1125 - Year of the Goat

Reign of Hantei 39th, Year 2

You may read the imperial histories in order below or jump to any month of the year using the calendar to the right. You may also download the 1125 MSWord file.

The seasons of the imperial year:

Winter: Rat, Ox, Tiger

Spring: Hare, Dragon, Snake

Summer: Horse, Ram, Monkey

Fall: Rooster, Dog, Boar

Month of the Rat: At the start of the month of the Rat, a shadow darkens the noon radiance of the sun at Otosan Uchi, casting a large shadow as dark as twilight over the lands of the Jade Champion, formerly occupied by the Tortoise clan. Although no cause can be discerned, several Seppun shugenja claim that one of the Dragons, possibly bearing an Oracle, came to the city for an audience with the emperor and that the shadow belonged to the Dragon as it passed over the palace. Soon afterwards, the emperor, Hantei 39th, holds Winter Court (Kyuden Kakita), in an effort to impose peace between the Lion and the Crane.

Month of the Ox: The rescue at the Castle of White Snow (in far north) is reenacted by relations of the original heroes, eighteen years after the event, as part of the many celebrations of the birth of Hantei 39th’s son, the heir to the Emerald Throne.

Month of the Tiger: Assassins of the former Tortoise clan attempt to slay Hantei 39th, his wife, and their new son. The son is slain, but the Imperial couple is saved by a ronin, Garou, who is given a title and permission to form a minor clan, named the “Monkey” clan. He is given the Castle of White Snow as a holding to build his clan. Aside from his athletic prowess, he is also known as a patron of ceramics and he invites numerous potters and glazemakers to his lands.

Hantei 39th imposes a peace on the Scorpion and Lion, which both sides swear to uphold until the next Winter Court. Efforts to broker a peace between the Crane and Lion founder, as Matsu Tsuko and Doji Satsume refuse to cede claims to lands in the north belonging to the Tsume and Damasu vassal families. The Mantis and Crane discuss a trade alliance against the Yasuki. The empress intervenes in politics and the Fox clan daimyo, Ryosei, meets with new Hare daimyo, Kinotu, and invites him to join the 3-man alliance against Scorpion aggression and he agrees. Fox, Hare, Sparrow, and Wasp conclude a mutual defense treaty.

Month of the Hare: In Ryoko Owari, after a dispute over art with Shosuro Goberi, Ide Baranatu sponsors a calligraphy contest, which delights the rich and famous. This event kicks off the new social season in the city. Shinjo Akito wins the contest and receives the prize, a golden kaeru frog. However, Akito is wounded by a nefarious gai-in device hidden inside a fan. Investigation reveals that the fan was acquired by the innocent Kakita Kunawan from a gai-jin fan merchant near the Unicorn gate, but the mechant has fled town.

Month of the Dragon: The new magistrate, Kakita Ichi, sends Tsumado, Gondo, Hokido, Nodojo, and Wabu to respond to an attack by “ninja” on the wedding party of Shinjo Haya. They have slaughtered most of the guests, but Hokido manages to find Shinjo Akito alive. Although most of the magistrates are severely wounded, they drive off the ninja. Shinjo Ratha is found dead by Akodo Tsumado. Gondo receives a warning and decides to make preparations to leave town. Funeral arrangements for Ratha occupy several days. During this time, the traitorous Shinjo Musai attempts to assassinate Akito, but he is killed by Tsumado.

Kakita Ichi sends Tsumado, Hokido, Gondo, Nodojo, and Kunawan to escort the Scorpion general Bayushi Tomaru to Ryoko Owari, because of the fear of the attack of the bandit Fade. A major battle occurs as Fade leads a major force of bandits against the Scorpion’s entourage. Eventually, Fade and his forces are defeated. Fade and his henchmen turn out to be Otaku Genshi and Otaku Aisis, who hate the Scorpion. After the battle, it is revealed that “Tomaru” was actually Bayushi Akashi, his Hatamoto, in disguise. Tsumado dishonorably attempts to slay Akashi from surprise, but the scorpion manages to flee with his forces. Upon returning to Ryoko Owari, Tsumado accepts blame and is removed from Imperial service. Later on, Gondo and Onka are also dismissed.

Month of the Snake: Goshiri travels to Ide lands to resolve the 3rd part of his obligation to Kakita Haiyabusha, a three part duel with Ide Kobaiyashi. Gondo agrees to second him. They travel north with Shinjo Akito, Hokido, and others returning to Unicorn lands. Goshiri only achieves a tie in the first two contests, so matters come down to a duel. Goshiri lands the first stroke, but the dishonorable Kobaiyashi strikes him anyway and insists on mortal combat; he dies for his foolishness at Goshiri’s hands. Ide Kang, Kobaiyashi’s father, accepts the results of the duel and matter is resolved. Goshiri decides to travel to the Summer Palace of Shinjo Shoji, Hokido and Akito’s lord on his way home. Hokido learns that Toritaka Dokurin needs his help.

