#that l5r campaign i never ran...

[littleeyesofpallas]

[thekingchad]

Brainstorming for L5R Game

OK, I ran a Shattered Empire campaign...about 3 years ago, and i’m using the world the players wrecked for an upcoming game i’ll be running. 

Background: The original setting is L5R only all the thunders died facing Fu Leng on the Day of Thunder. This means no restored empire under Toturi the First, and a Sengoku kind of enviornment for the players.

Now, I did have the presence of mind to write a state of the empire before shelving it, but it has been a few years.,

General Events: During the last days of the winter court it is announced that Champion Hida Kisada has died. His daughter Hida O-Ushi officially becomes Champion of the Crab. Her first official act is to arrange a marriage between herself and a very surprised Shinjo Yasamura, the son of Unicorn Champion Shinjo Yokatsu. Following the funeral of her father and her wedding, the court is thrown into further disorder from several announcements: First, that the Clans officially and publicly recognize the implications of the possessed Emperor, and that as the dark one his edicts held no force of authority. The exile of the Akodo Family of the Lion and the Destruction of the Scorpion family are ended and they are restored to their previous positions. A large number of Crab-Scorpion marriages are announced and the Scorpion are bound into a defensive pact with the Crab for a period of one generation. Many hostages are exchanged. A similar arrangement happens between the Unicorn-Scorpion, although the Unicorn gain control of Ryoko Owari, an issue that will cause problems in the future. The Second announcement is even more of a concern. O-Ushi bluntly informs the surviving Crane Delegates, led by Daidoji Iruko, her intention to seize all of Earthquake Fish Bay and the fertile land south of Asahina. She also informs him that if she has to take it by force her armies may not stop there. The Crane leave immediately. The Crab winter court is declared over. The Crab invade almost before the crane delegate reaches his territories, this action having been apparently prepared for some time. Caught between the Matsu and the full might of the crab, the southern crane holdings fold quickly, losing almost half of their land. A desperate defense outside the Daidoji Castle succeeds in stopping the crab advance, and a shadowlands attack forces the crab to withdraw to the lands around Asahina. Several heroes were made in the war, most notably the Bearer of Chukendomo, Daidoji Iruko. She led a party of warriors and ashiguru in a successful ambush of the crab general the invasion, Killing Hida Tsuru in single combat while the town burned around them. She is now the Heir apparent to the Childless Daidoji Uji. Unfortunately, pressed to the south as they are, they are unable to prevent the Mastu army, commanded by the “Butcher” Matsu Gohei, from taken Kyuden Kakita by storm and razing it and the surrounding town to the ground. Compounding matters, a few days before the Lion assault the Emerald Champion Kakita Toshimoko was slain in a duel with the Ronin Dairya, although the Ronin was slain as well. The Lion declare their honor has been satisfied for the Kakita fermenting rebellion in their provinces and return home (Thanks JOE!), leaving the northern Crane lands devastated. The Crane are unable to retake the land south of Asahina, but the crab are also unable to push further north. Famine spreads as so much of the most productive farmland in the empire is laid to waste. After five years of constant fighting, an armistice is signed. With the cranes enraged over the loss of territory and the functional destruction of the Asahina, it is unknown how long this lull in the fighting will last. Imperial Authority wanes throughout this period. With the death of the Emerald Champion, any semblance of Imperial Order dies with him. Increasingly, tales reach you of Emerald Magistrates being killed by bandits, leaving the service and returning to their clans, or even in a few cases, executed by daimyo for interference. The Imperial legions were largely shattered on the 2nd day of thunder, and never truly rebuilt themselves. Clan samurai leave the legions as their terms expire, and few new replacements are found. What remains is made mainly up from Suppun forces, and honorable Ronin. Clans stop paying taxes to the imperial court, and imperial authority only reaches Otosan Uchi and the Hub villages. The Miya are forced to cease the imperial gift, as funds run out. The Otomo have ended their long civil war, as following the unexpected death of the prior Daimyo, Otomo Banu has risen to lead the family. He claims relation to the fallen Hantei line, and demands the clans recognize him has the legitimate emperor. Only the Crane respond, but offer alliance, not fealty. Time will tell weather Banu has the ability to bring the clans under his influence. THE CRAB: The great bear of the Crab, Hida Kisada, has finally succumbed to his injuries from the day of thunder. Having spent the last years of his life dictating to his scribes the plan of action he believes the crab must take to survive in a fractured Rokugan. Following his design, O-Ushi invades the crane and absorbs the Sparrow and Falcon clans, who become families inside the crab. Their attempt to subjugate the fox were briefly successful, but the Fox Daimyo Kitsune Ryosai led a successful revolt by using the clan’s spirit allies and joining the growing Mantis Clan. This action strained relations between the crab and the mantis, but a costly naval battle between the two and this action drawing the Mantis unto the side of the crane in the war kept the crab from pursuing the matter. At the start of the year 1138, the crab have the weakened scorpion as allies, and enemies in the Crane and mantis, and poor relations with all other clans. Their navy is rebuilding from losses sustained  in the last year, and a twenty goblin winter has been declared (more to replenish manpower than due to the shadowlands being active).They are self-sufficient for the first time in its history, and while weak politically, are one of the strongest clans at the moment. THE CRANE: The crane clan now scarcely resembles itself from as little as a decade ago. Spending the majority of the last five year in war with both the Lion and the Crab, they have lost close to a third of their southern territory. The ancestral home of the Kakita was captured by the Matsu, who razed the castle and