Sanctified Ones

The Sanctified Ones are an elite shugenja unit tasked to protect the Empress Iweko.

History and Purpose
The Sanctified Ones were created during the Destroyer War after an unnerving encounter in the the innermost regions of the Imperial City.

Iweko's Parley with Daigotsu
When Iweko was in her garden she, accompanied by Togashi Satsu, watched children play. One of those Satsu recognised from a past Winter Court that was held one year before in Kyuden Bayushi. He talked to the child and it said her name was Oki. When asked who her parents were, the little girl answered produly: "My father is Fu Leng. The girl a pekkle called Daigotsu Oki. Soon after it was Daigotsu who spoke via Oki, as his special powers over oni allowed him to possess the pekkle's body.

He parleyed with Iweko and when Daigotsu's first half-hearted request for his information on the Destroyers was declined - the restoration of the Hantei line with him and Kanpeki as the last Hantei. His real request, however, was to have another agent beside Daigotsu Susumu, the Imperial Advisor in the Imperial City. This new agent was to remain under guard, but the request was accepted. This way. Taishuu, formerly known as Mirumoto Taishuu became the ambassador of the Spider Clan.

The Creation of the Sanctified Ones
After the shocking encounter with Daigotsu the Empress' Guard's commander, Shiba Erena, created the Sanctified Ones. They were shugenja, priests of exceptional piety and purity chosen to oversee the duties of the Hidden Guard in lands beyond the Imperial holdings.

They were each assigned the holdings of a Great Clan, with another assigned to the lands of the Minor Clan Alliance and one final priest granted dominion over the unaligned lands. Whenever the Empress wishes to travel to or through these lands, the priest tasked with that region travels ahead and ensures that all relevant holdings and estates are properly purified and worthy of the Empress' presence. It is relatively uncommon for the Hidden Guard to assign a priest to watch over the lands of his own clan, but when such an appointment does occur, it is a great honor, for it indicates that the Hidden Guard believe the priest is capable of putting aside his loyalty and bias and serving the Empress above his own family and clan. There are few greater honors bestowed by the Seppun family. .

Confirmed Members

 * Isawa Takashi, Phoenix Clan
 * Kitsu Katsuki, Lion Clan
 * M'rika, Spider Clan, disguised as ronin
 * Soshi Yoshihara, Scorpion Clan (Commander)

M'rika Mistrusted
The Sanctified Ones commander, Soshi Yoshihara, knew about M'rika's true allegiance to the Spider Clan and thus mistrusted her. She told the false ronin that she'd be charged with protecting the Empress when she needed to leave the Imperial City. In truth, M'rika's charge wasn't the true Empress Iweko.

(How this test of loyalty was concluded hasn't yet been shown in the fictions yet.)