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Toturi II 
Toturi II 
Born: 1136 
Died: 1160, Month of the Horse [1] 
Parents: Toturi I,
Isawa Kaede 
Siblings: Akodo Kaneka (half),
Toturi Sezaru,
Hantei Naseru 
Titles: Commander of the First Imperial Legion,
Empress of Rokugan
People

Toturi Tsudao was the second child and only daughter of Toturi I and the first child he had by Isawa Kaede. She was the sister of Toturi Sezaru and Hantei Naseru and half-sister of Akodo Kaneka. She was known as The Sword [2] and Lady of the Sun. [3] She was recognized as Empress after her death, as Toturi II, the Glorious Emperor. [4]

Golden Obi[]

Tsudao was given the Golden Obi of the Sun Goddess by the Moshi Daimyo Moshi Jukio. [5]  The spirit of Amaterasu had not been raised to the Heavens after her jigai as could be expected, but returned to the Kharmic Wheel to be reincarnated as a mortal. Jukio believed that Tsudao was the vessel of Amaterasu's reincarnation. [6]

Youth[]

Toturi Tsudao

Young Tsudao

Tsudao was born in 1136, [7] the first child of Toturi and Toturi Kaede, Tsudao quickly showed and aptitude for both single combat and large-scale tactics. By the age of six she had memorized both the Book of Sun Tao and Akodo's Leadership. By the age of ten she had beaten her own Akodo sensei in single combat. [8]

War of Spirits[]

Even being very young, Tsudao fought against the army of Hantei XVI beside Shiba Tsukune. [9]

Love[]

Tsudao carried on a brief romance with Doji Tanitsu in her teenage years, but was ended by Tanitsu unwilling to bring dishonor to the Imperial House. [10] Her charm, beauty and character drew many men to her, though most such as Bayushi Paneki choose never to act upon their feelings, and instead dedicated themselves to serving her. [11]

Imperial Legions[]

Shortly after her gempukku, Tsudao was appointed to an officer's position in the First Imperial Legion. When a unified force of Yobanjin attacked the Phoenix lands, it led the First Legion into battle, [12] in the campaign known as the Yobanjin Incursion. [13]

Battle of the False Wall[]

At the Battle of the False Wall she fought alongside the Hida and Hiruma and led them to victory in hidden tunnels the Kaiu Engineers had never dug. [14]

Battle for the River Palisade[]

At the Battle for the River Palisade she killed the bandit lord and his fourteen champions. [14]

Battle of Sunrise Mountain[]

At the Battle of Sunrise Mountain she fought alongside the Shinjo and Moto against the northern barbarians, who had come raging down from the mountains in search of soft lands to plunder but finding only death. [14] Tsudao's war agains the Yobanjin led her to another victory in Yushosha Seido Mura in 1152. [15]

Fighting again the Yobanjin[]

The Yobanjin invaded Rokugan in 1154, but were repulsed by Toturi Tsudao and the Imperial Legions. The Sons of the Wind tribe, the Isawa family's long-time secret ally, covertly aided Tsudao's forces in locating and destroying rogue Yobanjin encampments. [16]

Toturi's Death[]

After the death of Toturi I in 1158, Kaede took the throne [17] in the Month of the Boar. After ascending to the Throne Kaede realized that she had overstepped her bounds as the Oracle of void. She had tipped the balance of the elements. [18]

Disappearance of Kaede[]

Kaede gathered the Four Winds, including the revealed bastard, and told that they should decide what would be the best for the Empire. She disappeared into the Void [19] leaving the Throne empty. [14]

Four Winds[]

Toturi Tsudao 2

Toturi Tsudao

Demeanor[]

Tsudao had one true weakness, that she was only assertive and confident where the execution of justice was concerned. Away from her armor and sword, she was shy and uncertain. She tended to rely upon her brother, Naseru, in such situations and avoids entangling politics. [20]

Tsudao and the Winds[]

Being the first legitimate child of Toturi, Tsudao was long considered the favorite to take the throne after the emperor's death, despite the fact that legally, her younger brother, Toturi Sezaru, was the legitimate heir of the Toturi dynasty. She commanded the First Imperial Legion[21] having a command post at Kyakuchu Mura[22]