the dojo before withdrawing. The ancestral home of the Asahina was similarly captured by the Crab and was left in ruins, its town abandoned and largely destroyed. The Asahina were largely wiped out, with less than thirty surviving the war. Most of those that did survive have abandoned the traditional pacifism of their family. Many of them have, in fact, requested tutelage under the phoenix in the hopes of learning the war magic’s that may enable them to retake their lands. The crane have always been one of the most populous of clans, although they have traditionally trained a far higher percentage of their samurai for the courts or as artisans, this tradition is beginning to change. Modern cranes are far more warlike than in the past with many abandoning peaceful pursuits and joining the Daidoji or Kakita schools, and the Champion Doji Kuwanan and Daidoji Daimyo Daidoji Uji are undoubtedly planning some way to retake its southern holdings. The young Kakita Kaiten now leads that family and is invested in rebuilding Kyuden Kakita. The Crane are strongly allied to the Phoenix and Mantis, Friendly with the Dragon and Unicorn, Neutral to the Scorpion, and Hostile to Crab and Lion. They still have many favors they may call on, but the lack of power in the courts is beginning to wear on them. DRAGON: To the surrounding clans, nothing of import has happened to the Clan of Togashi, but the Dragon struggle internally as its ancient duties unravel. Togashi Hoshi, son of the Kami himself, shows little interest in ruling his clan directly…or at all. In his absence the Mirumoto lead the clan abroad, and more and more wonder why they stay in the mountains as the rest of Rokugan burns. The Family has extended its protection to the City of the Rich Frog after a Bandit army nearly sacked the city, but the move has drawn both the Lion and the Unicorn into the area to contest the action. The Mirumoto did not originally intend to annex the city, but with the other two clans looking on with greedy eyes, they may not have a choice should the Kaeru plead for protection. Rumors in the last year claim that Hoshi was nearly killed by an assassin or assassins, and Togashi’s Daisho stolen in the confusion. The Tattooed monks refuse to comment, although they are seen in the empire more and more commonly, always searching for something, or more commonly, a lost brother. They report to the Legendary Togashi MItsu, and his subordinate Togashi Wayen. The clan is mostly recovered from the 2nd day of thunder, and several of its commanders are agitating for the Dragon to leave the Mountain in force. The dragon are Neutral to everyone, although relations with the Lion and Unicorn are beginning to unravel over the City of the Rich Frog. LION: The Lion have done well these last five years, with the Matsu family successfully waging a blood feud with the hated Kakita and setting their famed dueling academy to the torch. Notable heroes from that conflict are Matsu Seijuro (Himself Trained by the Kakita), and general Matsu Gohei. This, of course, does not end the bad blood between those two families. That hatred was begun at the dawn of the empire and only the complete destruction of one or the other can resolve it. Despite the victory over the Crane internal divisions, once unthinkable, are starting to break the traditional lion solidarity. Not all were happy to see the Akodo return to power, and the first major act of the new Akodo Daimyo to raise a heimen to the head of a vassal family and fold a small army of Ronin into it incensed no few Matsu. While swords have not been drawn over this, it seems to herald a new era of strife between the two leading families of the Lion. Champion Ikoma Tsunari is an open supporter of the new Akodo Daimyo Kentaro, noting that Toku was long a companion of Tutori and perhaps feeling a kinship with the new lion over their shared teacher. The Matsu and the Hero Kitsu Motso chafe under Tsunerai’s leadership, and many whisper that perhaps another should lead. At the start of the year, the Lion’s military is stronger than all the other clans, although the Crab and Unicorn closely follow them. They have no allies, and are hostile to the Scorpion, Unicorn, Dragon, and Crane, and are unfriendly to all the others. MANTIS: Ten years ago the Mantis were a prominent minor clan known mainly for its mercenary tendencies and master of naval warfare. Now, it is a Great clan swiftly rising in power. The Yoritomo family has exponentially increased its strength by both freely offering Ronin the chance to join, and by absorbing several Minor clans; The Wasp, The Centipede, and the Tortoise. Refugees from the Sparrow who could not continence fealty to the crab, and the Fox, who lead a revolt against the same, further strengthened the Mantis. Yoritomo’s political situation is still precarious, however. Many of the new members bring unsavory pasts or have caused incidents between the other clans.  Offering the Fox protection compelled the Mantis into direct conflict with the Crab, and the scattered holdings of the mantis made truly unifying the disparate plans impossible in so short a time. The Mantis still function as an alliance of Families, and each family has brought its own politics with them. Yoritomo can only count on the absolute loyalty of the Tsuruchi family and their distant holdings from the Mantis Isles complicate matters. Being drawn into the war with the Crab cemented what was a cold alliance with the Crane, who made full use of Mantis involvement. Doji Chomei, the former Crane ambassador to Yoritomo’s Alliance, now holds the Distinction of serving two masters, as Doji Kuwanan has ordered him to swear fealty to Yoritomo to facilitate the Cooperation between the two clans. His twin oaths have not yet affected his duties, and with the current close relationship the Mantis and the Crane enjoy, it may not ever. The mantis fleet is swiftly recovering from the damage of the last years, but the cease-fire with the crab has allowed the Mantis to look into another, perhaps more troubling issue. Strange Ships of unknown design have been sighted in the open seas and along the Crab-Crane coasts. Swifter then the Mantis vessels, Yoritomo has not yet been able to force a battle with the strangers. At the start of the year, the Mantis are roughly equal in strength to the Phoenix and Crane, and are strongly allied to the Scorpion and Crane, hostile to the Crab and Phoenix (Who still look down on the upjumped “minor clan”) and neutral to all others.

