure as
to which side they would join. In the initial attack, the Lion Clan
joined the Crab Clan, but their first assault was unsuccessful.
The result: our samurai maiden Shiba Tsukune led a number of
our samurai against the attacking Lion force. Apparently, they
underestimated our military might because they allowed a
shugenja to lead bushi against one of our own samurai. Needless
to say, Lady Tsukune was insulted by the action, challenged the
shugenja to a duel, and brought his head back to the courts of
the Phoenix.

Beware of the Lion, my ally. Our blood is now their chief concern.

It was our armies that kept the others from attacking the Crane
provinces, but it was the Dragon that lead the counterattack. It
was at that time the Crane and Lion agreed to a truce and both
forces struck the Crab army from behind, forcing them to
withdraw to neutral lands just south of the provinces of the
Unicorn. Unfortunately, this has cut off communication between
the Unicorn and the rest of the Clans, and we cannot send or
receive messages from the Shinjo family.

As for our own Clan, I must be the bearer of bad news. Isawa
Tadaka, the Master of Earth, is missing. We sent him on a
secret mission to the Unicorn Clan, and he has not yet returned.
We must discover his whereabouts immediately.

There is little other news other than rumor and gossip. It has
been said that many of the Clans have turned against the
Emperor. Believe nothing until you see it, my friend. Wisdom
does not arrive as whispers on the wind. If a man needs whisper
what he says, it is nothing you need to listen to.

May the strength and perseverance of the mountains be with

you in these dark times,

Shiba Ujimitsu

LETTER ONE ADDENDUM

Letter One Addendum

I have taken this moment to tell you the things that others do
not know. You have already heard of the Fall of Kakita Castle in
the provinces of the Crane, and how the battle was turned by
 the Crane's own Champion leading an army of dead men against
his own family, but what you have not heard is the truth.

That man is not Doji Hoturi.

I have recently spoken with Togashi Yokune, and he has

assured me it was the Lady Scorpion who was behind it all. She
used the ancient Egg of P'an Ku to create a duplicate of Lord
Hoturi and kidnapped the Crane Lord, holding him captive in the
Imperial Palace. Only recently was he freed by a young ronin
named Akiyosho who was acting under Lord Yokune's orders. Let
us make no mistake, it is the Lady Scorpion who now rules the
Palace. She has made dark alliances, my friend, and a darker
time than today is nearly upon us. We must make certain that
all is prepared.

The Battle for Beiden Pass is over, and we have accomplished

what must be done there. The Crab retreated from Kakita Castle
to the Crossroads of the Empire, and would have cut us off from
the other Clans if it were not for the noble Shiba Tsukune who
led our army against them. Once again, her courage and
forethought were vital to our success. Pray for her, that she
may continue to lead our army to victory. The Unicorn now hold
the Pass, and they have assured me that we shall find save
passage there.

There is no word from Isawa Tadaka on his journey to the

Shadowlands. When we learned of the opening of the First Scroll
-- but then, you have not heard of this news, have you?
Forgive me, my friend, but there is much I cannot say just yet. I
can only tell you this: Long ago, an evil power was destroyed by
our Master Shinsei, and twelve Black Scrolls were the
instruments of his destruction. It was the duty of the Scorpion
Clan to hide the Scrolls so they may never be found, but it
appears that the first guardian, a Scorpion shugenja named
Yugo Junzo, has opened the First Scroll. I can tell you now
more, but we have sent the Master of Earth to investigate the
matter, and he has not returned. We will keep you notified if the
situation changes.

Shiba Ujimitsu

LETTER TWO

Greetings and good fortune to you in this dark time. We have so

much to tell and with the Empire in flames, there is no time to
speak of it.

Firstly, we must tell you of our army in the Crane lands. Shiba
Tsukune has done well. Her training with Akodo Kage in the arts
of warfare and Kakita Toshimoko in the art of kenjutsu have
 proven to be invaluable. With the shugenja we provided her, her
samurai have been able to stifle the attacks of Matsu Tsuko in
the Crane territories. She cannot hold out forever, but she can
hold out long enough for us to ask the Unicorn for assistance.
The messengers we sent to the Unicorn Clan have not returned,
and we are beginning to worry. Perhaps they have been
intercepted by the Shadowlands army we hear is marching upon
them. We have sent Isawa Uona, the Master of Air, to
investigate.

The Master of Fire was at the tournament held by the Emperor's

bride to determine the new Emerald Champion. At the beginning
of the tournament, it seemed as if the Dragon samurai-maiden
Mirumoto Hitomi would win the contest. That was when Isawa
Tsuke noticed that Lady Hitomi was wearing the Obsidian Hand
of the Scorpion Clan, and Lady Kachiko's plan became clear to
him. He knew no samurai present could defeat a Dragon with the
Obsidian Hand. But before he could take any action, another
samurai appeared at the tournament, an uninvited samurai who
none could deny entrance: Kakita Toshimoko, the Crane Iaijutsu
Master. He was able to defeat Mirumoto Hitomi and only the
magic of the Obsidian Hand saved her life. Now a Crane wears
the Emerald Armor of the Emperor's Champion, and he guards
the life of the Emperor against all harm.

We must now speak of the Black Scrolls. No doubt you have

heard of them, and it is true the first of them has been opened
by the Scorpion shugenja Yogo Junzo. It was the Scorpions'
duty to guard the Scrolls, and it seems they have failed in that
duty. Our Master of Earth has recently returned from the
Shadowlands with three of the Scrolls and he has been diligent
in deciphering their power. Unfortunately, we fear that he may
also have acquired the Shadowlands sickness as well. Every
day, his face becomes more drawn. His skin has become ashen
and his eyes dark. We have forbid him from touching the Scrolls
further, but he has gained such knowledge of the Shadowlands
creatures and he insists that he must learn more. We fear for
him and the rest of our Shugenja. Be warned, my friend. Dark
power has a darker price.

