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Jisoo,
How have I managed to live without seeing your face for five long months? The days seem to drag on for eternity, cruelly reminding me that I need to wait even more before I can be rewarded with your brilliant presence. I miss your long, flowing hair, your sharp, caustic wit and your divine beauty. Oh, let this scroll carry my spirit along with these poorly written words so that you can sense the sincerity in my devotion.
I have kept up with your unit’s exploits and I am glad to hear that you are safe. I wish I could have been there at Shiro Moto so I could have done my bit. Alas my duties took me across the empire, sitting in courts instead of standing in combat with you. I know you must have been a goddess of war, fending off the barbaric Lion hordes with your powerful sword and your mighty steed. The poets will sing for eternity, praising your heroism and my pure, powerful love for you.
You have been busy defending our Clan, as I have. I travel from court to court, wrangling support for our new Khan. I have tried to push Moto Jin-Sahn-sama as an example of our noble warriors, but most others seem wary of our religious practices to accept us as the army of the Empire. It has been a rough uphill battle, Jisoo-chan. Chagatai-sama’s failed attack on Toshi Ranbo wrecked our position with many of our former allies and I have been struggling to connect with them once more. It helps that I can use you as an example of shining honor. The Utaku shiotome are beyond reproach.
While traveling through near the Imperial capitol, I heard of an interesting historical tidbit that might intrigue the leaders of our Clan. Several decades ago, a monk named Tsubo wrote a series of philosophical letters that was recently uncovered during the evacuation of Otosan Uchi. Tsubo likened the quest for enlightenment to the calm before the arrow’s flight, the flight of no-mind. While he never pursued this more than as an intellectual point, upon his death his fellows at the monastery started ritualistic archery to help clear their minds. It turns out Tsubo was Shinjo Hanari before his retirement. I did my part to make these letters widespread, and quite a few monks seem enamored by the thought. A new sect is beginning to form based around his thoughts. I will reveal his identity once the sec is complete, gaining great reknown for the Unicorn.
I do my part for our Clan, Jisoo-chan, as do you. I know you will be proud of me when next we see each other. If you have the time from your duties and your busy schedule, Jisoo-chan, could you reply to this message? You have not responded to the last seven, and I worry this shabby courier is perhaps mixing up the recipients.
~Ide Eien
My Esteemed Uncle,
The matter I am writing to you about is a sensitive one; my lady does not wish it to be spoken of openly (for reasons you will soon perceive), and yet it troubles me so greatly that I feel the need to seek the counsel of one wiser than myself.
Last week I was accompanying my charge as she strolled about the markets. I was both unhappy and flattered by this–unhappy, because such a place could hide any number of waiting assassins, and flattered because my lady made it clear that she believed me capable of handling them should they appear. As it happened, I think I would have preferred assassins.
She had stopped for a cup of tea at a small establishment with a small but well-done rock garden. The weather was fine, and so she sat outside where she could admire it properly. The tea house’s other patrons kept well away from her, perceiving that she was a woman of some importance and thus not to be bothered by common folk. After a few minutes a man dressed in the drab colors of a ronin approached. I was ready to go for my sword, but before he came too close he knelt, placed a package on the ground next to him, and bowed low to the ground, begging my lady for permission to speak to her.
I kept my eyes fixed on him because I knew that she would allow it; she has in full measure the kindness of heart for which her family is celebrated. Having her permission, the man rose up slightly and began to speak. He was, he said, in the service of a lord who had come into a great and holy treasure. The lord had kept it in the honor it deserved, but the end of his life as a samurai was approaching, and he was setting his affairs in order before moving on. Sadly, the man said, his lord had no one in his family who he could entrust this treasure to. Admitting this in public would bring dishonor, so the lord had resolved to pass it quietly onto some other worthy soul. Knowing of my lady’s honor and her valiant service to the clan he had decided that she would be a proper guardian for it.