PHEONIX: The Phoenix position is tenuous, easily the weakest clan in terms of military might, and the policy of freely inducting Ronin Shugenja has diluted the once overwhelming superiority of the Phoenix magical capability. The Lion openly argued that in its weakened state, perhaps the Phoenix should be reduced to Minor status, and more capable clans granted stewardship of their empty provinces. Only two positions have been filled on the Elemental Council, the post of Master of Earth, held by the shockingly young Isawa Teuruko, and post of Master of Fire, held by Isawa Hoichui. The Shiba Firmly guide the clan for the first time since the time of the Kami, and they have chosen to rebuild. They only emerged in force in the last years of the Crab-Crane war, to provide Humanitarian Aid to the lands of the Crane. The clan is also changing due to the influx of its newest members, becoming far less conservative then in the past. Many of these newcomers do not share the traditional pacifism of the Phoenix, but to date Champion Shiba Tsukune has kept them firmly under control. As they progress in their education, they may become a problem. Already several incidents have occurred between the Dragon, Lion, and Mantis. The Inquisitors report an explosion in cult activity in recent years as well, and it seems that several bloodspeakers have used the opportunity to infiltrate the Clan of Shiba. At the start the Phoenix are the weakest clan, behind even the Mantis. They have no enemies, yet, but only are strongly allied to the Crane. SCORPION: The reestablishment of the Scorpion Clan was bittersweet. The Recognition of the other clans that they had acted in the interst of the empire did little to mitigate the crippling loss of manpower and damage to scorpion territory. The greatest city of the scorpion, Ryoko Owari, is now a Unicorn holding, the Crab have taken the Shrine of Osano-Wo, and the mountainous Yogo Provence’s are infested by a large Undead army lead by Tsukuro and including the Undead Berserker Hida Amoro, and a large network of bandits lead by the Former Akodo Kano hinders the rebuilding of the clan of secrets. Many scorpion had spent the last decade cursing Bayushi Yojiro for disloyalty or even attempting to kill him, the revelation that he had been protecting the sword Itsuwari raised the opinion many held of him. The Clan is led by Bayushi Aramoro, brother to the revered Bayushi Shoju. His son Aramasu serves the lord of the Mantis as a ward and hostage, and the mantis look to be a major allies of the scorpion for many years. Many more scorpion survived than anybody realized, and the clan is stronger than the Crane, Mantis, and Phoenix, and many were revealed to have been governing their lands through proxies anyway, disruption from them reasserting themselves is kept to a minimum. The Alliance with the crab was instrumental in securing the resources and talent necessary to rebuilt its ruined fortresses. Aramoro has kept his clan out of the recent wars while attempting to rebuild, but the lack of a central government is retarding the re-establishment of scorpion political power, and the Lion flatly refuse to receive scorpion emissaries. Were it not for the recent wars the Lion have been in, it is likely that Matsu would have invaded already. Even more concerning is growing unrest throughout the peasant population, agitated by a cabal of monks called the “Pure Land” sect. At the start of the year, the scorpion are stronger than the Phoenix, crane, and Mantis. They are hostile to the lion, and friendly to all others, although the relationship with the unicorn are strained over Ryoko Owari. They have defensive agreements with the Unicorn, Crane, Crab, and Mantis, but those alliances to not obligate those allies to intervene in internal matters, such as bandits, peasant revolt, and undead. The majority of Scorpion attention is internal for the moment. UNICORN: The Unicorn may be in the best position of all the clans at the start of 1138. They survived the clan war more or less intact, and suffered comparatively few casualties on the 2nd day of thunder. Yokatsu has also kept his clan out of the recent wars and gained new territory in former scorpion land. Their lands are secure, their people happy, and their armies strong. This does not mean all is well with the clan of Shinjo. The Dragon have seemingly claimed the valuable City of the Rich Frog, an area arguably within the dominion of the Unicorn, the Lion have also claimed the area, and skirmishes have broken out in the area. During the feud between the Iuchi and the Ikoma it was revealed the Shuten Doji of Fear had been unleashed. Only the heroic actions of a band of peacemakers and magistrates, led by Miya Yumi, and the sacrifice of two Emerald Legions kept disaster at bay. The consequences were only known later, warped from surviving the event, Iuchi Shaihai, the daughter of the family daimyo, murdered her father and fled justice. She has since become a Maho-Tsukai of fearful ability, and a large part of the clan’s magistrates are committed to hunting her down. Given the chaos in the rest of Rokugan, Yokatsu has been heard to wonder whether it would be better for a strong man to take the empty throne, as this future inter-clan warfare angers the compassionate clan. At the start the Unicorn nearly match the Lion in military might, and lack the many enemies of the lion. They are unfriendly to the lion and dragon, and friendly to all others.

