Flavor Text: Storms Over Matsu Palace

Akodo Matoko - "Once, the Akodo were the greatest samurai in the Empire, dedicated to defending the Emperor's throne. Now they have fallen, their honor stained and their lives dedicated to death. What great heights to reach - and how far the mighty can fall."

Another Time - "Out of my way, boy!" Iron-shod hooves churned the earth to paste, and the youth removed his hand from his sword as the Unicorn sentry leapt away, his steed carrying him to safety. "I will remember," the Lion whispered, staring at the coward's back."

Block Supply Lines - "The Unicorn crested the hill, their weary steeds grateful for a moment's rest. But where they looked across the open plain, they saw only fire and blood; all of the surplus rice had been destroyed. Now it had become a new race: they would win, or they would starve."

Bloodstained Forest - "Light the fires!" the Unicorn commander called. "Give the Lion no place to hide." Within minutes, the land around the Lion keep had begun to blaze, bringing brightness and fear to the dark night."

Careful Planning - "The forest burns to ash, and the melt of winter's snow turns the plains to mud. There is only one way through Lion lands: between the mountains and through the southern province. If we can take the Valley of Storms, then we will close our fist around the Lion's throat." - Shinjo Hanari

Charge - "Roar, Lion, and shake the heavens with the sound of courage!" - Matsu Ketsui, general of the Lion armies

Copper Mine - "His pocket heavy with Unicorn gold, the spy leapt down from the wall of the valley to carry his master's plans away. If it had not been for Morishigi's quick eye and ready sword, we would not have awakened, this dawn." - Akodo Matoko

Deadly Ground - "-You bring the Lion," Hanari commanded. "I will worry about the rest."

Diversionary Tactics - "The forces met in the center of the valley at dawn, purple and orange banners flying high. By the time the sun set, all color had faded, save the dark red stain of bloodied ground."

Entrapping Terrain - "---"

Focus - "Face death. Death is a companion, a badge to be borne by those who refuse to fail. If I must die, I will die a samurai. That is all the legacy a true warrior should need." - Otaku Xieng Chi

Fog - "---"

Glimpse of the Unicorn - "All things are necessary - war, peace, the edge of the sword, and the sound of a poem. With understanding, all things are one." - from the True Tao of Shinsei

Hawks and Falcons - "The katana is the body of true samurai, but honor is their soul. Remember that, Unicorn, when you try to seize our land and destroy our heritage. Your greed may serve you here, but not in the next life." - Ikoma Tsanuri

Heart of the Inferno - "Seven clans rule the Empire. But when the throne is empty and the Celestial Heavens are n chaos, who will rise to take command?"

Heavy Cavalry - "Shinjo, fleet and fair. She was never where she stood. Her soul the fifth wind." - traditionally attributed to Doji

Heavy Infantry - "In my sword, the wind. In my heart, courage. In my eyes, death. I am Matsu."

Higher Ground - "---"

Horsebowmen - "For Shinjo, and in the name of duty!" she cried."

Hurricane - "People argue. Nature acts." - from the True Tao of Shinsei

Iaijutsu Duel - "In the storm-torn valley the youth's voice rang out. "Come, Unicorn! Show me that your sword is as swift as your steed!"

Ikoma Gunjin - "Unicorn - bah! Cut away the steed, and a Unicorn is nothing more than another dead samurai."

Ikoma Technique - "-To awaken, sit calmly and let each breath open your heart. Only when your mind is at peace can you listen to the world."

Ikoma Tsanuri - "Those who fight with the power of conviction need make no sacrifice; karma is their ally."

Iuchi Daiyu - "My Lord Hanari." The young Unicorn smiled. "Do not fear the Lion's roar. While its mouth is open, its eyes are closed."

Jade Works - "Jade is a weapon against the creatures of the dark south lands, where the earth rolls and boils with the very heart of evil. If you must travel too far south, bring jade - and say farewell to those who follow you. You may never return." - Shinjo Yasamura

Kabuki Theater Troupe - "---"

Kitsu Okura - "The shugenja of the Lion are well-known for their ancient and mysterious powers. When they call upon the ancestors, they commune with the strength of a thousand lives."