Isawa Tomo

LETTER THREE

As sensei Shinsei teaches, "A messenger with bad news is

better than no messenger at all." All that we have to offer you,
my brother, is bad news.

Our armies in the Crane territory have fallen, but Shiba

Tsukune's failure had nothing to do with the courage or tactics
of the Lion. No, the unorthodox strategies of Lady Tsukune held
 off the enraged Lady Lion for nearly three weeks, but it was the
arrival of a Shadowlands army - led by the blazing-eyed shadow
of Doji Hoturi - that forced her to retreat back to the temples of
the Asahina family. She and the Cranes barely escaped with
their lives, let alone with their armies. There they wait for the
arrival of Matsu Tsuko and her allies from the Shadowlands. It is
obvious now that she cares not who sits on the Throne, she
merely wishes to ensure her place beside it. As things now
stand, it seems as if nothing can stop her from razing the Crane
to the ground and sealing the doom of us all. We can only pray
that the Lion Champion can somehow be made to see reason, or
that the rumors of a Naga army massing near the Crane lands
have some basis in truth. Desperate hopes, indeed.

But the worst news, I fear, lies not on the battlefield, but within
our own walls. The Black Scrolls continue to work their dark
magic on our shugenja, even as they gain startling new insight
into the nature of our foe. More have arrived, coming from the
most unspeakable depths of the Empire, and the terrible cost op
this war demands that their hidden secrets be unmasked. Now,
it is Isawa Uona who has fallen under their corrupting spell,
taking the ashen pallor and skeletal countenance of her brother
Tadaka. She walks the halls of our temples alone, muttering
prayers to stave of the terrible whispers she hears on the wind.
I fear that others may soon follow, and indeed that our entire
clan may be lost to this darkness we toy with. But I also know
that this price must be paid. Both Tadaka and Uona have
spoken of terrible dreams, of a dark and horrifying evil reaching
from the Shadowlands to engulf us all. We must learn more of
this threat if we are to have any hope of combating it. The
price is high, but we of all clans understand the need to pay it.
May the Seven Thunders have mercy on our souls.

Asako Yasu

LETTER FOUR

We have a solution after long months of study and the sacrifice

of far more than any would ask of us. We have found a way to
defeat the Shadowlands. But that news must wait.

By now you know of the great victory of the Crane forces

against the Shadowlands army at the Asahina Temples. Doji
Hoturi met his doppelganger on the field of battle and took his
head, while a combination of Crane samurai and Naga troops
shattered the power of his slavering madmen. Shiba Tsukune
acquitted herself well in the battle, defeating an unholy
necromancer in single combat while all looked on.

This victory, however, has been overshadowed by an even

greater threat. A second Shadowlands army has emerged from
the west, this one even larger and more terrifying than the first.
They destroy without mercy, crushing everything in their path,
and their troops do not bear even the semblance of humanity.
To make matters worse, we have lost all contact with the
Imperial City, just as an army of Crab troops arrived to lay claim
to the throne. Rumors about that the Great Bear, Hida Kisada,
has been killed and that the Emperor himself has been claimed
by an evil spirit whose power is scarcely imaginable. This
self-same darkness continues to extend its grip over our
shugenja, taking one after the other as if toying with us. The
Master of Fire, Isawa Tsuke, has now fallen prey to the siren
call of the Black Scrolls, embracing their evil in order to better
understand it. He has conjured the flames of hate and anger
from his soul to create terrifying torrents of flame, and now
roams far and wide across Rokugan to destroy the forces of the
Shadowlands wherever he may find them. I do not know how
long he can last before his power overwhelms him.

But as I said earlier, there is hope. Last night, Isawa Tadaka

came to me with a proposal. In the blackest hours before the
dawn, we gathered at the highest tower of the Temple and
committed an unspeakable rite. I dare not describe the
particulars of it to you, but suffice to say we were able to wrest
a powerful oni from its den within the Shadowlands and bind it
to our will. Tadaka gave the creature his own name, sacrificing
all he has and is to enslave the creature thoroughly. Our
shugenja can now draw upon its strength to assist us in our
struggles, and Tadaka assures me that the beast can tell us
what has happened in the Imperial City, and who or what now
sits on the throne.

We have seen the darkness rise to engulf our fair land. We have
sacrificed our lives and souls and understand its mysteries. But I
believe we have gained the power to stem the tide. We have
paid the price for our questions, and it is time to see if the
answers are enough to save us. Pray for the salvation of
Rokugan, my friend. And pray that the Phoenix can rise from the
ashes of this long night to the dawning of a new day.

Asako Yasu

NAGA

LETTER ONE

My Daughter,

We are deep into Rokugan territory now, and there is no turning

back. We have learned much from the young samurai Daini, and
he has learned much from us. His courage and devotion to his
Lord Toturi is admirable. We have tried to meet up with this man
we have heard so very much of, but we have been cut off by
an army of Shadowlands creatures. The zombies and skeletons
have been animated by magics we do not understand, but Daini
says that he is very familiar with them. He said that he also
recognized the man who was leading the army and called him
"Doji Hoturi." His eyes were filled with surprise and disbelief when
he saw him in his gleaming white armor. He said that he saw
Lord Doji delivered to Toturi by a masked ronin. He was a broken
man who would not be able to ride in the saddle for weeks, and
yet, there he was, leading an army and burning down villages as
he went. "That cannot be Lord Hoturi," he said, "It cannot be
him!" I told him, "And yet, there he is." These humans are so
easy to disbelieve what is obvious.