Now, there is even more, There was a few games after this where the party randomly backed Otomo Banu as the Emperor. The players then fucked off to the ivory kingdoms where they all died. But their legacy prompted me to write Banu’s Coronation and, given events earlier, they weren’t pretty.

Also, apologies, it did not port well from the document.

Oaths

Looking over the gathering nobles in the throne room of the imperial court, the man once known as Otomo Banu was still scarcely able to come to terms with the course of events that led to this day.  Two months ago the clans of Rokugan ignored him, but the threat of Gaijin invasion and the surprising support of several of the most well-known heroes in the empire had finally convinced all to recognize his greatness. His empire would last forever, he had only to lay the proper groundwork. 

Here, as he took the oaths of the Clan Champions as they returned to the service of the empire.

My Empire…

The reinstatement of the Hostage laws had been met unhappily, but was accepted without argument. Such a measure had been expected, as had the directive that all current fighting between the great clans would be suspended until the Gaijin situation had been resolved. The clans truly did seem tired of ripping into themselves. Only the Lion and Crab met those directives without grace, one because it truly felt it had done no wrong and the other because they had just lost most of their territory gains to a surprise assault.

The Voice of the Emperor, his niece Otomo Youme stepped forward to conduct the proceedings. His advisers had questioned the wisdom of appointing her to that position, instead of using it to placate one of the clans. He had ignored them. Her efforts had convinced the rabble at the Mantis court. She stepped into that mess with nothing, and helped cement his rule from that. She would want for nothing under his rule.

