Twelfth Century

Hantei XXXVIII takes the throne: year 1103
At the age of 25, Hantei Jodan is crowned the 38th Emperor of Rokugan. A daring and spirited young man, Hantei XXXVIII finds his vitality slowly crushed over the years by the endless conflicts between the Great Clans.

Hantei Sotorii is born: year 1107
After the death of his third wife, Hantei XXXVIII takes up the company of a Crane concubine. As soon as a boy is born and survives (infant mortality an everpresent danger in Rokugan), the Emperor marries his mother, making her the Empress and Sotorii the heir to the throne. Unfortunately, Sotorii’s mother dies to a mysterious fever only three years after his birth.

The Wasp Clan is founded: year 1109
Born of a Scorpion father and a Lion mother, the young man named Tsuruchi survives both clans’ treachery, losing both his parents and the castle that is his birthright. With cunning and stealth, he reclaims his home and kills the Lion who took it, his uncle. Tsuruchi presents his dilemma to the Emerald Champion, a Crane who shares his distaste for the Lion and Scorpion, and is given leave to create his own clan. The Wasp Clan is born, and are sworn to serve the cause of the Emerald Champion.

The Yotsu family name granted: year 1111
A mountain-dwelling ronin, the warrior Yotsu discovers that the caravan of Empress Hochiahime (Hantei XXXVIII’s fifth wife) has been attacked by a large Bloodspeaker cult. The cultists kill the Empress’ infant children and all the Seppun guardsmen attached to the caravan. The Empress Hochiahime and the young heir Sotorii are taken captive, intended for a sacrifice in order to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Yotsu creeps into the camp with the blade of a fallen guardsman. Though he knows he cannot possibly defeat the Bloodspeakers alone, he asks the Empress for permission to die in the Empress’ name. The Empress forbids it, instead insisting the ronin rescue the heir Sotorii, passing Yotsu a message for the Hantei to mourn her and the child she would have borne.

With no other options, Yotsu leaves his youngest son in Sotorii’s place and leaves. Weeks later, the young heir is reunited with his father, the Emperor. In recognition of Yotsu’s sacrifice, the Emperor gives him given the name Yotsu Yatoshin (the name of the Emperor’s father) and a small fiefdom in the Mountains of Regret as well as authority over a district in Otosan Uchi. Later explorations by the Imperial Legions find the Bloodspeaker Cult gone, and it is presumed that Empress Hochiahime was sacrificed to their blasphemous rituals.

Sword of Yotsu otokodate formed: year 1116
Yotsu Yatoshin begins swearing ronin outside his family to the Yotsu name and training them in the techniques he devised while living deep in the mountains.

Yoritomo becomes the daimyo of the Mantis Clan: year 1117
Widely known for his anger over the Mantis’ station as a Minor Clan, many in the Mantis feel that Yoritomo will lead them to greatness, perhaps paving the way for them to play a greater role in Rokugan.

The Badger Clan daimyo is killed while visiting the Crane lands: year 1118
Although the Badger are a very minor influence in Rokugan, the dishonor of his assassination while in their lands is a great embarrassment to the Crane. There are whispers in court that the assassination is a result of the increasing tension between the Lion and the Crane, but the killer is never caught.

Kitsuki Kaagi disappears: year 1120
Born a member of the Matsu family, Kaagi turned to the magistrates of the Kitsuki after his father died of poisoning. Many years later, Kaagi stumbles into several encounters with the mysterious supernatural force known variously as the Living Shadow, the Living Darkness, or the Lying Darkness. He compiles a journal detailing his experiences and accumulated knowledge and dispatches his eta servant to carry it to the daimyo of the Kitsuki. She is the last person ever to see Kaagi.

Lion Champion Akodo Arasou is killed: year 1120
In an attempt to retake Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho, also known as Violence behind Courtliness City and the Castle of the Lion, a large force of Lion samurai attack entrenched Daidoji troops. Despite the valor of Akodo Arasou and his intended bride, Matsu family daimyo Matsu Tsuko, the Lion are unable to retake the city from the Crane Clan. Lion Champion Arasou is killed in the fighting. His younger brother, Akodo Toturi, is recalled from the monastery where he was sent years ago and designated the new Lion Champion. Despite his impressive tactical skills, Toturi is despised by Matsu Tsuko, who compares him to her lost betrothed.

