Week 26, 2007[]
The Fall of Otosan Uchi was the destruction of the capital of Rokugan, Otosan Uchi, in 1159 on the seventh day of the month of the Ox. The city's destruction was engineered by the Dark Lord of the Shadowlands, Daigotsu, to prove to Rokugan about how they could not resist the might of the Shadowlands Horde and so that he could release the Ninth Kami, Fu Leng, from Meido... (More...)
Week 25, 2007[]
The Crab Clan are the Defenders of the Empire. They spend their lives on the Carpenter Wall, watching the southwestern border of Rokugan for the next attack from the Shadowlands. Daily the Crab warriors give their lives on the Wall so the other clans may live in peace and security. They may be gruff, unkempt and downright rude at times, but no one questions their strength or courage. (More...)
Week 21, 2007[]
The Oracles are the representatives of the Celestial Dragons, the living embodiments of the various forces that drive the Celestial Order. The Oracles are possibly the most powerful forces in all of Ningen-do. They are protected from all harm by tremendous physical and magical forces, as well as by their Dragon patrons. Their powers are nearly, if not absolutely, limitless. (More...)
Week 20, 2007[]
The War of Spirits resulted from an attempt by Hantei XVI to overthrow the Toturi dynasty. With vast numbers of spirit samurai who found themselves once again alive after the Battle of Oblivion's Gate the Empire became overpopulated, and could not support the influx of thousands of new fully grown adults. A large portion of the spirits were dissatisfied with the Empire, and many had old feuds, dreams, and goals they felt they could now accomplish with a second chance at life. (More...)
Week 19, 2007[]
The Return of the Ki-Rin was the period in the years 815 and 816 from the time the Ki-Rin Clan returned through the Shadowlands to Rokugan until they were accepted into the empire by Emperor Hantei XXII. The group then called themselves the Unicorn Clan and bore little resemblance to the honorable Ki-Rin that left the empire so many centuries prior. (More...)
Week 18, 2007[]
The Scorpion Clan was founded by the Kami Bayushi. They are widely considered to be villainous and untrustworthy by the rest of Rokugan, though they merely attempt to fulfil the duty given to their family by the First Emperor on the day of his ascension. (More...)
Week 17, 2007[]
Isawa's Last Wish is an intelligent, sentient matrix of magical energy. It was created originally by Isawa and the most gifted shugenja of his time, but was never finished. The Wish, unable to be destroyed, was kept in confinement for centuries, where it managed to complete itself. It spent the centuries desiring human contact, which it finally found in the person of Shiba Aikune. After Aikune's death, the Wish was corrupted while fleeing the Shadowlands. It bonded with Shiba Mirabu, but both were apparently destroyed when Mirabu realized the damage to the Wish. (More...)
Week 16, 2007[]
Niten was a essay on the way of two swords written by Mirumoto Hojatsu, based on the teachings of his adoptive father Mirumoto and his own skills. Niten means "two swords", "two heavens" or "two swords fall from heaven", and is most commonly referred to as the daisho technique outside of the Dragon Clan. (More...)
Week 14, 2007[]
Shiba Tsukune was an aspiring student of the Akodo War College and the Shiba Bushi school. She was an excellent samurai and a valiant yojimbo. She strove all her life to bring honor to her family. She became Phoenix Clan Champion upon the death of Shiba Ujimitsu, and at the end of her time in Ningen-do, she ascended to Tengoku to become the Fortune of Rebirth... (More...)
Week 13, 2007[]
The Ise Zumi are an order of tattooed monks who belong to the Dragon Clan exclusively. Along with the Tsurai Zumi of the Hoshi family and the Kikage Zumi of the Hitomi family, the Ise Zumi form the spiritual core of the Dragon Clan. While their tattoos grant them mystical powers ranging everywhere from extreme speed to the ability to breathe fire, the Ise Zumi are enigmatic and generally pacifistic, though they can be fierce warriors when necessary... (More...)
