The Kazaq visits Kyuden Hitomi: year 1130
Led by a dream, the son of the Qamar leaves the Shinomen and climbs Kyuden Hitomi. The dark lady of the Dragon Clan greets the Naga with open arms, as if he were an expected guest. The Kazaq soon emerges from Kyuden Hitomi with mystic tattoos, severed from the Akasha forever.

Naga abandon the Crab: year 1130
The retaking of Hiruma Castle complete, the banners of the Crab once again fly upon the parapets of Shiro Hiruma. As the Crab forces move to restore order to the ruined castle, a sudden shift in the Naga’s attitude is apparent. Some Naga comment that their Akasha has commanded them, and the Naga quickly and silently withdraw from the land. The Crab, unsure exactly what has occurred, can only watch helplessly as their allies abandon them to stand alone, deep in the territory of the Shadowlands. Scouts are quickly dispatched to the Kaiu Wall urgently requesting more soldiers and supplies, but none of the messengers make it to their destination.

Siege of Hiruma Castle: year 1130
The forces of the Shadowlands surround the Crab now deeply entrenched in the ruins of Hiruma Castle. The oni, goblins, and trolls toy with the samurai, knowing that help from the Empire will be a long time in coming. Only the brave Third Whisker Nezumi, who bring food, water, and jade through the tunnels beneath the castle, give the Crab the slightest hope for survival.

Mantis, Scorpion and Crane relations: year 1131
Citing their charter from Emperor Toturi, the Mantis claim the right to tax and rule as regent over “unaligned lands,” including the now-empty provinces of the Scorpion. Very few in the Empire know that the Scorpion have bargained with the Mantis Champion, Yoritomo, to protect the Scorpion lands until such time they can reclaim them from their exile. In order to seal the bargain, Bayushi Aramoro, the most respected member of the Scorpion next to Bayushi Kachiko, fosters his only son to the daimyo of the Mantis. Bayushi Aramasu, Aramoro’s son, arrives in Mantis lands holding Yoritomo’s “payment” for the alliance — Scorpion maps of Rokugan, and other secrets the Mantis Champion demanded to further his power in the Empire.

The Mantis are escorted through Crane lands by Crane Champion Doji Kuwanan and his armies. As Yoritomo reaches the Scorpion lands at the head of his army, he turns to thank the Crane for their assistance, but finds Kuwanan has laid his own plans for the Scorpion provinces. Thinking to use the Scorpion children as a way to claim the lands for his own, Kuwanan ambushes Yoritomo’s forces once their arrangement (for Kuwanan to guide Yoritomo to the Scorpion lands) has been fulfilled. Yoritomo, caught completely unprepared, is forced to withdraw.

Though he does not realize it at the time, many of Doji Kuwanan’s actions are due to poor advice from impersonators dispatched by the Lying Darkness to cause strife and chaos in the Empire. This battle thus marks the start of the “War Against the Shadow.”

Naga and Monks attack the Dragon: year 1131
The purpose of the Naga disappearance becomes clear when a massive Naga army lays siege to the lower Dragon provinces. Three minor strongholds are destroyed before the Naga are halted by a sudden emergence of representatives of the Brotherhood of Shinsei. These monks, comprised mostly of former Togashi ise zumi, parley with the Naga in what is thought will be a swift end to the Naga’s sudden and confusing attack. However, only days later Togashi Hoshi himself comes to stand beside the Qamar and continue the attack on Dragon lands. It is notable that Mirumoto Daini, Hitomi’s own brother, chooses to side with the Naga instead of defending his sister. The war continues, with the Dragon responding slowly due to the lack of organization within the leadership of the clan. It becomes quite clear within weeks of the fighting, however, that like Hitomi, Hoshi has mastered the art of creating ise zumi, bestowing tattoos of power among their followers. Like Hitomi’s followers, Hoshi’s monk acolytes take his name.

