The Hidden Emperor

Through Hidden Emperor Episode 7-9 (The Dark Journey Home)

Our Story So Far: (The Dark Journey Home Overview)

Winter has fallen upon the fields of the Jade Empire, and blood stains the soft white snow. Outside the palace of Otosan Uchi, armies march again but this time, out of the palace and towards the land of the seven great Clans.

The Mantis lead the Alliance openly now, guiding the fates of the smaller clans who have sought shelter beneath Yoritomo's powerful voice. Their attempt to marshal the lands of the Scorpion failed, and they were driven north by the Crane. Loath to attack even the lightly defended provinces of the Lion, the eighth Clan marches north, toward the empty Shiba palaces. However, another army also enters Phoenix lands the family of the Agasha, torn by its devotion to Hitomi and its fear of her Ônew beginning'. Although a few loyal shugenja refused to leave their champion, the family has broken its ties with the Dragon and sworn fealty to Tsukune and her Clan. The Crane are divided by betrayal and loyalty. Daidoji Uji has sworn to have the head of the Jade Champion and destroy his family's estates in retribution for the suffering the Lion once caused the Crane. Furious at his lieutenant's insubordination, Doji Kuwanan continues towards the Emperor's palace and the rear of the Mantis armies.

And the Empire has been rocked by greater news: the return of Toturi. Seated once more on his Jade Throne, the Emperor commands the Unicorn now standing at his right hand to make war upon the Lion for their betrayal. Tsunari, champion of the Lion stands outside Kyunden Hida with sword drawn, as the Unicorn carry messages between the two great generals. And from the Shadowlands, even darker news: the death of a Thunder.

Stories from Ree
    A Son of the House
    The Storming of Morikage - Part 3
    The Storming of Morikage - Part 2
    The Storming of Morikage - Part 1
    A Part of Destiny
    A Syllable of Time
    A Vision of the Past
    A Hundred Days
    Dawn of Storms
    Of Gaijutsu
    Choices
    A Gentle Reminder
    To Walk a Dark Path
    Of Riddles
    A Good Little Wife
Flavour Text!! (through DJH)
Clan Letters #9
Clan Letters #10
Jade Rulebook Story
Hidden Emperor 1 Rulebook Story
Hidden Emperor 2 Rulebook Story
Hidden Emperor 3 Rulebook Story
Hidden Emperor 4 Rulebook Story
Hidden Emperor 5 Rulebook Story
Hidden Emperor 6 Rulebook Story
The Dark Journey Home Rulebook Story
Clan descriptions

Hidden Emperor 6 Overview

It has been six months since the Mantis claimed Beiden Pass, daring the Empire to shake them from their mountain fortress. They have built a palace upon the tall slopes of the canyon, and their armies prepare to invade the lands of the Matsu. Since Toturi was lost from his jade Throne, a year of chaos and confusion, the Great Clans rise to claim the throne, each fearing to lose their place to another. The end of the Empire seems near, and only the bravery of two men can unravel the mystery behind the Emperor's disappearance. From the mountains of the Dragon to the bitter wastes of the Shadowlands, wars rage and armies march.

But the battles do not go well. The Crane, allying themselves with the Unicorn, desperately wage war against Yoritomo, seeking to destroy his hold on Beiden pass. A group of battle-Maidens, leaderless without Kamoko, race to the north, hoping to meet with the Mantis to the north of the pass, and prevent them from allying with the Lion.

Daidoji Uji, leader of the Daidoji troops, has disobeyed his lord, and marched northward, to engage the Mantis reinforcements before they can march past Otosan Uchi. Only the need to protect the city of the Emperor gives him the strength to complete his mission - knowing that should he fail, his life will be forfeit.

In the court, the Chancellor desperately tries to restore order, while his advisors capitalize on any weakness or error. From the Dragon Mountains, the first ambassadors come, telling tales of genocide by the Naga, and speaking claims of peace. Hitomi sends a message of goodwill and an offer of brotherhood to all who wish to join her quest for enlightenment.

Yet, to the south, the lion march toward Crab lands, turning their massive armies toward the lightly defended Kaiu Wall. leaderless, the Crab struggle to raise the force to defend against an invasion, while their brothers slowly die in lost Hiruma Castle. The Empire crumbles under the burden of anarchy, and the storm of war destroys the sun and leaves only a black sky. It is a time of shadows, treachery and war - and it is a time of heroes.

Hidden Emperor 2 Overview
by Ryan Dancey

Emperor Toturi has vanished, and foul deeds are suspected. The Scorpion Clan has been exiled as a result, and they have left the Empire under guard, never to return. The Crab Clan have begun their long-dreamed assault on the Shadowlands - their first objective being the retaking of Hiruma Castle.

The Crab armies had great success in the opening days of the conflict, aided by legions of Naga determined to end the evil of Fu Leng once and for all.

