Darkness falls across the empire. In a mind-shattering instant, as the eleventh black scroll is opened, Fu Leng manifests in Rokugan.
The Lion are disgraced when it is revealed that their most honored samurai, Akodo Kage, is a master of the hated kolat.
Still searching desperately for a way to fight the forces of the Shadowlands, the Phoenix have entrapped an oni and commenced a fearful interrogation.
In the hills far from the capitol, Toturi peers into the darkness and searches for the signs of the evil minions now under the command of Yogo Junzo, and the terrible forces of evil he leads.
As more of their number awaken, the Naga continue to grow in force. Long forgotten heroes from a time beforethe empire now fight for the lands of Rokugan. They attack the Shadowlanmds monstrosities wherever they can, and fight against the wayward daimyos of the clans when they must.
The forces of the Imperial Guard can hear the insane laughter from inside the emperor's chambers, but none dare breach the entrance to see what occurs within. The streets of the capital are empty and only the foolhardy find themselves alone after dark.
Those who study the Tao od Shinsei meditate now on the words recorded between the Philosopher and the first Hantei emperor. Seek enlightenment, seek truth, seek loyalty, seek honor, these are the quests that the Monks of Rokugan seek to fulfill.
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The saga of Rokugan began with the fall of the Hantei dynasty. Lingering at the edge of death, the emperor sought an honorable samurai to unify the empire and become the Imperial heir. Teh first expansion, Shadowlands, dealt with the return of th edisgraced Scorpion clan, the rise of the ancient Naga, and the increasing threat of the monstrous lands beyond the borders of the empire. In the second expansion, Forbidden Knowledge, powerful magic was unleashed which forever altered the balance of power in the empire. Teh saga continues with Anvil of Despair. The prophecies of Uikku have been revealed at last. All but the last of the black scrolls have been opened and read. The Dark One himself has been freed from his long exile, and he has possessed the body of th elast Hantei emperor. Teh clans are now trapped between their oaths of loyalty to the Imperial family and the obvious evil corrupting the empire from within.
Toturi's army grows in power as more and more samurai ignore the ancient divisions between the clans. Toturi is opposed by the awesome might of Yogo Junzo, the undead shugenja who has completely corrupted by Fu Leng. These two new forces clash alongside the ancient clans and the mysterious Naga. Across the empire, darkness falls, and there is no promise of dawn...