Test of the Jade Champion: year 1131
In an effort to hold together the crumbling peace of the Empire, the Seppun and Otomo call the first Test of the Jade Champion in centuries. The post of the Jade Champion has long since been defunct, as its mandate to regulate spellcraft and hunt maho throughout Rokugan was seen as an affront to the Phoenix clan’s power. Each Great Clan sends shugenja to claim the prize. The Championship ends with the defeat of the Unicorn’s Iuchi Karasu, called “The Doomseeker,” by the Lion Clan’s Kitsu Okura. Rumors persist that Okura’s power is owed to a dark ally, though the Lion shugenja is awarded the post.

Lion march to the Wall: year 1131
Without explanation, Lion Champion Ikoma Tsanuri gathers a legion of her most loyal soldiers and sets off to the southwest of Lion lands, directly toward the heart of Crab territory. The move surprises those Tsanuri leaves behind, including the newly initiated Jade Champion and Matsu family daimyo Matsu Ketsui. The Unicorn, in an attempt to prevent what appears to be an attack on the weakened Crab, demand an explanation that the remaining Lion cannot give. Combined with the growing reports of maho and other foul activities in Lion lands, ranking Emerald Magistrate Shinjo Shirasu attempts to investigate deep into Lion lands, only to be intercepted and forcibly escorted back to the Lion border.

Defection of the Agasha: year 1131
Outraged by the actions of their Champion, Hitomi, the Agasha argue among themselves until a clear majority emerges: they wish to leave before they are exterminated like the Togashi. Daimyo Agasha Tamori refuses to allow the Agasha to leave the clan. However, Tamori’s student Gennai offers to take any who wish to follow him to the Phoenix lands to kneel before the sword of Shiba Tsukune. Within the week, fewer than a dozen Agasha stand with the Dragon clan. Agasha Gennai is rewarded by Naka Kuro with a position on the Elemental Council as Master of Air.

Shinjo Morito leaves Unicorn territory: year 1131
With the objective of carving out a destiny of his own, the ambitious Unicorn Shinjo Morito gathers a group of like-minded bushi and stakes a claim to lands once occupied by the Phoenix. As the Phoenix no longer occupy those lands, Morito holds, they no longer can protect them in the Emperor’s name. Thus, by right of his superior ability to maintain and control them, they are his. The Phoenix disagree, but the strong defenses Morito has already constructed lead them to abandon the matter for the moment.

Rescue of Emperor Toturi: year 1132
Toturi I is found shackled and beaten in the ruins of Mori Kage Castle by Unicorn scouts. The forest and the castle are filled with apparitions of ghosts and shadows, which the Naga call The Foul. The truth later becomes apparent: Toturi I was held captive by the Lying Darkness to encourage the Empire to fall into chaos. The Unicorn, led by Otaku Kamoko, bring the weak and sickened Emperor to Otosan Uchi, igniting a small flame of hope in a darkened Empire.

Imperial Edicts: year 1132
Captain of the Imperial Guard Toku is commanded to take the Monkey Clan and end the fighting in the Dragon mountains by attacking the Naga. Toturi then commands the Unicorn magistrates to force the Lion to answer for their crimes in his absence — the rumors of maho have proven correct, and the Jade Champion himself had taken a hand in corrupting the heart of Lion lands. Lastly, Toturi breaks with tradition by naming the Emerald Champion without a tournament. Seppun Toshiken, a prodigy with the blade and illegitimate son of Kakita Toshimoko, is given the swords and armor of the Emerald Champion.

Shortly after his return, Toturi begins a cleansing of the Imperial City, summarily executing anyone he deems to be a “Kolat” on even the loosest evidence. Among the slain is Isawa Osugi, author of the New Tao. The former chancellor, Takuan, is horrified by his lord’s actions and commits seppuku in protest.

Storms over Matsu Castle: year 1132
By the command of Toturi I, the Unicorn engage the Lion near Shiro Matsu. The Lion’s corruption becomes clear as oni take the field beside Tainted bushi and shugenja under the command of Kitsu Okura, Matsu Ketsui, and Kitsu Motso. The battle is fierce, and the oni that bears Okura’s name slaughters a hundred Battle Maidens single-handedly.
The Unicorn are defeated, but the Lion’s power is severely crippled.