You may find it odd, Uncle, but this did not strike me as so strange. I have known, as I am sure you have, great and honorable men whose qualities did not find reflection in their children. And it is only right that a man in such a position seek to minimize the embarrassment that this causes his line. My lady seemed to agree, for after the usual refusals she accepted the package. The man thanked her profusely, promising that his lord would remember her in prayers offered in his family’s shrine.
My lady returned to her lodgings and opened the package: Within the box, nestled in dark green silk, was a pair of finely made jitte. I could not have said why, but looking at them gave me a feeling of crawling horror. For her part my lady looked at them curiously, then she lifted up her hands and prayed to the kami, seeking their aid in learning what they were. She listened for a moment, then she gasped and threw herself back from the box. “The Celestial Jitte!” she said. We both stared at them, waiting, I suppose, for them to change into something monstrous. When that did not happen, I forced myself to replace the box’s lid and retie the cords that had held it closed.
“How did this happen?” my lady asked. “Who would send these to me?” She was white-faced and shaking, and I did not think the less of her for her loss of face. The Jitte had been stolen from the Empire by an onisu, a demon who had murdered Asahina Kimita–her distress was only proper. When she had recovered somewhat, my lady sent for the city’s Emerald Magistrate and turned the matter over to him.
I am sure that the Magistrate is an honorable and diligent man, but I do not think he will find the man who gave my lady the package, or the lord he claimed to have served. And so it is I must wonder who is behind this, and why. Was this the work of some personal enemy of my lady’s? Or did they seek to harm the Crane Clan by harming one of the clan’s blossoming courtiers? You are wise and experienced, my Uncle. How should I respond to this threat? What more can I do to protect her?
Kakita Hideshi
Quote:
To my Kitsuki brethren,
It is with a clear and humble heart that I assume the role of family daimyo. I would have wished a day like this to be some time in the coming, since we had been very ably led by the noble samurai who preceded me. None among the Kitsuki wished her leadership to leave us, but we could not have guessed the reason she did so.
The strength and wisdom of the Kitsuki now leads all of Rokugan. The wisdom of the kami in their selection reminds us of their infallibility. The Divine One is sure to lead the empire as well as she led the Kitsuki. Now it falls to me to continue her proud legacy.
We must remain ever vigilant as we fulfil our duties. The lessons of Sunset Tower are still with us and we will not fail to protect the empire from the true threat from beyond our borders. As we look to the threats outwards, we must not forget to look inwards as well. We protect the lands of the Dragon as we protect Rokugan, but do we know what we are guarding? There are many mysteries in our mountains. These are mysteries that were left to Satsu to keep, but with him leaving the mountains, it is important for the Dragon to solve the riddle within.
It is up to the Kitsuki. We will delve deeply into the secrets of our homeland in order to ensure that those secrets are not lost forever.
At this time of great change we also lose our great father and brother. The direct line of Togashi serves the Empress, and this is a great calling, but it means a time of renewal for the Dragon. While we have the greatest faith in Satsu’s chosen successor, Mirumoto Kei, we also know that she will need our aid as she takes up her new mantle.
We of the Dragon clan have long understood that we were led by one who knew the unknowable and understood that which could not be understood by lesser men. We have followed one who could see paths hidden and the riddles found in all of life. We of the Kitsuki have been inspired from the time of the great Togashi himself, to seek and learn the truth behind each corner.
Now, we are led by a samurai with great capability and nobility, but without the divine knowledge granted through Togashi’s blood. It will be up to the Kitsuki to ensure that Kei-sama does not suffer from our weakness. If she cannot see the unseen, we will find the truth and give it to her. If riddles are not laid bare, we will discover the solution so she can glimpse their meaning.
We are in times of great change, but change is not to be feared. It is inevitable and we will embrace and grow with it.
Our duty is clear.