Winter Court at Kyuden Miya[]

This year Tsudao called a meeting between the Four Winds during the Winter Court at Kyuden Miya. The conference ended in tradgedy however when a Pekkle no Oni sent by Shahai attacked the four heirs to the throne. Unknown to the four a second Pekkle had also been sent under the guise of a herald Miya Gensaiken. The Pekkle attached itself to Sezaru as an advisor.[23]

New Jade Champion[]

Tsudao convinced the rest of the Winds that Rokugan need a new Jade Champion. [24] The Test was held in 1158 in Kyuden Nio and Asahina Sekawa became the new Jade Champion. Tsudao left before the contest started, to reach Lion lands after news from Kitsu Dejiko about more frequent Tsuno attacks. [25]

Aiding the Lion[]

Junnosuke's Disgrace[]

Tsudao challenges Junnosuke

Tsudao challenges Junnosuke

As the Lion rallied against the Tsuno forces, the beasts fled toward the Hall of Ancestors. Tsudao's Legions moved to intercept, but found themselves cut off by an army of Dragons led by Mirumoto Junnosuke, a former legionnaire. [26] Tsudao demanded Junnosuke join her or face her in a duel. The Dragon accepted the challenge, but Tsudao defeated him quickly. [27]

Bayushi Paneki arrived shortly after with the orders from Daimyo of the Mirumoto Mirumoto Uso to cast Junnosuke out of the Dragon Clan, due to a recent disclosure regarding Junnosuke's dismissal from the legions. Junnosuke then became a ronin. [28]

Pursuing the Tsuno[]

The Sword killing a Tsuno

The Sword killing a Tsuno

Toturi Tsudao continued her pursuit of the Tsuno when, in 1159, the Grand Master Naka Tokei visited her basecamp in Shinomen Mori. Tokei created a magical portal with visions showing how the Tsuno had occuppied Naga cities and were torturing the sleeping Naga, using their pain to transport themselves across Rokugan. [29] The Tsuno were creating connections between the Realm of Slaughter, where they dwelled, and the Mortal Realm to launch surprise attacks and quickly retreat. [30] [31]

Yobanjin Attack in Phoenix Lands[]

Around the same time there were a number of Yobanjin attacks in northern Phoenix provinces. Part of Tsudao's troops were sent to halt their assaults. [29]

Assaulting Shinomen Forest[]

Tsudao dueling Junnosuke

Tsudao dueling Junnosuke

The Unicorn sentries in Shinomen Mori were nowhere to be found, [32] and the legionnaries feared they might have fallen to the Tsuno. [33] Tsudao led an assault on Shinomen Mori, which resulted in the rescue of Matsu Domotai who was being held by Iuchi Shahai and the Tsuno. [34] Junnosuke, who had been magically bound to Shahai's will, fought her. Tsudao was victorious and Junnosuke died, so Shahai must flee. [35] In the end Junnosuke had sacrificed himself and saved the life of Toturi Tsudao. If not for Junnosuke, Tsudao would have perished. [36]

Fall of Otosan Uchi[]

While Tsudao was leading the largest part of the Legions in the Shinomen, hunting the Tsuno, the Shadowlands attacked Otosan Uchi from the sea. [37] The Sword quickly arrived to the Imperial Palace through a magic portal opened by the naga Ghedai, alongside with her most trusted officers, Bayushi Paneki, Kitsu Dejiko, Doji Jotaro and Toturi Miyako. Naka Tokei informed her that Daigotsu had activated the ancient wards of the Palace, and only someone of Toturi or Hantei blood were allowed to enter, so Tsudao entered alone.[38]

Fight with Daigotsu[]