However, after taking the Castle, the Naga mysteriously withdrew from the field of battle and headed north at a breakneck pace to attack the mountainous lands of the Dragon Clan.

In Episode 2, we learn what has been occuring within the lands of the Dragon. Mirumoto Hitomi (who on the Day of Thunder consumed the essence of  Togashi, one of the Children of Sun and Moon who founded the Empire) has been reforging the Dragon Clan in her own image. Using her blood, which carries supernatural powers, she has begun to create a new group of Tattooed samurai to do her bidding. The attack of the Naga came as a surprise, but the Dragon are masters at defending themselves.

Now, blood runs in the mountains around Kyuden Hitomi, the castle of the Dragon Daimyo. Naga bowmen lurk behind every crag, and Dragon bushi strike without warning. The conflict has become a deadly game of cat and mouse.

Elsewhere in the Empire:

o Matsu Hiroru and Ginawa set off on a quest to locate Toturi and find his kidnappers. These two unlikely companions share little except a thirst for vengance and a desire to uphold the highest ideal of bushido - Defend the Empire and Protect the Emperor!

o Hida Kisada, the elder Crab Clan Daimyo has died. The entire Empire mourns his passing, for while he was one of the instigators of the chaos of the Clan Wars, he protected the Empire's borders diligently for nearly sixty years, and stood with the other Clans against the Scorpion during their attempted coup.

o The Imperial Court is filled with intrigues. The Mantis Clan, and their minor clan allies in Yoritomo's Alliance are pressing for more control of the provinces vacated by the Scorpion. In a bold move, the Crane Clan have moved to occupy those lands, claiming them in the name of their Scorpion fosterlings.

o The legions of the Crab, trapped in Hiruma Castle, have no way to help defend the Kaiu Wall. From the north an army of Lion bushi, lead by Ikoma Tsanuri marches towards the Hida fortification, prepared for war.

o With the Phoenix retreating from their ancient responsibilities to monitor and police the use of magic in the Empire, the Assembly has called for some action to be taken to guard against the use of Maho and other dark magics forbidden by the Emperor's edicts. In response, the Crane Courtiers who are providing the bulwark of the Imperial agencies have unearthed old documents indicating that the Empire once empowered an individual to serve the Emperor in matters magical, as the Emerald Champion serves the Emperor in matters of law and justice. To that end, a great Test of the Jade Champion has been declared, to determine who will be named to fill this new post.

Shugenja from across the Empire, from all the Clans have assembled to see who among them will claim the coveted title.

Hidden Emperor 1 Overview
by Ryan Dancey

It's been two years after the defeat of the evil god, Fu Leng on the Day of Thunder. Since that time, the new Emperor, Toturi, has been consolidating his power and laying the groundwork for the next thousand years of Rokugan's development.

But something has gone horribly arwy.

Toturi is missing. Many believe that the Scorpion clan have taken their final revenge on the man who killed Bayushi Shoju during the failed Scorpion Clan Coup. In the halls of the Imperial Assembly there are calls
for blood - after so much has happened, to have Toturi taken from the Empire is viewed as the ultimate disaster.

A Kitsuki Magistrate presents physical evidence to the Emerald Champion, Kakita Toshimoko indicating that the Scorpion may not have been involved. But in Rokugan, evidence is meaningless - only the testimony of samurai matters. And after the Coup, the many betrayals of Bayushi Kachiko and the legacy of fear the Scorpion have engendered, many are willing to testify against them, and no one of repute is willing to stand against the Assembly.

Toshimoko makes a fateful choice - instead of death, he orders the Scorpion Clan exiled, never to return. As proof against their treachery, he orders the young children of the Scorpion taken from the clan, and
fostered among the other Clans. The threat is clear - return, disobeying Toshimoko's order, and the Scorpion Children die.

Kachiko rallies the tattered remnants of her Clan, and they depart for the mysterious wasteland known as the Burning Sands under the watchful eye of their escort, led by the butcher of the Clan Wars, Matsu Gohei.

Meanwhile, the Crab Clan have insitgated the war they have longed to fight for generations. With Fu Leng dead, the Crab are convinced that they can destroy the Shadowlands utterly. Lead by their young, powerful daimyo Hida Yakamo, a massive army of Crab bushi and Naga allies strike deep into the old Hiruma provinces and liberate the ruins of Hiruma Castle. The fight goes well for the Crab, until the Naga mysteriously withdraw from the field and begin a march northward across the Empire. Without the aid of their serpent allies, the Crab are driven back, and only a stalwart band, commanded by Yakamo himself remains ensconced in Hiruma Castle.

The Naga are indeed set on a dark errand. They cross the Empire in mere days, and commence an assault on the ancient mountain fortresses of the Dragon Clan. In their haste, they spend no time explaining their actions. Their diplomats have left the Imperial Court, and none speak for the Naga in the Assembly. To the rest of Rokugan, the Naga appear to have gone quite insane, and to have turned on their former allies without provocation.