“Yoritomo, Champion of the Great Clan of the Mantis, step forward and offer your fealty to your Emperor.” Youme’s voice echoed slightly, accenting the delightful look of disgust that immediately appeared on the face of the Lion delegates. The whispering in the court clearly conveyed the opinion of the majority here was not happy with the Mantis offered the first opportunity. Nor the clear verdict that they were a minor clan no longer. Banu simply smiled beatifically. The best part was still to come.

The monster of a man moved forward like a storm unleashed, the barely restrained violence in his gait causing several of the Seppun guardsmen to tighten their grips on their weapons. Fortunately for them, Yoritomo simply kneeled before him. “The Mantis will serve the Emerald Empire, now and forever,” Yoritomo growled.

After the Day of Thunder, Yoritomo had given generously from his coffers to assist in rebuilding the capital. While they had ceased, as everyone did, in paying their share of the taxes they did keep paying them longer than everyone else. It was at his Palace that Banu’s ascension was assured, and to combat the Gaijin threat he’s sent nearly two-thirds of all his forces. 

Yoritomo was a dog…but a highly useful one. And perhaps with time…loyal.

My hand giveth…

“Yoritomo of the Mantis, most valued of my servants, I accept your oath of loyalty. Unto the Mantis I charge the protection of Rokugan from threats from the east. To deal with the Gaijin filth in whatever manner is to the advantage of the Empire, and the stewardship of those minor clans that remain or are established in the future. I also give leave to the Tortoise to join the Mantis officially, as the Hantei have ever held control over the fate of that clan.” 

Forgetting his place at the proclamation, Yoritomo looked directly into the eyes of the Emperor who took great pleasure in seeing pride, suspicion, and disbelief reflected clearly in the eyes of the Mantis Lord. Yoritomo stood after a long moment and returned to his place, slowly becoming aware of and scowling at the outraged look on several members of the court. Ikoma Tsunari looked at Yoritomo with open contempt, a look that was returned with equal vitriol as each rested a hand casually but meaningfully on their katana.

“Ikoma Tsunari-san,” you state, waving down Youme before she calls the one who should have gone next. “I met Toturi once, during the Clan War. He was your Sensei at one time, was he not?” The Lion champion looks at you in confusion…the whole court looks confused at your statement.

This will not do. I will tolerate NO cracks in the foundation of my realm…

“I disliked the man. Intensely. Do you have any idea why?” This was rhetorical of course, she would have no chance to respond before you continued.

Especially from this one. She should have been first to kneel at my feet…

“He failed. He failed in the most spectacular way possible.  An empire died under his watch. For that unforgivable offence, he was made ronin. For the audacity of praising his enemy of his skills, his entire family suffered.” The court did not take your statement well. To talk such of a Thunder was simply not done. Even an Emperor could overstep his bounds. As intended this insult to one of the saviors of Rokugan did not sit well with anyone in the room, and Banu had everyone’s complete attention.

“The Scorpion are responsible for that. Their treacherous leader poisoned him so they could murder your predecessor,” she states simply, and to the anger of the “treacherous leaders” brother. Before Bayushi Aramoro can assault the Lion you continue your trap.

Instead disregarding…even ignoring the power of the imperial families. Ignoring ME! Telling ME that Rokugan needed a stronger hand then I could conceive to manage it…and that I was no Hantei…

“Yes, I am familiar with that part of our history. If I remember correctly the Scorpion attempted to prevent the prophesized return of Fu Leng. They failed, of course, and the last Hantei of pure blood did become the vessel of darkness. Even disbanded, the Scorpion came out on the Day of Thunder, and risked annihilation in the service of an empire that hunted them. In the end, they proved that their loyalty was not ultimately to the Fallen Lord Shoju, but to the Empire Shoju died for.” With these words, the Scorpion are mine forever. Perhaps they will keep to their place this time.

Now she dares openly disapprove of my Vassal? One who actually did act as he was supposed to for his betters? She will not threaten my servants at my own coronation!

“Returning to Toturi, while the clans of Rokugan made deals with darkness (here gesture to the crab and phoenix delegates, who shift uncomfortably) or wared on each other for revenge (back to Tsunari) Toturi instead led an army of Ronin and Dragon against the proper enemies of Rokugan. It is largely through the efforts of a worthless ronin that the empire survived at all. In the end, he was the better of a great many samurai.”

