State of the Empire, Week 3

An Account of the Divine Empress’ Subjects Activities during This Time of War

by the Story Team

The Third Week of the Month of the Tiger, year 1171

My Empress,

This week’s report brings a number of victories and sorrows, my lady. The toll this war has taken upon those whose duty is to report its every nuance is great indeed. I consider myself equal to the task if for no other reason than that it is your will that I do so, but my concern for my younger heralds has extended to the valiant samurai who serve you on the field of battle. If their bodies survive this war, will their spirits? I hope that they will, but in my heart there is fear.

Forgive me, Divine One. My body is still young but my soul is that of an elder, or so I am told. I will keep my philosophical wonderings from these reports.

Last week I spoke of the collaboration between the Hiruma family and the Storm Riders of the Mantis Clan. Together they managed to preserve valuable, loyal subjects of the Emerald Throne and considerable holdings during the flooding of Earthquake Fish Bay. Following this engagement, the two units separated but continue to operate in the same general area. Both, it seems, have run afoul of the Destroyers. In particular, a seemingly separate branch of them that fly their own colors and appear physically different than the others. These are more lithe and mobile, and appear to make use of vastly more advanced tactics. A contingent of Hiruma led by their lord Todori-sama attempted to breach the Destroyer-held lands south of the Carpenter Wall, but were forced back by a unit the Lion have informed me is known as a Centuriae. The Hiruma exacted a terrible toll on their enemies, but unfortunately were unable to determine the fate of their kinsmen at Shiro Hiruma.

Glorious news, however! The Hiruma encountered and retrieved an ise zumi from the Shadowlands, a monk already fighting the Destroyers, who had managed to reach Shiro Hiruma and return using his mystical tattoos. This man, Togashi Kyoshi, informed Todori-sama that Shiro Hiruma yet stands, and that the men there live still, trapped by the Destroyers behind enemy lines but untouched by the war thus far. Similarly, the Mantis encountered an identical force of the Destroyers a short distance away. The Centuriae encountered by the Mantis was equally formidable, but had the tremendous misfortune to encounter the Storm Riders upon the open sea. I am told that the conflict lasted roughly three minutes, and that none of the Destroyers survived it.

The forces arrayed against the Destroyers are almost exclusively comprised of the Crab, Lion, and Unicorn clans, but there are small units of other clans attempting to assist in holding the line against your most blasphemous enemies. It was such a force that encountered something profoundly disturbing near the Destroyer’s front line. In this case it was a detachment of Iron Warriors from the Daidoji family and a force of Mirumoto Elite Guard, traditionally enemies who are working together to combat an unexpected threat. Normally an oni would not be so unusual near the Shadowlands, but in this case the beast was bound in broken chains, apparently having escaped enslavement by the Destroyers. It seems that, at the time of the attack, the personal representative of the Crane Champion was present in the form of Asahina Beniha, daimyo of her family. Her yojimbo, a man named Kakita Hideshi, fought like a demon himself to ensure that the beast did not reach his lady. The Dragon and Crane wounded the creature grievously, but it was the yojimbo who dealt the final blow. I am told he departed with his charge immediately afterwards. I fear the intervention of the Asahina, at least in the form of so powerful and benevolent a personage as Beniha-sama, will be far less likely in the future.

The central Empire suffers the ravages of plague, but honor is not lost. In that most unlikely of places, amid the ranks of the Scorpion Clan, honor remains. One of my herald witnessed a Scorpion detachment of unknown rank and disposition put to the torch one of their own villages. Not because its people had been lost, but because a caravan of supplies there, intended for distribution throughout the clan’s holdings and for trade without, was in part contaminated. Rather than risk the plague spreading further beyond their borders, the Scorpion burned it all to be absolutely certain it could not. These are lean times for the sons of Bayushi, and to have committed such an act must have been costly indeed. By their selflessness and loyalty was my herald greatly moved.

The northern war continues to burn less brightly than that in the south, but its intensity is slowly increasing. Lion forces are in the area in a very limited capacity. My heralds theorize that this may be a gesture of apology on behalf of the Lion, owing to a recent and very unfortunate misunderstanding between a small force of Lion and members of the Togashi order within the Dragonfly lands. In a different time, such an incident could have led to war. Now, it is easily brushed aside in the face of a greater threat. The Ikoma Wardens, under the command of Ikoma Tomoi, are assisting in the patrol of the Dragon lands, and I am told that they are taking a considerable toll on the scouting of the area performed by the Army of Fire.

Disturbing news from the northernmost line of battle, Child of Heaven. The worthless barbarian known as the Son of Fire who perished in an attempt to slay you last year has, it seems, been replaced by another vassal of the Dark Oracle of Fire. Rumors of this warlord’s presence near the front prompted a collaborative assault on the Army of Fire’s line between the Phoenix and a detachment from the honorable Shogun. The Legion of Flame and a unit of Khol regulars were on hand only to be driven back by a wyrm of incredible size and power. This unholy beast, known apparently as the Great Wyrm, is the personal steed and weapon of the new Son of Fire. Although that warlord was not present, his beast was fearsome indeed. From reports, it is likely that the clans would have suffered tremendous losses but for a surprise assault upon the Yobanjin’s flank by a force of monk bearing the Spider mon. They unfortunately disappeared immediately after pressing the Army of Fire detachment sufficiently to allow the Phoenix and Unicorn opportunity to retreat. What can be made of this assistance, I do not know. Such things are not for a herald to decide. In my own mind I cannot determine if I find it reassuring or concerning. In some ways, I find it both.

I remain your faithful Herald,

Miya Shoin