The State of the Empire, Conclusion

By Shawn Carman

            “Before I begin any accounts of the war as it continues, my Empress,” Miya Shoin said, beginning what he had begun to feel was an endless series of reports concerning the ongoing wars within the Empire of Rokugan, “there is an unusual matter that may require further attention.”

            The Imperial Chancellor glanced up from his lengthy series of scrolls and regarded the Imperial Herald curiously. “I trust this is a matter at least touching on the war in some way, Shoin-sama. Otherwise it would be quite a breach of etiquette to speak of it during time specifically allotted for the Empress to entertain reports of the war.”

            The man called Susumu smiled where he sat on the left of the Empress’ screen. “I think that we can trust Shoin-sama to behave in accordance with etiquette, Hisoka-san.”

            Bayushi Hisoka gave no indication of any sort that he had even noticed the familiar term of address the Imperial Advisor used, although Shoin was quite certain he resented it enormously. Still, the Chancellor smiled slightly. “Conceded, Susumu-sama.” He looked at Shoin. “Forgive me, Shoin-sama. Please, pay me no mind.”

            Shoin smiled and inclined his head respectfully, having no desire whatsoever to become embroiled in the back-and-forth games and rivalries that the other Emperor’s Chosen seemed so prone to. “This is a matter related to the war, yes, but not as we have become accustomed to over recent months. You may recall an unusual incident near Treacherous Pass some weeks ago, wherein a contingent from the well-known Legion of Two Thousand were set upon by an unknown assailant and survived perhaps only thanks to the intervention of clan forces in the area?”

            The Voice of the Empress sat up slightly straighter and nodded slightly. “The Empress does recall that, yes. It was a matter of some consternation at the time.”

            “Yes, my Empress,” Shoin agreed. “At the time it was surmised that the attacker, whomever he or they might be, had been driven away for good. There has been no activity noted by the Legion and their attendant Herald in the time since then.”

            “Shall we assume that is not the case?”

            “I am afraid so, Susumu-sama,” Shoin confirmed. “It seems that the Legion of Two Thousand maintains an estate in the area, or at least the current leadership of the Legion does at any rate. This heretofore concealed holding is known as…”

            “The Palace of the Breaking Dawn,” Hisoka finished.

            Shoin stared at the Chancellor for a moment. “Uh… yes.”

            “I recall reading of the location some years ago during an assessment of ronin forces for the Scorpion Champion,” Hisoka explained. “At the time the castle was unoccupied.”

            “Yes… uh… very well,” Shoin continued. “Well, it is no longer unoccupied. The Legion has been using it as one of their primary centers of operation for some time. The enemy who attacked previously was attempting to bait the Legion into responding in order to in turn identify where their base was, or so analysis by Lion tacticians after the fact seems to suggest.”

            The Voice tilted his head as if listening, the nodded. “The Empress finds this concerning, for while they have maintained a low profile, as all wave men should, the Legion of Two Thousand have served the Empire honorably and well. An attack against any honorable vassal of the Empress is an attack against the throne itself.” Here the Voice paused for a moment, and Shoin could see from the subtle shift in his facial features that it was now Togashi Satsu speaking on his own behalf. “Do you know the identity of the attacker, Shoin-sama?”

            “I do, honorable Voice,” Shoin replied. “If you will but indulge me for a few moments, however, I will come to that.” Seeing the nod of approval, he continued. “The attack came at dawn, fittingly enough. My herald reports that the force appeared as if from nowhere, a fact that was later identified by surviving shugenja as a feat of magic the likes of which very few could ever hope to accomplish. The force was comprised of several dozen heavily armed and armored samurai of unknown origin and perhaps one hundred Yobanjin.”

            “Concealing a force of such size would be an impressive feat indeed,” Hisoka agreed. He paused for a moment. “May I ask, honorable Advisor, if your former associates might perchance be involved? Reports of unaffiliated samurai smacks of the Spider Clan, in my honest experience.”

            “I can answer that question, if it would not overstep,” Shoin said. “The answer would be no, the attacking force was not affiliated with the Spider.”

            “I see,” the Chancellor said. “I do not doubt you, Shoin-sama, but I am somewhat curious as to how you can be certain of such a thing.”

            “It is a reasonable question, lord Chancellor, and I take no offense. I am certain that the Spider were not involved because the Spider were among those who came to the castle’s defense,” Shoin said. “But I will come to that momentarily. The initial attack very nearly overwhelmed the castle’s defenses, but it appears that the present leadership of the Legion has made some significant defensive upgrades that managed to hold the attackers at bay until a counter offensive could be managed. The Legion had superior numbers and the incident should have been a rout, but again, the magical prowess of the enemy leader stymied the assault. I have seen multiple reports of the man’s abilities, and most compared him to the power of the Elemental Masters. Some preferred to compare him to an Oracle but those reports have enough hyperbole in other areas that I feel they can be safely discounted.”

            The Advisor frowned. “Is it possible that the Dark Oracle of Fire has found a means to re-enter the Empire?”

            “Would that be a cause for concern among the Spider, or for celebration?” Hisoka asked.

            Susumu did not rise to the baiting. “Tamori Chosai has betrayed everyone to whom he has ever held any fealty or alliance,” he answered. “The mortal realm and all within it would vastly benefit from his death. So no, his return to the Empire would give no cause for celebration.”

            “Please allow the Imperial Herald to continue,” the Voice said.

            “My lord,” Shoin said with a bow. “Because of the close affiliation that the Legion of Two Thousand and some of the smaller organizations that currently comprise its membership, such as the Wolf Legion, have with certain Great Clans, there have been a number of clan forces maintaining a small but noteworthy presence in the area of Treacherous Pass. The Ikoma Wardens and the Dragon Justicars are among the most prominent, but a small contingent of the Hiruma Stalkers were in the area as well, and apparently the monk sect that we now… suspect… to be affiliated with the Spider Clan maintain some small holding in the region.”

            “They are a masochistic group,” Susumu observed dryly. “They frequently prefer to find residence in the most inhospitable and unpleasant areas, so finding them in such a location would not surprise me.”

            “The arrival of these additional forces was apparently a development that the attacker did not anticipate, and even his significant might had limits. It was at this point that his agenda was revealed, as he abandoned his allies to move into the castle itself. My herald reports seeing the man in person. He is described as gigantic in stature, emanating an aura of incredible power and possessing both a shock of unruly white hair and an expression of overwhelming cruelty.”

            “The Empress wonders if your herald knew what this man sought.”

            “He did, Divine One,” Shoin answered. “He was apparently seeking his son.”

            There was a moment of silence. “His son?” Hisoka asked. “Did he believe the Legion had stolen him away?”

            “No,” Shoin said. “His son is a member in good standing of the Legion, or so it seems. In fact, he is one of its most decorated officers. It appears that the man named Kuronada, a ronin, is the son of a man named Karatsu. Kuronada survived the attack, and while he is injured and recovering, he has shed some light on the matter.” He paused and placed a map of the Northern Wall Mountains on the table that he now considered his, seeing that it was placed in the throne room each time he gave a report. “Kuronada’s testimony is that his father was cast out from a Great Clan many years ago, and has in the decades since then created a city hidden in the innermost recesses of the northern mountains. He has hundreds of subjects who serve him, and he is a despot of the most horrific nature. Kuronada was despised by his father because he was born without the capability to become a shugenja. He finally fled the city, fearing that he would be killed by his own father.”

            “Has Kuronada indicated the position of the hidden city?” Hisoka asked. “If this Karatsu is willing to ally with the Dark Oracle, then he must be destroyed immediately. I am certain the Dragon would be pleased to be of service in this regard.” He nodded to the Voice as he said this.

            “Unfortunately Kuronada is unable to tell us where the city is,” Shoin said. “It appears, upon careful examination by Phoenix inquisitors, that there is some manner of curse laid upon the city, and those who leave are unable to reveal its location. They say that Kuronada is able to recall his life within the city with any degree of accuracy or clarity is a testament to his singular will.”

            “The Empress is greatly disturbed by this account,” the Voice said. “From the ambiguity of your report, should it be assumed that Karatsu escaped or at least that his fate is unknown.”

            “His body was not recovered,” Shoin admitted. “The Legion are said to be scouring the area for any sign of him. My herald reports that the anger of those who command the Legion is… significant.”

            “As it should be,” Susumu observed. “Tasking them with finding the hidden city would allow the Great Clans to focus their resources on other, more pressing matters, I would think.”

            “The Empress agrees,” the Voice said. “If the Imperial Herald would please attend to this upon the conclusion of this meeting?”

            “Of course, Empress,” Shoin said. “Shall I continue?”

            “Please,” the Voice replied.

            “Beyond the events of the Battle at the Palace of Breaking Dawn, the war continues much as it has for some time now,” Shoin said, opening a new satchel full of herald reports. “You will be pleased to know that the Crane have been working very diligently to fulfill their new mandate, not only in terms of the celebrations and festivals they have organized to placate the common people, but also in working side by side with other clans in hopes of fostering a more positive environment throughout the Empire.”

            “This pleases the Empress greatly,” the Voice said. “To what effect?”

            “That remains to be seen, Divine One. The Crane are moving alongside the Storm Riders in an attempt to curb infection and at the same time reinforcing the efforts of the Crab at eradicating the cohorts of your enemies throughout the Empire. I think it would be speed with which the Storm Riders have been traversing the Empire and the fervor with which Amoro’s Legion has engaged every foe that has crossed the Crab’s path, that these are clans that can greatly benefit from the unwavering support from the Crane.”

            “Agreed,” Hisoka observed.

            “This is not intended in any way to discount the ongoing efforts of the other Great Clans,” Shoin added. “Your loyal subjects continue to struggle in the face of overwhelming adversity.”

            “The Empress would expect no less from such valiant men and women,” the Voice said. “The Empress is greatly honored by their service, and hopes that her Herald will ensure that her pleasure with their endeavors is enormous.”

            “Of course, Empress,” Shoin said. “I feel strongly that all Imperials should follow your example and make clear both our gratitude and admiration. I know that after detailing this conflict, I will be more appreciative of the Great Clans.” He bowed to both Hisoka and Satsu, but only glanced awkwardly toward Susumu. “Unfortunately, there have been others whose intentions have been less than honorable. I regret to inform you that another force of militarized peasants was encountered this week. The Khol Regulars intervened in an attempt to diffuse the situation harmlessly, but unfortunately the Phoenix Inquisitors determined that the reason for the mobilization was that the peasants were being manipulated by a fledgling maho-tsukai who hoped to marshal a private army with which to conquer the surrounding provinces. The Inquisitors dealt with the maho-tsukai while the Khol dealt with those among his followers who were irredeemably influenced by his powers. Roughly ten percent of the force had to be eradicated for corruption, while another ten percent resisted the intervention of the clans and were killed outright.” Shoin placed a scroll upon the table. “The others dispersed peacefully after submitting to the inspection of the Khol and Inquisitors to ensure there was no further corruption.”