~Kitsuki Berii
Nobumoto-sama,
It was with horror that I recently learned of the injuries you suffered during the wave of assassinations that occurred in the Empire recently, and with joy that I learned that you will recover fully. The notion of a Phoenix saving the life of the Lord of the Wasp is so alien to me that I can scarcely grasp it! And yet the sons and daughters of Isawa will have my eternal gratitude for this great service they have provided for us. Never again will I treat them with anything but the utmost respect, for they have earned that of me.
But this is not the reason for my letter.
It is with great pride and sadness, my lord, that I must inform you that the quest of Tsuruchi Okame has at last come to an end. For years, Okame-san has scoured the Empire and its peripheries in search of our former lord’s Lost son, who fell during the Reign of Blood. It seems almost a lifetime ago, and in some ways perhaps it was. Regardless, Okame’s quest recently brought him to the Twilight Mountains once again, and this time his prey’s trail was not yet cold. Although he asked not for help, the fact that Hiro seemed to be traveling with a group of like-minded individuals prompted the order to which I now belong to offer him our assistance. It is well that we did, for upon catching up to Hiro, we discovered him to be in the company of a band of ronin that doubtless had no knowledge of his condition.
Despite the nature of Okame’s hunt, the ronin refused to acknowledge any oddities in Hiro’s nature, and were quite belligerent regarding the matter. We had no choice but to engage them or risk Hiro’s escape, which Okame was unwilling to do. My colleagues and I dispatched the wave men, although they were not without skill, and Okame dealt with Hiro personally, as per his charge.
Rarely have I seen so fierce a combat as that which occurred between my kinsmen that bleak day. They both fought without reservation, although Okame beseeched his former friend to put aside his wicked ways and return to the family’s holdings for judgment. I knew that could never be allowed, but I said nothing at the time, as I felt it would not be an issue. Both men were wounded again and again, casting aside their bows for blades and fighting for what seemed an eternity. Finally, Okame fell, and Hiro stood above him, ready for the killing blow. I raised an arrow to take the beast’s life, but Okame spoke of Hiro’s father then, and the Lost warrior hesitated. Okame spoke of Ichiro-sama’s grief and pain, and his longing to see his son again, no matter the circumstances. Unbelievably, Hiro’s hesitation held out. Then, unexpectedly, he reversed his blade and plunged it into his own stomach, running himself through. He was dead in an instant, and I looked away as grief overcame Okame. His wounds were tended, but even my colleagues could not say if they will result in any spiritual afflictions. Okame departed two days later, saying that he had to beg the forgiveness of the man once known as Tsuruchi Ichiro. I do not know when we shall see him again.
~Tsuruchi Sho
Legion of the Jade Hand
And the bios! These will look much prettier when Todd puts them up on the website, I’m sure.
Kitsu Kiyoko, Kitsu Family Daimyo
Air: 3
Earth: 2
– Willpower 4
Fire: 3
Water: 4
Void: 3
School/Rank: Kitsu Shugenja 3
Glory: 5.9
Status: 7.1
Honor: 4.2
Advantages: Ebisu’s Blessing, Irreproachable
Disadvantages: Idealistic, Small
Skills: Battle 3, Calligraphy 4, Courtier 3, Defense 2, Divination 1, Etiquette 4, Horsemanship 2, Kenjutsu 2, Lore: Ancestors (Lion Clan) 6, Lore: History 5, Meditation 5, Spellcraft 4, Tea Ceremony 2, Theology 6, War Fans 2
Spells: As the Lady of the Kitsu, Kiyoko has access to a staggering number of spells, including many extremely powerful spells used by the Lion in battle that have never been duplicated by any other clan.
Kitsu Kiyoko cannot sit in her new chambers without remembering the people who lived there before her. She had free reign over the place as a child, crawling around everywhere while the adults watched indulgently. Kitsu Katsuko, her mother, used to smile at her with a twinkle in her eye. The mere name of her wizened grandfather, Kitsu Juri, evokes from her an aura of wisdom and kindness. The expansive rooms of the Kitsu daimyo belong to them, not to her.