We have clashed with the Crane Lord on many occasions, and

whenever we gain the upper hand, he retreats. We followed him
for days, engaging his army and then chasing him across the
fields of Rokugan. Unfortunately, we did not see the truth until
it was too late. The Crane Lord was leading us into an ambush
with another Shadowlands army, this one led by what Daini
called a "shugenja." The shugenja was as twisted and tainted as
the dead men he led against us, and it was only the courage of
our bushi, our Champion Qamar and the brave Daini that
delivered us from doom. Our retreat led us into a patrol of
Unicorn clan samurai. Daini hailed them and they rode closer to
investigate. Yes, my daughter, they too ride the beasts called
"horses." I still remember Daini's horse being so frightened when
he first arrived at our temple, and the Unicorn horses were the
same. They were disturbed by our presence which made the
Unicorns look at us with suspicious eyes. They told us we could
accompany them back to the Unicorn provinces, but when we
mentioned that we were searching for Lord Toturi, their
hospitality quickly changed and they told us that we were not
welcome on Unicorn land. They rode off and we were left alone
once again.

Daini says that we must find Toturi. I am reluctant to agree.

While I have been greatly impressed with his courage and
sincerity, I have told him that I will take a small entourage to
the Imperial Palace to speak directly to the Emperor himself. If
he cannot convince the Clans to unite, then perhaps we can.

Dashmar

LETTER TWO

Dearest Cousin,

It has been a long journey, but we finally arrived in the capital

of Rokugan. Our guide, the young Mirumoto Daini, has never
visited here either, and so I find my own enthusiasm reflected in
his eyes. But something disturbs me greatly, for I see my own
hesitation there as well. When we first arrived, we were not
greeted by the Emperor, but by his bride, the Lady Bayushi. She
was quite charming, although evasive. She explained that the
Emperor was very ill, and could not be seen, for the illness could
be passed on to others. I expressed my deepest sympathies to
her, and I think I saw her grin, but I cannot be certain.

There is much news of the Empire that I must impart to you,

cousin. Everything is as we feared. Instead of acknowledging
the imminent danger of the darklands, they have decided to
fight amongst each other, thus allowing the creatures of that
place to organize. Because I cannot speak to the Emperor (who
seems to be incapable of assisting us, anyway), I shall address
each of these family patriarchs individually, expressing to them
our concerns. These "Clans" must listen to reason. If they do
not, both of our civilizations will be lost.

We spent only a few days in the palace before we acted upon

my decision to meet with the other Clans. Daini has told me that
he is uncertain whether we shall be able to meet up with his
Lord Akodo Toturi. Since the Crab Clan has attacked and
destroyed Kakita Palace, their army has been forced back to
Beiden Pass, the crossroads of the Empire. The battle there is
desperate, with nearly all of the Clans struggling to gain access
to the all-important crossroads. Whoever gains the territory will
gain a significant tactical advantage. Currently, it is Hida
Yakamo and his brother Sukune who control the pass, but I
understand the Phoenix samurai-maiden Shiba Tsukune has
proven to be a mighty opponent.

There is more news, my cousin. One of the Champions has

proven to be a traitor. The Crane Clan Champion, Doji Hoturi has
been seen leading an army of dead men across the Empire,
striking down temples and villages wherever he goes. It is
obvious that he has been corrupted by the power of the
darkland, and he must be stopped at all costs.

So much to say, and so little time. Already, we are overlooking

the palace of the Matsu family. Daini tells me their champion,
Matsu Tsuko, is a mighty warrior. I only hope that he also has a
wise heart in his chest.

Until Peace Reigns,

Dashmar

LETTER THREE
My daughter,

I fear the great sleep has caused me to slow somehow. Events

are moving so quickly that it is difficult to keep up with them. I
will try.

As you know, we followed Daini into the Empire of Men, and we

have twice encountered the armies of the Dark Land. Our armies
were twice victorious. The men fear the armies of dead men. I
can see the fear fill their eyes as they march upon us. Their
limbs freeze and their tongues waggle with madness. Our armies,
however, are not so affected. Our Warlord Shahadet laughs
when the men freeze and calls ours to charge into battle. It is
his courage that brings bravery to the men. I am glad for that.

We have met with the man Toturi. I have looked into his soul
and I have seen much courage there. I have seen what Daini
saw, and now I know why he chooses to follow such a man.
There is a great strength in him, and a great sadness. He cares
for the men he leads, and they can feel it. We were wise to side
with him.

But I am no longer on the battlefield. I am in a secret place with

the men who call themselves "ambassadors" of the Clans. They
represent their families at the Great Lord's court, but have been
sent away by a wicked woman who now rules the Empire. We
meet in secret so that the armies will not know our location,
where we may talk.

I have tried to convince them of our concerns of the Dark Land.

So far, my success has been limited. Only the Phoenix and the
Crane will listen to me. There is another, however, a man named
Akodo Kage. He is from the Lion Clan. His face is full of smiles
and his voice is full of laughter, but his eyes are full of daggers.
I do not trust this man, even if he is from the same family as
the man Toturi. Family means nothing if the soul is corrupt.

We have divided our army in two. One has remained with Toturi,
and the second Toturi sent to the East to assist another. I do
not know who it was that Isha went to aid, but I do know that
it is a great friend of Toturi's who is in dire need of aid. I only
hope he can assist him.

I pray these letters reach you, my dear daughter. I know how

much you wanted to come with us on our journey, but Shahadet
was right. Your skills are indeed great, but you need more
practice in the arts of warfare. Dear Mara, please hold your
mother close for me and promise her I shall be home soon.

Dashmar
 LETTER FOUR

My daughter,

You must have heard terrible news coming from the Imperial
City, and feared for my safety. This letter is to assure you that
I am well, and have been escorted out of the city by a
sympathetic samurai from the Lion clan. I however, am one of
the fortunate few. Our fears of the Dark Land have been
realized, and the ruler of the human kingdom has been corrupted
by the Evil One. He now moves as a puppet under sinister
strings.