            “That the corrupt would so abandon the interests of the Empire is worthy of the condemnation of the Heavens,” the Voice observed.

            “The Phoenix were likewise active in confronting a large force of skirmishers that descended from the northern battlefields,” Shoin continued. “I have reports that a large force was intercepted by a joint force of Dragon and Phoenix, specifically the Mirumoto Elite Guard and the Legion of Flame. The infantry forces were commanded by a young officer named Mirumoto Maisetsu, who worked hand in hand with the ranged abilities of the Isawa shugenja attending the Legion thanks to the help of Isawa Takishi.”

            “So many heroes have been mentioned during this war,” the Voice observed. “The Empress wonders if a list might be compiled for future recognition?”

            “I would be overjoyed to assist with such a thing, Divine One,” Shoin said with a broad smile.

            The Voice nodded. “The Empress wishes to hear the fullness of your report, Herald, but she also wishes to know if the state of the Scorpion might be addressed? She has concerns.”

            Shoin raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Of course, Empress. The reports I have received this week indicate that the two most prominent units during the course of this war, the Shadow Blades and the Bayushi Elite Guard, continue to serve with distinction. The threat of the plague has been all but extinguished, but unfortunately there are still periodic outbreaks. Fortunately, the Scorpion refuse to accept the possibility that the threat is at an end, and the Shadow Blades just this week dealt with a new, vastly smaller outbreak. At the same time, the Bayushi Elite Guard dealt with a Centuriae of Destroyers, using tactics the herald assigned to the unit indicated were best left without description.”

            “Has there been any indication of loss of morale or other oddities among the Scorpion ranks, so far as your heralds have reported?”

            Shoin frowned. “No, Empress. Not that I am aware of.”

            “Thank you, Shoin-san,” the Voice said. “Please, continue.”

            Shoin gathered up a pair of scrolls. “There is not a great deal more to report this week, Divine One. There is an account of the Lioness Legion intercepting and wiping out a scouting party. One young hero, Matsu Yosa, will be one name added to the list you requested. There was a dangerous wildfire as well, but a cooperative effort between the cavalry forces of the Shinjo family and the Dark Wind eliminated it without conflict or tremendous loss of life or resources.”

            “That is fortunate indeed,” Susumu said with a smile.

            “Agreed,” Shoin said. “Beyond that, for now, there is nothing further to report.”

            “The Empress is grateful to her Herald for his continuing service. She is given to understand that you are returning to Kyuden Miya for the time being?”

            “Yes, Empress,” he answered. “I have family matters as well as my reports that require my attention.”

            “As it should be,” the Voice answered. “Thank you, Miya Shoin. The Empress must take her leave for now, but your service will be forever remembered. If the Advisor will accompany her?” With that, the Voice, the Empress, and the Imperial Advisor rose and left while the Herald and Chancellor bowed deeply.

            After they had departed and the other two men rose, Shoin looked after the Empress for a moment. “Why was the Empress wearing white?”

            “She mourns,” Hisoka said.

            “Yes, the war has been terrible indeed,” Shoin said. “I hope the rumor-mongers will not make too much of her attire, however.”

            Hisoka stopped and looked at Shoin carefully. “You do not know, then.”

            Shoin froze in his tracks. “Know what?” he asked. “Has… has something happened?”

            “Bayushi Paneki was infected with the plague, and no treatments were effective. He sought and was granted permission to commit seppuku to cleanse the plague from the family’s honor.”

            Shoin covered his hand with his mouth and bowed his head. “Fortunes. What a horror. What a tragic end to such a noble and heroic life.”

            “Would that it was the end,” Hisoka said quietly.

            “Eh?” Shoin asked. “What do you mean?”

            “Nothing,” Hisoka said.

            Shoin shook his head. “I am sorry, Chancellor. If there is anything I can do to assist you, please ask it of me. I would be honored to be of service to you in this time of need.”

            Hisoka looked at him for a moment, then chuckled slightly. “From anyone else I would assume such words were sycophancy,” he said. “But I know you have no such thing within you. Thank you, Shoin. You are a good man, and a good friend. Such things are rare in this city, I fear.”

            “Not as rare as you might think,” Shoin said.

            “You truly believe that?”

            “I do,” Shoin said earnestly. “It is what keeps me going in the face of all adversity.”

            Hisoka nodded as the two men walked from the room. “Would that there were more men like you, Shoin-san. Or even that there were more men worthy of your beliefs. It would make life grander by far, I think.” He bowed. “Please have safe travels, Herald. The Empire would be far darker without you within it, I think.”

            Shoin blinked in surprise, then returned the bow. “Thank you, Chancellor. Good fortune to you.”

            Bayushi Hisoka watched as the Herald left the palace. “Good fortune is not in the Empire’s future, I fear,” he muttered under his breath.

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The State of the Empire, Week 16

By Shawn Carman

            Miya Shoin entered the throne chamber with a properly reverent demeanor, head bowed and hands folded. He knelt and was bidden to rise almost at once, which he generally had decided meant either that the vassal being seen was particularly favored, or that the day held a very busy schedule and it was the wish of the Empress (or, for most of Shoin’s experience as the Imperial Herald, the Emperor) to hurry things along. Shoin was not an arrogant man, so he assumed that it was the second and made a mental note to try and present his reports quickly and concisely.

            “Greetings, Empress,” Shoin said. He bowed to the others in attendance. “It is a pleasure to stand in the presence of the Voice of the Empress, the Imperial Advisor, and the Imperial Treasurer as well.” He smiled warmly. “I assume no one else will be in attendance?”

            “The Consort is dealing with a problem regarding the Empress Guard,” the Advisor said. “There is apparently an issue of… acclimation, with some new members.” He regarded the Imperial Herald strangely. “I am wondering, if I may… do you not find it curious that the Treasurer is present?”

            Shoin glanced at Yoritomo Utemaro. “I do not consider it my place to question the company the Empress keeps. And why would I? Is the Treasurer not a member of the Emperor’s Chosen?”

            “Always a pleasure to stand in the presence of a man with a proper sense of perspective,” Utemaro said with a slight nod toward the Herald. “A rarity, as well.”

            “The Empress feels that it would be beneficial for the Treasurer to have an opportunity to question specifics regarding your reports, Shoin-san,” the Voice interjected. “The Treasurer’s task of late is particularly difficult, given the extensive cost of the wars being waged in the Empress’ name.”

            “I cannot imagine,” Shoin said, bowing to the Treasurer. “A task few other men, if any, would be equal to, Utemaro-sama.”

            “Thank you, Shoin-sama,” Utemaro said.

            “It always pleases the Empress for her Chosen to understand and appreciate the burdens they share,” the Voice said. “Due to an unfortunate scheduling issue, however, the Empress has a relatively limited amount of time this afternoon, and would wish to hear all that one of her most favored vassals has to report.”

            “Yes, my Empress. I am honored, my Empress,” Shoin said, bowing deeply. “When we spoke last week, I reported on the as-yet-unknown fate of the Lion and Phoenix forces that had engaged a massive swarm of lesser oni, beasts that the Advisor suggests may well be working in conjunction with the Destroyers out of a sense of self-preservation.” Shoin placed a series of three scrolls on the table that had been laid out for his reports. “The Lion and Phoenix had hoped to intercept the swarm before it reached the southern Unicorn lands, but the enormity of it pushed them back across the border. Much like the greater Destroyer horde, the sheer numbers of these lesser oni threatened to overwhelm them, but the Khol Regulars were able to reach the line in time, and the combined cavalry force they created with the Wardens, supported by the Legion of Flame’s unique tactics, the swarm was destroyed. The cost to the units involved was not insignificant, but ultimately the people of your Empire were protected.”

            Shoin produced another scroll. “In the same geographic area, there was another incident, this one far more tragic.” Here he paused and placed a small stone marker on the map that adorned the table. “You may be aware already that there have been Crab refugees in larger numbers in provinces other than those of the Crane, where the majority of them have been located.”

            “The expense incurred by the Crane has been significant,” Utemaro agreed.

            “In this case, a rather large group of the lower castes reached the southern Unicorn provinces. It would be accurate to say that they were desperate, and there were instances of attacks on some minor Unicorn holdings in order to procure the supplies needed to survive. A terrible act, one born of survival, but inexcusable just the same.” He placed another stone marker. “The Crab, of course, could not tolerate such shame associated with their name, and the Hiruma Stalkers moved into the region. The parties responsible for actual acts of violence and theft against the Unicorn were executed, but the families were spared and the Crab are attempting to find temporary homes for them. The Unicorn are offering what supplies they can spare as well, although it is not a tremendous amount.”

            Utemaro looked to the Empress’ screen and bowed his head before the Voice could speak. “I will of course make whatever accommodations are necessary, if doing so is not too presumptuous, Empress.”

            “That would please the Empress greatly,” the Voice said.

            Shoin smiled slightly. “I must beg your forgiveness, my lady, but I have filed so many reports with you since the war began that I have lost track of some of the details, but I believe in one of the reports I submitted from Kyuden Miya, I made mention of rumors of trickster spirits plaguing certain regions of the Empire. I may be mistaken, but I think that I did mention such a thing in passing.”

            “That does seem vaguely familiar,” Susumu agreed.

            “It seems now that the threat of the spirit portals, which we had once believed concluded thanks to the interventions and rituals conducted by the Master of Air, had not completely been resolved. For whatever reason, potentially due to the nature of the realm itself, a portal to Sakkaku, the Realm of Mischief, opened at some point and has remained open for some time. The incursions appear to have been rather limited in scope until recently, when entire villages where thrown into chaos by swarms of minor trickster spirits.”

            “Would you categorize the threat as military in nature?” the Treasurer asked.

            “According to the accounts I received, I would categorize the threat as a complete and total disruption of all normal daily procedures,” Shoin replied. “Something I think you can agree has the potential for enormous disaster given our current state of war.”

            “The Empress would heartily agree,” the Voice said. “Continue, please.”

            “Once word of what was taking place reached the various clan forces, it was obvious to all parties that swift and significant intervention was required. The previous incidents with spirit portals have proven what terrible things can come of leaving such events unattended. Fortunately, the Lioness Legion, Iron Warriors, and Mirumoto Elite Guard were all positioned such that they could respond to the threat, and the spirits were forced back toward the portal itself.”