It is not just the chambers. It is her station and the newfound respect in everyone’s eyes. As the eldest daughter of Kitsu Katsuko, she has always known she was privileged. She bore pure, noble blood in her veins and everyone treated her as such. Still, the obedience and respect had never been directed toward her before. It is overwhelming. After all, it seems like only yesterday when she was still hiding away in her room, poring over scrolls of her ancient lineage and struggling to grasp the rituals that would entreat the elements. Now she routinely makes decisions that direct the course of her entire family.
Sometimes the weight of her responsibilities seem to crush her to the ground, but she knows to run away would be betraying her mother, her grandfather, and most importantly herself. Whenever she feels this insecurity she grits her teeth and throws herself at her work. She double checks and triple checks everything to make sure she is doing it properly.
Kiyoko does not know that she is much more capable than she believes. The looks of respect stem as much from her skillful understanding of the kami as much as her title. Her advisors look at her with pride at the rapidity in which she is grasping her new duties. People are already beginning to see her as the new daimyo, not Katsuko’s daughter.
Kiyoko works as hard if not harder at her position than any of her predecessors. She has the ability but only lacks the confidence. If she can recognize that fact for herself, she will become one of the greatest shugenja of her time. Her ancestors watch her with interest, wondering if she will prove herself worthy of her title and blood.
Kakita Hideshi, Dutiful Yojimbo
Air: 4
Earth: 2
Fire: 3
– Agility 4
Water: 2
– Strength 3
Void: 3
School/Rank: Kakita Bushi 3
Honor: 2.6
Glory: 2.3
Status: 1.7
Advantages: Kharmic Tie (Asahina Beniha), Magic Resistance (2 points)
Disadvantages: Shadowlands Taint
Skills: Artisan: Ikebana 2, Athletics 3, Battle 1, Courtier 2, Deceit (Seduction) 2, Defense 4, Etiquette 3, Horsemanship 2, Hunting 2, Iaijutsu 5, Kenjutsu (Katana) 3, Kyujutsu 2, Meditation 1, Tea Ceremony 2
Kata: The Empire Rests on Its Edge, Striking as Wind, The World Is Empty
Kakita Hideshi is almost the perfect Crane samurai. His face has strong, handsome features, his skill with the blade is undeniable, and he is dedicated to the tenets of bushido. He would have a sure path to glory before him, were it not for one little thing.
Hideshi was a young student in the Kakita Academy when a sensei told him that while his skill with a blade was great, it did not justify his being so cold and hostile to those around him, and he was going to have to change his attitude if he was going to succeed in the dojo. This bewildered Hideshi, because he wasn’t hostile at all–in fact, from his point of view his fellow students were all slightly hostile to him. He was also worried, because his parents had pulled in every favor they could collect or trade in order to get him into the Kakita Academy and failure would shame him and his family forever.
After several days of brooding, Hideshi decided that this problem could be solved the way a Kakita solved any problem–with the determined application of skill. He set himself to learning the arts of conversation, reasoning that if he could have a conversation with someone he could dispel whatever false impression they had formed of him. He also began to read up on ikebana, so that he would always have a topic for polite conversation at hand. Hideshi’s reputation among his classmates soon began to improve, and his sensei was impressed by his drive.
After his gempukku Hideshi was given a series of assignments, each more important than the last. He did well in all of them, and so when it was decided that Asahina Beniha needed a personal duelists, his old sensei recommended Hideshi for the position–a champion who could hold his own in polite conversation as well as the dueling grounds was a real asset to a courtier. Hideshi, for his part, was overjoyed: now he finally has a chance to show the Crane–and their enemies–what he is capable of.