Aramoro looked placated and confused at this. Tsunari merely confused.

“Tell me, Ikoma Tsunari-chan…” you say, your voice laden with false sweetness.

My hand taketh away…

“…where did you stand on the Day of Thunder, again?”

“I kept my oaths…” Tsunari starts angrily but you cut her off, leaping to your feet in an explosion of real anger and gesturing to the shattered back of the emerald throne.

“THE DARK BROTHER SAT HERE! ONI WALKED HERE! YOU WILLINGLY SERVED THE EMBODIMENT OF EVIL BECAUSE YOU CAN’T TELL THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN THE SPIRIT OR THE LETTER OF YOUR OATHS!” Turning around, your back to the champions, you raise your arms to the sky. Toward the massive engravings that showed the events of the 2nd Day of Thunder.

“A thousand years of darkness nearly came about…” You pretend to be lost in thought for a moment. Everyone’s eyes are on you as the men assigned to this task take their places, un-noticed overlooking the court. “The Lion have ever been the strong right hand of the empire. But under a person like you, that hand turned against its body. Under you, the Lion strayed from service to the throne. I have not accepted your oath of fealty. You are not worthy to serve me. The Lion under your leadership, is like a wild dog. And know that none who would aid the Dark Brother have any place in my empire, regardless of their reasoning!” 

At the last word, the sound of several bowstrings shocks the assemblage. Most have their katana ready, staring at the Seppun above. Dumbly, Tsunari looks down at the arrows embedded in her chest. 

“And a wild dog cannot be trusted to know when to kill itself” You finish almost gleefully, waiting for her to die like she should. Many of the court show a look of horror on their face. The Crane and Phoenix Champions look outraged, while the Crab at least look ashamed.

“Honorless imposter!” Amazingly she manages to draw her blade and advance on you. Worryingly too. Isn’t anyone going to stop her? The Seppun were supposed to kill her outright. Can’t they do anything right? You can’t break, running from a dead women in front of the other Champions would destroy any respect this action would generate. Hoping your sudden fear and nervousness don’t show, you hold your ground. Just before she would end you, Yoritomo interposes himself. A brief, although entirely one-sided duel erupts before Tsunari falls, utterly unable to contest with the lord of the Mantis in her wounded state.

Yes. This dog would prove very useful…

Unable to completely hide the way your hands have begun to shake, you try to focus by returning your attention to the rest of the Lion delegation, fixing them with a disapproving glare. They return the look, hatred in their eyes. Hatred…and obedience, as one by one they return their katana to sheath and kneel. Oh well, so long as they know their place. You know that they will never forget, or forgive, what you have done. And the Mantis earned permanent enmity for Yoritomo’s actions today. Still, you only wanted them united up to a point. Enough to take orders, but not enough to work together against you.

“Perhaps your replacement will understand the true meaning of service to the Empire?” 

The Hantei are dead. But I will make sure that their legacy lives on…through me…

Oaths: Dragon and Crab

She should have been allowed seppuku, thought Mirumoto Sukune as he looked at the cooling body of the Lion Champion. How can I serve such a man? As the Mirumoto Daimyo contemplated the scene before him, the Voice of the Emperor again stepped forward. Ignoring the blood inches from staining her elaborately decorated kimono, she called the next Champion up to attend Banu. The Emperor. Sukune corrected in his mind. He would need to internalize this, it would take some time to come to terms with that toad on the throne.

“Togashi Hoshi, Champion of the Dragon and son of the Kami Togashi himself, step forward and give your oath!”

The being that stepped forward and knelt was not wholly a man, that much was obvious. His divinity was clear to anyone who looked in his eyes, his body larger then was humanly possible.

He should have been Emperor. None in Rokugan are more worthy then the living son of a Kami. And yet, as Sukune thought those word the voice of his Champion was clearly heard by all, though his lips did not move.

“The Dragon serve Rokugan, and acknowledge you as its Emperor.” 

The self-declared Hantei bowed to Hoshi, not deeply, but admittedly it was more than an Emperor was compelled to do. The acknowledgement of Hoshi’s divine status did not do much to settle Sukune’s growing apprehension at the whole matter. Particularly given what he had just seen.