            “The Empress wishes to know how the portal was sealed without the Master of Air, or indeed without any significant shugenja forces of any kind?”

            Shoin rubbed his head as if pained. “I cannot profess to understand these things completely,” he admitted, “but to me this account makes vastly less sense even than other similar instances that have occurred in the past. What has been hypothesized by the Dragon is that the portal was open long enough for a powerful spirit of an unidentified type to become the guardian of the portal itself, somehow linked to it. This spirit was of such power that it could have threatened the military force in its entirety. However, as a spirit of mischief, there are apparently certain… rules, such creatures must follow.”

            “This should be entertaining,” Utemaro muttered.

            “It seems that an ise zumi accompanying the Mirumoto, an individual named Togashi Shntaro, told the spirit a riddle of some sort. Perhaps a koan. The account is not clear. Regardless, he asked the spirit something it could not answer, or told it something that caused it such consternation that the beast was confounded, even if only momentarily, and apparently such a thing weakens mischief spirits greatly.”

            “Then the military was able to defeat it?” Susumu asked.

            “In a fashion, yes,” Shoin said. “A Daidoji archer named Daidoji Yuki apparently shot the thing in the eye and killed it, which caused the portal to collapse.”

            There was a brief moment of silence, which Utemaro broke. “That makes very little sense.”

            “That was my thought as well,” Shoin admitted.

            “It seems there is little the Empress’ subjects cannot accomplish, and no end to the variety of manners in which such things can be accomplished,” the Voice said. “Your accounts are informative as always, Shoin-san. Have you anything further of which the Empress needs to be informed?”

            “There have been rumors circulating of war profiteers operating within the Scorpion provinces,” Shoin said, placing two additional scrolls on the table. “There have been as yet unproven reports of barges moving up and down the waterways and selling surplus supplies at outrageous rates to quartermasters.” He frowned in distaste. “Exploitation of the situation in such a manner is of course unacceptable and borderline treasonous. Whether such reports are true or not I do not yet know, but I know that the Scorpion have devoted their Elite Guard to investigating the matter, and solicited the aid of the Storm Riders to secure the rivers. If such profiteers do exist, I doubt that they will be able to operate for long, or at all, under such conditions. I suspect that they will simply disappear, as is the custom for those who threaten the Scorpion.”

            “The removal of traitors to the throne and obstacles to the honorable efforts of the Empress’ loyal vassals should ever be applauded,” the Voice said. “Your report is, as ever, thorough and informative. The Empress is greatly pleased with the ongoing efforts of her Imperial Herald.”

            “Thank you, Empress. I am greatly honored to be of service.”

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State of the Empire, Week 15

By Shawn Carman

Miya Shoin moved through the corridors of the Imperial Palace with familiarity, his hand clasped tightly over the heavy satchel he carried at his hip. He had been within the Palace countless times during his lifetime, but he could not recall that he had ever given a private report to the Divine Empress. The previous Emperor, Toturi III, had received numerous such reports but this… this was somehow different. Shoin felt ever so slightly anxious, and hoped that he would not shame his family by behaving foolishly.

“The Imperial Herald. Perfectly on time, as always.”

Shoin smiled and bowed. “You are too kind, Chancellor Hisoka-sama.”

“Not at all,” Bayushi Hisoka said with a smile. “It is always a pleasure to work with someone with the proper sensibilities and priorities.”

“Does the Empress wish to receive my report now?”

Hisoka smiled. “She does. I did not know how long you would be present in the Imperial City, so I have tentatively scheduled a meeting time for you each week at the same time. Will that be sufficient?”

“Of course,” Shoin said with a bow. “I do not know how long I will be present either. It depends upon the Empress, I suppose.”

Hisoka nodded. “Please let me know when it is decided, if you will. Until then, you may wish to hurry. Your friend Taneji-sama wishes to see the Empress after you have finished. Something about the Empress Guard, although I do not know why he would be concerned about such a thing.”

Shoin thought of the letter the Otomo daimyo had sent him, of what had happened in the City of Lies, but said nothing. “I may enter, then?”

“Please do,” Hisoka said. “It is good to see you again, Shoin-san.”

“Thank you, Chancellor.”

Shoin entered one of the secondary audience chambers that the Empress used for private audiences. This once was decorated in the manner of Shiba Utatsu, a rather well known painter from the fourth century whose style was still used today. Shoin saw as he entered that the Empress was attended by her Voice, as always, and that the Imperial Consort and the Imperial Advisor were present as well. Shoin ignored them for the moment, approaching the Empress and kneeling. “My Empress,” he breathed. “Great is the honor of standing in your presence.”

“Rise,” the Voice said. The Empress was not conducting the audience behind the screen she so commonly used for appearances, and Shoin found it almost difficult to look upon her. Something about her presence was so radiant that it caused his soul to quaver. “The Empress wishes her Herald to know how pleased she has been with the depth and regularity of her reports.”

“I am but a servant, my lady,” Shoin said.

“And one well chosen for the task,” the Voice reaffirmed. “What news does the Herald bring this week?”

“A number of things, my Empress, but by my biased perception the most important by far is the interception of an Imperial courier by unidentified assailants.” Shoin withdrew a scroll and sat it upon a low table. “I say unidentified despite that information seems to indicate the responsible party was of Rokugani origin.”

“You have mentioned such things before,” the Voice said darkly. “The Empress finds such information tremendously disturbing.”

“The thought that anyone born of the Empire could consort against the throne alongside gaijin is blasphemous in the extreme,” Iweko Setai added. “It is a disgrace that can never be erased. Such men damn their entire families for eternity with such actions.”

“The occurrence took place following a brief but hurried exchange via correspondence between myself and my esteemed colleague Otomo Taneji. I was anticipating another response from him shortly before my departure for the Imperial City, but it never arrived. Apparently the courier had been abducted by parties encountered en route. Fortunately the courier had a colleague traveling behind him at some respectable distance.” Shoin paused for a moment. “Too many occurrences already of such abductions so far in this conflict, you understand.”

“Prudent,” Setai agreed.

“The attendant was able to return to the City of Lies, at which point Taneji-sama dispatched more courtiers to any nearby military forces while he attempted to marshal what men he could from the city. This proved unnecessary, as the responsible party soon found itself trapped between two military forces: the Shinjo Scouts and the Dark Wind cavalry.”

“Again, the Dark Wind rear their heads,” Togashi Satsu said, rubbing his chin. “I find their apparent altruism questionable.”

“I fear this report will do little to dispel your concerns,” Shoin admitted. “The abductors threatened to kill the courier unless the Shinjo commander, Shinjo Dun, gave his word to allow them to leave once they turned the courier over. Dun felt honor-bound to rescue the Imperial and, reluctantly I am told, gave his word. The courier was returned safely, with little harm done.”

“The kidnappers escaped?” Setai inquired.

“No,” Shoin answered. “After the Imperial was returned, the Dark Wind eradicated the entire force. I am told Dun-sama was most angry, but the Dark Wind commander insisted that he had not given his word, and that Dun had no authority over him. The two groups parted ways on far less than hospitable terms, I am afraid.”

Setai turned to regard the Imperial Advisor with barely concealed loathing. “Would you know anything about this, Susumu-san?”

Susumu raised his eyebrows slightly. “Me, Consort? Why would I?”

“I am not amused by your quaint ignorance,” Setai said. “Is this an attempt by the Spider to subvert the Unicorn? I will not have honorable allies made fools of in such a manner.”

Shoin glanced at the two men in confusion. “Forgive, lord Setai, but I do not under…” his voice trailed off and he fixed Susumu with a wide-eyed stare. “You… you are a Spider?” he sputtered. “A Spider?!”

Susumu blinked a few times. “You did not know,” he said. It was not a question. “You honestly did not know.”

“I do not… it… but… why?”

“You did not know,” Susumu repeated. “Tell me then, Herald. What do you think of the Advisor now?”

Shoin was quiet for a long moment. “It changes nothing,” he finally said heavily. “You are the Imperial Advisor. It is not my place to question the Empress’ appointment.”

“You are either hopelessly naïve,” Susumu said, “or an idealist of a sort such as I have never seen. I am honestly not sure which one.”

“The Empress has no question as to the virtuous nature of her Herald,” the Voice said. “Please continue, Shoin-san. And do so with the understanding that the nature of the Imperial Advisor is not a matter for public consumption.”

“Of course, Divine One. As I said, nothing has changed.”

“You are an honor to the throne,” the Voice said. “Continue, please.”

“As you know, most of the Crab lands are presently lost, occupied by the Destroyers,” Shoin continued, placing another series of scrolls upon the table, these marked with wax seals that prominently displayed the Crab mon. “Some of the lands that survive are on the southeastern peninsula, where Amoro’s Legion is currently engaged in heavy fighting. They have been joined there, at least temporarily, by the Dragon Justicars. My heralds report that the Legion was split, with a portion engaged in heavy skirmishing and another defending a Crab holding called the Watchtower of the East.” Shoin opened one of the scrolls to indicate a point on the map. “A sudden surge by the Destroyers threatened the Watchtower, but a pair of young heroes named Hida Tatsuma and Mirumoto Ishino rallied the Crab and Dragon forces to hold the line until the remainder of the Legion could return. The defense was successful and the enemy force out of the region. It seems that the Crab will continue to hold this province for now.”

“This pleases the Empress greatly,” the Voice said. “Her loyal vassals among the Crab do not deserve to be deprived of their lands, and it is her wish that they be returned to them as soon as possible.”

“The Crab would doubtless agree,” the Advisor observed. “Displacement is difficult, even for the hardiest of warriors. Perhaps even more so for such men. Take away a man’s home and what does he fight for?”

“I find it unsurprising that you cannot answer such a question,” Setai observed quietly.

“Some time ago you may recall that there were reports of oni driven before the Destroyers, or perhaps dispatched on behalf of the Destroyers, that created difficulty for the Empire,” Shoin said, glancing sidelong at the Advisor. “A similar occurrence has taken place recently, with a wave of lesser oni, described in one report as ‘stretching to the horizon’, surged from the Crab lands to the provinces west of the Shinomen Mori. Fearing that the Unicorn lands might be compromised, the southern alliance sentthe Ikoma Wardens and the Legion of Flame to intercept the horde. We have not as yet received word of what may have happened. The possibility that the forces have been lost and the horde continues northward exists. Scouts have been dispatched to the area but reports have not yet arrived.”

The Voice inclined his head toward the Empress. “The Empress wishes to know the Advisor’s thoughts regarding the disposition of the oni.”

