Jade Champion

From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings

The Jade Champion was created by the Emperor in response to the flagrant use of maho that Iuchiban and the Bloodspeakers released upon Rokugan. The Champion was to be in charge of the use of magic within the empire, and especially responsible for the prevention of maho.

Contents 1 First Champion 2 Phoenix Interference 3 Return of the Position 3.1 Okura 3.2 Utagu 3.3 Sekawa 3.4 Daigo 4 Jade Champions of Rokugan 5 References

[edit] First Champion

The first Jade Champion was Kuni Tokaji. Tokaji was a powerful shugenja but a braggart, and he made it his mission to travel the Empire and defeat shugenja from all of the other clans in taryu-jiai. Only the Dragon and Phoenix Clans would not agree to feed the arrogant shugenja. Sometime later Tokaji attended a Winter Court, and presented his achievements to the Emperor, claiming the Dragon and Phoenix were afraid of his skill. The Emperor was sufficiently impressed, and created the position of the Jade Champion.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Phoenix Interference

The Council of Five, however, resented this affront to their superiority and control over magic, and rightfully saw the post as a threat to their ability to practice and learn the arcane arts without obstruction or interruption, as anyone in such a post could rightfully demand to be made privy to their secrets. The Masters began to plan to remove the position from the Emperor's courts, and within five generations the post was empty, the responsibility turned into a joke.^[1]

[edit] Return of the Position

The Council had for centuries used the Asako Inquisitors, who worked closely with the Kuni Witch Hunters to find and stamp out maho, and to make sure no one would think the post of Jade Champion necessary to revive. This worked until 1131, when, during the disappearance of Toturi I, the Seppun and Otomo called the first Test of the Jade Champion in centuries, in an effort to keep peace within Rokugan.^[2]

[edit] Okura

Kitsu Okura became the first champion for centuries, but his victory at the championship was marred by rumors of dark deals being the source of his power.^[3] Okura only served for a year, until 1132, when his use of maho came to the fore at the battle known as Storms Over Matsu Castle.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Utagu

The position remained vacant for years following the failure of Okura, until it was revived by Kuni Utagu.^{[citation needed]} Utagu was well known for his hard line when it came to corruption, earning the nickname The Wall, and improving the techniques used by the Kuni Witch Hunters. Utagu held the Championship during the War of Spirits until he was murdered in his sleep by Asako Ryoma in 1158. Ryoma believed that Utagu was the main obastacle to his master Toturi Sezaru earning the throne.^[4]

[edit] Sekawa

Following the death of Utagu a new Championship was held. The tournament was marred by an attack from the onisu Hakai, leaving many dead. The winner was Asahina Sekawa, but it was a bittersweet victory as his sister Kimita and uncle Tamako were among the killed.^[5] Sekawa became a bitter man, frequently putting him at odds with other powerful people in the Empire.^{[citation needed]} Some time after the death of Rosoku, the descendant of Shinsei, in 1166, Sekawa and the other Keepers of Enlightenment began searching for a child of Rosoku. Sekawa found the boy in 1169 and relinquished his positions in the Empire. He left Rokugan, traveling north, hoping to protect the child and thus the line of Shinsei.^[6]

[edit] Daigo

Following the death of Emperor Toturi III in 1168, the line of succession was thrown into turmoil as the Emperor had no living heir. His wife Empress Toturi Kurako became regent, but she was killed during the Khan Moto Chagatai's assault upon the Imperial City in 1169. The Imperial Families decided that, with the departure of Sekawa a new Jade Champion would have to be chosen. A tournament was held, resulting in Kuni Daigo becoming the next champion.^[7] Daigo's tenure as champion was similar to that of Utagu, driving a hard campaign against the taint. He procured "spare" jade from the Crane Clan^[8], and even launched an attack on the Tower of Fear, purifying it.^[9]

[edit] Jade Champions of Rokugan

Kuni Tokaji	? - ?
Kitsu Okura	1131 - 1132
Kuni Utagu	1138 - 1158
Asahina Sekawa	1158 - 1169
Kuni Daigo	1169 - Present

References

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