The Three Man Alliance is formed: year 1121
Following a series of minor border squabbles in court, the Scorpion Clan dispatches tactician Bayushi Tomaru to deal with the neighboring Sparrow Clan. Supremely confident that his forces can defeat whatever resistance the tiny Minor Clan can offer, Tomaru is caught completely off-guard when the Sparrow are aided in battle by the archers of the Wasp Clan and the shugenja of the Fox Clan, both of which have holdings near the Sparrow. Tomaru has no choice but to retreat. He is publicly rebuked by Bayushi Shoju for his failure against such minor opponents. The daimyo of the three Minor Clans meet after their unexpected victory and agree to form a permanent alliance against the aggression of the Scorpion Clan.

Opium War rages in Ryoko Owari Toshi: year 1122
Manipulated by outside forces, the three criminal opium cartels of the City of Lies turn against one another. For weeks, entire rows of warehouses are burned and many deaths occur under mysterious circumstances. The violence continues until the Emerald Magistrates of the city hunt down the responsible parties and bring the opium war to an abrupt halt.

The Darkfever plague strikes the Phoenix lands: year 1123
A solar eclipse releases Oni no Kuzushi from its prison in the spirit realm after two centuries of confinement. While bound to a forgotten estate deep within the Isawa woodlands, the oni uses its foul powers to unleash a lethal plague that is spread by the use of magic. In the lands of the Phoenix, this proves a deadly curse and many lives are lost before clever magistrates locate and destroy the oni.

Pirates plague the Crane-Mantis trade routes: years 1123–1125
Many important shipments between these two clans are lost at sea to pirates, causing both to question the other’s honesty and intentions. Although the losses are light at first, they
continue to escalate for two years until magistrates of the Emperor determine that a treacherous Lion, Matsu Shindoku, is the culprit. Shindoku had been attempting to worsen relations between the Crane and the Mantis. This revelation
further damages the relationship between the Crane and Lion clans.

The Oracle of Fire prepares to depart the mortal realm: year 1123
After several centuries as Oracle, the man who is known as the Oracle of Fire prepares himself for ascension into the Celestial Heavens. His choice of a successor, however, is discovered by a shocked and outraged Scorpion Clan: the Oracle has chosen an eta girl to replace him. The Scorpion attempt to manipulate the Oracle into declaring one of their own the new Oracle of Fire, but the plan fails and the enraged Oracle destroys a large piece of the
Scorpion Clan’s countryside. He is eventually appeased by a group of industrious samurai, however, and balance is restored.

The Hare Clan is destroyed: year 1123
After the Scorpion discover that their agent Soshi Yukio was discovered and slain by Hare Clan samurai Usagi Ozaki, a Scorpion army under the command of Bayushi Tomaru arrives at Shiro Usagi. The castle is destroyed and the daimyo, Usagi Oda, is killed. Tomaru takes Oda’s daughter Usagi Tomoe captive while Oda’s son Ozaki disappears with the Hare ancestral blade. After the castle’s destruction, the Emperor disbands the clan upon hearing sworn testimony from four sources of the Hare practicing maho.

The Scorpion Clan Coup: year 1123
The Scorpion Champion Bayushi Shoju discovers an ancient prophecy that indicates that the Hantei Emperor will become possessed by the dark god Fu Leng. Eager to save the Empire and under the thrall of the Bloodsword Ambition, Shoju launches a devious plan to prevent the prophecy by ending the Hantei line. He secretly places his army throughout Otosan Uchi, the massive capital city. Using his friendship with the Emperor to draw close to him, Shoju cuts Hantei XXXVIII down in cold blood, sending his troops throughout the city to suddenly and brutally seize control. Believing both the Emperor and his heir dead, Shoju declares himself Emperor. Shoju desperately stalls the armies of the clans until the Crab arrive, as he hopes Hida Kisada will ally with the Scorpion. The Crab do not, however, and the Scorpion army is crushed by the combined armies of the clans. Shoju himself is slain in a duel with Akodo Toturi, the Champion of the Lion. Believing the Hantei line to have been exterminated, Toturi declares himself the Emperor of Rokugan to prevent war among the clans.