“I cannot say for certain, my Empress,” Susumu responded at once. “As you know, I have not left the Imperial City without heavy guard for several years, and have no contact with my prior associates. Would you wish me to offer conjecture?”

“Please do,” the Voice said dryly.

“I suspect the oni are complicit with the Destroyers,” Susumu said. “The gaijin have forged a path through the Shadowlands and eliminated all opposition. Oni are hideous, treacherous beasts that owe no true loyalty to anyone. I have no doubt that many of the demons will betray the Empire and even Fu Leng himself for survival.”

“Perhaps, if we are fortunate,” Setai said, “the Crab and Dragon detachment in the northern mountains will retrieve some of your ‘former’ colleagues to corroborate your tale.” He smiled humorlessly. “I understand that Hida Ikarukani is a particularly tenacious hunter.”

Susumu sighed lightly. “I do not wish to offer disrespect to the Consort,” he said slowly, “but even I do not know where the Spider are in the northern mountains, assuming they are there at all. And if they do not wish to be found, then this Ikarukani will not find them. It is as simple as that.”

“We shall see.”

“There are no further reports of significant combat,” Shoin said, hoping to head off further conflict. “There are other issues of concern, however.”

“Of course the Empress wishes to hear them,” the Voice replied.

Shoin bowed his head respectfully. “The southern Crane lands have been inundated with refugees from the plague ridden regions as well as the occupied Crab lands. In some cases the population of entire provinces has doubled, and food is understandably rationed carefully. Due to the threat of riots, the magistrates called Lady Doji’s Eyes have moved into the area to ensure both the keeping of the peace, as well as the fair and just treatment of all refugees.”

“The Crane are to be commended for their generosity and charity,” Setai said. “Perhaps they should be given some dispensation?”

“The Empress agrees,” the Voice said.

“I think perhaps the Treasurer is in a position to offer them that which they require,” the Advisor added.

“In this, the Empress also agrees,” the Voice said. “Word shall be sent following this meeting. Utemaro-san will be more than adequate to such a task.” He nodded to Shoin. “Are there further issues that warrant the Empress’ attention, Shoin-san?”

“Regrettably there are,” Shoin frowned. “I regret to inform you that there more allegations of corroboration with the Empire’s enemies, this time within the lands of the Scorpion and Phoenix clans.”

“Is there any significant testimony or evidence to suggest these rumors are true?” the Consort asked.

“As yet, no,” Shoin said with a relieved expression. “The Phoenix, in a show of solidarity with the Mantis, who they had previously investigated following similar allegations, called Mukami’s Legion into their home provinces to investigate the matter. Allegedly the Phoenix were corroborating with the Dark Oracle in hopes of destroying Kaigen’s Island, but the Mantis investigation found no evidence that this was the case and the Mantis were satisfied that there is no threat to their holdings stemming from the Phoenix.”

“A pleasantly surprising outcome,” Susumu said, smiling.

“Unfortunately, the situation in the Scorpion lands has yet to be resolved properly. The enigmatic Shadow Blades have been recalled to the home provinces to investigate the matter.” Shoin frowned slightly. “This may mean we will never know the outcome, but regardless, I suspect the matter will be concluded shortly.” He placed a final series of scrolls upon the table and bowed deeply. “I have nothing further of significant to report at this time, my Empress.”

“The Empress is grateful for her Herald and his diligence,” the Voice said. “She wishes to know when you will be returning to Kyuden Miya?”

“I have not yet finalized my plans, Empress,” Shoin said. “What is your will?”

“The Empress is satisfied that your duty will be performed well regardless, and your location is a matter of your choosing,” the Voice answered.

“Thank you, Empress,” Shoin said. “I will advise you as to my plans as soon as they are completed.”

Discuss the events of this fiction in our Story Forum!

The madman Karatsu, tyrant of the hidden city and willing if begrudging ally of the Dark Oracle of Fire, has come to cleanse the world of what he perceives as his failure of a son. Kuronada alone possesses the knowledge to present a threat to Karatsu, and the madman will not endure such a threat to exist. Earlier in the war, he tested the might of the Legion and found them wanting, but was driven back by the intervention of Great Clan forces. Since that time, he has laid low and waited, watching. Now he knows the location of the Palace of the Breaking Dawn, and he will see the Legion and his son ushered from the mortal realm by his hand.

L5R players, the fate of the Ronin Stronghold, the Palace of Breaking Dawn, is in your hands! Foiling Karatsu a first time as he was Hunting for his Ronin Son made the Clans aware of the threat he represents to the group called the Legion of the Two Thousand but also to the Empire, due to the blasphemous pact he made with the traitor Tamori Chosai. The threat can end now, or be allowed to roam free.

If the Battle at the Palace of Breaking Dawn Threat is resolved, a force of Great Clans samurai (originating from the Clans that resolved the Threat) will arrive in time and foil Karatsu’s vengeance, dealing a blow to the forces of the invader by helping Kuronada eliminate one of their powerful surprise allies. In addition to that, the Palace of the Breaking Dawn‘s legality will be extended until the end of the Celestial arc.

If the Threat is not  resolved, Karatsu will burn the Palace to the ground, taking a huge logistical and human toll on the Legion of the Two Thousand as the legionnaires will fight till death to protect their headquarters. While Kuronada himself will not perish, he will have his secret exposed and Karatsu will remain a thorn in the Legion’s side during the struggle against the invader, undermining the Ronin’s effort in helping the Empire, and causing a dangerous distraction from within the Empire.

As it was the case for Turn 5, Turn 9 will be a Ronin Turn. Every point earned by Ronin players during the last 3 Kotei tournaments of the 2010 season, will count as double and still be granted to the Empire.

So take your Palace of the Breaking Dawn decks and place well at one of those Kotei (either in the Kotei itself or its associated Honor Event) to help the Legion of Two Thousand have a place they can call home in the Empire!

United, the Empire will prevail. Divided it will crumble.
The L5R MegaGame Team

The State of the Empire

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities During this Time of War

The Second Week of the Serpent, Year 1172

My Empress,

I have received word of your summons, and I will be departing for the Imperial City upon the completion of this report, which I am sending ahead by my fastest courier. I have temporarily rerouted all herald reports to arrive in the city so that I may continue to brief you as you have requested for the duration of my stay there. My understanding is that you have also asked for as many of your Clan Champions as may reasonably attend, given the current state of affairs in the Empire, to be present as well. I must confess to a tremendous curiosity about the nature of the audience you will be convening, but I am filled with optimism; I have long held the opinion that only the divinely-empowered Child of Heaven can guide us through this terrible crisis, and it is my hope that this will be a turning point in the wars we currently face.

Last week I spoke of the move by Amoro’s Legion of the Crab forces to intercept and destroy a Centuriae near Earthquake Fish Bay. As reported, this particular enemy was human in nature, and it appears from all reports that they were gaijin in service of the Destroyer. How any rational mind could embrace servitude to such a blasphemous entity I cannot comprehend, but we are speaking of gaijin, so perhaps they are simply less capable of understanding such things as we are. Regardless, despite that it was a human force, it was significantly larger than anticipated, and the fate of Amoro’s Legion was very much in question. With reinforcements too far to arrive in a timely manner, Hida Sozen’s plan was to delay the gaijin as long as possible and hope to prevent destruction at their hands. It was a plan tantamount to suicide, and even my herald realized this, but a lone figure entered the camp and demanded an audience with Sozen. The stranger was clad in the wrappings of a sohei, and several Crab attempted to detain him. All were unsuccessful, and two were wounded so badly in the attempt that they will be unable to enter battle for some time, or so I am told. The monk, a man named Micho, held an audience with Sozen. The monk guaranteed victory if the two commanders combined their forces, but his price was high indeed: he demanded to stand alongside Sozen as a respected equal. As is his custom, Sozen launched into a thunderous rage, but ultimately accepted the offer as the only way to ensure that the Destroyers could not flank the greater Crab forces if they overran Amoro’s Legion. As anticipated the alliance of the two forces was victorious on the field, but I do not know what to make of this alliance, even if temporary. It troubles me.

Following the disastrous plague outbreaks that have afflicted the central Empire and their assistance rendered to the Scorpion there, the Dragon force known as the Justicars have returned to their home provinces to deal with another outbreak among the mountains. It seems this particular outbreak was a result of extensive strikes against the area by scouts from the Army of Fire. With the supplies gone, there was little to keep the afflicted from succumbing to their illnesses. The Justicars secured new supplies and moved in to occupy the area. When the scouts came to seize the materials, they found a force more than equal to the task of defense on hand. The scouts suffered extensive losses, nearly three quarters of their number from what I have been told, and the survivors were routed and fled to the north, followed by a harrying detachment from the Mirumoto Talons.

Troubling news from the Lion lands, I fear. There were allegations of dishonorable actions by the Crane in terms of mercantile arrangements with the Lion Clan. You will recall of course that such things were responsible in some part for the war between the Crab and Crane a few years ago, which of course was prior to your ascension to the throne, and of course there have been no end of skirmishes and hostilities with the Mantis and various clans over the centuries due to their particular brand of mercantile practices. As it happens, it was fortunate that the Iron Warriors were nearby, having returned to the northern Crane provinces for resupplying, and visited the area to answer allegations that the Daidoji merchant patrons were engaging in questionable practices. The Lioness Legion was also nearby, as it turns out, and responded to the allegations; it may seem curious, but during what may well become a war of attrition, supply lines are vital and any interruption could be severe indeed. A conference between the two commanders, a tempestuous pair if ever such existed, took place. There was a great deal of tension, stemming no doubt from the feelings of a small but vocal minority among both clans that the Crane and Lion should never have become allies, but ultimately reason prevailed. It was revealed that an ambitious Lion courtier, a man named Ikoma Igawa, was in fact manipulating events in an attempt to procure additional supplies for the Lion war effort at the cost of impugning the Crane’s honor. I am not certain what his punishment was, or even if he still lives, but I have no doubt that neither the Lion nor the Crane will forget what took place here today, and Igawa’s role within it.

