Race for the Throne



The Race for the Throne was the time were the Imperial Throne remained vacant and several candidates appeared to take the throne. It ended after the Celestial Tournament, when Iweko I was proclaimed Empress.

Toturi III's death
In 1168 the Emperor Toturi III died in the Shadowlands in the Battle of the Tomb, while he was seeking enlightenment.

Kurako's regency
His wife Toturi Kurako ruled the Empire as regent, but she did not gather enough support between the Great Clans, which eventaully led in the Khan's Defiance, the ride of the Khan Moto Chagatai against the Imperial City Toshi Ranbo. During the Battle of Toshi Ranbo in 1169 died the Empress and the two brothers of Naseru, the Shogun Kaneka and the Ishiken Isawa Sezaru. Chagatai was defeated by the arrival of the Phoenix supported by the Celestial Heavens through the presence of the Dragon of Fire. With no natural candidates for the Throne, the Clans began to seek the best option for their interests.

Candidates
The clans put forth candidates, but without Heaven's approval, was undoubtly they could reign.

Toturi Shigekawa
This year Toturi Shigekawa, cousin of the late Empress and general of the Imperial Legions, was nominated for Emperor by the Lion Clan, which Shigekawa had been born into.

Otomo Hoketuhime
The Otomo Daimyo Otomo Hoketuhime was the candidate of the Imperials and the Crane Clan. She had the bloodlines of three Emperors if her ancestry was traced back far enough.

The Dragon
The Dragon Clan Champion Togashi Satsu did not seek the Throne, but he gathered many supporters inside his own Clan who saw his celestial blood as enough argument to claim the Throne due to being the grandson of Togashi-Kami. Some among the Dragon believed that Kitsuki Iweko was a strong candidate for the Empty Throne, without denying the claim Togashi Satsu had to the position. Better arguments to maintain Iweko's claim were not heard.

Yoritomo Naizen
Tne Mantis Clan supported their Champion Yoritomo Naizen, suggesting that the Dragon of Thunder's favor on Naizen might be a strong boon for his nomination.

Scorpion Clan
The Scorpion Clan disliked every of the previous candidates, but did not appoint any of their own. They even told the Phoenix their support would be for the Crane's candidate, Otomo Hoketuhime, which was unlikely to believe.