Kitsuki Berii, Daimyo of the Kitsuki Family
Air: 4
Earth: 3
Fire: 3
– Intelligence 4
Water: 3
– Perception 6
Void: 4
School/Rank: Kitsuki Magistrate 4
Honor: 3.8
Glory: 6.3
Status: 7.5
Advantages: Clear Thinker, Jurojin’s Blessing
Disadvantages: Lost Love, Unlucky (3 points)
Skills: Battle 2, Calligraphy 3, Courtier (Gossip) 4, Defense 2, Etiquette (Bureaucracy, Sincerity) 6, Hunting 3, Iaijutsu 4, Investigation (Notice, Search) 7, Kenjutsu 2, Lore: Heraldry 4, Lore: History 6, Meditation 3, Spellcraft 2, Theology (Fortunes, Shintao) 3
Berii was always headstrong, but not to the detriment of his studies. He became a magistrate as soon as he completed his gempukku, though it seemed that his desire to see the Empire outstripped his desire to serve.
He never let it interfere with his work, however. In fact, his interest in the lands away from home combined with his learned skills as a Kitsuki magistrate to make him very effective. He saw things that others missed because he recognized behaviours that might be misunderstood if the investigator did not know the way a Lion thought, or a Scorpion.
While Berii spent as much time as he could in the cities and towns across the empire, it was in the mountains of the Dragon that he set along his current path. While walking the windswept paths of his home he was approached by Kakita Tsuken, the Keeper of Fire. Tsuken told Berii where to find the Dark Covenant of Fire and warned him that the Dark Oracle of Fire was sending agents to secure it as well. To aid him in his task, or to reward him for his duty, Tsuken gave Berii a tome penned by the Keeper called the Book of Fire.
Berii led a group of Dragon to the Sunset Tower where the Dark Covenant rested. They were not the only ones to arrive, however, as a contingent of Crane assaulted a group of Lost also trying to retrieve the artifact. Once the Lost were defeated, it was Berii who negotiated a truce with the Crane in order to secure the tower and the Dark Covenant.
Ensuring that the Dark Oracle of Fire was unable to lay claim to the Dark Covenant of Fire, as well as possessing the Book of Fire, helped Berii to rise in the ranks of the Kitsuki magistrates. When the time came to choose a successor for Kitsuki Iweko, the promotion of Berii was a surprise to no one.
Tsuruchi Sho, Member of the Legion of the Jade Hand
Air: 4
– Reflexes 5
Earth: 3
Fire: 3
– Agility 4
Water: 3
– Perception 5
Void: 3
School/Rank: Tsuruchi Bounty Hunter 3
Honor: 3.1
Glory: 3.3
Status: 1.8
Advantages: Blessing of the Jade Sun, Clear Thinker
Disadvantages: Obligation (Legion of the Jade Hand)
Skills: Athletics 3, Battle 2, Defense 4, Hunting 4, Investigation 4, Kenjutsu 3, Kyujutsu 6, Lore: Heraldry 2, Lore: Law 4, Stealth (Sneaking) 4, Underworld 2
Kata: Striking as Fire, Striking as Wind
Tsuruchi Sho was never a particularly complicated man. He undertook each duty with calm resolve and a solemnity that others sometimes found disquieting. There could be no question that he was a Tsuruchi to his core, however, and a Mantis as well. He earned the appreciation of his family daimyo, Tsuruchi Nobumoto, early in his career, and has been one of his lord’s most trusted vassals for many years. Even those who admire Sho and his resolve, however, could hardly anticipate where his destiny would ultimately take him.
For some time, Sho served aboard the Unknown Path, the ship of notorious scoundrel Yoritomo Buntaro. During the final weeks of his service, Sho and the others aboard were contracted by the Phoenix Clan to bring some of their representatives into the far southern seas of Rokugan in search of a lost vessel called the Inferno. Their quest was unsuccessful, and the shipment of jade that the Mantis had expected to find as part of the ship’s cargo was long gone. Sho was disappointed, having already pledged his share of the jade to the Crab in their ongoing battle with the Shadowlands. News of his valor and devotion to the Crab’s cause was not lost on others, however, and Sho received an enigmatic invitation to visit the Crab lands.
