Crab Clan:

"We have driven the Shadowlands from the Emperor's halls. Now, we must destroy it where it lives and breathes." - Hida Yakamo

For a thousand years, the Kaiu Wall has separated the green fields of Rokugan from the horrors of the Shadowlands, and for a thousand years the merciless samurai of the Crab have held true to their ancestor's oath: that no shadow of that dark land would be allowed to tread upon the soil of the Empire. During the Clan Wars, the Crab abandoned their ancient charge and allied with the darkness, but now, under the uncompromising leadership of Hida Yakamo, the Clan seeks retribution against their ancient enemy. Ignoring the cries of a broken Empire, the Crab have turned their backs on the Jade Throne, seeking only to claim victory in their renewed struggle against an unspeakable evil.

Crane Clan:

"We negotiated once, and it almost destroyed our Clan. The time for talking is over." - Doji Kuwanan

From the dawn of the Emerald Empire, the Crane have been a bastion of culture and civilization. Their famed Iaijatsu masters - the most deadly duelists in Rokugan - have dominated single combat, and their politicians have gently guided the fate of the Empire. For two years Toturi ruled from his Jade Throne, while the Crane clan rebuilt their devastated palaces and restored their lost wealth. Now Toturi has vanished, and the future of the Empire is no longer secure. Without a clear heir to assume leadership of Rokugan, the Crane alone must shield civilization and maintain the decorum of honor. The Jade Throne stands empty in the halls of the Imperial Palace, and the Crane must act, lest the Empire fall once more into chaos.

Dragon Clan:

"The fate of the Empire often hangs by one slim thread of Fortune." - Agasha Gennai

The dark mountains of the enigmatic Dragon clan cast long shadows across the Empire of the jade Throne, and the winds from the north are mysteriously silent. For a thousand years the Dragon have been ruled by a single man, and with his death the clan has retired to its deepest fortresses. Theirs is the way of unknown magic, of riddles and omens, but the time for prophecy has ended and a new path has been chosen by their silent champion. The clan arms for war as the Empire mourns the loss of the Emperor Toturi, and all eyes turn to the dark woman on the Dragon Throne.

Lion Clan:

"If you must ask what honor is, you will never know." - Ikoma Tsanuri

From the day of its founding, the Lion Clan has been the defender of the Emperor, serving his every need and destroying his enemies on the fields of battle. During the Clan Wars, Lions' loyalty was questioned and the throne they served was usurped by a terrible, dark power. Now, two years after the Fall of Fu Leng, the Lion struggle to rebuild their broken armies and reforge the fierce brotherhood that was destroyed during the wars. Holding on to their majestic palaces and noble traditions, their strength will once again be tested by fate. Now, they must have the strength to claim the throne they once served, and save the Empire from a darkness that strikes not from the Shadowlands - but from within man's own heart.

Phoenix Clan:

"Never again shall darkness taint our noble house. Never again, I swear to you..." - Shiba Tsukune

Since the dawn of the Empire, the Phoenix have been devoted to the search for wisdom. Their Elemental Masters, the most powerful shugenja in the Empire, sought to uncover the deepest secrets of magic, daring even the corruption of the Shadowlands in their quest for arcane lore. One by one, their Masters fell prey to dark sorceries, leaving the Phoenix broken and defeated, their libraries reduced to ash and their lands laid to waste. Now, the last survivors of the Phoenix must band together and find the path to salvation before the flames of their once mighty Clan flicker and die forever.

Unicorn Clan:

"We are the people of the Wind!" - Shinjo Yokatsu

For hundreds of years, the lost clan of the Ki-Rin were absent from the fields of Rokugan, following a destiny apart from the Empire. When they returned, they brought with them powerful horses and strange sorceries, and they claimed the right to rule the lands once given to their ancestors. Now the Clan of the Unicorn stands among the other Great clans of the Jade Empire, and their compassion for the peasantry has earned them the right to rule as magistrates, judging the crimes of the populace and governing the law of the Empire. In Toturi's absence, the swift steeds of the Unicorn may be the only force standing between the Law of the Emperor and the chaos of war.