The clan of the Crane has won a great victory against the Dark
Ones with the help of our forces. The human Daini has guided us
true, and we arrived in time to help the Crane destroy the army
that threatened them with annihilation. Alas, I fear that this
victory is not enough to stem the tide. Now word comes that a
second Shadowlands army, this one led by an undead human
sorcerer, is stalking the land. Stories of the horrors they have
inflicted upon the human lands are enough to chill the blood.

But the worst, my daughter, is yet to come. The Imperial City

has fallen from within by an Evil as old as time. A fleet of ships
from the Clan Crab launched a surprise attack, and human
defenders of the city fell before them. The lord of the Crab
entered the Imperial Palace, with the intent of seizing the
throne. The Emperor crushed the life from his body and
shattered his forces like a toy. Our people were forced to flee
the city and have tried to regroup with our remaining forces in
the Crane lands.

The humans have learned that the Evil we fight is greater than
all of us. Only now do they turn from their petty bickering to
face the darkness rising from the west. Alas, I fear it has come
too late. They fumble around like a newborn fresh from its egg,
lost and confused in the face of their folly. Only Toturi seems
immune to their panic. He leads his army towards the fallen
capital with a force and a will I could not have imagined before
now. We must do all we can to support him, for I fear he is our
last hope.

I do not know if you have felt it or not, beloved, but our people
have of late become distracted by a strange fog in our minds. It
is not unlike the Great Sleep of a thousand years ago, but has
subtle differences I have not felt before. The cycle is coming to
a close, my child, and I believe our time in the world is slowly
fading. We must do all we can to see that the next Rebirth
delivers a world of hope, instead of the terrifying Evil I fear is
now to strong to be defeated.
Dashmar

UNALIGNED LETTERS

LETTER ONE

There is a need for samurai in our land. The unspeakable

nightmares of the Shadowlands have begun to creep across the
ancient walls that once separated their land from ours; the
shadows move with the silhouettes of ninja; and there are even
whispers that the Scorpion Clan - whom we thought were
destroyed by the Emperor - have returned for revenge. Even
the mysterious Naga have awakened, all but silent to their
motives in this conflict. As you know, my family has always been
associated with keeping peace in the Empire, but not even my
family will protect you in this time of conflict. It is time for you
to make a decision: to stand alone as a ronin, or to join a Clan.

If you take an oath of fealty, you will be able to influence Clan

decisions, have information regarding the activities of your Clan,
and gain battle information gathered from across the Empire to
let you know if your Clan is gaining or losing ground in the war.
But chose wisely! Already there are rumors running about the
Empire that one of the Champions is an imposter... And as you
ponder whether you should remain neutral in this conflict (as a
"ronin."), or if join one of the Clans, let me pass on some recent
accounts of the battle. One should always make educated
decisions, after all...

In the first great battle of the war, it was the Crab Clan who
positioned themselves outside of the Crane Clan lands. They
moved swiftly, capturing one of the Kakita family castles, but
the army (commanded by Hida Sukune) spread themselves too
thin: they did not have enough samurai to cover the ground
they had captured. The Crane Clan immediately sought
assistance from the other Clans. The Phoenix are always
reluctant to join in battles, and the rivalry between the Crane
and the Lion is legendary. However, the Unicorn Clan swiftly
came to the Crane's assistance as did another army, and it was
a very strange army indeed. Apparently, the Dragon Clan has
gained the assistance of Akodo Toturi, once the proud Champion
of the Lion Clan. Immediately, the Lion Clan responded by
coming to the assistance of Hida Sukune. It must have been a
strange sight indeed to see Lion and Crab armies standing side
by side.

The armies engaged - Crab and Lion on one side and Crane,
Dragon and Unicorn on the other. Suddenly, the sound of
thunder was heard over the hills, signaling the arrival of the
Phoenix Clan. As the army approached - led by the young
samurai-maiden Shiba Tsukune - none were certain as to which
side she had been commanded to join. The Lion Clan would not
wait to find out. A Lion shugenja leading a small army was sent
to meet the Phoenix samurai-maiden. I cannot speak of facts,
but apparently words were exchanged between the two and
before any other words could be spoken, the Lion shugenja's
blood was in the sand and his head was carried back as a
trophy to the houses of the Phoenix as Lady Shiba joined her
army on the side of the Crane.

Now the Crab army looked at facing the armies of five Clans.
The Crab army retreated from the lands of the Kakita family, but
the damage has already been done. As Sukune retreated, his
brother Yakamo advanced. Together, they cut off the roads
that lead to the northern parts of the Empire. Now the southern
Clans - Lion and Crane - have been cut off from the Northern
Clans - Dragon Unicorn and Phoenix. Apparently, their strategy
had been to measure the strength of the opposing armies and
position their own to cut off communication between the Clans.
This strategy is brilliant; and although Hida Kisada is a masterful
tactician, I fear there may be a voice in his ear, a voice that is
sweet as honey and as venomous as poison. We must be wary,
you and I. I will prepare my family for the inevitable. You must
make your decision: to join a Clan or to stand alone. The choice
is yours. If you decide to join with one of the Clans, contact me
here at the Imperial court, and I will arrange for you to swear
fealty to that clan's ambassadors.

May the gods of fortune be with you.

Miya Yoto

LETTER TWO

There is a need for samurai in our land. The unspeakable

nightmares of the Shadowlands have begun to creep across the
ancient walls that once separated their land from ours; the
shadows move with the silhouettes of ninja; and there are even
whispers that the Scorpion Clan - whom we thought were
destroyed by the Emperor - have returned for revenge. Even
the mysterious Naga have awakened, all but silent to their
motives in this conflict. As you know, my family has always been
associated with keeping peace in the Empire, but not even my
family will protect you in this time of conflict. It is time for you
to make a decision: to stand alone as a ronin, or to join a Clan.