Inside the Palace Tsudao was met by Bayushi Tai, who had been trapped inside when the wards were activated. Both encountered Daigotsu himself in the Imperial Throne room, seated upon the Steel Throne while several maho-tsukai were focused on performing a ritual of some sort. Tsudao and Tai quickly killed the shugenja, but Daigotsu had intended for that to happen. The spell would allow Daigotsu to return to the Shadowlands, and their deaths was the final component of the spell. Daigotsu offered Tsudao a chance to stand aside and let him leave in peace, but The Sword refused and charged the Dark Lord. Daigotsu drew an obsidian katana, dueling Tsudao, using a maho spell to make Tsudao falter. The Sword threw a small jade dagger, a gift from her ally Paneki, which glanced off of Daigotsu's throat stopping him verbalizing his magic. Tsudao pushed her advantage, lunging forward and cut off one of the Dark Lord's arms. Too injured to perform more magic, Daigotsu fled into the portal. [38]

Tainted Steel Throne[]

The Steel Throne was tainted, and Tai suggested that the Scorpion Clan had the knowledge to cleanse it. Tsudao ordered him to send it to Kyuden Seppun, which she intended to be the new Imperial City when she became Empress. [38]

Empress of Rokugan[]

Tsudao's Chambers

Tsudao's Chambers

In 1159, following the destruction of Otosan Uchi by the forces of Daigotsu, Tsudao declared herself Empress of Rokugan in order to provide unity to the empire and a single banner under which the armies of the land could face the Dark Lord. [38] Tsudao returned to Kyuden Seppun and saw the partly ruined city after the attack of the Great Sea Spider. Tsudao had taken the Steel Throne, which she felt would increase her claim upon the Empire. [39] Despite this her claim was not accepted by her siblings or Rokugan as a whole at the time. She was mainly supported by the Phoenix Clan, the Crane Clan, [40] and the Matsu Family. [41]

Allegiance of Aikune and the Shiba family[]

Tsudao's Tanto

Tsudao wielding the flaming tanto

Later in 1159 Shiba Aikune came to Kyuden Seppun to bow his head to the Empress. The Isawa's Last Wish created a flaming tanto with a portion of its power which was offered by Aikune to Toturi II as a gift. In return Toturi Miyako gifted an Eye of the Emperor to Aikune's yojimbo, Shiba Mirabu. [9]

Aikune refuses the Phoenix Championship[]

Tsudao came to Shiro Shiba, in an attempt to cement her proclamation as Empress of Rokugan. In a bold move she named Aikune the Phoenix Clan Champion. Aikune refused, knowing Toturi II could not offer something that was not hers to give. He also could not allow the Phoenix to be torn apart with the expected opposition to his Championship, led by his foe Isawa Taeruko. Tsudao returned to Kyuden Seppun after ordering Aikune to put and end to the Dragon-Phoenix War. [42]

Kaede's Return[]

Asahina Sekawa gave command of Tadaka's Children, clay samurai magically animated, to Tsudao. She was unaware that her mother, the Oracle of Void and true Empress Toturi Kaede had returned to the Mortal Realm at Kyuden Seppun. [43] Tsudao came from the Shinomen after Miya Shoin summoned her. Her mother Kaede was sitting on the Steel Throne and commanded her to gather the rest her sons. She had returned to name her successor, but only after her children faced Daigotsu in the City of the Lost. Each of the Four Winds held a key to his defeat. If Daigotsu knew which of them would be Emperor, that Wind would die. Paneki asked if Tsudao would remain as Empress without following that path, and the Oracle foresaw that millions would risk their lives, instead of Four. Tsudao decided to follow Kaede's path. [44]

The Four Winds gathered[]

At Kyuden Seppun Sezaru gave to each Wind one of Lady Doji's Tears, enought to march deep in the Shadowlands without becoming tainted. Asahina Sekawa, the Jade Champion, had an army immune to the taint, Tadaka's Children. Tsudao had the aid of Akasha, who would contact with the sleeping Naga to trap and fight the Tsuno, wihdrawing an important ally of Daigotsu. The Shogun had maps from the Hiruma showing the swiftest, safest way through the Shadowlands, if the location were known. Naseru offered the location of the City, allowing the Four Winds March. [45]

Four Winds March[]

The Four Winds made their way to the City, which was being watched by the Nezumi, sent by the Crab. Tadaka's Children attacked from the North, while the Winds slipped into the City and the Temple of the Ninth Kami from the South. [46]

Death[]

