On the shattered battlefields of the Emerald Empire, a burst of sunlight breaks through the clouds to bring light to the darkness.
The saga of Rokugan continues...
Matsu Tsuko makes a desperate plea for salvation of the Lion Clan.
Hida Yakamo takes up an ancient artifact and vows to fulfill his family's responsibilities to the Empire.
The mysterious Yoritomo forges an alliance of the minor clans and vows to do what must be done to survive.
The Shintao, the Monks of Shinsei descend from their ancient shrines to take an active part in the struggle against the Dark God who now sits on the Emerald Throne.
Yogo Junzo, acting on the command of his dark master, has begun to search out and destroy the temples of the reclusive Monks of Shinsei.
As he searches for the descendant of Shinsei, the Monks prove t be a foe more difficult to defeat than they seem.
The Crab have finally realized the error of tehir ways. Instead of sitting on the Emerald Throne, Kisada now sits crippled in his castle. Yakamo has severed his ties to the Shadowlands and has turned the Crab armies against those who tried to destroy his family and Clan. The war banners of the Crab armies are once again adorned with the heads of goblins and oni as their samurai scream for revenge.
Armed and armored with Crane clan gold, Mantis champion Yoritomo has emerged as speaker for an alliance of minor clans determined to do what the great clans cannot...unify the empire. Teh Mantis do not seek the Emerald Throne, but they insist that they be recognized by the Imperial Assembly and have a voice in the selection of the next emperor.
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The Monks ofthe Shintao are known throughout the Empire for their wise counsel. They are often the most tusted advisors of the great clans.
Yogo Junzo has begun systematically destroying their remote monasteries in a vain search for the descendant of Shinsei.
The monks are now fighting back. They have the greatest understanding of the True Path, and their stronghold allows them to bring the elemental rings into play faster than any other faction.
At the Battle ofthe Asahina Temples, teh Crane clan opened their secret treasure vaults and used their gold to equip a vast army of of Mantis warriors. The mantis champion, Yoritomo, has used this sudden increase in wealth and power to unite the minor clans of the empire.
Rallying to the banner of Yoritomo's Alliance are some of the most unusual personalities ever. Each follows Bushido, but each walks that path in a different fashion than the others.
The Mantis know that they are not powerful enough to seize the emerald throne, but the great clans are weakened, and the Mantis must now be dealt with as equals.
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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 the unify the Empire and become the Imperial Heir. The first expansion, Shadowlands, dealt with the return of the disgraced Scorpion Clan, the rise of the ancient Naga, and the increasing threat from the monstrous lands beyond the borders of the Empire. In the second expansion, Forbidden Knowledge, powerful magic was unleased which forever altered the balance of power in the Empire. As the third expansion, Anvil of Despair began, the Dark One, Fu Leng had possessed the body of the last Hantei Emperor. As his minions, lead by Yogo Junzo rampaged across the countryside, they were opposed most effectively by the rag-tag army of the fallen Lion Champion, Toturi.
In Crimson & Jade, players will be able to play the factions of the Brotherhood of Shinsei, and Yoritomo's Alliance.
In Crimson & Jade, players will see the story that began two years ago begin to draw towards its epic conclusion. Matsu Tsuko and Hida Yakamo must make fateful choices for the futures of their clans. A new day is dawning in Rokugan, and for the first time a chance at redemption is possible.
And somewhere in the empire, a lonely figure searches
for the
descendants of the Seven Thunders.
-from the Crimson & Jade press material