If you take an oath of fealty, you will be able to influence Clan

decisions, have information regarding the activities of your Clan,
and gain battle information gathered from across the Empire to
let you know if your Clan is gaining or losing ground in the war.
But chose wisely! Already there are rumors running about the
Empire that one of the Champions is an imposter... And as you
ponder whether you should remain neutral in this conflict (as a
"ronin."), or if join one of the Clans, let me pass on some recent
accounts of the battle. One should always make educated
decisions, after all...

In the first great battle of the war, it was the Crab Clan who
positioned themselves outside of the Crane Clan lands. They
moved swiftly, capturing one of the Kakita family castles, but
the army (commanded by Hida Sukune) spread themselves too
thin: they did not have enough samurai to cover the ground
they had captured. The Crane Clan immediately sought
assistance from the other Clans. The Phoenix are always
reluctant to join in battles, and the rivalry between the Crane
and the Lion is legendary. However, the Unicorn Clan swiftly
came to the Crane's assistance as did another army, and it was
a very strange army indeed. Apparently, the Dragon Clan has
gained the assistance of Akodo Toturi, once the proud Champion
of the Lion Clan. Immediately, the Lion Clan responded by
coming to the assistance of Hida Sukune. It must have been a
strange sight indeed to see Lion and Crab armies standing side
by side.

The armies engaged - Crab and Lion on one side and Crane,
Dragon and Unicorn on the other. Suddenly, the sound of
thunder was heard over the hills, signaling the arrival of the
Phoenix Clan. As the army approached - led by the young
samurai-maiden Shiba Tsukune - none were certain as to which
side she had been commanded to join. The Lion Clan would not
wait to find out. A Lion shugenja leading a small army was sent
to meet the Phoenix samurai-maiden. I cannot speak of facts,
but apparently words were exchanged between the two and
before any other words could be spoken, the Lion shugenja's
blood was in the sand and his head was carried back as a
trophy to the houses of the Phoenix as Lady Shiba joined her
army on the side of the Crane.

Now the Crab army looked at facing the armies of five Clans.
The Crab army retreated from the lands of the Kakita family, but
the damage has already been done. As Sukune retreated, his
brother Yakamo advanced. Together, they cut off the roads
that lead to the northern parts of the Empire. Now the southern
Clans - Lion and Crane - have been cut off from the Northern
Clans - Dragon Unicorn and Phoenix. Apparently, their strategy
had been to measure the strength of the opposing armies and
position their own to cut off communication between the Clans.
This strategy is brilliant; and although Hida Kisada is a masterful
tactician, I fear there may be a voice in his ear, a voice that is
sweet as honey and as venomous as poison. We must be wary,
you and I. I will prepare my family for the inevitable. You must
make your decision: to join a Clan or to stand alone. The choice
 is yours. If you decide to join with one of the Clans, contact me
here at the Imperial court, and I will arrange for you to swear
fealty to that clan's ambassadors.

May the gods of fortune be with you.

Miya Yoto

LETTER THREE

My distant ally,

Now is the time for unity. Now is the time for strength and
courage. We must unite, all of us. The Clans bicker while the
Shadowlands and its allies gain strength. Soon each of the Clans
will encounter their doom, and only those who have remained
faithful to the Emperor will have the strength to defeat it. If we
wait - if we hesitate now - all will be lost.

Although I appreciate your letters of warning, I must assure you

that I am very aware of the trap that has been prepared for me
in my homeland. How could I not be? After Lord Yasamura would
not allow me through Beiden Pass, I knew there was treachery
afoot. I have spoken with my sensei, Akodo Kage, and he has
assured me that my army will be provided safe haven in my old
homeland. I have instructed him to speak to my student
Tsanuri. Hopefully, she will see the logic of the situation and
come to our aid. There are very few I can trust now, my friend.
I only pray a Scorpion's tongue has not swayed you as it did
Hitomi and Tsuko. Lady Kachiko knows how to play with desire.
It is as if she can smell it on your breath. Trust me, I know.

As for our allies in the east, I have sent an army of Naga to

assist Lord Doji. Even now they are attempting to cross the
river into the Crane lands. When I asked their Warlord (who
stands three feet taller than I) if he could cross the great river,
he only smiled. Unlike a Scorpion, I have learned I to trust a
snake when it smiles. Daini goes with them to show them the
way. I only pray they can reach the beleaguered Crane armies
in time. They have retreated with the remainder of the Phoenix
army to the temples of the Asahina shugenja, not a place known
for its fortifications. And our allies in the north, the Phoenix,
have also sent word. They tell me that almost all of the Black
Scrolls have been accounted for.

Unfortunately, nearly all of them have been opened. There are

only two that remain a mystery. I have seen Morito Tokei cringe
with unbearable pain at times. When I ask him what the matter
was, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and told me
"Another scroll has been opened." If it is true that these scrolls
are draining our shugenja of their strength, then we must
 destroy them. I cannot convince my Phoenix allies of this, but if
I cannot, then you must. The Empire depends on us being at our
full strength and capacity when the darkest time arises. Just
before his disappearance, Togashi Yokuni came to me and told
me that time is close. I do not know why, but I have always
trusted the Dragon Champion. There is something ... something
ancient in his eyes. I cannot explain more.

Have trust and faith, my friend. The dark time is nearly upon us,
but if we have strength and faith, we shall preserve the Empire
and our beloved Emperor. May the Seven Thunders keep you
and walk beside you until your final day.