Hantei Sotorii becomes Hantei XXXIX: year 1123
Having been rescued from the Coup by the Phoenix Clan, the heir to the throne returns to Otosan Uchi after a rushed gempukku ceremony. His first edict upon taking the throne is the dissolution of the Scorpion Clan following their treachery, and the disgrace of Bayushi Shoju by discarding his remains on a communal pyre. Akodo Toturi protests this treatment of an honorable foe, angering the new Emperor. As punishment for his insolence, the Hantei declares Toturi to be ronin and removes the Akodo family name from the Lion Clan. The new Lion Champion Matsu Tsuko quickly decrees that anyone bearing the Akodo name must either swear fealty to the Matsu, Ikoma, or Kitsu, join the Deathseekers, live as ronin, or die (either by seppuku or by her own hand). The revered sensei Akodo Kage is the single exception to this edict. As an afterthought, Hantei XXXIX takes Bayushi Kachiko, Shoju’s beautiful young widow, as his bride to end the traitorous Bayushi line forever.

Yogo Junzo opens the first Black Scroll: year 1123
In anguish over the death of Bayushi Shoju and enraged at the audacity of the Emperor to so dishonor such a man of vision by destroying his family and clan, Yogo Junzo violates his clan’s ancient duty and opens the first of the twelve Black Scrolls (see the Day of Thunder, year 42). The scroll creates a deadly Wasting Disease that begins to spread across Rokugan, bringing misery and death to all who contract it. The spell also transforms Junzo, corrupting him into one of Fu Leng’s undead servants. A short time later, Junzo opens a second Black Scroll to craft his base of operations, an Iron Citadel in the heart of the Shadowlands.

The Naga awaken: year 1124
Although scouts have been awakening and active for nearly two centuries, it is not until now that the Naga begin to awaken in significant numbers. It is still a slow process, and one that will require months to complete, but at last the serpent folk begin to stir from their sleep of ages and move through the world again.

The Lion-Crane conflict erupts into war: year 1124
The constantly worsening conflicts between the Lion and Crane along their shared border explode after a pair of massive battles. The ancient rivalry between the clans is manipulated by Bayushi Sozui and the traitor Kitsu Goden, who instigate the Battle on the Plains of Gaiju Shindai and the Battle of the Forgotten Tide. Both battles are worsened by Goden unleashing the vengeful spirits of Toshigoku to possess the bodies of mortal warriors. Fortunately, a small band of samurai discover, expose, and defeat the two before their foul plan can corrupt all of Rokugan. The Lion and the Crane stand down from their battles for a few short months before eventually escalating once again.

The Hare Clan is reborn: year 1125
Following the heroic efforts of Usagi Ozaki and his companions to clear the Hare clan’s soiled reputation, the Emperor reinstates the tiny clan’s holdings and family name. Though their castle lies in ruins and many yet look upon the Hare with suspicion, they are a clan once more. The Hare begin the long, painful process of rebuilding.

Preparation for the Clan War begins: year 1126
With the mysterious Wasting Disease raging across Rokugan and apparently affecting even the heirless Emperor, the Great Clans of the Empire prepare for inevitable conflict. The Lion mass for war against their ancient enemies, the Crane. The Crab break their vows by forming a dark alliance with the Shadowlands. Crab Champion Hida Kisada believes that he can use the Shadowlands as a tool to seize control of the Empire for himself, afterwards using his power to crush the Shadowlands once and for all. Late in the winter, the Crab army begins its march north.

The Badger Clan falls: year 1126
When Emerald Magistrate Kaiu Osuki travels to the northern reaches of Rokugan to deliver an Imperial edict, he discovers that the strongholds of the Badger Clan have been destroyed. A monstrous oni, summoned by unknown parties, has slain virtually every living being within the northern mountains. The great beast is eventually destroyed, but at a great cost: the Badger Clan is all but extinct. Due to the Emperor’s failing health, the name and Minor Clan status of the Badger are never formally removed.

The Asako Henshin are exposed: year 1126
Manipulated by the dire Kuni Yori, the families of the Phoenix Clan fight amongst themselves while the Empire begins to fall into war around them. Using the insane Asako Oyo as a pawn, Yori demonstrates the secrets of immortality held by the Asako family to the jealous Isawa, ensuring that the two families will spend the next few months completely occupied with their centuries-old rivalry and not the machinations of the Crab Clan.

The Elemental Terrors are created: year 1126
Coming together in an unprecedented meeting, the Dark Oracles of the Shadowlands combine their incredible power to corrupt the very essence of the elements themselves, creating massive elemental creatures of pure Taint: the Elemental Terrors. The Terrors are responsible for the destruction of the territory belonging to the Crippled Bone tribe of Nezumi, sending the creatures north toward the Great Wall where news of the Terrors’ creation reaches the Hiruma scouts.