Goshiri, Hokido, and Gondo ride to Falcon lands and see the remains of a huge battle with Shadowlands forces near the Shinomen. Hokido slays his first Dark Moto. Arriving in Falcon lands, they are greeted by Dokurin, Hida Ajiko, Hida Mugami, and others. It becomes apparent that the forces of the Oni no Jigabachi are intent on destroying the village. Ajiko goes for aid from the crab, others go for aid from the Falcon. Crab forces under Hida Shiroi arrive and save the day. Hida Oshirin, Goshiri’s father, is slain by the evil Oni no Jigabachi and his body almost reanimated, except for the sudden beheading strike of Gondo.

Month of the Horse: Summoned by Asako Moharu, Tsumado arrives in Nigatani village. Goshiri, Hokido, and Tsumado learn of the desperate situation of the “Boar” clan, surrounded by minions of the Shimushigaki. Totitaka Roku, Hida Ugamo, and others crab “deathseekers” arrive to aid the characters in travelling to Boar lands. The characters eventually aid the “Boar,” confront the evil Shimushigaki and slay it. Its forces are overwhelmed by the personal guard of Hida Kisada, Crab Clan daimyo, who absorbs the “Boar” into the Tokubetsu vassal family of the Crab. The characters return to Nigatani village, then go their separate ways.

Month of the Ram: The mysterious and reclusive Centipede Clan sends a young shugenja Moshi Tsukeiko with her yojimbo Moshi Toshiro to the Imperial Court for service in the Jade Magistrates.

Month of the Monkey: Tsumado places his house in order. Gondo travels to the far north on personal business, traversing Crab, Fox, Scorpion, and Lion lands. In Scorpion lands, he wins a public duel after being challenged by the brother of a man he slew in Ryoko Owari. Goshiri aids his clan in taking supplies to the Boar clan, on the way dispatching a group of corrupted apes and chimpanzees.

Month of Rooster: Shinjo Hokido and Mirumoto Tsuntake are assigned to escourt Miya Sosumi,a friend of Shinjo Akito’s, on a mapping expedition to the north. On the way, Tsuntake has a revelatory experience. They travel to Badger lands in time for the Fall Festival of Bishamon, and stay in Badger lands for some time.

Tsumado begins training under a new swordsmanship instructor and undertakes a pilgrimage of ritual purification, travelling to the seven shrines to the virtues of bushido in Lion lands. Goshiri begins seeking vengeance against the nefarious Oni no Jigabachi. Gondo returns to Tsumado’s lands and enters service as his swordsmith.

Month of the Dog: Hokido and Tsuntake have various skirmishes in Badger lands and investigate a variety of odd incidents. Their stay is prolonged by Miya Sosumi, who has difficulty in mapping the area because of the resistance of the Badger clan daimyo, Ichiro Hideo.

Month of the Boar: Much to their surprise, Tsumado, Gondo, and Goshiri receive messages delivered by a Miya courier. Each one is summoned back to service by the Emerald Magistrate, as doshin, for no less than one year (until start of Winter 1127). Recommendations on their behalf came to the Emerald Magistrate from Kuni Yori, the 2 nd in command to the Jade Magistrate, who recommended they be reinstated. Soon after the reinstatement, their services were offered to any magistrates and then requested by Magistrate Yamagata, the magistrate of the Kawa no Kin (The River of Gold). Tsumado and Goshiri report this turn of events to their daimyos, who are reluctant to lose their services, but are powerless before Imperial edict.

Ichiro Hideo, the Badger clan daimyo renounces his family name for himself and all Badger. This is caused by two incidents: the Badger border garrison fails to prevent some exiles from returning to Rokugan and the treachery of Hideo’s younger brother, Koturi, and Hideo’s betrothed, Agasha Momuko, at the daimyo’s wedding. Koturi, Mouko, and the ten Badger ceremonial wedding guard cause civil war among the badger, and then flee to the south. Hideo is driven mad with grief and soon a mysterious disease afflicts the land. The remaining Badger are saved from disease and madness by Shinjo Hokido and Mirumoto Tsuntake, who use the bell in the Temple of Bishamon to purify the land. Once he recovers, Hideo sends Miya Sosumi to Otosan Uchi to request the emperor assign new guardians to the Exile’s Road. An advance force of Unicorn from Lord Shinjo Shoji begin to garrison the area. Meanwhile, all remaining loyal badger prepare to scour the empire for the “twelve traitors” and swear never to rest until they are killed.