In the Crab lands, Sho found himself subjected to a number of strange trials, all of which he endured out of curiosity more than anything else. When they were concluded, Sho was judged worthy to join the Legion of the Jade Hand, a secretive organization devoted to combating impurity throughout the Empire. Sho was the first non-Crab to be invited to join the Legion, and his service has not disappointed. He was present when the Legion began its investigation into the rash of assassinations throughout the Empire, and when his kinsmen Tsuruchi Okame finally fulfilled his vow and saw the death of Tsuruchi Hiro, a Mantis who fell during the Reign of Blood some years previously.
Recently, Sho has made the difficult decision to travel to the Lion lands. The Lion are never particularly receptive to Mantis, and the Tsuruchi in particular are looked upon with tremendous disdain. Sho has been chosen by his comrades, however, and he hopes to find and meet with the samurai named Matsu Benika in the very near future. The two have much to discuss, he believes.
New Advantage: Blessing of the Jade Sun (10 points)
For whatever reason, you have undergone the ritual of the Jade Hand, a rite almost exclusively reserved for members of that secretive organization. Founded by the Oracle of Jade, the Legion is a mystical group that carries the favor of the Jade Sun through their pious nature and their reverent lifestyles. When making an attack, you may spend all your remaining Void Points in order for that attack to be considered jade and crystal for the purposes of damaging creatures that normally possess resistance to other kinds of attacks.
And finally, our Continuity Editor Supreme (also a master of Power Ranger Trivia, for those of you afficionados out there), supplied the following article regarding the third Yasuki War!
The Third Yasuki War
The Yasuki War subplot ties in a lot of history of the story. This article will summarize the major points of that history, as well as add a few details that have not yet been revealed in the canon.
The Splendid Emperor and the Second Yasuki War
Emperor Toturi I knew that the Yasuki family had been heavily infiltrated by the kolat. What he did not know was which family members in particular were kolat agents. He wanted to paralyze the family for a period of time, while he and his servants removed the kolat influence from the family.
The Yasuki family had been hit fairly hard by the War Against The Darkness. The former Yasuki daimyo was dead, and the historical records of the family were no longer complete. The Crab, unable to determine internally who the rightful heir to the position of Yasuki daimyo, turned to the Imperial Histories for assistance. This gave Toturi I the opportunity he needed.
Toturi I knew that, in order to prevent the Yasuki family from acting, he needed the leadership of the clan to be contentious. The Splendid Emperor wanted a temporary, figurehead daimyo for the family, one who would accomplish nothing during his tenure and be replaced once his usefulness to the throne had ended. He had his son, Naseru, see to it that the Histories gave an incorrect result. For the role, Toturi I selected a low-ranking Daidoji, Daidoji Hachi.
Toturi I knew that Doji Kurohito would use the opportunity to show the Crane Clan’s political and military strength, rather than reaching an accord with the Crab. Toturi I also knew that he would be able to prevent the two clans from going to war. However, soon after the Historians revealed that Hachi was the heir and the Crane Clan strongly endorsed the result, Toturi I was slain by Fushin, the Onisu of Betrayal.
Within days of the funeral of the Splendid Emperor, Crab and Crane were at war.
Naseru, Kaneka, Hachi
During the era of the Four Winds, Naseru sought to discredit or eliminate his siblings. To this end, he again changed the Imperial Histories, this time to show Kaneka as the true heir to the Yasuki. This would put Kaneka in a difficult situation: if he failed to act on the information, he would be seen as weak and as questioning the Imperial Historians. If Kaneka did enter into the Yasuki conflict, he would be entering a contentious and controversial conflict. Kaneka, along with his supporters, entered the Yasuki Estates, under the auspices of ending the fighting.