The Battle of Beiden Pass: year 1127
As an enormous force of Crab and their Shadowlands allies moves north through the Empire, it sacks several cities in the Crane and Scorpion lands. Intent on seizing Beiden Pass and crippling the Empire’s trade routes, the Crab are surprised to
discover a massive army awaiting them. Led by the disgraced ronin Toturi — once Lion Champion Akodo Toturi — the army is comprised of Dragon Clan troops, many ronin, Unicorn cavalry, and a small force of recently awakened Naga scouts. The battle is brutal, but in the end Toturi’s superior
tactics win the day against Hida Sukune and Hida Yakamo. The Crab are driven south. Toturi pulls his forces away and departs north, leaving the Unicorn to control the Pass. This battle is widely regarded as the true beginning of the Clan War.

The Phoenix open the Black Scrolls: year 1127
After the Master of Earth Isawa Tadaka returns from the Shadowlands with a Black Scroll stolen from Yogo Junzo, the Elemental Masters decide to open all four of the foul artifacts in their possession in hopes of better understanding the threat posed by the Shadowlands. Only Isawa Kaede, the Master of Void, refuses to participate, certain that this course of action could lead only to disaster. With Kaede absent, the remaining Masters open the four Black Scrolls, gaining much knowledge. Unfortunately, the corruption of the spells runs rampant through their bodies and spirits, infecting each of them with the Shadowlands Taint.

The Second Day of Thunder: year 1128
After two years of war throughout the Empire, the clans finally unite against their common foe: Fu Leng. Marshaling their combined forces outside Otosan Uchi, the Great Clans join forces with Yoritomo’s Alliance, the Brotherhood of Shinsei, and the Naga to engage the huge armies of Shadowlands creatures surrounding the city. It is an epic battle, larger than any since the dawn of the Empire. Many heroes are lost, but many threats to Rokugan are destroyed forever. Within the city walls, the descendant of Shinsei leads the Seven Thunders to face Fu Leng, who has possessed the body of Hantei XXXIX. The Emperor duels with Dragon Champion Togashi Yokuni, who reveals that he is in fact the Kami Togashi. Fu Leng slays Togashi and then turns to finish off the others who dare face him.

Hida Yakamo, Doji Hoturi, Mirumoto Hitomi, Toturi, Isawa Tadaka, Bayushi Kachiko, and Otaku Kamoko confront Fu Leng. Weakened after his fight with Yokuni, Fu Leng nevertheless mortally wounds Tadaka and Hoturi before he is blinded by a vengeful Bayushi Kachiko. Taking advantage of their foe’s blindness, the dying Hoturi slices deep into the dark one’s chest while Toturi claims Fu Leng’s head with a single strike of his sword. The dark god is at last defeated.

Coronation of Toturi I: year 1129
After a bitter winter attempting to rebuild the Empire, Toturi I is crowned Emperor of Rokugan, Master of the Chrysanthemum, and Lord of the Seven Hills. His coronation is blessed by the appearance of Lady Sun hovering above Otosan Uchi for a full day, which all agree is Amaterasu’s support of the new Son of Heaven. The conversations between Toturi and Shinsei’s descendant over the winter are transcribed by Isawa Osugi and compiled as the New Tao. Toturi’s first edicts as Emperor are to rebuild what was lost during the Clan War, and to detail the duty of each of the clans to the Empire. To symbolize the Empire’s defeat of the Dark Lord, a new throne of jade is crafted for Toturi I, and Rokugan becomes known as “The Jade Empire.”

Banishment of the Togashi: year 1129
Hitomi, who cast off her Mirumoto family name shortly after the Day of Thunder, appears from the mountains at last. She renames Kyuden Togashi to Kyuden Hitomi, and commands those with the Togashi name to swear fealty to her name. The alternatives are banishment or death. Some Togashi swear fealty to Hitomi, taking her name, but most flee the lands of the Dragon or are executed for treason by their new Champion or her enforcers. Those who escape are given refuge by the Brotherhood of Shinsei, as many of them are already far from Dragon lands working side-by-side with the monks. Among the banished is Togashi Hoshi, son of Togashi. Hoshi uses his long-standing close relations with the Brotherhood to help accommodate the exile of his family, and begins to gather the former Togashi.

Falcon Clan absorbed by the Crab: year 1125
After an unknown maho-tsukai ritual opens a rift to the spirit world, many members of the Falcon Clan are possessed by shuten doji. Although the ritual is reversed, many Falcon and peasants are killed, leaving the clan’s lands in disarray. Acting on authorization from an Imperial shikken (one of the Emperor’s peacekeepers), the Crab Clan formally absorbs the minor clan with the blessing of the Falcon daimyo. In time, the Falcon become the Toritaka family of the Crab.

