The Chronicles of Otomo Hiroshi

Drawing by Gabriel Hernandez (viracocha1@msn.com)

Greetings, honored samurai. These are turbulent times in our glorious Empire, and I hope you will forgive me for looking more than a little concerned. It would seem the Fortunes have chosen to test us with many trials. Perhaps my simple journal of events will be of some assistance to you in these days of trouble.

Please be warned: The records herein may contain spoilers for various modules.

1119: Current Events

The bitterness between the Lion and Crane has never subsided since the death of Akodo Arasou, their clan heir, at Toshi Ranbo six years ago. Although Arasou’s successor, Akodo Toturi, has done his best to seek the path of peace, clashes and quarrels between these two great Clans continue, with every month bringing a report of a new skirmish. Some blame the fiery Matsu daimyo, Matsu Tsuko, but I believe the root cause runs far deeper. Whatever the case, it seems likely that war between these Clans will soon stain our fields with blood once again.

But the disharmony between the Hands of the Emperor is just one of the clouds which have blighted Mother Sun’s light on our land. Just a few months ago, an army of the Scorpion Clan wiped out the small but proud Minor Clan of the Hare, a clan which had stood for three centuries, since its founder, Usagi, distinguished himself in the defeat of the Bloodspeaker at the Battle of Sleeping River. The Scorpion claimed that the Hare Clan heir had murdered one of the their courtiers in Otosan Uchi, and when the Hare denied the charge, the Scorpion crushed their small army and razed their castle to the ground. Not one member of the Usagi family was allowed to live.

Whether the Scorpion told the truth, or if not, what secret motives drove their destruction of this Clan, remains unknown. Scorpions are creatures of secret and shadow, after all, and one can never truly know what they want or know. Indeed, rumors have recently emerged from Kyuden Bayushi that the Scorpion have discovered an ancient cave beneath their ancestral home, a cave boasting all manner of legendary treasures thought lost forever. But when one questions a Scorpion on this matter, one gains only a mysterious smile.

The Tournament of the Emerald Champion

In the autumn our esteemed Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume, chose to hold a tournament at his castle, Rokugan Yogasha Shiro, to choose new Emerald Magistrates to serve him in enforcing the laws of the Shining Prince. I was honored to attend the tournament as a guest, and saw many brave and clever samurai, and not a few powerful shugenja, compete in contests of both body and mind. In the end, three magistrates were chosen, including - surprisingly enough - a Minor Clan competitor from the house of the Dragonfly, Tonbo Genso.

However, the harmony and glory of the tournament was blighted by a terrible disgrace. It seems that one of the competitors, a Crane shugenja (it is forbidden now to say her name), was actually dabbling in the practice of maho, forbidden black magic! Her unholy rites granted her great magical power, and she might well have earned an appointment as an Emerald Magistrate if not for the actions of some of the other tournament competitors, who succeeded in unmasking her foul crimes. Sadly, they did not act in time to save the lives of two of their fellow samurai, Mirumoto Tako and Isawa Mori, who were murdered by the criminal maho-tsukai.

It is indeed a dark time for the Empire when a practitioner of maho can infiltrate the very castle of the Emerald Champion. Let us pray that the wards on Otosan Uchi remain strong, lest the Bloodspeaker Cult threaten the life of the Son of Heaven himself.

1120: The Arrival of Spring

The winter season just past was not without its bright moments, for all the Clans and Families of Rokugan held Winter Courts, each inviting their own selection of guests to cheer and enlighten them through the long cold months.

The Emperor himself, along with his court, chose to spend this winter with the Seppun family, the honored Imperial bodyguards. I have heard it suggested, in more than one quarter, that this was an implicit rebuke to the Clans of the Crane and Lion, suggesting that they forswear their disruptive arguments and conflicts. Sadly, given the long and bitter enmity between the Hands of the Emperor, it seems unlikely that even the frown of the Shining Prince will bring an end to their clashes. Indeed, just this week I have learned of aggressive Lion maneouvers on their northern border, near Toshi Ranbo.

Other Winter Courts have also seen events of interest. I am told that the court of the Asahina, the peaceful shugenja of the Crane, was actually marred by a crime: murder! It seems that a Scorpion courtier, Bayushi Itamaki by name, pushed his blackmails and deceptions too far, and was slain by one of his victims. Fortunately, it appears that some of the guests were able to solve the crime and restore harmony to the court.

A Tragic Wedding

I have heard news recently of a tragic event in the Crane territories. It seems that the Crane had arranged a marriage which would bring them closer to their long-estranged cousins in the minor clan of the Sparrow. However, the night before the wedding, the bride-to-be (a lovely young artisan named Kakita Ayami) perished in a lovers’ suicide. Accounts are confused as to whether the man who died with her was a Crane or a Scorpion, but regardless, the marriage was cancelled. I have since learned that the Sparrow arranged a subsequent marriage into the Mantis Clan.

Dangers in the South

Word has come from the Crab lands of many dangerous new assaults on the Kaiu Wall. It seems that powerful new Oni have begun to appear in the ranks of the Shadowlands hordes, leading their mindless followers in relentless assaults against the Crab. Let us pray that the Hida bushi remain steadfast.

Unfortunately, it also seems that the Crab have become embroiled in difficulties with their neighbors, the Crane. As usual, the problem concerns the Yasuki, that controversial Crab family which fled the Crane Clan seven centuries ago, triggering the first and worst of the inter-Clan conflicts in our Empire’s history. It seems that a Crane magistrate has accused the Yasuki of smuggling gaijin pepper - explosives - into the Empire, in direct violation of the Emperor’s edict against commerce with foreigners! Indeed, only the Yasuki could be bold and dishonorable enough to attempt such a thing. Although at least two prominent Yasuki have committed seppuku in response to the charge, the Crane remain unsatisfied, and there are rumors that they may yet resort to war if the Crab do not offer them further concessions.