Mantis Siege of Phoenix Lands: year 1132
Once again seeking to expand his power, Yoritomo lays claim to the lands of the Phoenix, claiming they are far too weak to maintain their provinces. The Mantis hope to quickly take the Phoenix under their mercy, but Shiba Tsukune views Yoritomo’s movements as an act of war and responds accordingly. Still, the Phoenix are nowhere near as combat-ready as the Mantis, and Yoritomo’s forces slowly force their way deeper into Phoenix territory. It is later concluded that Yoritomo’s brash actions are the result of advice from shape-shifting
minions of the Lying Darkness posing as trusted advisors.

Gift of the Emperor: year 1132
Toturi I holds a contest to win a boon from the Jade Throne. All clans are invited to attend, and the winner of a single-combat tournament will be awarded a favor from the Emperor. The clans, who receive one entry apiece, attempt to use the Emperor’s gift as a way to gain an advantage as the whole Empire is engulfed in war. In the end, the winner is revealed to be Bayushi Aramoro in disguise as a ronin, who was able to enter and win through assistance from the Dragon Clan. Aramoro requests that his clan be permitted to retake
its lands, and the Scorpion are restored to their place in the Empire.

Crane Civil War: year 1132
Driven by the voice of his ancestor, Daidoji family daimyo Daidoji Uji leads troops away from Clan Champion Doji Kuwanan’s command and toward Shiro no Yogin to reclaim it in the name of the Crane. This creates a division in the Crane which turns into outright war as the bushi of the clan are split between their loyalty to the two lords. The fighting continues, and the resultant dishonor and shame eventually causes the Great Sea Spider to wake from its slumber near Golden Sun Bay. Once again, shape-shifters are later blamed for miscommunication between the two Crane leaders.

Death and rebirth of Hida Yakamo: year 1132
After escaping Hiruma Castle in search of reinforcements, Crab Thunder Hida Yakamo is captured and slain by the Shadowlands. Ikoma Tsanuri’s Lion forces assist in launching a second assault towards Hiruma Castle, and the combined might of the two clans delivers a quick and easy victory. Hida Yakamo’s body is recovered, but is seized by the Naga as they appear from the forests near Crab provinces. The Naga use an ancient artifact to restore life to Hida Yakamo and merge his soul with the Akasha — the Naga oversoul — in order to atone for the damage they caused to the Crab by leaving Hiruma Castle. Though many Crab still consider the Naga unreliable traitors, Yakamo assures his people that only by working alongside the Naga can the Lying Darkness and the Shadowlands be defeated.

War in the Heavens: year 1132
The main force of the Scorpion reaches the Empire on the heels of Bayushi Aramoro’s victory in the Emperor’s tournament. Leading the Scorpion is the Kami Shinjo herself, freed from imprisonment in the Burning Sands. Shinjo’s arrival brings further chaos into the Empire as she personally executes hundreds in her own Unicorn Clan, revealing them as agents of the Kolat. With the aid of the Scorpion, Shinjo also learns of the presence of the Lying Darkness in Rokugan, and its control over Emperor Toturi. Shinjo assembles combined forces from all the clans to assault Otosan Uchi, which has grown bleak and shadowed since the return of Toturi.

At the same time, the Naga reach the base of the mountains where Hitomi’s last fortress stands. During the attack, the dark influence of Onnotangu from within the Obsidian Hand leads Hitomi to inadvertently release Shosuro from her crystal prison beneath the castle. Laughing triumphantly as he sees his dark mistress succumb to temptation, the Tainted Dragon Kokujin steals Togashi’s daisho. Shosuro also vanishes, leaving Hitomi alone with her failure.