Toturi

LETTER FOUR

My friend, you must take care. There are dark forces moving in
the empire. Darker than ever before. The Shadowlands army we
fought against at Beiden Pass is nothing compared to the might
of the army led by the insane Scorpion Shugenja, Yogo Junzo. It
has crushed villages and homesteads all across Rokugan, and
now, it moves with steady speed toward the home of our
Emperor.

As I said, it moves toward the home of our Emperor. The last

Hantei no longer resides in the palace of his ancestors. The soul
of the last Hantei no longer resides in the body that Lady
Kachiko has poisoned for the last year. That soul is no more. An
ancient evil now resides in his body, an evil whose name I dare
not speak lest I draw his attention to the men who follow me. It
is the same evil that was banished a thousand years ago by
Shinsei and his seven thunders. The same evil whose essence
was trapped in twelve scrolls that were never to be opened
again. Now they have been opened, and he has escaped into
the weakened body of our emperor. All is lost. There will never
again be a Hantei. The line to the Sun Goddess is broken and
Rokugan must stand alone against the greatest evil Heaven and
Earth has ever known.

Far to the East, the Crane clan has achieved a victory against
the deceiver Hoturi with the aid of the Naga and the Phoenix. In
the light of the news from the palace, it is a small victory, but it
is one we must look to for inspiration. Binding together, they
defeated the Shadowlands army. We must do the same. Only
together will we be able to stand against the awful power the
dark one can muster. Spread the word to all you see. Tell them
to abandon this foolish quest for a throne that no longer exists
and band together in the face of a common enemy. If we do
not, I fear that Rokugan is doomed.
And yes, I have heard the rumors regarding my sensei,
Kage-sama. I cannot believe such rumors. They must come from
the Scorpion in the palace. I have known Akodo Kage for all my
life, and I assure you, he would never betray us to the Scorpion
Lady. Trust me in this my friend. If you have never trusted me
in any other matter, trust me in this one.

This may be the last time I speak to you. As I write this, we are
preparing to ride against Yogo Junzo's army, in the hopes that
we can cut him off before he reaches the imperial city. If I fall
to his forces, you must carry on in my stead. This is a harsh
duty I place upon your shoulders, but I know that you are
worthy of it. Take courage in these dark days, for courage it
seems, is all we have left.

Toturi

LETTER SIX

Your Akiyoshi waits for my response. I write with a hesitant hand. I

have no reason to trust you. Only because of my talk with Yokuni am
I responding.

If you are correct, Yoritomo's army will cut off Yogo Junzo's
reinforcements from the south. If you are correct, I will make certain
we are north of the castle when the time is right. Yokuni assures me
the others will be ready for our arrival.

As to the other matter.

Your previous correspondence has shown me you are capable of

keeping your word. You told me you would exchange information for
favor, and I honored your request, but I cannot believe what you tell
me. I have known Kage for all of my life. Since my earliest days, he
has been my most trusted advisor, sensei and sempai.

And now you tell me it was his actions that caused Tsuko's death. I
must pause between every sentence to keep my emotions in check.
I cannot believe what you say, and yet, I must believe what you say.
You tell me not to trust him. Akiyoshi tells me not to trust him.
Tsurani's last words to me were not to trust Kage. In this house when
all my faculties must be clear of doubt and hesitation, I find myself
devoid of clarity. All about me is confusion.

At the palace, the Lion armies await certain doom.

I must do something.

Yokuni tells me I know what to do, but I don't. I don't! How can I
unite them? How can I convince them that we must stand together or
we will all fall? I seek an answer, and all I can remember are the
lessons of my sensei, the one man I am not to trust. My eyes and
hands fumble through the lessons of Shinsei, and they might as well
be speaking to a man without sight or hearing.

I don't know what to do!

As I stood next to the Emperor 1 his most trusted military advisor 1 I

always saw you with contempt. He always kept you close, befuddled
by your beauty. You were his eyes and ears in the court, always with
your fingers in everyone's secrets. I look back at those days now
and realize why I despised you.

He needed you as much as he needed me. I was loyal. You used

your position for your own gain. How the times have changed, eh? Or
perhaps they have not. What have you to gain from all this, Kachiko?
What do you hope to gain?

I have the answer. I know what I must do.

I will give the Lions what they want.
I will give them a mien.
There will be a united Lion army at the gate, Lady Scorpion, even if it
costs me my life.
Be ready.

Toturi

MONKS

LETTER SIX

Brothers,

We arrived with the Unicorns at Otosan Uchi. As far as the

eye can see, the armies of the Clans stretch out across
the hills and fields, filling them with the colors of the
Empire. It looks like autumn, rather than sultry summer,
here at the capital. The Unicorn's army of farmers who
brought with it an arsenal of tools. Suana and Takao have
taught them how to turn those simple tools into weapons.
After all, what can cut down wheat and rice can cut down
a man.

The Seven Thunders are here, but they are restless.

Uncertainty hangs in the air like stench hangs over an
unclean corpse. They are samurai, and so they maintain
their courageous faces, but deep in their herats, they
know the cold embrace of fear.

I am assured in destiny. All will come to pass as it was

meant to come to pass. If we fall here, we will know an
eterity of darkness. If we succeed, the age of man will
have passed its test, and our kind will live to see another
thousand years.

As you know, nearly all of our temples have fallen to the

fiend Junzo. Only a few remain, but now they stand
unguarded as we join the Clans for our final stand against
the dark one. Have no fear, we will build again.

As I watch the events unfold, I cannot help but think of an

old story that was once told to me by my grandfather.
Perhaps it is the oldest story in the world. I will tell it now,
as it was told to me.