A similar occurrence took place within the Crane lands this week, and perhaps that may move the Crane toward leniency with the misguided Lion responsible (although it is somewhat doubtful that the Daidoji would be particularly merciful even within their own ranks, much less in another clan). After some activity off the coast, the Mantis Clan unit called Mukami’s Legion made landfall in the Crane lands and resupplied in one of the coastal villages near there. It seems that even the Crane’s peasants adore the Mantis, oddly enough. Regardless, the Crane magistrate in the region refused to grant the unit travel papers to permit them to make their way back across the mainland to re-enter the fray. The magistrate, it is said, condemned the Mantis as mercenaries and cited his uncertainty that they would not lay siege to any targets of convenience in their path, acts for which he would be complicit for his role in permitting them passage. It seems this particular magistrate was rather stuck in previous eras, when the Mantis as a Minor Clan supplied mercenaries for the Crane in times of need. Regardless, the possibility for serious diplomatic damage or even outright skirmishing existed, but fortunately the magistrate’s superior heard word of what was taking place and overruled his misguided subordinate quickly, allowing Nobumoto-san and his men safe passage throughout the whole of Crane lands.

Last week I also spoke of the disastrous outbreak of plague, unprecedented in scale, that took place between the Crane and Scorpion provinces. Devastating though it was, it was successfully contained thanks to the efforts of the Lion and Crane (and, I feel very awkward in saying, the Spider). In the wake of this outbreak, the plague has continued to be an issue, but I am both delighted and perplexed to inform you that the number of outbreaks across the Empire as a whole has decreased by half this week. The reason for this is uncertain, although there are certain key aspects of events that took place in Ryoko Owari that I feel uncomfortable sharing with you via courier, that may have been responsible for this change. Regardless, there has been at least one significant outbreak during that time, and while it is indeed a serious problem, I for one am grateful that it has been the only major outbreak this week (discounting the situation in the Dragon lands, which was exacerbated by outside factors). This particular outbreak took place along the coast, between the Crane and Crab holdings. It was answered by two very different forces that, as it turns out, work astonishingly well together. The Asako Inquisitors arrived and utilized their powerful methods to detect the plague in those who had not yet manifested symptoms, to treat the symptoms in those who were already afflicted, and to generally alleviate the suffering of the masses throughout the region. On the other hand, the Shadow Blades were handed the unpleasant but essential task of dealing with those areas and individuals whose infection could not be treated. These were loyal subjects of the Empire whose fate was largely sealed, and rather than risk their reanimation as a threat to Rokugan, the Scorpion dealt with the matter mercifully and finally. It is not a burden I would wish to bear, as I believe I have said before.

You will recall that last week a union of forces found a potential site for an enemy base camp within the Shinomen Mori and eradicated it, hopefully denying our foes resources they desperately need. Whether or not this is the case we cannot yet say, but this week there was an attack upon the Unicorn provinces by a force hailing from the west, in the region that the Unicorn refer to as the Western Steppes, and beyond that, the Western Wastes. So far from the southern front, I had hoped that such news would be of a completely unrelated threat or perhaps a flanking attack from the Army of Fire (as odd as it seems to hope for such things). Unfortunately, that was not the case. It was in fact another Centuriae of Destroyers, attacking from the west. The Khol, a force still rebuilding from the near-extinction it suffered some years ago during the Khan’s march upon the Imperial City, was able to repel the attack, although not without significant assistance from the defensive Junghar forces the Unicorn maintain. The real concern in this matter is whether or not these Destroyers were using the base camp in the Shinomen. If so, then that is actually something of a relief, although concerns over how they could have traveled so far north without detection immediately come to mind. However, as you know, we have as yet found no reports of the inhuman Destroyers requiring such mundane things as base camps. This means that whatever force was formerly present in the forest may remain at large and, vastly worse, that the Destroyers may be attacking the Empire from a completely different direction. I shudder to think of it.

Not so long ago I spoke of the valor and courage of Hiruma Todori and the Hiruma Stalkers that defended the coastline of Otosan Uchi against an incursion by the Destroyers. Their allies the Shinjo Scouts assisted as well, but were called away by the Destroyer attack on the Unicorn provinces. This left the Stalkers to patrol the area alone. While it would seem that the matter was concluded, my herald reports that Todori-sama was unconvinced, and insisted upon remaining in the region. My herald described Todori as a man possessed by the need to punish the Destroyers for the potential loss of Shiro Hiruma and all within it, despite that the last communication with that outpost indicated it remained intact, if completely cut off by enemy formations. In this case it seems that Todori was correct, as one of his personal students, a young man named Hiruma Toshio, tracked an advance party from the Destroyer naval force into the outer edges of Lion territory. How the accursed foes traveled so far or survived the scourging of their ships is unknown, although it is possible that they made landfall prior to the Stalkers’ arrival. Regardless, Todori, Toshio, and the rest made short work of them and were subsequently treated to a generous resupplying opportunity by the grateful, if somewhat annoyed (presumably by the enemy’s very presence, although one can never tell with the Lion) Lion commanders in the area.

I hope to stand in your presence very soon, my lady. Until then, I remain…

Your eternal servant,

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald

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The State of the Empire

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities During This Time of War

The First Week of the Month of the Serpent, Year 1172

My Empress,

You will recall that last week I spoke with grave concerns about the horrific blossoming of plague that erupted in the unaligned region between the Crane and Scorpion lands. This region has of course been a veritable breeding ground for the plague up until this point, and only the careful and stern pruning by the Scorpion has prevented this from taking place before now. Unfortunately, with so many threats rearing their heads throughout the Empire, the Scorpion were inevitably called away, and it is only in their absence that we see the true value of their contribution to your Empire.

As I said last week, there are many small villages that can be found in the plain that separate the sons of Bayushi and the sons of Doji, many of whom have had the plague afflict portions of their populace at one point or another. The Scorpion and, to a lesser extent, the Crane have supplied what they could to assist in alleviating the worst ravages of the sickness, but the dead have risen on many occasions and inflicted additional loss of life. The people of these villages are hardy and resolute, however, and have not wavered. Or perhaps I should say that they had not wavered, for they are no more. There is no indication of what might have caused this terrible eruption of illness, death, and reanimation, although I have an urgent missive from my good friend Otomo Taneji from his estate in Ryoko Owari, one that I have put aside only so long as I can compile this already late report for you, your grace, and I have an inkling somehow that there might be a corollary between the two. We shall see if I am simply a foolish man, old beyond my years, or if the Fortunes have blessed me with a moment of insight. My report next week shall surely tell the tale.

Regardless of the cause, the effect of the pandemic has been disastrous. Every living soul within perhaps one hundred square miles suddenly became afflicted with, perished from, and was reanimated by the plague. There may have been exceptions, but if so I am unaware of them. This massive surge of plague-dead, as you might imagine, threatened a vastly larger region than even what was devastated by the initial devastation. Moving quickly to cross the Spine of the World Mountains, the combined forces of Lady Doji’s Eyes and the Ikoma Wardens struggled to contain the nightmarish event. They created a defensive perimeter, or at least as much as was possible given the enormous size of the area in question, and struggled to eradicate anything emerging from the region. There are reports of a handful who escaped the area unscathed, but their fate is as yet unknown, given that they could very well already be afflicted with the plague and merely waiting to show signs. There are also reports, perhaps equally disturbing, that the Dark Wind cavalry unit of which we have spoken previously swept through the region, destroying everything in their path. Reports indicate that their brutality took no chances, and everything that stood before them was destroyed rather than risk further spread of the plague. They did not affiliate themselves with the Lion or Crane, or vice versa, but nor was their conflict between the forces. I am told that a poet in attendance with Lady Doji’s Eyes, a stately gentleman named Doji Bukita, wrote a poem regarding the incident and specifically the Dark Wind. My herald reports that it at once moves the soul to outrage and hatred of the Dark Wind, yet at the same time leaves one in awe of their terrible prowess. I have requested to hear the poem recited, and am told that Bukita is entertaining offers from multiple courts to attend.

Related to this incident, I have received a tentative report that the Bayushi Elite Guard, at this point perhaps the unit with the most experience combating the plague and its aftereffects in the entire Empire, have moved around the southern edge of the infected area and have engaged plague-dead outbreaks there as well. It appears that they are attempting to curtail the spread of the plague from the unaligned region to the easternmost Crab provinces, the only significant area of Crab holdings to as yet be spared the effects of the war with the Destroyers. This, perhaps, speaks to the allegedly growing bond between the Crab and Scorpion, forged in the fires of battle over defense of their homes from the Destroyers. I for one would be greatly pleased if this war would destroy prejudice and hatred as well as all the other tragic targets that have been consumed thus far.

In the same general area, there is a report that Amoro’s Legion has moved to the southernmost portion of the peninsula east of Earthquake Fish Bay. Under any other circumstances I would consider this a dire occurrence indeed, as this has been the area of the Empire over which the Crab and Crane have fought most often. In this case, however, Hida Sozen has led his men to engage one of the Centuriae of Destroyers that have been plaguing the area. Reports indicate that this particular threat has a more sinister component, in that human forces have been sighted alongside the Destroyers. If they are ronin or traitors, or perhaps merely more of the unidentified gaijin that we have seen on previous occasions, I cannot say. Curious though it may sound, I almost hope that they are gaijin invaders, for the thought of additional traitorous forces within the Empire pains my heart too greatly to consider. The last report I received from my herald in this area is that Sozen was attempting to trap the Centuriae until reinforcements could arrive, but secretly my herald feared that the madman would engage without additional assistance, which he considered tantamount to a mass seppuku. I wait pensively for news.

Earlier I made reference to the Bayushi Elite Guard as perhaps the single most experienced unit in the Empire with regard to combating the undead created by the plague. That may be true, but if so, then surely the Mantis Storm Guard are the most effective at ending the threat of the Destroyers. The forces aligned against the gaijin at the southern front simply cannot marshal any force with such magical potency (which I consider a further testament to their military prowess). There have been allegations, unfortunately, that this prowess is a result of the Storm Riders having as-yet-unrevealed information regarding the Destroyers, perhaps some dark secret kept in their secretive temples that could have stopped the battle in the first place. I consider such allegations offensive in the extreme, as no doubt the Mantis do as well, but the scions of Yoritomo are a practical people, and they have immediately taken steps to ensure that such allegations can be disproven so that they do not fester as such things are wont to do. The Storm Riders escorted the Legion of Flame, a Phoenix detachment, home to the Islands of Silk and Spice so that the Phoenix could examine at their leisure the lore contained by the Storm Rider sensei. This will no doubt disprove such falsehoods, although I wonder if, when the war is over, the Storm Riders might bear animosity toward those who levied such lies against them, or even against the Phoenix for having read their most precious secrets. Only time will tell, I fear.