By the time Hitomi realizes what has happened, it is too late. Her mind is now clear of dark influences, and with this clarity comes a realization of how to undo the damage she has wrought. She sees the entire existence of the Lying Darkness laid out before her. She witnesses the day when Onnotangu, Lord Moon, hid the Shadow’s existence from his spouse the Sun. She sees the Shadow’s subtle influence in the death or downfall of each of the Kami. She sees the slow growth of its power throughout the history of the Empire. She knows that only an enemy of equal power will have the strength to defeat it. She determines to challenge Lord Moon himself, for in doing so she will not only call him to task for his alliance with the Darkness but, if she succeeds, gain the power she needs to defeat the Shadow itself.

Putting her plan into action, Hitomi assembles several powerful artifacts born of the power of the Moon. Calling Onnotangu from the Heavens, she challenges him to personal combat. Eager to crush the upstart Hitomi (and to reclaim the Obsidian Hand from her) the Moon answers Hitomi’s challenge. With the powerful artifacts of Onnotangu and the wisdom of Togashi on her side, Hitomi is triumphant, and slays the Moon.

Meanwhile Takao, Acolyte of Fire, faces a champion of the Moon in single combat in Otosan Uchi. Though the duel seems hopeless, Takao reaches enlightenment during the battle, defeats the Champion, and breaks the Shadow’s control over the city. Takao thereafter bears the title “Master of Five.”

Shortly after this event, Toturi is spirited away to Phoenix lands by Isawa Kaede, now Oracle of the Void.

Twenty-Seven Days of Darkness: year 1132
With the death of Lord Moon, Amaterasu flees from the Celestial Heavens. Angered that the mortal descendants of her children have betrayed her by killing Onnotangu, she takes the Ancestral Swords of the Clans and scatters them to the heavens. Rokugan is shrouded in total shadow, increasing the power of the Lying Darkness tenfold. It soon becomes clear that even Onnotangu himself was only a pawn, and even this was part of the Darkness’ plan.

Hitomi begins a great quest, crossing the entirety of Rokugan in 27 days. At the end of the quest, she arrives at the Shrine of the Three Sisters, who help her discover her true destiny. Hitomi ascends into the Celestial Heavens to fill the void left by Onnotangu, and becomes Lady Moon.

At the same time, Amaterasu commits jigai (the seppuku of noble women). Hida Yakamo appears, led to her pain by his link to the Akasha, and becomes her second. He ascends into the heavens as Lord Sun.

Loss of the True Tao: year 1132
The Tao of Shinsei is stolen by the Kolat in an attempt to protect it from the Shadow. Some within the Kolat plan to revise the Tao, but others heartily disagree. Half of the True Tao is given to Daidoji Rekai by a traitor among the Kolat, but the other half is intercepted by the Lying Darkness and presumed lost.

Loss of the Ikoma Histories: 1132
A sudden attack by the Lying Darkness leaves the great histories of the Ikoma family lying in ruin. With the Empire’s past lost, the Lion historians can do little but attempt to pick up the pieces.

Reunification of the Dragon Clan: year 1132
Togashi Hoshi claims leadership of the Dragon, restores the Togashi to their rightful place, and brings those who swore fealty to his name into the Dragon Clan. Learning from Hitomi’s mistakes, Hoshi begins preparing the Dragon for the coming conflict with the Lying Darkness.

Oblivion’s Gate Opens: year 1132
Several reports of the physical incarnation of ancestral spirits arise, pointing to the crumbling of the barrier between Ningen-do (the mortal world) and various other Spirit Realms. In Volturnum, where Oblivion’s Gate opens to the Rift between Jigoku and Yomi, Ginawa and Matsu Hiroru find the Tenth Kami, Ryoshun. If his strength should fail, it would allow the Lying Darkness to begin to assault Yomi itself — the Realm of the Blessed Ancestors — bleeding the past into Nothing. Despite the hopeless battle, Ryoshun stands alone against the Darkness and its assault upon the Spirit Realms.

Mantis repelled from Phoenix Lands: year 1133
The Mantis, after holding the Phoenix provinces for half a year, are finally broken by the guerrilla attacks of small Phoenix bushi and the magic of their Elemental Guards. Yoritomo is offered the Jade Throne by Shinjo, but the Mantis Champion refuses, claiming that he will never be the pawn of the Kami.