Large Farm - "It is our duty to keep the Empire safe, to give our lives in duty to the Jade Throne. If you insist on marching an army through our lands, then we will bring our own to meet you. We are the Lion, sword of the Emperor, and we stand at his right hand."

Light Infantry - "Having been born into the house of a warrior, one's intentions should be to grasp the long and short swords and to die." - Ikoma Tsanuri

Matsu Ketsui - "My honor is my life. Take one from me, and the other will soon follow. This is the way of the Lion, and I will follow no other path."

Matsu Morishigi - "We will call the thunder from heaven and raise the cry of a hundred thousand Lion who gave their lives that we may know honor. Fight with me, and honor their names!"

Matsu Suhada - "Where is your commander?" Ketsui demanded as the boy led the wounded home. "Dead, my lady," he replied. "Dead on the field of honor."

Medium Cavalry - "You talk much of death, Lion, and you roar for battle. But tell me this; are you so eager for death that you have grown afraid to live?" - Iuchi Daiyu

Medium Infantry - "This land has grown wheat, rice, and grain. Each harvest has been cut down and crushed beneath Lion feet. Now the Valley of Storms raises a different crop - a field of purple banners against a bright blue sky. But nothing has changed, and again, it is time to harvest the chaff." - Ikoma Gunjin

Moto Yesugai - "In uncertainty, follow the path of discipline."

Mounted Spearmen - "---"

New Year's Celebration - "New Year's Day, the snow is melting. Birds sing, and the village is flooded with children." - Rezan the Ronin Poet

Otaku Kamoko - "Otaku's children are fleet of foot and strong of mind; their tremendous steeds can be no less. When they charge across the fields of the Ikoma, we shall be hard-pressed to stop them." - Kitsu Okura

Otaku Xieng Chi - "A whispered prayer was all the battle cry she gave. The ancestors would hear her, or she would make them listen with her deeds."

Retired General - "Anyone can be prepared to kill. A samurai is, at all times, be prepared to die."

Shinjo Hanari - "Time has scarred the body of Hanari, general of the Unicorn armies, with memories of battles past. But the deepest wound of all was the death of his son."

Shinjo Sadato - "If I do not take the southern provinces, my lord, then you will not need to order my death. I will have lost my life and a hundred more in the knowledge that I have failed."

Shinjo Yasamura - "The Lion have broken the Emperor's law. We must teach them that even the right hand of the Emperor is not immune to his judgment."

Silk Works - "It is our duty to bring justice to the Empire. If you insist on turning us away, then we will bring our judgment upon your lands, and we will rule them for you. We are the Unicorn, and we carry out the Emperor's law."

Small Farm - "Let the Unicorn come. Let them feel our tooth and claw and fear the courage of the Lion Clan. For a thousand years, we have stood at the Emperor's right hand, and we will not lay down our steel - today or ever." - Matsu Morishigi

Spearmen - "I will stand off the forces of the Empire, if necessary, and die a resplendent death. But you will not take the Lion lands, barbarian. Not this day." - Matsu Morishigi

Stables - "-In the Unicorn lands, a scholar pores over ancient texts, finding where the law ends and the karma begins. If he finds the answer too late, the war may never end."

Stifling Wind - "---"

Strength of Purity - "The greatest strength of samurai is not what they are, but what they can become." - Kitsu Okura

Strike at the Tail - "No!" Hanari screamed, seeing his bloody blade. "My son!"

The Ancestral Home of the Lion - "---"

The Fires that Cleanse - "Be brave, be valiant, and be Lion. If any of you begin to walk the path of dishonor or of cowardice, I will watch you die on Lion spears. For the sake of my clan and my ancestors, I swear it will be done." - Matsu Ketsui

The Provincial Estates of the Unicorn - "---"

Unexpected Allies - "The battle maidens charged. The Lion fell back, their leader dead and their wounded scattered."

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