1121: A Terrible Month

The winter has ended on a shocking note. The Emperor’s caravan had returned to the Imperial palace from his winter with the Crane Clan, and the Son of Heaven was in the process of inspecting the work of the palace caretakers, when a pack of Bloodspeakers and Oni suddenly attacked! How they had managed to penetrate the wards and protections of the Forbidden City is unknown, but they succeeded in slaughtering much of the Imperial court and kidnapping Hantei Sotorii, the Emperor’s son and sole heir!

A frantic month followed, as samurai searched the Empire high and low for the missing boy. At last he was found, in a secret lair of the Bloodspeakers where they were about to sacrifice him to their dread imprisoned ruler, Iuchiban. A small group of samurai managed to thwart the ritual and rescue the Imperial heir, but not without cost - many brave bushi and wise shugenja lost their lives in the struggle with the filthy Bloodspeakers. The survivors were richly rewarded by the Emperor, and plans are now underway to strengthen the protections of the Imperial palace.

A Summer of Discontent

Since the shocking events of last spring, the Empire has been a place of fear and uncertainty. All manner of ugly rumors and strange tales have circulated, tempers have been short, and every border skirmish has threatened to become a full-blown war. Interesting times, as the Unicorn would say! Indeed, the Unicorn themselves were involved in a difficult incident this summer at the City of the Rich Frog, a wealthy ronin city lying between their territory and that of the Lion Clan. It seems that the Lion ambassador to the city, Matsu Hokare, was murdered, and suspicion fell upon a visiting Unicorn magistrate, Shinjo Taneka. The Lion marched troops on the city and threatened to arrest Taneka by force. Luckily, the ronin family which rules the city, the so-called Kaeru, were able to convince the Lion that Taneka had been framed. That did not end the matter, however, for since that day other rumors have circulated, blaming the Crane Clan for the entire incident.

The Setsuban Festival

The blessed Setsuban festival is usually a time of peace and enjoyment, as all the Empire enjoys the turning of the seasons from summer (the time of War) to autumn (the time of Harvest). This year, however, the Setsuban festival was marred by a dreadful portent. At the Crane city of Toshi Ranbo, the festivities were interrupted by a fierce Lion general, Matsu Morishige, who proclaimed his intention of conquering the city and avenging the death of the previous Lion Champion, Akodo Arasou, who perished there eight years ago. Details of what happened afterward are sketchy, but it seems that Morishige was somehow dissuaded from launching his attack. Nevertheless, the incident was a black eye for the Lion Clan, who have been condemned on all sides for daring to insult the sacred Setsuban truce. I fear this presages only more and deeper conflict between the Lion and the Crane.

A Long Winter

During the winter just past, the Emperor commanded that representatives of each Clan should meet at Shiro Kyotei, a relatively minor castle in northern Crane territories, administered by the vassal family of the Tsume. There, away from the distractions of the larger courts, they were to negotiate solutions to the problems and conflicts which burden our blessed Empire.

Sadly, as I can personally attest, the negotiations met with only limited success. In particular, the presence of several militant representatives of the Matsu family all but ensured that the negotiations between the Lion and Crane would fail. Indeed by all accounts these two Clans were more interested in seeking allies for a potential war than in averting the war in the first place. In this regard, it is intriguing to make note of the number of Lion-Phoenix marriages which were announced at the end of the Winter.

Other negotiations, thankfully, were more successful. The Lion and the Unicorn were able to avoid a conflict over the ronin city of the Rich Frog, and even agreed to send their magistrates to administer the city jointly (much to the displeasure of its overlords, the ronin family calling themselves “Kaeru”). Likewise, the Crab have been able to smooth over the worst of their problems with the Crane, thanks to a public apology by Crab daimyo Yasuki Taka.

Surprisingly, the winter ended with relations between the Crab and the Unicorn greatly improved. Although this would seem a welcome development, especially after the clashes between these Clans a few years ago, one cannot help wondering what motivated this decision on the part of the Crab. Traditionally, the Crab have disdained the diplomatic maneuvers of the rest of the Empire, so their sudden aggressive pursuit of an alliance with the Unicorn is both surprising and more than a little unsettling. I will refrain from repeating the scandalous rumors about Crab Champion Hida Kisada’s opinions on the Hantei dynasty.

1122: The Return of War

Just after the beginning of spring, the war between the Lion and Crane broke out – long expected, yet a surprise nonetheless. The Matsu family led its forces across the border near the village of Renga Murai, claiming that they were “unendurably provoked” by the Crane border guards there. The news came even as the Lion were inviting many samurai to the Castle of the Swift Sword to witness their spring gempukku ceremony. I have heard that the famed Lion sensei Akodo Kage announced his retirement at that event. How tragic that such a noble moment was interrupted with news of war.

The Chrysanthemum Festival

This month, I was privileged to host the Chrysanthemum Festival at Rokugan Yogasha Shiro, the Castle of the Emerald Champion. Many noble samurai were in attendance, and also present was the famed shugenja Naka Kuro, the Grandmaster of the Elements. I have heard that during the festival, Naka-sama chose a new apprentice to carry on the Naka wisdom. Surprisingly, the apprentice was of the Minor Clans: Kitsune Tagama of the Fox. Such an honor only comes once in a lifetime – let us hope Tagama-san proves worthy of it.

