Tamago

Matsu Nimuro was a bushi of the Lion Clan. He was also known as the Golden Lion of Toshi Ranbo.

Family
Nimuro was the eldest son of the Matsu Daimyo Matsu Ketsui. He had a younger brother, Matsu Domotai, and a younger sister Matsu Satomi.

Otemi's Sensei
Nimuro was Ikoma Otemi's sensei, and was beaten at kenjutsu when training the twelve year old Otemi, then named Ichiro, prior to Otemi's gempukku.

Lion Clan Champion
Matsu Nimuro became the Lion Clan Champion after Kitsu Motso.

The Bastard Revealed
When in 1155 Akodo Kaneka was revealed as the son of of the former Lion Clan Champion, Akodo Toturi, Nimuro offered to step down as the Lion Clan Champion so that Kaneka might assume his birthright, but Kaneka refused, wishing to find his own way.

War of Fire and Snow
Toturi Naseru had brokered an alliance between Lion and the Phoenix, his plan was for Lion might and Isawa magic to smash the Shadowlands once and for all. When the Dragon refugees crossed both Lion and Phoenix borders only further unified the two clans against a common threat. Nimuro led Lion forces during this Dragon-Phoenix War. He achieved the first victory of the Phoenix-Lion alliance at the Battle of Honored Treaty Plains with a brilliant use of his cavalry forces.

Tsuno Assaults
In 1158 Horned beasts called Tsuno appeared from nowhere to attack Lion lands. The beasts fought as a united force, which was rare for shadowlands creatures. Toturi Tsudao marched to repel the attacks. In 1159 The Lion withdrew forces stationed in Phoenix lands and returned to defend their home.

Domotai's Capture
In 1159, in the Month of the Serpent, the Tsuno attacked Hall of Ancestors. Nimuro's brother Matsu Domotai successfully defended the Hall, and realizing that it was a feint marched to defend the Kitsu Tombs. Tsuno led by the Onisu Nikushimi overwhelmed them and sacked the Tombs, then disappeared taking with them the sacred scrolls of the Kitsu and Domotai.

Bargaining with Yojiro
While Nimuro meditated in the Hall of Ancestors, his secret ally Bayushi Yojiro approached him. If Nimuro would arrange a meeting between Toturi Sezaru and a Scorpion representative, the Master of Secrets would use his powers to promote Akodo Kaneka's hold on the Yasuki provinces. Nimuro agreed.

Withdrawal from the Dragon-Phoenix war
The Golden Lion ordered the withdrawal of Lion troops from the conflict with the Dragon, leaving an honor guard of skilled troops and Lion's Pride to fulfill the obligation to the Phoenix. The withdrawn troops were to be used to defend Lion homeland from the Tsuno attacks and to find the kidnapped Matsu Domotai.

Fall of Otosan Uchi


After Daigotsu took the Forbidden Palace and started a ritual with the Steel Throne, Nimuro dueled and killed Goju Kyoden during the Fall of Otosan Uchi in 1159, making him one of the heroes of the day. He could not enter the Imperial Palace itself due to the ancient wards that protected it from those not of the Hantei blood.

After the battle was over the Kitsu confirmed with their ancestors that the Imperial City was cursed beyond redemption, so Nimuro commanded the Legion of the Wolf, alongside with the Sword of Yotsu, to put the city to the torch.

Toshi Ranbo is taken back
In 1160 Doji Kurohito relinquished Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho to the Lion rather than fighting. The city had been occupied by the Crane in 1159 while the Lion were in troubles fighting the Tsuno. An advisor of Nimuro, Kitsu Hisashi, was instrumental in the cleanseing of the blade of Kurohito, Chukandomo. The blade was disgusted with Kurohito's decision and called forth the souls of all those it had consumed. With the help of the Kitsu in Toshi Ranbo calling forth the blessed Ancestors, the souls were driven back and the sword was purified. The blade was offered to Nimuro and peace began between Lion and Crane. Nimuro later offered the sword to his sister Matsu Satomi.

Matsu Domotai
In 1159 Akodo's remains were recovered by the Dark Oracle of Water Matsu Turi. Knowing that the Lion would not wish the remains to be kept by a Dark Oracle, Turi offered to trade them for a Matsu vassal of true lineage. In 1160 Nimuro's brother Matsu Domotai volunteered. Nimuro could not dissuade him, but Domotai did not intend to help Turi achieve the purpose he needed a true Lion vassal for: after the remains were safely in Lion hands, Domotai committed seppuku, claiming it as the right of a vassal who disagreed with his lord.

New Imperial Court
In 1160 Miya Shoin and Ide Tadaji sponsored a new Imperial Court at Kyuden Miya. They send Miya Hralds to every clan. The messenger to the Lion were attacked by bandits and his Akodo Wardens killed. Akodo Setai, saved the Miya and killed most of the bandits. Nimuro met him and offered a reward, but he had to refuse Setai's most desire, to commit seppuku. The Herald gave a message to Nimuro, an invitation to the Lion for the new Imperial Court. Nimuro decided to send Setai, as he had saved the entire clan from shame, and edicted the shame of the deathseeker was wiped away. He also sent Kitsu Juri and Ikoma Sume among the other Lion families.

New Imperial City
The new capital of the Empire would be decided in the Court, when Doji Kurohito stepped in and informed the Crane had already begun its construction, as a form of penance, to cause the distraction in the Crab from his duty due to the Yasuki issue. The city decided was the disputed Toshi Ranbo, under Lion at that time. Hitomi Vedau, one of the court members, brawled with Kurohito over a perceived insult being the Court in the deliberations to select the new Imperial Capital. Nimuro joined the Court and confirmed the location and their united effort with the Crane in improving the city. Nobody among the Court said any more word against.

Egg of P'an Ku
With the help of Kitsu Juri, Nimuro used the Egg of P'an Ku to clone himself, creating the being known as Tamago. The death of Tamago during the War of the Rich Frog caused the Lion Clan to believe Nimuro dead. As a result, the Championship was passed to Ikoma Otemi, until Nimuro's eldest son came of age. Long held captive by Kitsu Juri in the Kitsu Tombs, who believed he was the duplicate, the shame of his dabbling with the Egg caused Matsu Nimuro to leave the Lion, becoming a ronin and assuming the name of his now-dead counterpart, Tamago.

Utagawa and Life as a Ronin
Nimuro met the ronin Utagawa during his travels. He prevented her from fomenting a peasant and ronin revolt and Utagawa became his student. Utagawa and Tamago joined the Legion of Two-Thousand and eventually came into service of the Lion Clan. Utagawa was pregnant of Tamago's child.

Celestial Tournament
Tamago appeared at the Celestial Tournament to speak with Akodo Shigetoshi. Shigetoshi challenged Tamago to a duel on the grounds that there could be only one Lion Clan Champion. Tamago refused the duel and told Shigetoshi that his name was Tamago. There came to be an understanding between the two and Tamago left for the Thousand Leaves Dojo, never to see Shigetoshi again.