The Egg of P'an Ku
GenCon SoCal 2003 Storyline Reading
“Such a small thing,” Iuchiban said, turning over the colorfully painted egg in one hand. Strange images swirled over its surface, seeming to move and shift with the moment. The Bloodspeaker's eyes were flat and emotionless as he gazed upon it, absorbed in the power he sensed within. A grim smile played across his aquiline features. “It hardly seems dangerous at all, does it?”
He turned his gaze toward the thin woman standing in the shadows, just out of range of the ring of torches that lit the heart of Iuchiban's sanctum. Her face was literally without expression, an umarred stretch of skin where the features should be.
Like an egg. “I can assure you, Iuchiban, it is every bit as dangerous as we promised you,” the woman said, her voice unaffected by her lack of any mouth with which to speak. “Nine times the Egg of P'an Ku has nearly shattered the Empire… though it often moves subtly. The Empire recalls its use only twice.” She chuckled lightly. “Its power is considerable.”
“Considerable…” Iuchiban mused, “but is it controllable?” “Any power can be controlled by one who undersands it well enough,” the woman replied. “Surely you, of all men, recognize that Lord Iuchiban.”
Iuchiban said nothing at first, only continued studying the Egg's brightly painted surface. “As I understand it, P'an Ku was once a dragon, as mighty as his Celestial brethren. He was deceived by Fu Leng and fell to corruption…” Iuchiban frowned at her. “A dragon who fell to corruption, whose creation can duplicate any form it desires. This tale is familiar.”
The faceless woman inclined her head slightly. “The Shadow Dragon and P'an Ku share similar origins, their power deriving from both the depths of Jigoku and that which is without form. The Egg's power is thus similar to our own. We Ninube have returned it to its original form in the past… To do so once again is but a small favor to earn the respect of an ally as mighty as yourself, Lord Iuchiban.”
“Save your flattery, Ninube,” Iuchiban replied. “My agents have told me all there is to know about this artifact… I know how dangerous it is. It bears P'an Ku's curse. To use it risks destruction.” “And offers great power,” the woman said eagerly. “It can draw upon the fallen dragon's power to create a shadow identical to any creature that lives — it can duplicate any being in Rokugan, and bind their will to the one who uses the Egg!”
“But this twin is not a willing servant,” Iuchiban replied. “They obey the letter, not the spirit, of their master's commands. Such individuals are dangerous…” Iuchiban set the egg carefully upon the small table beside his seat, frowning into the darkness as he pondered the possibilities.
“You do not approve of our gift?” the Ninube asked curiously. “You are disappointed?”
“Not at all,” Iuchiban chuckled. “A curse is a powerful weapon, if used properly. We have many agents who can move unnoticed in the Empire, from whom such a gift would not seem suspicious. I think it would be best if we were to give this Egg to one of our potential foes, instruct them in its use, and allow it to destroy them from within.”
The woman's eggshell face stared back impassively. “What if they do not use the Egg at all?” she asked. “What if they see the danger and destroy it?”
Iuchban raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Such is not Rokugan's way,” he replied. “They will see power, and they will seek to grasp it,” he looked down at the Egg again. “Even if they see the threat, they will consider themselves above it. Power is not easily set aside, even if that power carries a great risk.”
“To whom shall we give the Egg to then, Lord Iuchiban?” she replied.
“Whoever seems the greatest threat,” he replied evenly. “Whoever stands as the mightiest of our enemies…”