(from left to right) Yatsuki Taka, Doji Magimita, Otomo Hiroshi, Naka Kuro

As might be expected, the gathering of so many samurai in one place led inevitably to many negotiations, court maneuvers, and secret discussions. With war now underway between the Lion and the Crane, these negotiations took on an especially urgent tone, and I am happy to report that in at least one case they led to a peaceful resolution. The Lion and the Unicorn have agreed to end their quarrels over the City of the Rich Frog and to leave the city unclaimed by either Clan, although under the military protection of the Lion. Both Clans are sending large forces of magistrates into the city in order to root out the illegal opium trade which thrives there, and the Imperial families have agreed to send Miya heralds to observe the process.

Both the Crab and the Lion have informed the Imperial Courts that they will soon have major announcements to make about the opium trade, and both Clans have stated their belief that the circulation of medicinal opium should be taken from the Scorpion Clan and given instead to the Unicorn. The Scorpion have not deigned to comment on these matters. They have informed me, however, that an Imperial investigation will soon be arriving in Kyuden Bayushi to disprove all those persistent rumors about a mysterious cave beneath the castle.

Moto speaks with Bayushi Ryu

We have also heard that the Phoenix Clan has begun campaigning for the restoration of the office of Jade Champion. Their efforts seem to have borne fruit, for several Clans have now issued statements in Court supporting a new Jade Tournament.

Not all negotiations went so smoothly, however. A noble member of the Seppun family, Seppun Akihita, attempted to broker a truce between the Lion and the Crane, whereby the war might be ended with minimal loss of life and face.

Matsu Tagemuchi (left) negotiates with Seppun Akihita (right)

Sadly, the Crane negotiators proved intransigent, unwilling to issue the public apology which might have turned aside the Lions’ wrath.

The Crane delegation

The Second Battle of Toshi Ranbo

For some guests, alas, the Chrysanthemum Festival was sadly cut short by the news that Lion troops were converging on Toshi Ranbo, the city which took the life of the last Lion Champion. Many Lion and Crane bushi were forced to hastily depart the Festival to join the ranks of their Clan on the battlefield. I myself traveled there to record these great events, and I will remember what I witnessed until the last day of my life.

A ronin and Akodo Makoto

The separate Lion troop columns had merged by the time they reached the city, comprising over 10,000 bushi, the largest force assembled within the Empire in over three centuries. Opposing them the Crane had managed to assemble only about 4,000 bushi, although their ranks included many cunning Daidoji. The Crane forces were commanded by Doji Shusaku, the daimyo of Toshi Ranbo, while on the Lion side both Matsu Tsuko, Lady of Lions, and Akodo Toturi, Champion of the Clan, were present. Strangely, however, Toturi took little action to direct his forces, and the Lion army attacked in piece-meal and uncertain fashion, suffering grievously at the hands of the Daidoji. After an afternoon of bloodshed both forces halted to tend their wounded and allow the eta to remove the dead.

On the morning of the second day, a most remarkable and shocking event occurred. Akodo Toturi did not appear to command his forces, and when Matsu Tsuko went in search of him, she discovered him in his tent consorting with a geisha. Tsuko-sama offered him the chance to commit seppuku, but Toturi refused, and departed the field with his geisha in tow! So shaken were the Lion by this incident that they declared the entire Akodo family to have been shamed, and all members of that family tore off their family mon, declaring that they would go nameless until the Akodo honor was restored.

In the aftermath of this terrible moment, one might have expected the Lion to retire shame-faced from the field, but such was not to be. Matsu Tsuko leaped upon her horse and rode out before the Lion ranks, crying out in a voice so clear that every bushi present could hear her. As nearly as my poor memory can recall, these were her words:

“I am Matsu Tsuko! When the Phoenix sent magical assassins to attack my mother in the night, I slew them alongside her! When Akodo Arasou rode to his death on treacherous Daidoji spears, I rode with him! On this day his death will be avenged, and his sword will taste to blood of a thousand Cranes!”

The Lion army charged with a roar that shook the hills. Although they used no tactics that I could see, such was the fury of their onslaught that the Crane could not withstand them, and within the hour the Lion forces were scaling the walls of the city. Doji Shusaku fell there, as did many other brave Crane of all the families. I have heard that a noble Doji samurai attempted to carry Shusaku-san’s swords out of the city for delivery to his son in the capital, but was caught and overwhelmed by scores of Matsu bushi. I have also heard some Lion suggesting that certain of the Daidoji samurai fled the city in peasant garb, although I would never dignify such a rumor.

Toshi Ranbo has returned to the possession of the Lion Clan, at a price so high that it seems all but unbearable: thousands slain, and a great family dishonored. Let us pray that the Lion will be satisfied with this victory, so that peace may return to our beloved Empire.

The Wrath of the Earth

The events which have just taken place are so terrible that I find it difficult to speak of them without weeping. I was there, upon the Emperor’s barge; I saw all that transpired, despite all my efforts to stop it. Now I must remember, and record, so that the Empire’s history will be remembered true.

The Bon Festival in Otosan Uchi was unusually well-attended this year, for many have died in the war between Crane and Lion. The floating lamps which commemorated their lives made the River of the Sun into a constellation brighter than the stars above, and the Emperor’s barge floated in their midst, bestowing divine blessing on the departed souls.

And then the earth shook, the river heaved, and all became chaos.