One thousand years ago, Shinsei came to the Emperor in

his time of darkest need. The dark brother's army seemed
endless and Hantei's own army was exhausted and virtually
beaten. Shinsei said to him, "Give me seven men of
conviction, and I will give you victory."

Hantei smirked at the wise one and said, "Go away, farmer.
I have no time for foolishness now."

Shinsei only bowed and said, "Very well. I have no interest

in helping a man dig his grave," and walked away.

The Emperor called the little man back and said, "Prove to
me I should give you what you want."

Shinsei smiled. "A man who has nothing to lose should not
fear giving away all he has."

This story comes back to me time and time again as I look

at the armies of the Clans. They are desperate men. They
have nothing to lose. They are unafrait to give all they
have.

It is a desperate time.

They say it is a curse to live in desperate times. I tell you

that I would not want to live in any other time.

Tetsuya

LETTER SEVEN

It is done. The war is over.

All has come to pass as my ancestor foretold. The

darkness of the Shadowlands has been defeated on the
plains of Otosan Uchi, and its leader has been crushed by a
new generation of thunders. It is time to rebuild.

Remember the Tao, my friends, for its prophecies are not

finished. For all things, there is a time and a place -- each
season, each life, and each death. Our preparations were
not in vain, and we must help the new world to begin. The
Clans of the Empire are broken, wounded and weary. Our
place now is to help them rise again -- to build a better
future from the ruins of the past.

Within the dark walls of Otosan Uchi, the Thunders

gathered. Unsure of their future, their lives in conflict, they
had the courage to bond together in this hour of greatest
need. It was as we had always known -- facing the true
enemy gave them the strength they lacked. I stood and
watched as they fought the evil, knowing that this battle
would decide the future. The men outside the palace,
fighting the undead hordes -- their lives hinged on what
happened within that throne room. Their lives and the
future of all Rokugan. We were successful, but even in our
success, I can see another destiny starting to unfold. Evil
is not bound to one Lord, but within many mortal men, and
in their eyes -- if you look closely -- you can see the echo
of darkness.

Those of you who did not witness the final battle must be
told of the valor of your brothers. They stood on the plains
of the Emperor's palace while I led the Thunders to their
destiny, and many of them spent their lives to usher in this
new beginning. Their names must be remembered with
honor, and their lives must not have been sacrificed in
vain.

Among the flames of Otosan Uchi lies the body of Tetsuya,

whose quiet wisdom guided our order for many years. He
strode onto the field alone, a single monk among so many
factions. Undisturbed by the evil which surrounded him, he
raised his hand against the undead with compassion and
remorse. Even in this, he was a gentle man. Though they
fell, Tetsuya walked on through the darkness, keeping the
oni at bay while the Dragon troops marched forward. In the
midst of the plain, he came upon a twisted creature,
guardian of Junzo, whose body was half creature and half
man. It pointed its blade at the Mirumoto troops, and
bellowed a challenge, but Tetsuya raised his hand. The
Dragons fell back, allowing Tetsuya to accept the beast's
contest. All was quiet for a moment, and then, with the
monster's scream of fury, the two struck as one.

His voice will be missed among the halls of our brothers.

When the time came to choose a new Emperor, the
Champions of the Clans looked to me to tell them the way.
But I did not make the choice. It was in their eyes, in the
way they looked at Toturi, the way the men chanted his
name when they saw him emerge from the palace. At the
top of the wall, he looked down at Rokugan, and did not
see them as seven clans. Instead, he saw them as a single
nation. Toturi has forsaken his past and his old alliances,
and taken up the cause of the people. He will rule them
well.

My time among you is finished. The darkness has

withdrawn, and the Dark Lord is beaten. For now. Let the
word be spread among our order -- all has gone according
to the design of my forefather. Rokugan is again safe from
the evil of the Shadowlands. Our vigil is ended. I return
now to the anonymity from which I came, so that my sons
and their sons will be hidden from the darkness. For, like
the night that follows long after the new dawn, darkness
will come again.

May the peace of the Tao be with you.

Shinsei

LETTER EIGHT

Friends

The prophecies of Uikku begin to foretell of occurrences which

match those around us. The rise of the Scorpion and the fall
of the line of Hantei are the events surrounding the return of
the great Evil, the time for which we have prepared since the
First Shinsei walked upon the lands of Rokugan. As I write
this, I wait in the stronghold of the Lion, watching their
preparations for war against the usurper of Otosan Uchi. The
Matsu have ordered the Akodo to stand down and allow their
Heroine to lead the battle, and without my student, Toturi, I
believe the Akodo will do as they say.

There are those among us who do not believe that the

legends are true, that the descendant of Shinsei will return to
us, only last night, as I rested in meditation, I saw a strange
hooded figure enter my dreams, travelling to our temples as if
from a great distance. He is coming, and when he arrives, we
must be ready to follow him, even if it means our lives.

I will remain here, among the Lion, for as long as I am able. If

Toturi lives, and returns to us, he will need our support in the
coming time of trouble, for I believe that his destiny is
 intertwined our own. The hooded figure I have seen echoed in
my dreams will lead us all, and Rokugan must be ready for the
conflict to come. Prepare them, my brothers, and prepare
yourselves.

Suana

LETTER NINE

My brothers,

You have welcomed us with open arms. With dedication, and

faith in the words of Tao, you have opened your temples,
your sacred ground, and you have aided us when our need
was great. It is with a heavy heart that I must ask you, one
more time, to answer my call.

In the dark corridors of my father's palace, Hitomi walks with

blackened eyes. The obsidian hand she bears gives her no
rest, and I fear her quest to restore my father's life has driven
her mad. The Naga fight like men with something to hide -
each step they take into Dragon Mountains slaughters more of
their people, but they do not seem to care. Genocide, in the
name of duty.