Death of Toturi I: year 1133
In a lucid moment, Toturi breaks free of the control of the Lying Darkness. He realizes that if Darkness were to take the soul of an Emperor, the soul of the Empire itself would be forfeit. In a hasty ceremony, Toturi marries Isawa Kaede. He then commits seppuku — denying the Lying Darkness his soul and leaving as the leader of Rokugan the one person it cannot touch: the Oracle of the Void.

The Battle of Oblivion’s Gate: year 1133
Their enemy now plain for all to see, the forces of the Empire marshal under the guidance of Toturi’s general, Saigorei. As the Lying Darkness attempts to undo all of creation by turning the land of the dead into a lost memory, the forces of Rokugan assault the armies of the Lying Darkness and the Shadowlands in the ruins of the troll city Volturnum. The battle is fierce, and the boundaries between the Spirit Realms crumble. Spirits from Yomi and Toshigoku emerge in great numbers, and more than one hero from Rokugan’s past crosses Oblivion’s Gate to battle the enemy. One such man is the Emperor
himself, Toturi I — free of the Shadow’s grip on his soul. Many die, and the Air Dragon allows itself to be consumed by corruption so that the Master of Fire, Isawa Hochiu, may reach Goju Adorai, the master of the Darkness. With the aid of a Shosuro actor, Hochiu strikes the killing blow and destroys Adorai.

With the loss of Adorai, the Lying Darkness becomes weak enough that it can be named. Lady Moon gives the Darkness the name “Akodo,” which not only destroys the Darkness but releases a large number of lost Akodo ronin previously consumed by it (and now amnesiac). The shattered Goju and Ninube minions of the Darkness flee to plan their vengeance.

Moto War: year 1133
While the Clans fight the Living Darkness at Oblivion’s Gate, the Moto family of the Unicorn engages in its own war. Shinjo’s return brings the nomadic Moto from the Burning Sands, who ride beside their cousins of Rokugan as they meet the Dark Moto of the Shadowlands in combat. The Dark Moto are led by none other than Otaku Kamoko, who has sacrificed her own honor to lead the corrupted Unicorn to destruction. The fierce tactics of Khan Moto Gaheris crush the undead Moto, unifying the line of the Moto once and for all.

Shinjo departs: year 1133
The Kami Shinjo leaves the mortal realm to return to the Celestial Heavens. She places Moto Gaheris in command of the Unicorn Clan, as she does not believe that those who bear her name have disposed of all Kolat influence. Unicorn Thunder Otaku Kamoko is set among the stars by Shinjo. In honor of Kamoko’s sacrifice the Otaku family changes its name to Utaku, as a reaffirmation of their vows to Shinjo and so that Kamoko can be the last Battle Maiden to hold the Otaku name.

Rebuilding the Empire: year 1134
After suffering two extended periods of war within ten years, the Empire once again turns to rebuilding as Emperor Toturi reclaims his throne.

Spirits Walk the Earth: year 1134
Before Oblivion’s Gate is sealed, countless spirits make their way from the spirit realms into the land of the living. Some are able to adjust to living in an era far beyond their own, but many (particularly those who escaped Toshigoku) attempt to renew old schemes and vendettas.

Gift of the Naga: year 1135
Before the Naga enter their slumber once again, they give a great golden pearl to the Unicorn. In exchange, the Unicorn swear to defend the Shinomen Forest during the Naga’s great sleep.

Birth of Toturi Tsudao: year 1136
The first of Toturi’s children, Tsudao quickly shows an aptitude for both single combat and large-scale tactics. She memorizes the Book of Sun Tao and Akodo’s Leadership by the age of six.

Fall of the Alliance: year 1137
Since the death of Yoritomo during the Battle of Oblivion’s Gate, the Mantis Clan has slowly lost power and influence among the Great Clans. Even with the assimilation of the Wasp and Centipede Clans, the Mantis is not what it once was. With no conflict to unify Yoritomo’s former alliance, the other Minor Clans gradually withdraw their support from the Mantis Clan. By this point in time, the Mantis once more stand alone.