The beloved Emperor, Hantei the 38th, was fetched from the river by brave samurai, but the water had already overwhelmed him, and his soul had departed for Yomi. Many others perished there as well – my own daimyo, Otomo Sorai, along with the noble daimyo of the Miya. Even the Seppun suffered, for their daimyo, Seppun Daiori, lost his precious son of only nine years. Nor were the Clans spared the horror – Kakita Yoshi, the Imperial Chanceller, drowned upon the barge.

We soon learned even worse. The Emerald Champion himself, Doji Satsume, perished by the poisoned dart of cowardly ninja, who chose this moment of crisis to assault the courts of the Empire, including the heir, Hantei Sotorii. Thankfully, the sacrifice of Satsume-sama was not in vain, and the Imperial heir was spared to take his father’s throne. This much, at least, we may gives thanks for to the Seven Fortunes.

There was much else which happened that day, including the death of one of Satsume-sama’s sons, Doji Kuwanen, and the dreadful burning of Bayushi Kachiko, the Emperor’s assistant and wife of the Scorpion Champion. I have also heard rumors of a group of samurai rescuing the Acolyte of Void, Isawa Kaede, from the clutches of the same ninja who took the life of Satsume-sama. But such matters seem but small and inconsequential compared to the great tragedies which have befallen us. The Palaces of the Hantei and Otomo lie in ashes, the Imperial city is torn asunder, and nothing will be the same again.

Lady Sun weep for us.

A Court Reborn

Our new young Emperor, Hantei the 39th, has temporarily made his winter home at Kyuden Seppun, where he has begun the painful task of appointing new daimyo to replace those who perished so tragically. Already, the Otomo and Miya families have new daimyo -- Miya Satoshi and Otomo Keisuke. Also, the young prodigy Kakita Kaiten has been appointed to replace the late Kakita Yoshi as daimyo of his family, and Doji Hoturi has been confirmed as Champion of the Crane.

As of yet, no announcements have been made on filling the vacant Imperial offices of Emerald Champion and Imperial Chancellor. No doubt it will be some time until the Son of Heaven can bring his attention to such matters, with so much else occupying his time and attention.

For example: in the weeks after the new court assembled at Kyuden Seppun, rumors were rife that the Lion Clan planned to deliver a public accusation against the Scorpion Clan, accusing them of controlling the national trade in illegal, addictive opium. The Scorpion of course control the legal, medicinal opium trade, and courtly gossip has often speculated on their role in the illegal trade. Now the Lion proposed to prove the truth behind the gossip. Word had it that the Unicorn Clan was backing the Lion effort, and planned to make a claim against the Scorpion Clan city of Ryoko Owari if the charges were proven.

In due course, the Lion did indeed appear before the young Emperor to make their accusation. However, several of their witnesses were found to have mysteriously died shortly before, while others were dishonored, rendering their testimony suspect. In the end, the Divine Hantei was forced to conclude that the Lion had not proven their case, a decision which cost the Right Hand of the Emperor much face. Word has it that the Lion plan to avenge their humiliation on the field of battle, come the spring.

1123: The Empire in Turmoil

As usual, the winter saw many Clans hold splendid Winter Courts, full of complex courtly maneuvers and negotiations, not to mention many fine entertainments. I myself remained in Kyuden Seppun with our beloved Emperor, observing the slow but steady progress in rebuilding the Imperial Court from last autumn's devastation.

Tragically, not all parts of the Empire were peaceful this winter. The new Lion Champion, Matsu Tsuko, was determined to complete the Lion victory in the north and reclaim the last of the northern Crane territories, the Kintani Valley and Shiro Kyotei. Tsuko-sama pushed her armies on well into the bitter cold and deep snow of winter, straining the legendary Lion organization and efficiency to the utmost. The Crane appealed to the Emperor to intervene, but sadly, by the time he agreed to send an emissary, Shiro Kyotei had fallen (at heavy cost to both sides) to a fierce Lion warrior named Matsu Gohei. With this victory Tsuko was satisfied, and she halted all further fighting until the spring.

WIth the arrival of spring, letters and travellers have been arriving chronicling the events at other Winter Courts. Surprisingly, the most important and surprising results came from Crab lands, where the representatives of many Clans met at Shiro no Kaiu, the seat of the Crab engineers.

It would seem that several notable agreements (and not a few secret ones) were made at Shiro no Kaiu, but the most startling was this: the Crab, Unicorn, and Mantis Clans have formed a comprehensive alliance for mutual advantage. The Crab and Unicorn have agreed to support the Mantis petition for Great Clan status, and all three Clans have agreed to stand behind a Unicorn siezure and annexation of the City of the Rich Frog. What the Crab will get out of the alliance, beyond troops for their precious Wall, remains unknown.

The Lion Clan has so far had little choice but to angrily accept the Unicorn advance -- the Lion yet remain at war with the Crane, threaten to attack the Scorpion, and will likely attack the Dragon in support of their Phoenix allies.

It is here in the halls of Kyuden Seppun, however, that this alliance has met with the greatest consternation. It seems that the Mantis had made a previous agreement with certain members of the Otomo and Seppun families, one which is violated by their new alliance with the Crab and Unicorn. The Mantis and their allies have pleaded that they believed the old agreement to have lapsed with the death of the late Emperor Hantei the 38th, but my daimyo and the Seppun seem inclined to frown on such excuses. It is likely that there will be much turmoil in the courts and the Empire in coming months, as the Imperial houses take steps against the Mantis.

To add to the confusion, shortly after the end of the Winter Court, word arrived of fighting in Shiro no Kaiu. It would seem that Hida Sukune, the younger son of Crab Champion Hida Kisada, has raised the banner of rebellion against his father. Why such a thing could happen within the famously loyal Crab Clan is a mystery, and the Crab ambassadors have hardly been forthcoming on the matter.

