Storyline Events - Toshi no Ichi (The Year’s End Festival)

The Year’s End Festival is among the most celebrated holidays in Rokugan. It takes place on the day before the New Year’s Festival begins, on the twenty-eighth day of the Tiger. It is a day when the people of Rokugan prepare themselves for the scrutiny of the gods, for it is said that on the first day of a new year, the Fortunes, the Kami, and even Lord Sun and Lady Moon pay particular attention the Empire, seeking something or someone worthy of their blessing and patronage. The Year’s End Festival, also called Toshi no Ichi, is a time of ritual purification and preparation. Wards are placed on the homes of peasants to prevent the spirits of the old year from entering, while monasteries are emptied and scrubbed clean before the people are welcomed back within them with open arms. Shugenja pray for hours on end, inviting the blessings of the Heavens upon their lords and their temples.

As the Year’s End Festival approaches, the gods turn their attention to an Empire that has lost its way. Though many seek enlightenment with pure hearts, an equal number have had their faith and their loyalty tested by the struggle against the Bloodspeakers, and with the trials their Emperor has faced against the Gozoku and the Shogun. With such tumult, the Heavens find the Great Clans unworthy of their favors, and turn instead to the lesser among their children, the humble samurai that serve the Minor Clans.

The winner of this tournament may choose for one Minor Clan to receive the New Year’s Blessing from the Heavens. The clan that receives this blessing will have a hero rise from their ranks to gain prominence in the Empire, far in excess of any that has stood among them previously.

Choose one of the following:

1. The Badger Clan
2. The Bat Clan
3. The Dragonfly Clan
4. The Fox Clan
5. The Hare Clan
6. The Monkey Clan
7. The Ox Clan
8. The Sparrow Clan
9. The Tortoise Clan
10. None. No Clan proves worthy of the New Year’s Blessing.

Event Date: January 14th - January 15th
Event City: Los Angeles, CA
Event Website: http://www.avalongamecon.com