The last descendent of the prophet Shinsei lies dead. However, Asahina Sekawa has achieved the dream of generations - Enlightenment. Word spreads throughout the Empire, leaving turmoil, and wonder, in its wake. A new Age is upon Rokugan.
Hida Kisada, the Great Bear, has returned to walk the lands of Rokugan as a mortal once more. In his fortress at the Kaiu Wall he broods, seeing new plots arise from the City of the Lost. To battle the growing chaos within the Shadowlands, the Dark Lord Daigotsu seeks a most unlikely ally - the Empire itself. while forces within Rokugan have allied with darkness before, this time the Dark Lord seeks a different path - official recognition of the Lost as a Great Clan.
The sons of Toturi strive to find balance in the Imperial City. Toturi III, the Righteous Emperor, has made an uneasy peace with the Shogun, while the troubled Wolf, the most powerful shugenja in the Empire, watches events with growing unease. Meanwhile, rumors circulate of treason - the wife of the Crane Champion has been accused of conspiracy with the Gozoku - and no denial has been forthcoming...
New conflicts swirl, armies march, alliances crumble, and an age of Enlightenment begins...
Fortress of the Bear
Before his death, Hida Kisada swore never again to compromise with evil - a promise his descendents have honored. Now returned as a mortal, Kisada seeks to turn the oni and the Lost of the Shadowlands against one another. He never expected the Lost to seek recognition as corrupted sons of Rokugan. He certainly never dreamed the Emperor would consider their petition...
Kisada will not make peace with the Shadowlands. He knows that in the end, evil always feeds on itself. Always.
Prosperous Plains City
The heart of Crane commerce, Prosperous Plains City houses ambassadors of every clan. Here even the Lion and Crane are at peace. Yet recent events have torn open old wounds...
The Crane Champion's wife has been revealed as a traitor, accused by a Lion ambassador. Doji Kurohito knows that honor and duty leave him only one recourse, and that many will not understand what he must do next if peace is to be maintained.
The Halls of the Damned
The Dark Lord, Daigotsu, has embraced a perverse variant of bushido to serve Fu Leng's will. The Lost have become more dilligent, more ruthless, and more organized than ever before.
Yet there are many who see honor as weakness. Deep in the Festering Pit, the Oni Lords are enraged. The demons believe Daigtosu will lead the Lost to seek redemption.
Fu Leng himself stands neutral, allowing his servants to prove their righteousness in the truest manner of the Shadowlands - destruction.