Finally, there was a report of unknown forces massing in the northernmost regions of the Shinomen Mori. As you well know, your Shogun and his forces spent ample time in this region attempting to uncover any threat that might exist to your Empire. This is prior to the redirection of the Shogun, first to the search for Daigotsu, and then to war in this present conflict, and so his duty was never completed in that region. The Unicorn appear to consider this a matter of honor and, rather than risk the Shogun’s reputation, they deployed forces to the region to deal with whatever threat may have massed there. The Dragon likewise sent forces to assist, which is poetic considering the ties that both clans have to the Naga race that calls the forest home. My reports indicate that a scout officer named Shinjo Ki-Chang led the foray into the forest and ultimately found signs of a large war camp, complete with supplies left behind after a hasty departure. There was no way to determine what group might have used the camp, nor if the supplies were in some way left as a trap, and so ultimately the two groups put the entire area to the torch to deny a potential enemy their resources, and to ensure that the ongoing threat to the nearby Naga cities was minimized. Fortunately this was a small and controlled incident, and nothing like the previous devastation of that great forest occurred.

I take my leave of the report now, my Empress, for Taneji-sama’s missive yet waits, and I hear the sound of horses in the courtyard beyond. I hope to have additional information for you soon.

Ever your servant,

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald

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The State of the Empire

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities During This Time of War

The Fourth Week of the Month of the Dragon, Year 1172

My Empress,

Forgive me if I begin the description of this week’s events without the typical preamble. The truth of the matter is that I am simply exhausted, emotionally and physically, from the enormity of this task.

Last week I reported with great alarm a number of threats that had gone unanswered in the preceding days. It has seemed that I was not alone in my grave concern over what would take place as a result of those dire situations. In one instance, I reported an account of Destroyers appearing off the coastline near the ruins of Otosan Uchi. This threat was noticed and a unit from the south was dispatched to deal with it. As my herald reports, the commanders of the southern front believe that they are best suited to deal with the Destroyers and that the northern clans have no experience in the matter. This is true, of course, but I hope that the attitude does not create a rift between your clans before the wars have concluded. Regardless, the unit dispatched was the Hiruma Stalkers, a unit known for speed and proficiency. My herald further reports that the commander, Hiruma Todori, was hungry for revenge against the forces that prevented their reaching Shiro Hiruma, now lost far behind enemies lines, its fate ultimately uncertain. The Stalkers reached the shore in the dead of night and, if the report is to be believed, swam into the sea to board the Destroyers’ ship. There, they killed several of them, committed several acts of sabotage, presumably as a secondary plan, and then executed their primary plan: they scuttled the ship with the Centuriae still aboard. The Stalkers then swam back to shore. How they managed a task of this magnitude I cannot fathom; I can but assume they were operating under the influence of outrageous anger and hatred. Regardless, the unit’s losses were few, but my herald reports that Todori’s hatred remains unabated.

Although the waterborne Centuriae was destroyed, it appears that they were present in the area long enough to dispatch advance scouts to determine the best path to whatever target they ultimately sought, presumably within the Crane lands or, Fortunes forbid, the Imperial City itself. These scouts, an advance unit of reasonable size, consisted primarily of the strange human gaijin that we have seen accounts of in different Destroyer engagements. They appear mundane in most regards, although clad in unfamiliar clothing and wearing accessories that we are as yet uncertain of; they may be jewelry of some sort, or possibly a portion of some sort of restraint. Are these humans slaves? We do not know, and they speak only unfamiliar languages, so we cannot interrogate them. These scouts pushed farther inland and nearly reached the border of the Lion lands, dangerously close to the Imperial City itself, when the Shinjo Scouts intercepted them. The Stalkers had previously alerted the commander, Shinjo Dun, of their plan, and he moved his force in as a secondary measure. We are fortunate that he did so, for who knows what ill end could come of the scouts’ insertion near the Imperial City? Dun and his men eradicated the Destroyers’ scouts, leaving none alive. Their possessions are currently begin examined by a team of Kitsuki and Asako investigators operating under a mandate to try and determine how better to combat these men and their iron-clad masters, or perhaps servants? We do not know.

Similar to the Destroyers near Otosan Uchi, there was a Destroyer sighting near the Crane coastline farther south. The Centuriae aboard it grounded just south of the Spine of the World Mountains, near the Daidoji holdings. The Daidoji, being largely deployed in the southern provinces in the event of Destroyer incursions, were unable to respond to the threat in a timely manner. Fortunately, the allied forces of the Lion Clan Wardens and the Crane magistrates known as Lady Doji’s Eyes came together to intercept the Destroyers there. The enemy here made landfall, which dramatically increased the threat they pose. The Lion and Crane fought valiantly, holding them to a standstill, but unable to push them back, lacking as both units do a heavy infantry component with sufficient force for such a task. Fortunately, the Crane commander, Kakita Idzuki, called upon an ally traveling with them. This particular ally was an ise zumi named Togashi Gato, a traveling monk and master of several unarmed styles taught by his friend and sensei Taro, was able to circumvent the Destroyer front lines with his unique acrobatic flair. My herald reports that Gato was able to incapacitate the commander of this Centuriae with precise hand-to-hand attacks, and although he suffered some significant injuries, was able to depart the battlefield under his own power. The chaos sowed in the wake of the defeat was such that the Wardens and magistrates were able to turn the tide and drive the Centuriae back into the sea.

Dangerously close to the battle with the Lion and Crane, the Storm Riders of the Mantis Clan were dealing with a terrible outbreak of plague within their own small mainland provinces. The Mantis are a clan very interested in the well-being of their lower caste servants, similar in that respect to the Unicorn. Although the Islands of Silk and Spice where the clan’s power is strongest has as yet remained largely immune to the ravages of the plague, their mainland provinces have experienced occasional outbreaks, albeit in a limited fashion. This is the first major outbreak that we are aware of in Mantis lands, and the Storm Riders responded accordingly. With their powerful abilities, they were able to alleviate the suffering somewhat, but even with such powerful shugenja there is only so much that can be done via the kami. Fortunately, there was among those responding to the region a samurai named Tsuruchi Gidayu, a particularly wealthy samurai and merchant patron who expended vast amounts of personal resources to acquire the additional supplies necessary to comfort those affected. Likewise, the Mantis have among them a young gaijin woman named Arjuna Singh, related in some way to the samurai Yoritomo Singh whom you may recall from Winter Court. This Arjuna was able to utilize Gidayu’s resources to create herbal concoctions that, while unable to cure the plague, alleviated the symptoms to the extent that the mortality rate in this outbreak was remarkably low. And of course if any rose again from the disease’s effects, the Storm Riders ensured that their disgraceful return could be measured in mere moments.

You may recall, Empress, that the Scorpion have been waging a nearly single-clan war against the plague that has ravaged their homeland and spread to the unaligned lands around their provinces. It seems that their assistance to the Dragon in recent weeks has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated, as the Dragon’s famed Justicars have traveled to the Scorpion lands to assist them in dealing with yet another in a terrible series of outbreaks. The oft-put upon Bayushi Elite Guard isolated the infected area and went in to perform whatever grisly tasks they deemed appropriate in order to have proper containment, and the Justicars maintained a proper perimeter, ensuring that no one who attempted to depart the area bore any signs of the plague. A unit of duelists trained by your former family among the Kitsuki is a dreadfully effective force, I have been told.

And so it seems that my report this week is largely positive, for which I am grateful, but I can no longer allow my hopes to rise, as they have been dashed again and again during this season of war. In particular, I am horrified by reports of a plague outbreak near the unaligned lands between the Scorpion and Crane lands that appears to be huge out of all proportion compared to previous outbreaks. Entire villages wiped out to a man, all within riding distance of one another. What’s more, initial reports, while difficult to trust because of the panicked nature of those who experienced the area, seem to indicate that the rate of reanimation in this region is vastly, vastly higher than previously recorded. If this is true, we could be facing the sudden appearance of an enemy force possibly numbering in the thousands, and placed well behind the southern front. I am not a military man, but I fear what this might mean.

Ever your servant,

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald

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State of the Empire, Week 11

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities during This Time of War

The Third Week of the Month of the Dragon, Year 1172

My Empress,

I find it especially difficult to compile this report today, Divine One. Throughout the course of these compilations I have struggled to maintain my optimism, but it becomes increasingly difficult, particularly in light of the losses we have suffered this week. I will not abandon my duty, but rarely have I felt such an overwhelming sense of loss.

Once again, your servants among the Great Clans have been forced to quell the zealous desires of the peasant caste to serve your most Divine personage in a manner ill-suited to their station. Reports of another large body of peasants, perhaps men and women ousted from their homes by the plague and seeking to take up arms against either the undead, the Yobanjin, or perhaps even the Destroyers themselves. Naturally this is a dangerous thing, for many reasons that the peasants themselves do not understand. A large roaming force without support in the form of supply trains will devastate the resources of any village through which it passes, not to mention the unpredictability of such a group posing a legitimate threat, or at least an inconvenience, to any Great Clan whose forces should encounter it. And of course should they actually engage a foe, they would doubtless scatter before the winds in a panic, and create more chaos in the process. No, it is of course the better course of action for such things to be stopped before they can begin. In this, we are fortunate for the intervention of lord Tsuruchi Nobumoto, whose agents among the Mukami’s Legion were in the general vicinity after their return to the mainland. The Mantis are generally very highly regarded by many among the peasantry, as you are aware, and they were well received by this ragtag force of arms. My heralds report that Nobumoto was intensely concerned for their safety, particularly seeing how previous incidents have unfolded since this war began. Through his careful negotiation and reasoning, he managed to disperse the force without conflict, something that I think you will agree is most welcome. There has surely been enough death already.

I fear that this ongoing war is eroding the spirit of your loyal servants, great Empress, and struggle as I might, I have proven unable to find a way to combat such an insidious threat. You will recall from a previous report how the Scorpion were forced into a position to deal with terrible allegations from their own ranks a short time ago, an incident that I believe they would have preferred remain private (and which I have accordingly kept logged only in the private annals of the Miya records). I fear that similar problems have arisen this week in the Dragon provinces, your homeland, and that the consequences may be yet more severe. Allegations of misconduct arose among the Dragon lands, allegations that the Togashi order had at the very worst neglected to respond to the present situation with the Yobanjin in an appropriate manner or, at worst, had deliberately conspired with the Yobanjin to make the infiltration easier. Such allegations arising from the peasantry would be alarming enough, but also attributable to simple panic and fear. Unfortunately, there were some among the accusers who were of samurai status, a fact that burdens my thoughts even as I write these words. There appears to have been some sort of conspiracy within the clan, very limited in scope but with control of significant resources. I have little knowledge of such things but I would suppose that such is the price one pays when a clan’s leadership permits its members to seek their own path. Inevitably, some will choose a path of ill repute. Regardless, I cannot be certain what the aim of this group was, only that the rumor mongering they were engaging in was so successful and widespread that certain members of the clan’s leadership felt the threat significant enough to recall the Mirumoto Elite Guard in order to deal with the potential fallout. Unexpectedly, as is apparently their standard means of operation, the Scorpion force known as the Shadow Blades accompanied the Mirumoto upon their return. The investigation of your kinsmen, the Kitsuki, combined with the ruthless enforcement of the Shadow Blades proved adequate to expose the masterminds behind the conspiracy. A monk named Togashi Shiori (a woman whose vehement nature alarmed my herald until it was explained that she was previously of the Hitomi order, which explained a great deal) led the Scorpion to destroy the holdings of the men accountable for the lies and misdirection, while the charismatic voice of the young monk Togashi Miyoko seems to have undone the damage they wrought in terms of the mistrust among the Dragon. My herald reports that there were agents among the Scorpion who believe that this damage was inflicted deliberately by former agents of a conspiracy apparently ended by the Scorpion, and in retribution, they targeted the clan’s closest allies, the Dragon. I cannot say if there is any veracity to this claim.

