The Tournament of the Kami

Era beginning/end

The Kami hold their tournament that will direct the future of humanity.

On the first day of the year, the Kami hold their tournament at Seppun Hill to decide who among them would be the one to lead themselves and humanity into a new age. Before they settled on the rules of the tournament, Togashi said that he would not take part, and he sat down on the sidelines instead. Untroubled by their brother's usual antics, Hantei established the rules of the tournament and the others followed suit while many of the humans gathered around to watch. The spectators marveled at the impressive feats they witnessed; the swiftness of Shinjo, the endurance of Hida, the elegance of Doji's every move - truly no human could even hope to compare to their abilities and divine gifts. For hours the Kami challenged eachother, reducing the number of winners each time a bout was declared over, until there were only two undefeated.   The final duel stood between Akodo and Hantei. The youngest brother who had saved the Kami from their mad father, against the most skilled warrior of the Kami. All the duels had been a spectacular show of feat, skill, and wit, but nothing could compare to the prowess of these two against eachother, and as the fight continued Akodo became more aggressive and ruthless in his tactics. Hantei held his blade, so that the midday light of Amaterasu shone on his blade and reflected in Akodo's eyes. Blinded in this manner, Akodo lashed out with his blade. His blade cut deep, and could have killed anyone else, maybe even a Kami - had it not been for Togashi stepping in between them to halt Akodo from killing their brother Hantei. Hantei was deeply wounded, but alive.   Everyone watching, human and Kami alike, were shocked by this turn of events, and Akodo himself was horrified of what he had done. In his injured state, Hantei spoke weakly, declaring that neither Akodo or himself were worthy... and that the one who was worthy, was Togashi - the one who had chosen not to participate in this game that had nearly seen two brothers kill eachother.   And so all the Kami bowed to Togashi, declaring him the rightful Emperor to lead them and humanity in this new age. For Akodo, his punishment for almost commiting the sin of kinslaying would be exile from the new Empire, though Togashi swore to his brother that it would not be forever - and that in time they would be reunited again as brothers.   After the tournament, Togashi ordered his brothers and sisters to gather followers to their banners, so that together they could bring order where there was only chaos. He declared the land would be called Rokugan, which meant "Emerald Land" in the language of the Heavens - the language which would become High Rokugani.   Among his other proclamations was for all in the Empire to become a part of it, or to leave.   Hantei and Togashi shared a private conversation before parting ways again, where Hantei told his Emperor of the location of their brother Ryoshun. Togashi in return, said Hantei would have been a fine Emperor; he would have brought the people of Rokugan together into a society where their different strengths formed a complementary whole. With that, he gave Hantei two duties - the first, only known to the two of them and their siblings, would be to guard the resting place of Ryoshun. The second, was for Hantei to use his gift of leadership to reach out to the nonhumans in the unseen corners of the Empire. Hantei could not know that Togashi foresaw that spirits and nonhumans would take a greater interest in the Empire now.   Joined by the woman Agasha and the man Mirumoto as his closest allies, Togashi retreats to the northern mountains, establishing that as the Imperial lands. At the foot of the mountains, in front of a large gathering of onlookers, he undergoes rites of purification and blessings under the light of Amaterasu, as he officially takes on the mantle of the Dragon Emperor.   The Agasha and Mirumoto Families are formed as they swear fealty to the Dragon Emperor.   And as Agasha and Mirumoto swore themselves to Togashi, the tribe of Seppun swore their fealty to Hantei, who had been their friend and frequent guest these past years.    Only a month after the tournament, it is with a heavy heart that Akodo bids farewell to his Emperor and siblings, accepting his exile as he leaves the borders of the Emerald Lands.    Poll Result: The Exiled Lion As Akodo sets out on his path outside the Empire, many follow him. Some are convinced that Akodo did nothing wrong (and some even say Togashi robbed him of his rightful victory), while others see that the new Emperor still loves his brother and that he is just as worthy as the other Kami. Akodo is a harsh but fair leader to the people following him, and from this group he forms his own clan that will be known as the Lion Clan. This Lion Clan becomes known in the lands outside Rokugan as a travelling warrior-tribe, led by an undefeated God of War.     Two very noteworthy followers stand out in the nomadic clan; Ikoma and Matsu. Both become close confidantes and friends to Akodo, and he trusts them more than anyone and bestows upon them more responsibility for the betterment of their group. Ikoma and his followers are given the duty of representing the Clan off the battlefield, meanwhile Matsu and her warriors are given the honor of forming the vanguard and shocktroops of their fighting forces.   Very few mystics follow Akodo, and those who do find that calling upon the elemental spirits is a difficult task outside of Rokugan as it seems the kami in the outside-lands are more dormant. Following this, the way of the mystic loses much presence among the Lion, as rites are more performed out of habit and tradition even if there is no magic called upon. Shugenja are almost non-existent.