Other news from the Winter is happily brighter. The Clans have agreed that the Empire needs the restoration of the office of Jade Champion, and the Emperor has agreed to heed their words and call for a Jade Tournament sometime this year. Also, several Clans have agreed to support the appointment of Kakita Torikage as the new Imperial Chancellor. As yet, the Emperor has not yet announced an Emerald Tournament, but it seems only a matter of time until such is done. Rumor has it that the Unicorn, of all Clans, will be sending the strongest candidates to such a tournament.

A Most Unfortunate Crane

A very curious story has come to me from the Winter Court at Kyuden Doji. It seems that one of the attendees at that court was a young Crane swordsman, Kakita Kaguri. Young Kaguri had made quite a name for himself as a promising swordsman, but his blossoming reputation was badly tainted two years ago when his family sword, which he had long boasted to be a Kakita blade, was revealed as a cheap forgery. Although Kaguri-san protested his innocence, and claimed his sword had been stolen and replaced, the damage to his reputation was considerable.

Still, today he could make it so that the sword was all he had lost, I suspect he would take the bargain.

It seems that Kaguri paid a visit to the servants who were preparing Agasha fireworks for the New Year's celebration. Somehow, while he was there, he suffered a sudden epileptic fit and fell upon one of the fireworks, causing it to discharge into his face, setting his hair afire. Quick action by the servants was able to smother the flames, but Kaguri was dreadfully burned, and spent several weeks hovering on the brink of death. Only now has he been able to return home.

By all accounts, the wounds were quite terrible, and left Kaguri's once-handsome face scarred and hideous, with much of his scalp bare and covered with scars. Further, the experience seems to have permanently worsened his epilepsy, so that he now trembles and shakes at all times.

Thus do the Fortunes remind us of our mortality, and the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.

Springtime and War

Sadly, the arrival of spring has brought no peace to the Empire. On the contrary, the long-awaited and much-feared war has erupted between the Dragon and Phoenix Clans. The Lion have dispatched troops to fight on the side of the Phoenix, and the brunt of their first assault has fallen on the Dragon Clan's small helpers, the Dragonfly Clan. I am told that the lands of the Dragonfly have already seen heavy fighting and grievous losses. Farther north, the armies of the Dragon and Phoenix have clashed directly, at heavy cost to both sides.

The rumor in the courts is that this war is tearing the Dragon Clan apart from within. The daimyo of the Mirumoto family, the young lady Hitomi, has been missing for over a year, and in her absence the leadership of the Dragon has fallen upon a lesser daimyo, Mirumoto Yukihera, by all accounts a formidable swordsman and aggressive warrior. Indeed, I am told that it was Yukihera-san's eagerness for conflict which blocked the last attempts at negotiating a peace during the winter. Although the other families of the Dragon are so far publicly supporting Yukihera, I have heard that the Agasha family is deeply divided on the matter, with many of them openly speaking of abandoning their Clan if this war continues for much longer.

Elsewhere in the Empire, the news is scarcely better. The Unicorn Clan's aggressive action in annexing the City of the Rich Frog now seems likely to be their undoing, since their Crab and Mantis allies are no longer in a position to support them. Given the Lion Clan's anger at the Unicorn action, it seems only a matter of time before the Lion legions march against the Unicorn as well as against the Crane and Dragon.

Rumors continue to swirl about the civil war in the Crab Clan, and in response, the Son of Heaven has dispatched one of his Miya heralds to investigate the matter. The latest tale to reach my ears is that a former Otomo maiden who had married into the Crab Clan recently committed jigai to protest the actions of the Crab Clan Champion, Hida Kisada. This would certainly seem to lend at least some credence to the fantastical tales that Kisada plots to march against the Hantei dynasty.

As for the controversial Mantis Clan, they have invited samurai from across the Empire to visit the Isles of Spice and Silk. Their champion, Yoritomo, is to marry Kitsune Ryosei, the daimyo of the Fox Clan, and unite the Mantis and Fox into a single Clan. Certainly this will be another step forward in Yoritomo-san's plans to attain Great Clan status. He has also recently concluded seperate military alliances with the Sparrow, Wasp, and Centipede Clans. We shall see if this marriage is a success -- by all accounts, many in the Fox are unhappy at losing their cherished independence. I hope to attend the wedding myself and learn more.

Rumors of a Legend

Word has recently come to my ears of startling news from the Unicorn lands. It seems rumors are spreading like wildfire that Shinjo, the kami who founded their Clan, has returned from the Burning Sands. How she could have lived all this time when the other Kami aged and died as mortals is difficult to understand, but those Unicorn I have spoken with seem to find no contradiction in this. Indeed, many have already left the Imperial City in order to return hom and learn the truth of this matter themselves.

Storm and Forest

I have just now returned from the Mantis Isles, where I attended the planned wedding of Yoritomo-sama to Kitsune Ryosei, the daimyo of the Fox Clan. It would seem that this controversial match has been delayed -- Ryosei departed the Islands of Silk and Spice two days before the ceremony was due to take place. The Mantis claim that she was called away by "unavoidable Clan business" and assert that the betrothal is still in effect. However, there are already rumors that Yoritomo has been offered, or even accepted, another match.

Thankfully, the other news from this gathering is happier and more harmonious. The Mantis Clan has mended its differences with the Imperial families, and the embargo on Mantis shipping has been lifted, the Imperial house declaring itself well satisfied with the apology and explanation they received from Lord Yoritomo. Indeed, it has been rumored that if things continue in this vein, the Mantis may soon be granted the restoration of their family name.