The Sacrifice of Tsudao

The Sacrifice of Tsudao

Daigotsu was guarded by the most powerful Onisu, Kyofu, Yokubo, Hakai and Muchitsujo. While both sides were fighting Naseru who stood aside from the battle, began to talk and fostered doubts in Fu Leng about Daigotsu, saying that the Lost did not believe in Fu Leng, they believed in the Dark Lord instead. The doubts of Fu Leng cut the power he received from worship and he was casted out from the Celestial Heavens, the Onisu faded except Kyofu who retreated and Daigotsu began a powerful spell which would destroy the Temple and all within it. Tsudao leap forward through the beginnings of the spell and struck down the Dark Lord, sacrificing herself. All that remained of Tsudao was her golden amulet. Her brothers were shocked. Sezaru then teleported the surviving Winds back to Kyuden Seppun. [47]

Aftermath[]

Tsudao Statue

Statue of Toturi II

After the death of Tsudao during the Four Winds March and the abdication of Sezaru and Kaneka's claims to the throne, Tsudao's youngest brother, Naseru, became the next Emperor. Tsudao was posthumously proclaimed Empress Toturi II by Naseru, in honor of her sacrifice. The word of the Emperor absolutely binding, Tsudao's reign was retroactively given legitimacy. Naseru thus became Toturi III. [4]

After Death[]

In 1165 the spirit of Tsudao was summoned by Yoritomo Komori, under the command of Naseru. The Emperor sought the forgiveness of her sister, which Tsudao gave. [48]

See also[]

External Links[]


Preceded by:
Toturi Kaede
Empress of Rokugan
1159 - 1160
Succeeded by:
Toturi III


References

  1. Four Winds, p. 58
  2. Secrets on the Wind - Part 2, by Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman
  3. Clan letter to the Dragon #15 (Welcome Home letters)
  4. 4.0 4.1 A New Emperor, by Rich Wulf
  5. Secrets on the Wind - Part 1, by Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman
  6. Secrets of the Mantis, p. 40
  7. Imperial Histories, p. 220
  8. Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game: Third Edition, p. 24
  9. 9.0 9.1 Wisdom, by Shawn Carman
  10. Undone, by Shawn Carman and Rich Wulf
  11. Toturi Tsudao (Dark Allies flavor)
  12. Four Winds, p. 72
  13. Masters of War, p. 9
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 The Will of Heaven, by Rob Heinsoo
  15. Wolves, by Rich Wulf
  16. Secrets of the Phoenix, p. 11
  17. Imperial Funeral (Gold flavor)
  18. Four Winds, p. 30
  19. Kaede's Tears (Gold flavor)
  20. The Four Winds, by Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman (Imperial Herald v2.2)
  21. A Letter from Toturi Tsudao
  22. Secrets of the Lion, p. 71
  23. Way of the Samurai, p. 96
  24. Test of the Jade Champion, Prologue
  25. Test of the Jade Champion, Part I
  26. Stand Your Ground (A Perfect Cut flavor)
  27. Tsudao's Challenge (A Perfect Cut flavor)
  28. Test of the Sword, by Rich Wulf
  29. 29.0 29.1 To Live By the Sword, by Shawn Carman
  30. Aid of the Grand Master (Dark Allies flavor)
  31. Gift of the Water Dragon (Dark Allies flavor)
  32. Eyes Shall Not See (Gold flavor)
  33. Gunso (Broken Blades flavor)
  34. A Lion's Honor
  35. Four Winds, p. 45
  36. Fury, by Shawn Carman and Rich Wulf
  37. Prelude to Darkness, Part Five: The Pawn, by Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman
  38. 38.0 38.1 38.2 38.3 Revelation, by Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman
  39. No Price Too High, by Shawn Carman
  40. Nightmares, Part I, by Rich Wulf
  41. Four Winds, p. 28
  42. Empress, by Shawn Carman
  43. Rulebook Story (Winds of Change), by Rich Wulf
  44. Fight For Tomorrow, Part II
  45. Fight For Tomorrow, Part IX
  46. Fight For Tomorrow, Part X
  47. Fight For Tomorrow, Part XI
  48. A Hero's Legacy, by Rich Wulf


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