Week 12, 2007[]
Isawa Tsuke was one of the most powerful Fire Tensai the Isawa family has seen. His mastery over his element led him to be not only the Master of Fire, but with the addition of his ruthless, bloodthirsty nature, Tsuke was also one of the most feared Emerald Magistrates to ever serve the Emperor. Tsuke's love of his power and lack of concern for his countrymen led him to be agreeable to Isawa Tadaka's plan to use the Black Scrolls to help the Phoenix Clan gain an edge during the Clan War. He became severely Tainted as a result, and fought with the armies of the corrupted Hantei XXXIX... (More...)
Week 11, 2007[]
Asako Oyo was born in the late tenth century, and is something of a very unique enigma, even among the especially enigmatic Asako Henshin. He managed to teach himself the Path of Man, even continuing in his advancements after being cut off from new learning by his sensei. He currently lives in seclusion in the Asako family lands, peacefully biding his time and quickly approaching his 200th birthday... (More...)
Week 10, 2007[]
The naga are an ancient race of serpent-men that existed before the rise of Man and the fall of the Kami. They were the oldest of the civilizations, spanning the far west of the modern Rokugan. Before the fall of the Kami, the naga entered an enchanted slumber in an attempt to preserve their dying race. (More...)
Week 9, 2007[]
A magistrate is a person tasked with enforcing the laws of a province, family, clan, or the empire as a whole. In Rokugan, there are three distinct types of Magistrates. Clan magistrates uphold the local laws of a specific clan. Emerald Magistrates uphold imperial law. Jade Magistrates specifically handle magic-related cases throughout Rokugan. Each of the different types of magistrates answers directly to different offices, though all are tasked with upholding the laws within their jurisdiction. (More...)
Week 8, 2007[]
Mirumoto Hitomi was daimyo of the Mirumoto family, the second Dragon Clan Thunder, Dragon Clan Champion, and as Hitomi was the first Hitomi Daimyo. Her whirlwind ascension to political status came to a head when she defeated Onnotangu and ascended in his place as Lady Moon. (More...)
Week 7, 2007[]
The Isawa Ishiken are unique in the empire. They are the fifth group of tensai: specialists in Void. Void is a jealous master, and not just any shugenja can cast even the most basic Void spells. The use of Void magic takes special training as well as innate ability... (More...)
Week 6, 2007[]
Togashi was the founder of the Dragon Clan, one of the Kami that fell from Tengoku when the stomach of Onnotangu was cut open by Hantei. He is the one Kami that did not participate in the Tournament of the Kami, declaring that he already knew the outcome. Togashi himself never died, though he changed identity every fifty years or so, and continued to personally rule the Dragon Clan for over 1100 years. (More...)
Week 5, 2007[]
The Crane Clan is known throughout Rokugan for their skilled duelists and artisans. The Crane are also noted courtiers, wielding great power in the courts of the land. The Crane were founded by the Kami Doji. They pursue excellence in all things, and the traditions established by Lady Doji are now customary in the Emperor's Court. They are the masters of the courts and have the wealth commensurate with such a position. (More...)
Week 4, 2007[]
Monks in Rokugan are the followers of Shinsei. They study the Tao of Shinsei, hoping to find the secrets of enlightenment within the ancient pages. Monks are generally revered, though they do not have a specific place within the Celestial Order. In addition to worshiping the Tao there are branches of the Brotherhood who worship the Fortunes, a number of powerful primordial beings. (More...)
Week 3, 2007[]
The Phoenix Clan is known throughout Rokugan for their skilled shugenja and mastery of elemental magic. The Phoenix are also noted pacifists, preferring diplomacy to war if at all possible. The Phoenix's presence in the courts of the land is not great, and their courtiers are relatively few in number, although they are not isolationists like the Dragon Clan. The Phoenix Clan was founded by the Kami Shiba, although the family of his vassal, Isawa, generally runs the affairs of the clan. (More...)