Birth of Toturi Sezaru: year 1137
Toturi’s second child is born under signs of great fortune. The boy’s hair becomes white shortly after birth and his aptitude for magic study surpasses even his mother’s at the same age.

The War of Spirits begins: year 1138
After years of preparation and monitoring the political climate of Rokugan, the returned spirit of the Steel Chrysanthemum, Hantei XVI, demands that the Jade Throne be ceded to him. Toturi refuses, stating that the Hantei dynasty is dead, and the blessing of the Heavens is upon himself and his line. With the power of most of the reborn spirits and the assistance of the spirit of Hida Tsuneo (who has followed his Emperor even beyond death), Hantei XVI declares war upon the Empire to claim the throne for himself. Thus begins a long, slow war of attrition between the armies of the living and the dead.

Birth of Toturi Naseru: year 1139
Toturi’s second son is born shortly after the beginning of
the War of Spirits. Naseru is easily the most intellectual and serious of his children.

Ox Clan founded: year 1145
After proving his valor in combat against Lion spirit armies attacking Shiro Iuchi, Emperor Toturi validates Shinjo Morito’s claim to the lands he and his followers have occupied for the last fourteen years. Morito immediately gives several expensive gaijin artifacts to the Phoenix as a gesture of friendship to cushion the loss of their land. Thus the Ox Clan is born.

Phoenix Children kidnapped: year 1150
With the War of Spirits turning decidedly in Toturi’s favor, Hantei XVI retreats to Phoenix territory. With the help and advice of the Tainted Dragon Agasha Tamori, Hida Tsuneo kidnaps the children of the Phoenix clan and murders Isawa Taeruko’s daughter, Yaruko, as an example. The Phoenix grudgingly agree to assist Hantei XVI.

Devastation of Beiden Pass: year 1150
The end of the War Against the Spirits comes when the majority of the spirit army is led into Beiden Pass. With the assistance of the Phoenix, a cadre of Scorpion shugenja collapses the pass upon the spirits, destroying most of the spirit Hantei’s armies.

The Treaty with the Spirits: year 1150
The bulk of his forces gone, Hantei XVI enters into negotiations for peace with Toturi I. Though the Empire could easily crush the remaining spirits, Toturi shows mercy upon them; they may return to Yomi in peace by hurling themselves from what is now called the Leaping Place — a cliff overlooking the sea near Otosan Uchi. As part of Hantei’s treaty, Toturi’s child Naseru takes the Hantei name and is fostered in Hantei XVI’s home in Otosan Uchi. As a further concession, Toturi grants the Tamori name to the descendants of Agasha Tamori, who disappears shortly thereafter.

Creation of the Great Crater: year 1150
With no way left through the Spine of the World Mountains, Lord Sun takes pity upon Rokugan and hurls fire from the sky, creating a passage near the Seikitsu pass: the Great Crater. Though most of the crater is rocky and impassable, the Unicorn soon clear a suitable pass through it. They also discover an underground tunnel leading through the Seikitsu, a tunnel filled with ruins and artifacts from an ancient civilization. This fact they keep to themselves.

The Imperial Bastard is revealed: 1155
Toturi’s liaison with the geisha Hatsuko before the Clan War resulted in a child; Toturi did not know of his offspring until Kaneka is announced in Ryoko Owari. His claim is supported by several sources, and the Akodo offer the boy fealty. This causes a disturbance within the courts, as Kaneka is now the Emperor’s eldest child. Toturi himself never officially acknowledges Akodo Kaneka as his son.

Death of Toturi I: 1158
On a visit to Scorpion lands (possibly to visit and acknowledge Kaneka in Ryoko Owari), Emperor Toturi I is slain in combat with a force of Shadowlands creatures. The oni responsible for the Emperor’s death is of a breed never seen before, and escapes before the Scorpion rout the beasts and recover the Emperor’s body. Empress Toturi Kaede disappears shortly after taking the throne, leaving the Empire with no designated heir.