Naga at the Wall: year 1129
In the wake of Fu Leng’s defeat, the Crab and Naga move to end the threat of the Shadowlands forever. While Kaiu engineers spend most of the year rebuilding the Kaiu Wall (which was severely damaged during the Clan War), the Naga work with Crab generals and sensei to combat the Shadowlands. The Naga leader, the Qamar, pledges that every Naga that is able will strike out against the Shadowlands with their new Crab allies when all are ready. As the Crab had been forced to spend their resources on rebuilding, plans are laid for an assault in the spring of 1130.

Creation of the Monkey Clan and founding of the Fuzake: year 1129
When Toturi offers the position of Captain of the Imperial Guard to his loyal follower Toku, Toku respectfully declines and confesses that he is not a true samurai. He is, in fact, a peasant wielding a katana taken from a dead bandit years ago. The bravery and honor Toku displayed during the Clan War leads Toturi not only to pardon Toku for his crimes and offer the position of Captain of the Imperial Guard a second time, but to bestow Minor Clan status upon the young samurai and his followers.

Shortly thereafter, a remarkable Yasuki named Garou (who had become a loyal follower of Toku during the Clan War) is also granted the Fuzake family name. This is mostly due to the sponsorship of the Doji, who found his tireless efforts to tend the wounded and bring humor to the Empire during the war inspiring. Fuzake Garou swears fealty to Toku and joins the fledgling Monkey Clan.

Opening of the Phoenix Gates: year 1130
After suffering the highest loss of life during the Clan War, the Phoenix clan (led by Clan Champion Shiba Tsukune) struggles throughout the first year of rebuilding due to lack of manpower. The Grand Master of the Elements, Naka Kuro, pledges his aid in helping the clan rebuild, swearing fealty to Lady Tsukune. With Kuro’s help, and Tsukune’s offer of fealty to any shugenja that proves himself or herself worthy, the Phoenix slowly begin to reclaim their place in the Empire.

Death of Hida Kisada: year 1130
His health failing since being wounded by Fu Leng in the Clan War, Crab Daimyo Hida Kisada finally loses his struggle against death near the end of the winter. Though some see him as a traitor against the Empire for attacking Otosan Uchi during the Clan War, others (including Emperor Toturi) have come to understand his actions. In a funeral led by his son Yakamo, Kisada is given the funeral pyre of an honorable samurai. In thanks for his invaluable aid in planning the assault on Fu Leng’s forces on the Second Day of Thunder, Kisada is granted minor Fortune status by Toturi I, and is now and forever the Fortune of Persistence.

Crab assault the Shadowlands: year 1130
Preparations complete, the Crab and Naga combined forces march beyond the Wall into Fu Leng’s Realm. Initial combat brings remarkably light casualties for the Crab and Naga, and the beasts of the Shadowlands seem unprepared for such a large invasion party. With the assault underway, the Naga and Crab army forges its way to lost Hiruma Castle to reclaim the ancestral home lost centuries ago.

Disappearance of Toturi I: year 1130
The new peace of the Empire is shattered when the Emperor’s chambers are found ruined, with blood staining Toturi’s bedclothes. A thorough search of the entire city of Otosan Uchi turns up clues implicating the Scorpion.

In the absence of Emperor Toturi, his lieutenant Takuan assumes the position of chancellor of Rokugan. Bound by the tenets of Imperial Law, he commands Toshimoko to convict the Scorpion. The Emerald Champion shows mercy, and orders their exile to the Burning Sands instead of their deaths. To ensure that none of the Scorpion’s famed ninja will retaliate against the Empire, Toshimoko orders all children of the Scorpion clan under the age of 12 to become the foster children of Crane houses. The Scorpion children become insurance against their clan’s disobedience. Shortly after pronouncing his judgment, Kakita Toshimoko pens his final haiku standing upon a cliff near the sea. The Emerald Champion’s armor and swords are found on that cliff the next dawn, along with a petition to the Fortunes to forgive him for his failure to his lord. In the absence of both the Emperor and the Emerald
Champion, Shinjo Shirasu leads the Emerald Magistrates and attempts to uphold the law of the land.

Having thus faked his death, Toshimoko disguises himself as a ronin and wears a mask at all times as he begins a search for the truth. Toturi’s lieutenants Ginawa and Matsu Hiroru also set out in search of their lost master.

To be concluded…