This week it seems that the effects of the war in the north have extended farther than the southern battle, although of late it seems that the opposite has been true. A large scouting party of Yobajin appears to have woven their way through the northern reaches and arrived at the Unicorn lands. What purpose they may have had, I cannot say, but their goal may have been nothing more than random destruction, for that seems to be what they accomplished. These individuals numbered among them a powerful shaman and devotee of the Dark Oracle. With this individual’s abilities, the Yobanjin laid waste to a number of important holdings within the Unicorn Clan provinces. These men gave little thought to strategy or specific tactics, but rather simply attacked without warning, inflicted as much damage as possible before a response could be coordinated, and then moved to a new target, often moving in random and inexplicable directions. As a result, the Unicorn’s ability to respond was slowed, and considerable damage was inflicted. Finally the culprits were dealt with when caught in a pincer between units dispatched from the as-yet-rebuilding Khol army, and the Lioness Legion of the neighboring Lion Clan. The enemy was destroyed but not before considerable damage was inflicted.

In my last report I posited the notion that the Yobanjin forces may be planning a large scale invasion into the Phoenix lands, perhaps banking on the sea preventing assault on one side as they move their forces through the area. That was based upon the reports filed via my heralds by various Lion tacticians, and it appears that once again, the Lion prove that their reputation is indeed well earned. A massive war band of Yobanjin, larger than anything the Empire has seen since the first War of Dark Fire, pushed north into the Phoenix holdings this week, causing the rapid evacuation of multiple major Phoenix holdings as the Shiba attempted to hold the line until reinforcements could arrive. The reinforcements arrived, but not for several days and tremendous losses were inflicted upon the Phoenix lands. Fortunately, by the time more forces could arrive, an inquisitor named Asako Katashi had become Shiba Tsukimi’s principal advisor, and between the two of them, they had concocted a viable strategy.

Upon the arrival of the Legion of Flame and the Daidoji Iron Warriors, pushed to the veritable breaking point in order to arrive at the fight and lend their aid to the Crane’s close allies among the Phoenix, Katashi’s plan was for the Legion of Flame and their associates among the Firestorm Legion to negate the blasphemous fire magic being utilized by the war band. This robbed them of their principle advantage and allowed Tsukimi and Kikaze to push their forces to the limit in an all-out assault that shattered the front line and drove the war band fleeing to the north. Whether or not they will marshal and regroup is unknown, but for the moment, the immediate threat has ended.

I fear that I have saved the most severe and damaging report until the last, my Empress. It is not my wish to end my report on a severe note, but in truth it was difficult for me to put this account into words. Previous reports have indicated attacks by groups of these Destroyers known as Centuriae, which appears to be a unit designation of some sort. Each of these conflicts have been extremely difficult for your loyal forces to stymie, but they have fought valiantly and with tremendous honor, and thus far the battles have been at least stalemates, and in some cases victories. This week, however, a legion of Destroyers, a unit made up of twenty Centuriae, broke from the main body and attempted to flank the defensive front maintained by the Crab, Lion, and Unicorn. If such an attempt would be successful, the whole of the Scorpion lands would be laid bare for the Destroyers to invade. This is something that cannot happen, as I am sure I need not tell you. This detachment was met with incredible resistance by a combined force of all three clans, led by Hida Sozen and his men among Amoro’s Legion. Very shortly before the engagement, a representative of the Order of Venom, the mysterious monks I have spoken to you of so frequently, appeared before Sozen and offered their assistance. My herald reports Sozen’s anger was like a physical thing that filled the war tent, but ultimately he accepted the monk’s offer.

The battle in the south was something that I hope I will never personally witness. The devastation reported by the sole herald to survive the incident was almost like something created for fiction. I lost five heralds, exceptional young men and women whose loss I feel more strongly than I can convey in mere words. The Destroyers were turned back, but I am told that the losses the clans suffered numbered in the thousands. My herald included in his report a remark from a Crab he overheard, which was to say that should the war go on a great deal longer, that at least famine was unlikely to be a concern any time in the near future. My herald did not judge the man for the comment, but rather took it as his means of dealing with the stark truth of the matter: generations of near constant war have begun to seriously impact the number of samurai living to serve you, my lady. I am aware that it was already a priority among many Clan Champions to encourage marriage and children, and that was before the further taxing of our numbers caused by a plague and two wars. How many of our children are left without parents? How many dead who cannot be replaced? I fear for the Empire, my Empress, and it is your existence alone that continues to give me hope for the future.

I am told that in the aftermath of the battle in the south, the Order of Venom monks were allowed to depart in peace as a prize for their valor and incredible bravery in battle. They did so quickly, but not until after a search for someone they called Saleh, whom it is believed disappeared during the battle along with an undisclosed number of Destroyers who were seemingly spirited away without conflict.

I do not know what this means, but if it is sufficient to be of concern to these enigmatic and deadly monks, I worry that we shall hear more of it in the future. There are likewise reports of Centuriae of Destroyers appearing along the coast not far from the ruins of Otosan Uchi, in the Crane lands near the Spine of the World Mountains, and on the peninsula near Earthquake Fish Bay. This is to say nothing of other threats, including additional outbreaks of the plague and continued unrest, particularly in the unaligned regions of the Empire.

I fear for the Empire, my lady. Guide us with the will of the Heavens, I beg you.

Your eternal vassal,

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald

The State of the Empire

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities during this Time of War

The Second Week of the Month of the Dragon, Year 1172

My Empress,

 There is a common saying, which of course you have heard as frequently as have I, and that is that politics makes for strange allies. The comment is often ascribed to the Tao of Shinsei, although if it is contained within its pages I have yet to locate it. Not that it matters, but I find it more likely that it stems from Tangen’s Lies. It seems more in keeping with the mood of the work, in my opinion. But that is neither here nor there, and your desire for these reports does not stem from a desire to hear my philosophical or literary ramblings, I am quite sure. The nature of my musing is because of a pair of incredibly strange and yet disturbingly effective alliances that seem to have been formed this week during the tides of war. One of them seems quite unlikely to endure beyond the boundaries of the war in which we are embroiled. The other, I sincerely hope will last even less time than that.

 Reports of an unidentified military force moving through the central Empire emerged quickly this week, and were immediately targeted by the tactical divisions of various clans that might be threatened by their location. The Unicorn were among those whose lands were threatened, but it seems that between the clan’s support of the Shogunate and the southern front, their defense is stretched quite thin, and thus it was the fleet assault force known as the Lioness’ Legion that reached them first. This is perhaps not particularly surprising, given that unit’s reputation for speed and their commander Matsu Kenji’s strategic skills. What is surprising is that the Bayushi Elite Guard, fresh from their repeated engagements with plague-infected targets south of the Spine of the World Mountains, reached the group at the same time. After a brief but heated exchange between the two commanders, Kenji-sama and a Scorpion warrior named Bayushi Ishikura, the two units agreed upon a joint assault that would maximize both their abilities. The Legion struck the unidentified force head on, breaking their ranks and sowing confusion, which the Bayushi Elite Guard were quick to exploit and lay waste to the unit’s leadership. The incident is more confusing than anything else, as my herald reports that the members of the force appeared to be Rokugani, but that they flew banners with symbols associated with the Destroyers. No one can know for certain precisely what this means, but there are no interpretations which are beneficial for the Empire in the long run. The only positive thing to come of this is that my herald reports a great mutual admiration between the commanders of the Lion and Scorpion forces as a result of this engagement.

 On a potentially related note, the other potential alliance that I described as disturbing took place south of the Empire. Following their victory against the Great Wyrm on the Empire’s northern border some weeks ago, the Iron Warriors of the Crane made all due haste to the southern front, marching with minimal stops to reach the southern front in a truly impressive time. There, they followed upon rumors of a force of Rokugani, some of them ronin, some deserters, and some peasants, who had traveled around the war zone and breached the Great Wall to enter the Shadowlands. The motives of these individuals is suspect at best, but Daidoji Kikaze and the herald attached to his forces indicated that they were transporting a reasonable number of supplies as well as extensive, if amateurish, maps of the entire central region of the Empire. There is little choice but to assume that these individuals were intent upon joining forces with the Destroyers. Perhaps they were ambitious and thought to strike at the leadership of the invaders, a laughably impossible goal, but it is more likely that they feared the defeat of the Empire and sought to curry favor with their potential conquerors. It is a despicable thought, and my stomach churns at the weakness displayed in such thinking. The Iron Warriors are an illustrious and skilled fighting force, but I fear that tracking opponents through the war-trodden Shadowlands may be something outside their experience. Perhaps it is for the best, but it is this presently-unfortunate fact that forced their acceptance of assistance from the same monks who assisted in the battle against the Great Wyrm in the north. What to make of these monks I am not certain. As reported previously, they profess their position within the Brotherhood of Shinsei, a sect known as the Order of Venom. That they have been affiliated on occasion with forces we associate with the Spider Clan is unmistakable, but whether or not this is a deliberate choice or merely an instance of the monks being taken advantage of, we cannot say. That there were warriors accompanying the monks is unmistakable, and my herald reports that during the fighting between the renegades and the Empire’s forces, a monstrous ronin named Azuma took more kills than anyone save for the master of the monks and Kikaze-sama himself. Ultimately it matters little, I suppose, because the units parted ways after the engagement, but only after the monks showed the Iron Warriors successfully back the Wall, as per their agreement. I do not at this time know whether I consider the ongoing involvement of the monks in this war a positive or negative matter. A case could certainly be made either way, I think.