Hachi intercepted Kaneka, questioning the legitimacy of the latter’s claim. Kaneka, unimpressed, pointed out that it did not seem appropriate for Hachi to use his status as Emerald Champion to favor the Crane. The two exchanged verbal barbs, culminating in Hachi reaching for his sword, starting a duel between the two. Kaneka, the superior swordsman, won that duel, and Hachi was forced to allow him access. Kaneka and his forces went on to create peace in the Yasuki Estates by forcing the Crane Clan out.
Some time after Kaneka created the peace, Hachi filled the requirements for a twenty goblin winter, swore fealty to the Crab, and created the basis for a longer term peace.
Time Between the Wars
Hachi, through his own investigations, discovered the truth, that Toturi I originally intended him to merely be an interim daimyo. This put Hachi in a difficult position, as his duty to the Emperor and his duty to his clan Champion were somewhat at odds. On the one hand, it was clear that Toturi I did not want Hachi and the Crane leading the Yasuki. On the other, Doji Kurohito and the Crane Clan had put great effort into the claim on the Yasuki. If Hachi shared this information with Kurohito, Kurohito and the Crane’s honor would force them to withdraw, a significant loss of face given that it was the Crane that had pressed their claim in the first place. Hachi’s solution was to simply avoid doing anything to ensure a line of succession through him. He did not marry, nor did he name an heir. He was hoping that, by the time he stepped down or died, that he would have an opportunity to guarantee a peaceful transition of the Yasuki.
Naseru, after ascending to the position of Emperor, had to deal with a similar problem. He knew that Toturi I had ordered the Histories altered. Naseru also knew that he, himself, had further altered the Histories in order to seek personal benefit. Although he was now the Righteous Emperor, interfering in the succession of the Yasuki would draw attention to the Histories, and the manipulation of them by both Naseru and his father. Naseru chose to protect the position of Emperor, and did not reveal to the Empire the truth.
Bayushi Sunetra
Sunetra was Hachi’s sister by birth, fostered over to the Crane many years before. She knew the full details of Hachi’s lineage and ancestry, and she also had worked closely with Naseru. Sunetra was also a Scorpion, a clan with every interest in weakening both Crab and Crane. Although Naseru never shared with her the fact that the Histories had been modified at the command of Toturi I, Sunetra had enough information to realize that Hachi was not likely to be the true Yasuki heir.
When the Scorpion sought peace with the Crab, the detailed lineage of Hachi’s family was passed on to the Crab Clan. Sunetra’s involvement was carefully downplayed, with the focus placed upon Hachi’s parents and ancestors. Using the detailed lineage as a guide, the Crab Clan verified that Hachi could not have been the true Yasuki heir. The Histories had provided an incorrect result.
Prelude to War
From the perspective of the Crab, the implications of their findings were simple: the Crane had been benefiting for several years from Hachi’s claim and the Crane Clan’s involvement in running activities around the Yasuki Estates, a claim that was clearly not valid. Whether Kurohito, the Crane Clan, or some other party made an error was not relevantwhat was relevant was that the Crab needed the profits from the lands, and that the Crane claim, now proven to be based on inaccurate information being given to Toturi I, had to cease. Failure to act would ensure that future generations of Crab would go into battle with less resources than they had earned, a disservice to every samurai who fought and died on the Wall.
From the perspective of the Crane, being asked to simply drop their claim on the Yasuki was outrageous. Hachi had been declared the heir to the Yasuki by the Emperor, and withdrawing their claim would be interpreted by the rest of the Empire as the Crane admitting to having deceived the Emperor. Doji Kurohito’s word was being questioned, and the word of a Champion stands for that of the clan. A failure to oppose the accusations of the Crab would be disastrous for the Crane, as their credibility and honor would be brought into question from then onfor if the clan had the audacity to deceive the Emperor, how could they be trusted?
For both sides, war was not an ideal solution, but the price for continued peace was simply too high.