At the center of this swirling maelstrom stands the man known to the Naga as The Daini. Formerly a son of the Mirumoto, brother of Hitomi, current Dragon Clan diamyo, The Daini must make a fateful choice: Stand with his adopted people against his clan and Family, or turn his back on the clear signs of evil in the actions of his sister Hitomi.

With the Empire in political chaos, the Hitomi/Naga war threatens to spread beyond the provinces of the Dragon, especially when word comes from the Brotherhood of Shinsei that many members of the Ize Zumi, the tattoed men have left the protection of Hitomi to take up the cause of Togashi Hoshi, half man, half dragon, and son of the dead kami, Togashi himself.

Under the gathering storm-clouds of war, the Empire of Rokugan begins a new, bloody chapter in history. The history of the time of the Hidden Emperor!

Jade/HE promo flyer

It is a dangerous time for Rokugan.

A new age has dawned, and a new emperor has claimed the throne. Toturi has raised his banner across the empire - a banner of jade. Teh clans rest uneasily, and only the strength of the emperor's hand maintains the unsteady peace.

From the flames of destruction, a new legend is born!

*****

This is the time of the Jade Empire!

Fu Leng's power has been broken, and a new era of peace has risen. Teh empire has been reborn, and the great clans have attempted to set aside the ancient rivalries that once drove them to the edge of disaster.

During his first two years, Toturi ruled with justice. A new Tao has been revealed by the descendant of Shinsei. I nreturn, the clans were gathered and given Imperial Charters to ensure renewed attention to their ancient duties to the empire. Each clan accepted with solemn honor, but of the Phoenix there was no word. In return for their steadfast loyalty to the empire during the time of crisis, Yoritomo and the Mantis clan were accorded the status of a great clan.

But darkness has fallen once more across the empire. Toturi has vanished. On their high mountains, the Dragon must defend their homeland from a bloody invasion. Teh Naga seek the defeat of those who had once been their allies. The Unicorn race across the continent, desperate to uncover the emperor's fate. Teh Crab seek to recapture Hiruma castle, whil Lion armies march toward their lands. The Crane watch jealously as the Mantis grow in power, fueled by mercenary gold. And in the Shadowlands, the horde of evil listens to a new master.

In the mountain fortress of the Dragon clan, a dark secret burden's Hitomi's soul. Her obsidian hand rests uneasily on the arm of the Dragon throne, and her voice rumbles with thunder. She has rebuilt the Dragon into her own image, struggling to master ancient powers and defend her clan against powerful enemies. I nthe empty halls of the palace of the Dragon, a haunted voice whispers secrets into her ear...

Across the empire, it is a time of great change. The old order is being replaced by the new. Vast plans are set in motion to achieve the dreams of generations. Teh crab seek to reclaim the lost provinces of the Hiruma. Yoritomo looks at the undefended provinces of the mainland and sees opportunity where others see only chaos. None will break Toturi's peace, but few will actively support it.

Like lightning ,the story of the emperor's loss strikes across the Jade empire. Toturi's throne is empty, his empire is on the brink of war, and the Scorpion are implicated. Over the protests of the Imperial Assembly, Kakita Toshimoko chose to command the exile of the Scorpion rather than take their lives. The next day, his armor was found atop a cliff overlooking the sea, along with the final haiku of the Gray Crane.

*****

The saga of Rokugan began with the failed Scorpion clan coup. Once the Scorpion were crushed, the empire began a dark era that culminated in the opening of the black scrolls and the release of the Dark Lord, Fu Leng. When the last Hantei emperor fell to the Shadowlands, Rokugan was plunged into civil war. At the time of greatest need, the seven thunders of prophecy arose, uniting the land against its ancient enemy and facing the greatest evil the empire has ever known.

The dishonored ronin, Toturi, united the warring clans beneath his banner and rallied the empire. After the Day of Thunder, the clans raised Toturi to the throne of Rokugan - a throne that would never be the same. But his rule was short-lived. Beforethe second anniversary of his reign, Toturi was kidnapped and his peace destroyed. Now, the saga of Rokugan continues with the Hidden Emperor. Teh misfits who have sworn to serve Toturi must uphold his laws and defend the last vestiges of stability. Some assume that the emperor is dead, but others realize that the truth is much, much darker.

One clan will be torn apart; another will seek the truth in the shadows of the past. Dark secrets, hidden from the eyes of even Lady Sun, will at last be revealed, and the Age of Man rests uncertainly on the shoulders of two unlikely heroes. Teh most hidden truth will be revealed: the greatest enemy of humanity is not the anger of a forgotten god, but the machinations of humanity itself...

...the Jade Empire will never be the same again!