Gencon 2000 LARP

The State of the Empire

Welcome to the Jade Empire, a place of dark treachery and shadowed fears.

It has been four years since the Emperor, Toturi the First, was lost.

Four years ago, the Scorpion, were accused of treachery and banished from a green and peaceful Empire. For two years, others ruled their lands, and their name was nothing more than dust and memory. They have since returned from the burning and wasted lands to the west, bringing with them the kami Shinjo,: a true Celestial power.

In the Phoenix lands, the Shiba and Isawa have made a new pact. The table of the Elemental masters has been reborn, with room enough for six: at last, the Champion of the Phoenix stands with the Elemental Powers, equal and allied.

The Unicorn have been the sole source of law during the time of troubles, using their military command of the Empire to restore peace. Some say the Unicorn Magistrates went too far in enforcing the power of an empty Throne... and a thousand Otaku battle-maidens, dead on Lion fields, would speak of the price of Unicorn 'law'. But when Shinjo returned, the Unicorn were thrown into chaos. She demanded a return to the 'old ways' of a thousand years ago, did not recognize the creations and changes of the new empire, and assaulted Otosan Uchi to gain revenge for her dead brothers: Hantei and Fu Leng.

Toturi's men fought valiantly, but Shinjo drove the Emperor from his palace, seizing the capital city, and eradicating the secret cult of Kolat from her clan. To the far south, her return caused the undead Moto to gain power from her presence, rising to conquer the Shadowlands and ride forth toward the Empire. The prophecy of the Burning Words had come true: the Kami had returned and a hero had been captured to lead the Moto against themselves. Determined to seize the kami's power, Moto Tsume and his men rode to meet the Unicorn in a great battle, deep within the Twilight Mountains. Theyhave not returned.

The Crab, warned by the ratlings of a great power that massed deep within the Shadowlands, have discovered the ancient city of Volturnum -- and the portal known as Oblivion's Gate. The Shadow, ancient enemy of the Empire, has seized control of the gate to the underworld, and is slaughtering the ancestors of Rokugan. The Crab have allied with the Lion to face this threat: the two greatest armies in Rokugan, side by side.

The Lion have rallied behind Ikoma Tsanuri, putting aside their differences to fight a greater war. They have heard of the Oni no Okura, whose name is a blight upon the clan, and the Kitsu struggle to redeem themselves. The Lion armies to the south, led by Ikoma Tsanuri, now stand beside the Crab and have dealt a powerful blow to the forces of the Shadowlands. Nothing stood before them as they swept their way to Hiruma palace, freeing the Crab who had struggled to defend the lost citadel. Without the Lion's strength, the Crab would have been lost. The bond between these two armies is strong.

The new Tao has been found: hidden by the Kolat to defend it from the Shadow. Because of Kakita Toshimoko's heroism, it has been restored to the empire -- but half was lost forever in the battle. What can be seen is that the Empire must rescue Jigoku, the underworld, from the Shadow's control -- or the Jade Empire will be lost forever.

The Daidoji have seized Shiro no Yojin, turning it into a stronghold of Crane power. Kuwanan has forgiven Uji's disobedience, and given him a new task: defend the palace against all comers. The palace has become the bastion of Daidoji honor. It is their new home.

The Dragon, to the north, have ceased their war and seem to be at peace beneath the leadership of Togashi Hoshi, son of the late Champion, Yokuni. Though they now stand beside their dark brothers, helping the tattooed Ise Zumi appear to control their passions. Their lady, Hitomi, has been successful in her quest to destroy Onnotangu, the Moon, and rise in hisplace. But with his death the Shadow has not grown weaker -- it has been released.

And the true Elemental Dragons have returned. Coming at the call of the Moon, they rise from the Celestial Heavens to join in the struggle against the Goju and their shadow minions. A thousand men from each clan, plus the bulk of the Lion and Crab troops at Hiruma palace, have marched into the heart of the Shadowlands -- toward the ruined city known only as Volturnum.

And shadows walk the night. Once they were legend, rumors and children's tales, but now the ninja are a reality. They control the forests of Morikage, and those who enter the haunted forest return with eyes as black as coal. Often, they do not even remember their own name. It is blackness all around the Jade Throne, and those who know the truth of the Goju family and their descendants do not dare speak of it, for they say the Ninja know every secret, and have whispered every lie. They have taken the faces of clan daimyos, heroes, and trusted courtiers, and they have spread lies and corruption, and nearly caused the Empire to destroy itself.

But somehow, more and more, tales of the Goju and their twisted creations circulate. These creatures were once human, once our brothers. But now, they are something more dangerous. They control the world beyond this one,the lands of the dead. Their power extends to every city and clan in Rokugan, twisting the spirits of their honor into something dark and sinister. If they can destroy Jigoku, they will destroy the history of the Empire, and Rokugan will die.

The armies of the Jade Throne have gone to Volturnum to fight against the Shadow, but in their wake, a darker evil rises. Knowing that the Empire will be undefended, the Goju swarm across the country, turning peasants into faceless minions, and wiping entire villages from memory. As Jigoku dies, the Empire begins to lose its uniqueness, falling to ash and ruin, and only proud Otosan Uchi remains. Under attack from the Shadow, the capital city of Rokugan trembles, surrounded by a web of darkness they cannot destroy. If the armies in the Shadowlands are successful, the Empire will be saved -- but it may already be too late.