The Naga armies have swarmed across the Kitsuki provinces,

ravaged Kyuden Kitsuki. Last Step Castle has been besieged,
and its foundations are covered in Dragon blood. To the
south, on the Crane territories, and in the far south, we have
heard the sad news of the loss of one of the Thunders - the
Crab Champion, Hida Yakamo, and his men have been lost to
the Shadowlands in a valiant attempt to regain their lost
fortress. Most importantly, we must find the lost Emperor. In
his name, atrocities are being performed by those once loyal
to him, and only his word can bring peace to this
disintegrating nation. Only he can help us bring wisdom to our
sister in her dark mountains - only Toturi can call upon the
Naga's oath to Rokugan, and help us bring wisdom to Hitomi's
maddened siren song.

The war must be stopped. I do not know the ways of the New
Tao, but I know that Dragons were never meant to be
slaughtered like animals. If we can break through the riddles
which once protected us - if we can reach our sister's side, I
know that I can restore her mind. Then, together, we can
renew the path of the Dragon Clan, and find the mysteries
that Togashi prepared for us, so long ago.

Hoshi
 YORITOMO

LETTER ONE

To the rest of the Alliance:

Our army is positioned to the west and south of Otosan

Uchi. The archers of the Wasp wait, hidden behind trees
and rocks for the approach. Ryosei of the Fox waits further
south, watching thier advance. They believe they will aid
the undead Scorpion’s army.

They are wrong.

Kamoto’s forces lie to the north, ready to flank thier

approach. Genzo’s troops lie to the south, ready to engage
them when they crest the hill.

All is ready.

We are Toturi’s trap. Thier scouts have reported all armies

ready at Otosan Uchi. They did not count on us. They do
not anticipate our ambush. When the necromancer’s army
of dead men marches into the Sokustel woods, he will first
meet our Wasp archers. He will charge his army onward or
retreat to avoid them. His zombies are not fast enough to
catch a small force that can move through the forest so
quickly. If he charges on, Genzo will attack from the flank
as the archers continue thier flurry. When they turn on
Genzo, he will retreat and Kamoto will attack from the
other direction.

When they turn on Kamoto, Genzo will re-establish his

attack. All the while, Tsuruchi’s archers will continue thier
assault. The archer has learned much under Toturi’s
tutelage. He has learned to think in terms of opportunities.
That makes me smile. If the necromancer divides his
greater force to chase down our two smaller forces, then
we will have him. His zombies and skeletons are slow, and
our shugenja are armed with spells of jade and holy crystal
to decimate them.

We will divide them.

Then we will conquer them.

Then, I will go to the armies of the Clans and give them our
demand. Even if our demand is met, we will never meet
again, my friend. Death is the price I am willing to pay.

Do not dishonour my act with failure.

Until we meet again.

Yoritomo

LETTER TWO
Victory!

Victory, at last, has come to us, and all that we struggled

to acheive is ours!

We have stood before the Seven Great Clans, and we have

shown them that they are not the onlyvoices in Rokugan.
The voice of the Mantis, the voice of the lesser clans - our
voice - has been heard. We have shouted from the
battlefield, we have raised our standard on the hills and
plains of this nation, and we have forced them to listen.
From the fields around the Emperor’s palace, our armies
stood, risking death side by side with the regiments of the
noble houses.

When I stood before their Champions and announced my

place among them, they knew it was time to recognize the
Mantis. All our clans, the united Alliance which has fought
beneath our banner, we have won what should have been
ours from the start. Our battle was on the field of the
Emperor’s palace - against filthy beasts and undead. We
swarmed upon the field and gave them no quarter, no rest
and no escape. The army of the Dark One was crushed
beneath our heels.

Shugenja hurled spells from the rear, and samurai rushed

the field to battle the enemy, eager for the fight. Glory
was ours - all those who served the Alliance fought
bravely, for though we were few, we were the ones who
made the difference.

The armies of the Great Clans had been decimated by thier

own bickering, and even at the end, just before the gates
opened, Lion fought Lion in an insane battle. I led my own
men before the great gates of Otosan Uchi, cutting
zombies and other fiends down before our blades, and we
were the first inside its massive walls. I will never forget
the sight of the palace - once magnificent and stately, but
now foul and corrupt.

Things which defy description poured down on us from the

ramparts, splitting the heads of my comrades with thier
rusted pikes. Brute strength and reckless force were thier
weapons, and we were reduced to cutting at them as a
fisherman cuts apart a shark.
I thought the butchery would never end; the horde was
massive and eager, rushing toward us with death in thier
eyes. Those beside me who fell soon rose again, the
hissing sound of the Dark Lord’s gift filling thier lungs as
thier eyes lit with hatred.

To the left, oni of tremendous size and awesome strength;

to the right, skeletons and the horde of undead; and
beside me, my own dead soldiers tried to tear my weapons
from my hands,

Standing among the ghoulish legion, my weapons whirling

madly, I heard from the field a single wild howl, surpassing
all other noises. It rose from the plain from a single voice,
but was soon joined by others in a tremendous outcry. It
was the sound of life, a spirit that had been threatened by
extinction but was once again free.

I looked around me at the dead, and found that no more

rose to test my blades.

The Dark One’s power had been broken.

It was over - our victory was complete.

After the battle, with the fields of Otosan Uchi burning on

the horizon, Toturi spoke to the gathered throng. With the
blessing of Shinsei, he proclaimed a new Imperial reign over
Rokugan, a reign which would signal a new era. He spoke of
unity, and of peace, and he called me into the presence of
the Champions, to stand beside them as was my due.

He kept his promise to our Clan, and our Alliance.

At last, I stood among the Leaders of the Great Houses of

Rokugan, and I was thier equal.

Our future is assured - our place in the Empire is certain.

Our storms have changed the world.

Yoritomo