The Lion and Crane have finally agreed to a peace treaty, and so far the truce seems to be mostly holding. There have been several bitter skirmishes in recent weeks, but the Clans have so far not allowed those to escalate back into a resumptions of full hostilities. Meanwhile, they have also announced the formation of a new Imperial Legion, the Fists of the Emperor, to be manned by bushi from both Clans, commanded by a Lion, and financed by the Crane.

The impending conflict between Lion and Unicorn seems to have been averted as well, as the Unicorn withdrew from the City of the Rich Frog and ceded it to the Lion. This was a significant loss of face for the Unicorn Clan, and caught many by suprise.

Even more surprising was that, at the same time that some Unicorn diplomats were announcing their withdrawel from the City of the Rich Frog, others were claiming that they had concluded an alliance with the Dragon Clan. Since the Dragon are at war with the Lion, this seemed to contradict the peace treaty, and many expected some elaborate trick was underway. However, as the days have passed since then, it has become clear that the Unicorn have no intention of joining the Dragon Clan's struggle with the Lion. They have not even been able to explain their actions in the courts. Perhaps these rumors of Shinjo's return are to blame for their sudden inactivity. Regardless, it is certainly true that Mirumoto Yukihera, the acting daimyo of the Dragon Clan's bushi family, has condemned the Unicorns as cowards and traitors, and threatens military action for their failure to live up to their treaty.

Yukihera-sama's anger is understandable, perhaps, due to the other news concerning his Clan and the Unicorn. A large segment of the Agasha family, the Dragon shugenja, deeply oppose the war with the Phoenix, and they have now agreed to "guest" in Unicorn lands, exchanging wisdom with the Iuchi family, until that war is ended. Many suspect this is only the first step to the Agasha abandoning the Dragon Clan altogether. The Agasha daimyo, Agasha Tamori, has condemned this action as treason to the Clan, and is said to be petitioning the Emperor to change the family name of the remaining "loyal" Agasha.

Finally, several representatives of the Crab Clan were present at the wedding, speaking on behalf of the rebel Hida Sukune, and spreading dark and terrifying tales that Hida Kisada had allied himself with the Shadowlands. Their arguments persuaded many -- the Mantis, Sparrow, and Fox have already dispatched troops to intervene against Kisada, and the Lion, Unicorn, and Crane have all pledged intervention as well. There are even rumors that some of the Imperial Legions may be dispatched, although that will require a formal announcement from the Son of Heaven.

Crisis Upon Crisis

This summer, as we await the Chysanthemum Festival, has proven to be a perilous time. Not only does the Dragon-Phoenix war continue unabated, but now the Unicorn Clan has plunged into civil war. It seems that the rumors were true, and a woman has appeared claiming to be the Kami Shinjo returned. But what should be cause for rejoicing has instead become catastrophe. This supposed Shinjo has apparently condemned her Clan Champion, Shinjo Yokatsu, as a "traitor," in league with some sort of gaijin conspiracy. Yokatsu-sama has of course rejected this charge, and the Unicorn Clan has split between those who support him and those who prefer to follow this new "returned Kami."

Two Clans are now at war with themselves. Such an event is unprecedented in the long history of the Empire, and leaves little doubt that this is one of the most perilous ages which Rokugan has ever been forced to endure. Furthermore, Mirumoto Yukihera has taken advantage of the Unicorn Clan's weakness to take revenge for his anger at their diplomatic blunder. Thousands of Dragon bushi have invaded the eastern Unicorn lands and occupied several wealthy territories.

Let us be thankful that the Lion and Crane have made peace, at least. Sadly, even this good news is not without problems, for word has come of a bloody skirmish at Shiro Sano Kakita. It seems that a Lion force which was withdrawing from Crane lands launched a raid against the seat of the Kakita school, and was badly mauled. The Crane claim the attack was unprovoked, while the Lion insist they were lured into the action.

The Chrysanthemum Festival

At long last, the splendid festival of the Hantei dynasty has brought a moment of peace and relative harmony to our land. Hundreds of samurai from all across the Empire came to the Imperial capital, Otosan Uchi, to attend this year's festival. The city itself is nearly rebuilt from the disaster of last year, and put on a splendid face for the great festival.

Two mighty tournaments were held at this year's festival, the Emerald Tournament and the Jade Tournament. In addition, we were priviliged to witness the wedding of the Divine Hantei to his betrothed, Isawa Kaede. This is the first time the Hantei has not married a Crane, but I must say that the Crane Clan accepted the situation with all the grace and dignity for which they are famed.

Sadly, even this fine occasion did not pass without some minor tragedies. One of the Empire's mightiest warriors, Kakita Toshimoko, lost his life in the Emerald Tournament. And the daimyo of my own family, Otomo Keisuke, committed seppuku to atone for a sin which the Emperor decreed remain private.

The Empire's new Jade Champion, the first in many centuries, is Kitsu Okura, of the Lion Clan. Not only that, but his final opponent in the tournament was also a Lion, Kitsu Makoto. This came as a shock to the Phoenix, who had clearly expected to dominate the competition. The Phoenix did send a majority of the final 16 competitors, but only one of their representatives, a young woman named Isawa Akei, made the final four, and she was narrowly defeated by Makoto-san.