Week 2, 2007[]
Otosan Uchi, the city of the Emperor and the Imperial Capital, was the seat of power of Rokugan, the home of the Emperor and the Imperial Court from the dawn of the empire for over a thousand years. Over those thousand years the city saw many invasions and conflicts. Most notable of these are the Battle of White Stag, the Scorpion Clan Coup, the Second Day of Thunder and Daigotsu's invasion of the city. (More...)
Week 1, 2007[]
Taint is the process of physical and mental corruption gained by entering or associating with the Shadowlands, oni, or the practice of maho, or blood magic. The taint is a physical manifestation of Jigoku's hold on the mortal realm. As the taint develops the person afflicted begins to show mental and physical signs of corruption. Skin will turn paler, hair becomes greasy and they will often have the appearance of being ill. They can become short-tempered, quick to respond to any percieved threats, and if the taint is unchecked the person will lose more and more control over their actions. In the end the taint will completely overcome the person, turning them into a monster under the control of Jigoku. (More...)
Week 52, 2006[]
Shiba-kami, the First Phoenix, the twin of Bayushi, and the wisest of the Kami, led the Phoenix Clan until his death at the hands of the First Oni during his attempt to rescue Shosuro and Shinsei after the first Day of Thunder. After his death, his essence possessed his sword, Ofushikai, and for over a thousand years Shiba himself chose the new Champions of his clan and guided them in their paths. (More...)
Week 51, 2006[]
Kakita Toshimoko was sensei of the Kakita Dueling Academy for many years prior to the Clan War. He personally trained the sons of Doji Satsume: Doji Hoturi and Doji Kuwanan, both of whom became Crane Clan Champions. Toshimoko was also Emerald Champion for many years. He died a ronin, having faked his own death to investigate the disappearance of Emperor Toturi I. (More...)
Week 50, 2006[]
Isawa Ujina was the father of Isawa Tadaka, Isawa Tomo and Isawa Kaede. He became Master of Void the day after his daughter's birth. He held the position as long as he could, and finally resigned after the Scorpion Coup. He became the Nameless One in an effort to fight the poison that plagued him since he was attacked by the creature that took the place of his first wife, Doji Ninube. (More...)
Week 49, 2006[]
Daidoji Uji was an only child born to the Daidoji Daimyo. He was trained in the Daidoji School, and was one of its most exemplary students. A grim and solitary man, his thankless duties became his entire life. Uji embodied all the Daidoji ideals, resourceful, ruthless, talented and unswerving loyalty to his lord, Doji Hoturi. He would even be vigilant in peace times, keeping a keen eye on all threats to his clan. (More...)
Week 48, 2006[]
Kakita Artisans are respected throughout Rokugan for their contributions to civilization and works of beauty. They specialize in various forms of art such as origami, painting, dancing, dueling, music, and storytelling. Within the school, there is a saying: "All people are born into life, but the Crane show them what it is to truly live." Artisans are respected for their learning and intellect are welcomed by Emperors and peasants alike, and are often choosen as advisors. The artisans are the soul of Rokugan, gloriously depicting every battle, singing songs of past heroes and telling of myths and legends. They inspire to glorious deeds, and then record those deeds with a painters brush. (More...)
Week 47, 2006[]
Akodo Toturi was the Lion Clan Champion before the Scorpion Coup. In response to his actions following the assassination of Hantei XXXVIII he was cast out by Hantei XXXIX. He became the ronin Toturi the Black. When the emperor was consumed by Fu Leng, Toturi and the other Clan Thunders battled him. The imperial line extinct, Toturi was crowned Emperor Toturi I. (More...)
Week 46, 2006[]
Asahina Sekawa is the Jade Champion, as well as the daimyo of the Asahina family. Sekawa trained in the Asahina temples since his youth to become a holy man, he has undoubtedly succeeded admirably at this task, albeit at great personal cost: During the finale of the Test of the Jade Champion held at Kyuden Nio, the Onisu Hakai attacked the event and could barely be stopped. Sekawa, with the aid of Naka Tokei, drove the demon away, but his sister Kimita and his venerable uncle Asahina Tamako died in the battle. A scar across his cheek is a constant reminder of that day. (More...)