 The intensely disturbing trend of significant portals being opened to the spirit realms has continued, I am greatly dismayed to report. A collaboration between Isawa Mitsuko, the Phoenix Master who developed the means used to detect the impending opening of these portals, and Moshi Sayoko, master sensei of the Storm Riders, resulted in the deployment of Mukami’s Legion and their allies among the Dragon, the Mirumoto Elite Guard, to a potential portal opening along the Empire’s coastline. The Phoenix were not convinced that this incident was one of particular danger, since it appeared that the portal opening would connect to Sakkaku, the Realm of Mischief. The Mantis vigorously disagreed, however, insisting that Sakkaku is home to the orochi, the massive sea serpents that they themselves have used as weapons of war in the past. Indeed, this threat was borne out well when the portal opened and a number of the creatures disgorged into the sea. The calm hand of the Mirumoto and the shugenja attached to their ranks were able to create a defensive perimeter so that the rituals to close the portal could be closed, and the keen eyes of the Tsuruchi archers struck at the orochi’s few weak points, driving most back through the portal before it closed. Some few escaped into the sea, but this is a relatively minor price to pay in the grand scheme of things.

 As expected, the northern and southern fronts continue to be hotly contested between your loyal forces and those of our gaijin enemies. You may recall in weeks past I reported the existence of a variant form of the Destroyers; smaller, more ornately armored and clearly more well-trained creatures obeying the orders of human masters. In previous engagements these creatures have been destroyed or withdrew into the ranks of the greater Destroyer horde. A report reached one my heralds in the south of an altogether different foe: similarly armored and trained forces of a human, if gaijin, nature. These appear to be elite forces from within the Destroyers, and although they are more fragile than their demonic comrades, their training and skill more than makes up for their lack of sheer, brute force. The report was from a detachment of Crab warriors led by Kaiu Kyoka, who reported that his force was completely cut off by these human Destroyers before the arrival of Amoro’s Legion, apparently in pursuit of the monks they encountered in the north, and whom we now know were already far to the south fighting alongside the Iron Warriors. The berserkers of Amoro’s Legion managed to repel these centurions, but the fighting was extremely difficult and the costs high. Both forces survived with significant losses, and Hida Sozen has vowed that he will end the life of the gaijin officer who commanded the enemy during this engagement.

 Far to the north, the Army of Fire continues its invasion into the northernmost reaches of the Empire. Although the presence of scouting parties has been most significant in the Dragon lands, it seems that the Army of Fire has been centering most of its direct efforts in the Phoenix lands. The reason for this is unknown, although certain Lion tacticians have put for the theory that the gaijin may believe that having the sea to the east would reduce the amount of territory on which the gaijin could be attacked once they begin their greatest push forward. This is of course a ridiculous assumption, based on a complete lack of knowledge of both the Phoenix Clan’s power over water, and perhaps of the Mantis Clan’s very existence. For this reason alone, I suspect that there are other reasons that the Army of Fire have targeted the Phoenix lands, but for now there is no way to know for certain what their plan might be. For now their plan is of little consequence, for the Phoenix lands remain among the most effectively defended provinces of the Empire, and a recent invasion by advance units from the Army of Fire were, appropriately enough, violently ejected by the Legion of Flame under the command of Shiba Raiden.

 I remain your servant.

 Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald

The State of the Empire

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects’ Activities during this Time of War

The First Week of the Month of the Dragon, year 1172

My Empress,

It is with enormous regret and shame that I must begin my report this week by informing you that a threat I previously reported as having been resolved appears to not have been resolved at all. The portal to Gaki-do that I spoke of was indeed closed thanks to the joined efforts of your loyal Great Clans, but it is my understanding now, based on personal correspondence from the Master of Air, Isawa Mitsuko, that the underlying cause of the portal has not been resolved. It is Mitsuko-sama’s belief that, until the matter has been dealt with properly, the portals will continue to occur. Although she did not address the cause of the occurrences in her letter, it is my personal (and, I freely admit, uneducated) belief that the cause of the portals is the disruption of the natural order of things, a disruption that is caused by the invasion of our blessed lands by the blasphemous and unnatural gaijin both in the north and the south.

Although the reason for this potentially calamitous occurrence is not yet known, I for one and tremendously grateful that the Empire has the Master of Air, who appears to have managed to predict these disasters and respond to them accordingly, even though the process as of yet appears to leave little time to formulate a proper response. In this instance, another of the accursed portals occurred, and the Phoenix detachment of inquisitors under Mitsuko-sama’s command were the only ones able to respond in a timely manner. Or rather I should say that they would have been the only ones able to respond, if not for the incredible response speed of the Shinjo Scouts and another unit that I understand is known as the Dark Wind. This cavalry force has appeared at numerous points during the past few months, most of which have been documented in my reports. They are enigmatic in origin, but appear to be affiliated with the Spider Clan. Despite this, they also appear to be acting in the best interests of the Empire in opposing numerous threats. This is a quandary that I do not know how to resolve, and fortunately is one that is not for such as me to do so; I am enormously content to allow your divine wisdom to determine how to deal with such issues, and to follow your commands in that regard.

My herald reports that the fight against the swarms of gaki issuing forth from the portal went poorly at first, perhaps because the advantages of cavalry are less effective against spirits of such a sinister nature. Ultimately I do not know, and it matters very little in the grand scheme of things. Two things mark this particular incident as truly amazing. What I am told is that, at the final moments of the assault, when it appeared that the defenders would be overrun and the spirits would run unchecked across the Empire… it is difficult for me to recount this story… an oni appeared. The beast was enormous and incredibly powerful, wielding a gigantic weapon as long as three men. The beast did not attack the defenders, however, but instead turned upon the gaki and began slaughtering them in vast numbers. The Shinjo faltered slightly, uncertain what to make of the situation, but the Dark Wind continued their assault unabated, and the Phoenix never wavered in the completion of the ritual necessary to seal the portal. My herald reports that the process was more difficult than the previous occurrence, however, perhaps because of the losses that the inquisitors have suffered over the course of the conflict. She confessed that she feared the ritual might not be completed successfully, but then something vastly more incredible than the appearance of a demon took place. My herald reports that a fiery bird from the Heavens, perhaps a fuchitsujo or their more worldly counterparts the houhou, appeared and flew across the battlefield, weaving among the combatants to fly directly into the mortal. The fiery explosion that followed appeared to hasten the portal’s closure, but such a report could, I must admit, merely be conjecture. Regardless, the portal was closed, and upon its closure the oni disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, perhaps anticipating that the Phoenix would turn upon it. There was a shouting confrontation between Mitsuko-sama and the commander of the Dark Wind, a man named Yuudai, but ultimately there was no way to know if the Spider had summoned the demon or not. The Shinjo argued successfully for the Spider to be permitted to withdraw due to their assistance in closing the portal, to which the Phoenix ultimately agreed.

One of the rare forested regions near the Lion holdings, a forest north of the Lion border but before the Dragonfly lands were entered, was threatened by wildfire. It is most likely that the fire was started by advance units from the Army of Fire, as the Yobanjin have proven time and time again that a vast northern border such as ours nearly impossible to secure completely. However, it is also entirely possible that natural phenomenon created the fire, a lightning strike or some such other instance. Regardless, the threat posed by such a thing is significant indeed, for fields ravaged by fire at this time of year will not recover in time to produce adequate food for your loyal subjects during this time of war. One of your Empress’ Guards, elite warriors one and all, half of whom have been dispatched throughout the Empire to protect its people in an incredible show of bravery and selflessness on your part, Empress, recognized the threat not only to the Lion lands, but potentially to the Crane and Dragon lands as well. Kakita Idzuki was personally responsible for securing the assistance of the Storm Riders, recently returned from the Mantis Islands, and with their prowess over the weather, the matter was dealt with quickly and without tremendous difficulty. It seems a minor incident in retrospect, but truthfully it could have been a terrible blight upon the Empire.

Terrible news from the Scorpion lands, my Empress. It seems that a small faction from within the clan, primarily those from rural provinces and lesser families lines typically relegated to obscurity, had begun suggesting that the vast outbreaks of plague were either engineered by the Scorpion leaders or fabricated outright, all in an effort to maintain absolute control over the clan’s populace and manipulate their support into activities that defied your most holy will. It is difficult not to be outraged by such unfounded allegations, even as an outsider, but I know that they were born not of malice but of fear and confusion. I hope that those responsible fare better in the next life, and learn from their terrible mistakes. Regardless, a herald traveling through the Scorpion lands at the time, bound for the southern front, was witness to some of the preamble to the confrontation, and it seems that the Shadow Blades that so recently assisted in the quarantine of an infected village with the Unicorn Clan returned to deal with the matter. My herald was not witness to anything in particular, but the clear implication was that the Blades eliminated the heads of the movement and anyone directly involved in anything that might be considered disloyalty, which of course the Scorpion consider the greatest of all sins. They were not particularly pleased to have an Imperial present during this minor incident that I am quite sure would otherwise have been recorded in no historical document, but for now the matter is concluded and with minimal aftereffects. We shall see if anything further comes of it in the future.

There is one final matter that I feel merits your attention at this time, my Empress. I have received a disturbing report of troop movement through the Mountains of Regret, north of the ruined city of Otosan Uchi. This in and of itself is no significant matter, of course, since that is a prominent travel route and in this time of war it is a common thing to see such movement. It is the nature of the journey itself that has given me pause, and something concerning the report has piqued my interest in a manner that I cannot easily dismiss. It seems that a joint force of the Hiruma Stalkers, the Justicars of the Dragon, and the Ikoma Wardens were moving through the region, toward the northern or southern fronts I am not certain, and encountered a detachment of the Legion of Two Thousand within the mountain range. Again, this is not an enormously significant event, as the Legion is granted somewhat liberal travel rights during times of conflict. However, it seems that the Legion detachment was under assault by the mountains themselves, or so the report seems to indicate. The assembled forces of the clans came to the Legion’s defense, and after a brief but terrifyingly intense assault, the attack ended abruptly. There was no clear indication of what was responsible for the attack, and the Legion was reluctant to discuss the matter despite the insistence of the officers among the clan forces. My herald sought the counsel of a shugenja attached to the Crab forces, who told them that he had never felt Earth magic of such incredible potency, and that the attack appeared to have been perpetrated by a single individual. The herald inquired after the Dark Oracles, but the Kuni felt certain it was a threat more mundane in nature, although perhaps not tremendously less powerful. I fear we have not heard the last of this as yet unnamed threat.

As ever, I remain your humble servant.

Miya Shoin

Imperial Herald

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