The Emerald Tournament was a magnificent display of swordsmanship. Every Clan except the Crab sent at least one competitor, and great feats of swordsmanship and martial prowess were witnessed by all. The Unicorn sent two delegations, one representing those loyal to Shinjo Yokatsu and the other following the so-called "returned Shinjo," and it was clear on the dueling field that the two groups were bitter enemies. The Crane contingent was led by their finest swordsman, Kakita Toshimoko, the Gray Crane, but in the semi-finals he was unexpectedly defeated and slain by Otaku Taro, a young prodigy from the "Shinjo Kami" faction of the Unicorn. The final clash of arms was so swift that few could see clearly what occured, but it was clear that neither Taro-san nor Toshimoko-san was willing to surrender while they had the strength to stand. Perhaps it was inevitable that one would fall -- but it remains a shock that Toshimoko was that one.

In the end, Otaku Taro was victorious, defeating the Dragon swordsman Mirumoto Taki in the final match. For the first time since their return to the Empire, the Unicorn hold the office of Emerald Champion. Let us hope they will administer it well, especially at a time when their own Clan is so troubled.

Dark Funeral

Word has come to me from the funeral of Bayushi Shoju, the Champion of the Scorpion, who perished of a heart attack right before leaving to attend the Chrysanthemum Festival. It seems that the funeral was attacked by a Shadowlands monster which attempted to murder Shoju's heir, Bayushi Dairu. Thankfully, the courageous intervention of several guests saved Dairu's life. In other good news, it seems Shoju's widow Kachiko has finally recovered from her burns suffered last year, and will be able to offer her son guidance and advice in his new role as Clan Champion.

I have also heard that another unfortunate incident occured at this funeral. A mid-level Crane daimyo, Doji Takashi, lost his face and attacked a Lion bushi, Matsu Gohei, who had slandered Takashi-san's wife. Takashi agreed to commit seppuku to atone for his misdeed, but at the ceremony, he again lost his face and tried to attack the Lion. Takashi was struck down by none other than his Clan Champion, Doji Hoturi.

Although the Crane have offered deep apologies for this incident, the Lion are quite angry, and are muttering that the Crane have not yet "learned their lesson." I fear that if there is not most skillful diplomacy this winter, the Lion-Crane war will resume next spring.

The Tides of Battle

The war in the northern Empire has taken an unexpected turn. When the war began in the spring, the Dragon Clan and its Dragonfly allies, assailed by the combined forces of the Crane and Phoenix, seemed doomed to defeat. When the Dragon alliance with the Unicorn fell through and the Dragon invaded the Unicorn territory in retaliation, this seemed only a further step toward doom.

But how the wheel of Fate turns! The Lion armies in Dragonfly lands have just been dealt a crushing defeat by a Drgaon army supported by a large force of ronin -- ronin led by none other than Toturi the Black, the fallen Akodo.

Meanwhile, the invasion of Unicorn lands has been unexpectedly successful. With the Unicorn riven by civil war, they have no strength to spare for elsewhere, and the Dragon armies have occupied several of their northeastern provinces, including some of their famous diamond mines.

From facing certain defeat, the Dragon now seem to have risen to a dominant position. If this holds through the winter's diplomacy, the entire political-military landscape of the Empire may be transformed.

Loyalty's Reward

I was priviliged to be in the Imperial Capital recently when the Emperor issued a proclamation to the Mantis Clan, whose efforts to make amends for their earlier errors have been most commendable. The message was delivered by Seppun Akihita, one of the Hantei's finest servants. As nearly as my poor ears can recall, his words were thus:

"Lord Yoritomo! The Emperor is well-pleased with your actions, which have shown a true loyalty to the Imperial throne which is all too often lacking in these troubled times! While other Clans fight among themselves, or succumb to false ambition, you have renounced such madness and hewn to your oaths to the Blessed Hantei! In recognition of your loyal service, the Emperor is pleased to grant you the right to bestow your name upon the most select of your followers! Let all witness this and give thanks for the wisdom of the Divine Hantei!"

A Bitter Harvest

Autumn has brought a pause in the wars which wrack our Empire. Alas, the news remains grim, and I cannot help but feel trepidation as the winter approaches.

Last month, some manner of supernatural catastrophe fell upon the Phoenix Clan. Although the exact nature of the disaster is yet to be explained, it is well-known that Kyuden Isawa was destroyed and the entire Elemental Council slain. Although the threat seems to have been narrowly defeated, the Phoenix Champion Shiba Ujimitsu was gravely injured in the struggle and has since retired. His place has been taken by a young bushi named Shiba Tomodachi.

Shortly after, during the Festival of the Snow Hare, the Imperial Herald Miya Satoshi was wed to Matsu Miako, sister of famed bushi Matsu Gohei. Scarcely had the wedding been completed, however, when Kyuden Miya was attacked by a force of ferocious ronin. Satoshi-sama and many of his followers perished in the battle, leaving poor Miako-san a widow after scant hours as a bride. Who these ronin were, and why they attacked, is unknown, but persistant rumors claim they were led by Toturi the Black.

The incident leaves the leadership of the Miya family in question, since Satoshi-sama's cousin and heir, Miya Yumi, has recently married Yoritomo, Champion of the Mantis.

Amid all this dark news, there are some rays of hope: At the demand of the Emperor, the Clans have agreed on which of them shall host the Son of Heaven for the Winter Court. They have come together to choose the Scorpion Clan, and the Emperor shall reside this winter at Kyuden Bayushi. It seems only proper, since the Scorpion alone among the Great Clans are not troubled by war or the threat of war.

I can also report that the Emerald Champion, Otaku Taro, has taken a wife: Kitsuki Sakiko, daughter of the Kitsuki family daimyo. Let us all convey our best wishes to the splendid couple.

1124: Winter Court

This winter, the clan of the Scorpion was honored to host the Son of Heaven for their court. I was priviliged to attend as one of many hundreds of invited guests, and record here for posterity all that I saw.