“Togashi Hoshi of the Dragon, I accept your oath of Fealty. Moreover I give the Dragon a new purpose. For a thousand years your clan was charged with watching Rokugan. Yet the Dragon have remained apart from it. That ends today. We have seen an empire that tears at itself, as each clan grabs at power for itself, to the detriment of all. Your days of standing apart are over…now the Dragon shall watch for threats from within the Empire. To guard against the ambitions of men who reach beyond their place. And to burn out those who disregard the thrones authority!”

This is madness! The clans will never tolerate us…policing their actions. Next to Sukune, Agasha Tamori broke into an open smile, obviously liking the prospect before him. The Kitsuki lord was deep in thought, and his face was troubled. Hoshi’s face remained impassive. He simply nodded and returned to his delegation. Lost in his thoughts, Mirumoto Sukune did not immediately detect the growing tension in the room. The Emperor was regarding the Crab delegation with barely visible anger.

“Have the leaders of the Crab all retired? Or died in the recent troubles along the coast? Perhaps the Shadowlands presses the Wall, and necessity dictated all available manpower? Un-seasonal snows blocking all passage north, even? “His tone made clear he knew exactly where O-Ushi and her Daimyo were. The women leading the Crab delegation met his stare without fear or self-consciousness. Sukune realized that he recognized none of the Crab. He had no idea who this women was.

“Hida O-Ushi-sama offers the fealty of the Crab. She sends her regrets that she was not able to attend in person, but is unable to travel at the moment in her condition as her children are due any day now. And given the Cranes counter-assault on their former holdings, her Daimyo are indisposed in seeing to the clans needs. I am Hida Rohiteki, her adviser and cousin.” Banu looked at her with open contempt. He’s going to make another example out of her, Sukune realized.

“The Crab made alliances with the shadowlands during the Clan war.” Banu begins, listing one dishonor after another. “Assaulted Otosan Uchi itself with a fleet full of demons, Lost, and undead. Were played by fools by the Dark Brother. When Kisada finally had the decency to die, your Champion attacks the Crane, all but destroying a family dedicated to peace and razing half of Crane territory. Annexed several minor clans by force. And now,” Banu says with pronounced fury, “she has the audacity to ignore a direct order to attend her Emperor?”

“Does she believe that the Crab do not deserve to face the consequences of her actions?”

“We have paid in blood for our mistakes. The Crab will never again make deals with darkness, this O-Ushi swore over her brother’s corpse in this very place. As for the matter with the Crane, we could not rely on trade to feed the wall, so we took what was necessary.”

“That is not good enough. Not nearly enough to cover the debt your clan has accrued.” Banu says with finality, his face hard.

“Your Champion and her Daimyo will come to me. She will offer the Crane aid in rebuilding the lands she has destroyed. She will offer me her life to atone for her failures. She will repudiate the deeds of her father. And if she is VERY convincing, I will not feel the need to take the lives of her immediate family and servants as well. Her children will be fostered by others more loyal. Perhaps without being tainted by the spawn of Kisada, they shall grow to know their duty to the Empire proper.”

As Rohiteki sputters in outrage Sukune notes that many of those in attendance show their approval at the judgment. I can’t really take issue with that. Kisada had one job…one job….and he betrayed it.

“She will not accept this…”

“Then the Clan of Hida will cease to be, and another given its duties. The Mantis were founded by the True son of Hida, so the legend goes. Do not think she can test me on this, we have precedence for what happens to disloyal clans.”

The court went silent at that pronouncement. It was a poorly kept secret that the Crab nearly worshipped Kisada as the fortune of persistence. However this went, it was not going to go smoothly. Yoritomo even looked troubled by this, having perhaps absolutely no desire to take over the Crabs ancient responsibilities.

Finally finding her voice, Rohiteki finally begins to respond, “I will inform her of your edict…”

“Yes, you do that. Now. Your entourage will remain here. Should your clan be dissolved they will suffer for it first.”

“Now get out of my sight!”

As Rohiteki leaves and the other crabs escorted away by the Seppun, one thought stuck with Sukune, put there when he had returned his gaze to the Emperor…

…Why is he smiling?

Ok, I need ideas on how to have a party of multi-clan characters begin in such a messed up environment. The story will be mainly focused on solidifying the rule of the New Emperor.

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]

[littleeyesofpallas]