Return of the Grand Master - Introduction
Gather around, samurai of Rokugan. I shall tell you a forgotten tale from the days of the Clan War. A tale that has no end... yet. But perhaps you can help me find one.
This is the story of a battle long forgotten. This battle was not a struggle over a critical highway, nor a holding of great value, nor a holy site of any significance. This battle was simply one of survival, in a small village most samurai do not even know exists. Most historians - with the notable exception of those among the Monkey have forgotten this battle among the greater events of the Clan War.
This village was named Nanashi Mura, or "Anonymous Village." Founded and populated by ronin, the village eagerly added its support to the crusade of Toturi the Black. For that reason alone, Fu Leng's lieutenant Yogo Junzo deemed the village a menace, and had dispatched an army of his most powerful oni to slaughter Nanashi's inhabitants. There would be no survivors.
Or, at least, there would not have been if not for a man named Morito Tokei.
Morito Tokei is a story in and of himself. He was the first student of Naka Kuro, the Grand Master of the Elements, and though Kuro later went on to teach the Phoenix, it can truly be said that Tokei is the only apprentice who was ever privy to Kuro's secret, most powerful magics.
Shortly before the invasion of Nanashi, there came a break between master and student. Suddenly and without warning Kuro dismissed Tokei. He said that he would teach him no more, and soon thereafter Kuro left the ranks of Toturi's Army to pursue his own mysterious ends.
Tokei was shattered, his confidence broken by Kuro's dismissal. Uncertain what to do with Tokei now that his fighting spirit had been lost, Toturi ordered the shugenja to defend Nanashi. It was an assignment Toturi hoped would give Tokei time to think, to grow past Kuro's dismissal. The Black Lion hardly thought that Nanashi would come under attack by some of Junzo's most powerful minions.
When the oni advanced on Nanashi, Tokei knew what he must do. The truth had never been more clear. As the other ronin of the village bolstered their defenses or prepared to die as honorably as possible, Tokei strode forth to challenge the master of the oni horde, alone, armed only with the magic Naka Kuro had taught him.
The oni laughed at Tokei. "Run, little shugenja," it barked as Tokei advanced upon their ranks. "Turn around and scamper into the forest while you can. Perhaps you can live to tell others what we have done to your village."
Tokei merely scowled, and said three words in reply.
"Not.
"This.
"Day."
In a sudden flash of light, more brilliant than the sun, Morito Tokei , the oni general, and one third of its horde were consumed. Only a smoking crater remained. The ronin of Nanashi rallied and defeated the demoralized remnant of the horde, and the battle was won.
When Toturi heard of Tokei's sacrifice, he received the news with grim resolve. To the Black Lion, Tokei was merely another tragedy of the Clan War, another friend to be avenged.
When Naka Kuro heard of Tokei's sacrifice, he simply smiled. "What sacrifice?" he asked with a chuckle, "My student has merely begun his greatest journey." Kuro never spoke of Morito Tokei again.
Why do I choose to tell this tale today? What relevance can something that happened so long ago have upon the present? A good question. Not all stories have a point, but with luck, perhaps I shall swiftly come to one.
What the ronin of Nanashi tell you, what the Histories of the Monkey record is true. The man named Morito Tokei is no more.
But Naka Tokei, Grand Master of the Five Elements, is preparing to return to Rokugan. For over twenty years he has wandered the Spirit Realms, learning mysteries of magic that even Naka Kuro could never understand.
Now all that remains is for someone to open the door.
There are many ways the new Grand Master could return to the Empire, and many fates that await him depending on who should discover him first.
This story has no end. Not yet. But perhaps you can help me find one.
*
Because the tournament was not announced to have storyline ramifications in advance, deck construction was not an issue; only the faction played would have an effect on the outcome. Mindy and I agreed that this would be most fair to the players. Of course, this was to changed later on when Ted and Dan - the finalists - heartily agreed to let their actions in the game have an affect on the Grand Master's return.
Several interesting things happened in that game, but those could be better expressed through a tournament report than here. I'll just tell the story as I told it at Origins. (For those of you having trouble keeping up, the winner of the tournament would be the faction to help Naka Tokei find his way back to the mortal realm, and win his gratitude.)
*
Return of the Grand Master
Tokei shuddered, his eyes adjusting slowly to the shimmering light. Uncertainty was the worst part; he never knew quite where he was... sometimes he was unsure if there ever had been a man named Morito Tokei.
How long had it been? How long since that fateful day in Nanashi? He had been prepared to die... such was not the case. If he had known what was truly about to occur... well who can say what he would have done?
In his strange journey he had seen sights of wondrous beauty, the animal spirits galloping across the great plans of Chikushudo. The noble ancestors of Yomi. The glistening palaces of the Elemental Dragons. He had also seen many things that left his soul scarred: the blood-crazed legions of Toshigoku, Realm of Slaughter. The ravening hungry spirits of Gaki-do. The indescribable pits of Jigoku. The latter memories he wished deeply he could rid himself of, but they were a part of him now.
Through blood and thunder he had come, and he was no longer the man he had been. He was Naka Tokei now, for better or worse, for now and forever.
Such was the price of wisdom.
There was much pain in the mortal world, but also so much left to do. As much as he had learned, as much as his power had grown - now greater even than h is teacher - he was uncertain if he was prepared to face what awaited him there. He knew he was unprepared... but the one who awaited him, if they were willing...
What he wished was irrelevant. Kuro had taught him that much. "The only matter worth considering is necessity, "the old man had always said. "The rest can take care of itself." The necessity at the moment was for him to return, to pass on what he had learned.
And he must do so now, by whatever means were available.
Tokei reached out with the heightened senses of a true Master of the Elements, seeking his path through the Realm of Dreams, seeking the heart of a like-minded mortal.
He found something, and focused upon it. Not knowing who he had found, or who had found him - he drew himself through the ether.
With a sudden thud, Tokei struck the ground headfirst. Blurred vision and throbbing pain in his skull reminded him what it felt like to be mortal. That was one part he certainly had not missed. With a painful grunt, he sat up and looked at his surroundings...
Tokei found himself in a darkened temple, facing a small shrine. In the deep shadows, a figure knelt in supplication and prayer. When Tokei appeared, her eyes widened in alarm. One hand darted to the katana tucked behind her obi.
Tokei lifted his head, and for the first time, their eyes met. A flicker of recognition passed between them, a kharmic connection stronger than simple memory. Her hand fell away from the blade.
"Pardon my arrival -" Tokei said, his voice rough. "I am--"
"I know who you are," the young samurai-ko replied. "I have studied the allies of Toturi the Black. The histories record your death."
"Mortal history records a number of peculiar things," Tokei said. "The wise trust only what they know."
A look of confusion crossed her features. She opened her mouth to protest,
but the grim set of the Master's eyes silenced her. There was something there. Something older than she could name. Something that awed and frightened her at once.
"What is your name?" he demanded, breaking the tense silence.
"I am Miyako, daughter of Lord Toku, your old comrade," she said. "You stand in his castle, the Vigilant Keep of the Monkey."
"Indeed," Tokei smiled, and extended one hand toward her. "I am indebted to you, Miyako-chan. You shall be my finest student, if you would have me."
"It is the least I can do."
How could she refuse?