It was a winter of vigorous and extensive diplomacy, as all the Clans put forth exceptional effort to deal with the chaotic events of the past year. I am pleased to report that in one respect, at least, these efforts bore fruit: the Crane and Lion have averted the resumption of their war. The Crane offered a public apology for the actions of Doji Takashi at the funeral of Bayushi Shoju, and the Lion declared themselves satisfied. With the Emperor's Left and Right hands in harmony once more, perhaps there is hope for all of the Empire.

Sadly, other diplomatic efforts were less successful. The Dragon and Phoenix came very close to ending their bitter conflict, but at the very end of the winter the Dragon Clan discovered that the Phoenix had agreed to take in the so-called "Agasha dissidents" as members of their new Clan. Considering the grievous damage which the Phoenix suffered last autumn, the decision was an understandable one, and I have heard rumors that the Emperor himself expressed approval of it. But Mirumoto Yukihera, the leader of the Dragon, was furious, and proclaimed before the court that the war would resume as soon as the Spring thaw melted snow from the mountain passes. The Lion of course pledged to support their Phoenix allies, and the Crane have also spoken of offering political and economic aid to the Phoenix.

A most strange and unfortunate matter also arose, late in the winter, regarding the Fox Clan. It was announced that the Fox daimyo Ryosei would marry a Scorpion, and shortly after, Ryosei-sama also proclaimed that the Fox would be withdrawing from their alliance with the Mantis Clan and resuming their traditional independence. This was greeted with obvious displeasure by the Mantis delegation, and there were rumors that Yoritomo's followers (who had nearly started a war with the Crab earlier in the winter) might take some drastic action against the Fox.

Indeed, at the end of the winter there was a savage assassination attempt against the Fox delegation's second-highest representative, Kitsune Tagama. Tagama-san lost an eye to a sniper's arrow, and lingered on the brink of death for several days before recovering. However, when the Scorpion Clan's magistrates investigated the crime, they were shocked to discover that the arrows were unmistakably of Lion make, of the sort used by the vassal family of the Koritome. The Lion have denied any involvement, but the Scorpion insist that the evidence is incontrovertible and that the Lion have fatally insulted the Scorpion Clan by taking such an action in Kyuden Bayushi itself. Tragically, it seems all too likely that another war is about to erupt.

I have heard rumors, also, that during a ceremony of loyalty to the Divine Hantei, one of the gifts presented to him (said to be a suit of armor) was found to contain a lethal trap. Everyone has been very close-mouthed about this story, and I have been unable to learn anything from the offices of the Emerald and Jade Champions (both of whom were said to be involved in investigating the matter). What is known is that a high-ranking Scorpion bushi fled the castle, and was repudiated by his Clan, soon after.

The Battle of Jurojin Seido

Reports have arrived of a terrible battle in the Phoenix Mountains. It seems the Dragon attempted to take the Shrine of Jurojin, which had been offered to them in the previous winter's negotiations before they collapsed. The Phoenix moved to defend the shrine, supported by the Lion. Apparently the ronin army of Toturi the Black was also present, but it is uncertain which side hired it -- rumor says it was hired by the Crane to support the Phoenix, but there are many reports that on the battlefield it clashed with the army of the Lion.

Miya Yumi, the Imperial Herald and wife to the Mantis Champion Yoritomo, visited the Shrine in hopes of brokering a peace. Alas, her efforts were unsuccessful, and it seems she herself paid the price of her failure -- reliable reports from several different samurai confirm that she perished during the battle. (I shall not dignify the rumors that she inexplicably attempted to assassinate the Abbot of the Shrine.)

By all reports, the battle was a bloody one indeed, with all three Clans taking greivous losses. Thankfully, the Shrine itself survived the battle, although it suffered some damage. A small group of samurai from other Clans, led by a Kitsune Tagama, volunteered their efforts to protect the Shrine, which would otherwise surely have been destroyed.

The Topaz Championship

As is his custom, this spring the Son of Heaven attended the Topaz Championship at Shiro Sano Kakita, where traditionally the finest young samurai of the Empire compete in a variety of physical and artistic challanges before completing their gempukku. Sadly, although the hospitality of the Crane Clan was as splendid as ever, the crop of young samurai who attended was disappointing -- with so much of the Empire consumed by war, many of the Clans are more interested in sending their best and brightest into their armies. Even the Crane competitors were not of the finest quality, and rumor holds that the most promising Crane youngsters are being personally recruited by Daidoji Uji to rebuild his armies.

In the end, the winner of the competition was a young Crane named Doji Hoitsune. Sadly, the celebrations of his victory were overshadowed by rumors of some sort of trouble in Kyuden Doji, the chief stronghold of his family. In the days since, it has been confirmed that Daidoji troops have blockaded the city, and stories have run rampant that it has been afflicted with a plague or perhaps even the Shadowlands Taint.

A New Unicorn Champion

The Unicorn civil war is at an end, as Shinjo Yokatsu's armies have been defeated at the Battle of Heigin Yuki. Yokatsu himself died in the battle, and his remaining forces have agreed to submit to the so-called "returned Shinjo" and accept her judgment.

I myself attended the ceremony at which the Unicorn Clan acknowledged its new champion, none other than Moto Gaheris, the leader of the wild "desert Moto" who returned last autumn to join the struggle for their Clan. To have such a gaijin-influenced warrior at the head of a Great Clan will surely cause much unhappiness in the rest of the Empire, and it remains to be seen whether this Gaheris can truly lead a Clan of Rokugan.

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