The Naga:

"It is not our ancestors who compel us to act, but our very souls." - Shalasha

Long before the rise of Rokugan, an ancient race of serpent-beings formed a civilization of great beauty and power. Then a dark time fell over the civilization, and one by one, the Naga fell into a thousand years of sleep. Since their time, the race called 'humans' built a grand empire on the lands the Naga once knew. Awakened by the rise of a mighty evil, the Naga came out of legend to fight at the side of Rokugan, and defeat the malevolent force behind the Shadowlands once and for all. Now in Rokugan's hour of need, their strength will determine the outcome of a war that began a thousand years ago.

Scorpion Clan:

"I will remain without my Lady, and remove my mask to hide my name." - Bayushi Aramoro

The Scorpion, Rokugan's darkest clan, have always been the keepers of secrets and the wardens of dark truths. Mistrusted and openly scorned, the Scorpion raised their broken sword when the fate of the nation hung in the balance, restoring their Clan's lost honor during the Clan Wars. Two years later, Emperor Toturi's disappearance has left blood on Scorpion hands, and their clan has once again been condemned - this time, to an exile beyond the borders of the known world. As their Clan embarks on their journey, a few loyal samurai remain hidden in the Empire, waiting for the time when they can prove their innocence and destroy those who would deny their right to the Jade Throne.

The Shadowlands Horde:

"Of all the lessons Fu Leng has taught us, remember this...Death is not eternal." - Kuni Yori

The dark forces of the Shadowlands have stood for an eternity, their evil corrupting all those who come into their realm. Where undead roam and terrible oni twist former samurai into mockeries of honor and faith, a new army rises - one whose only goal is revenge. But their leader has been destroyed, and the powers who claim his throne must fight among themselves to prove who has the strength to lead their charge against the Jade Empire. Once the challenge has been offered, only the blackest of hearts can summon the darkness back from the abyss, bringing the power of the Shadowlands once again to the realm of light. And the Shadowlands' darkest secret has yet to be uncovered...

Toturi's Army:

"The evil we face is not a god, it is a man. And one man can undo what another has done." - Toku

The dishonored Lion Champion, one known as Toturi the Black, has now raised his banner above the Imperial Court, ruling a peaceful land from a newly carved Jade Throne. Forsaking all ties to his former clan, Emperor Toturi I brought a new Age, a new hope for peace and prosperity to the broken lands of Rokugan. On the day of his second coronation, an event meant to seal his ascension to the Divine Throne, Toturi has been kidnapped. His guards lie dead, and his throne is empty. The faithful samurai and shugenja who once served the mighty general now scour the land, searching for any sign of their lost Master. If he cannot be found, the Clans will war again, and another will claim the right to rule in his place.

Brotherhood of Shinsei:

"As an ocean to a small stream, the leader to his people, this is the Tao to the world." - The Tao of Shinsei

Through a thousand years of preparation, the Brotherhood of Shinsei has fulfilled the prophecies of the ancient Tao, guarding the Empire through its turbulent history. Now is the time of the New Tao, the continuation of Shinsei's teachings. It is the New Way, a new hope for enlightenment and peace in the dawning Age of Man. However, something unforeseen has occurred: Emperor Toturi has vanished. Desperate to unlock the secrets of the new Shintao, the Brotherhood has sealed itself in deep meditation, allowing nothing to disturb their contemplation. Somewhere in the lessons of this new text, within answers to questions yet to be asked, a solution must be found. If not, the Empire will pay the price of their failure.

Yoritomo Alliance:

"You must force destiny to hear you. Fate has no place for humble men." - Yoritomo Masasue

Across the hills and plains of Rokugan, the now colors of the Mantis are raised beside the banners of the seven Great Clans. The Son of Storms has led the minor clans to victory, earning the respect and grudging alliance of the Imperial Court. After the Clan Wars, Yoritomo and the Mantis Clan have returned to their island home to revel in the glory of their victory. But now that brooding peace has ended. The Jade Throne is empty, the Emperor lost and the lands of the Scorpion Clan have been abandoned. Once again, the great Clans fight among themselves over who will rule the Empire, and the Mantis watch for their opportunity to strike. This time, the prize is not mere recognition, but something far greater: the throne of the Empire.

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