Ruins of Beiden Pass, Scorpion Lands

“Here,” Magobei cackled, pointing at the rubble-choked pass. “This is what we seek.

His fellow cultists nodded wordlessly, moving purposefully forward into the pass. They kept their heads bowed, their eyes shadowed with fear and doubt as they began to chant. Like himself, Iuchiban had called upon each of them, forcing them into action, driving them to self-destructive acts of chaos. Unlike them, Magobei did not truly mind. Now he had the chance to act upon his plan. For years he had dreamed of this, but his teacher had always warned him against such a bold scheme. His teacher had also hesitated when Iuchiban’s call came. Magobei had not hesitated to kill him. The memory brought a pleasant smile to Magobei’s face as he began to chant with his minions.

Once, Beiden Pass had been the most important route to northern Rokugan. Any general who wished to move an army through the mountains was forced to do so through Beiden Pass. During the War of Spirits, the Steel Chrysanthemum marched troops through Beiden on his path to Otosan Uchi. He was betrayed by the Scorpion Clan, whom he had believed were his allies. Working in tandem with shugenja of the Kitsu family, Beiden Pass collapsed and the greater part of the Hantei army was destroyed.

Those soldiers would remain buried here to this day. Under so much rubble, the priests would be unable to burn and consecrate their bodies, rendering them safe from reanimation. A simple ritual would turn those corpses into an army, then all Magobei need do would be wait for the bodies to dig themselves to the surface.

There. A small movement in the rocks, then another. They were awakening, and much more quickly than Magobei had expected. He clasped his hands in anticipation as he moved forward to meet his first soldiers, looking forward to the carnage that would be unleashed when they reached the village below.

He was surprised that, instead of a zombie, a samurai crafted of clay rose from the rubble. Another stood beside him, then a third. The sound of heavy marching feet resounded from the ruined pass. Magobei looked up to see dozens of the clay soldiers now emerging from the rocks. His jaw fell open in fear as he recognized the Jade Champion’s symbol emblazoned on each one. They outnumbered his cultists four to one.

“Foolish Bloodspeaker!” called out a voice. A man in pale blue robes appeared at the top of the pass, a jade mantle upon his shoulders. “Did you think the Jade Champion would not foresee such a threat? I have guarded this place for years, waiting for a fool like you to make his move. Our wards were already in place. Your magic has done nothing but awaken Tadaka’s Children.”

“You will suffer for this, Crane!” Magobei called out, but the threat was an empty one. His magic was already nearly exhausted from the failed ritual.

“In the name of Toturi III, the suffering you’ve bring the Empire is at an end, Bloodspeaker,” the Crane replied, and gave the command to attack.