Obsidian Hand
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Obsidian Hand | |
|---|---|
| |
| Created by: | Onnotangu |
| First used by: | Shosuro |
| Currently in the possession of: | Hitomi |
| Nemuranai | |
The Obsidian Hand was originally the hand of Onnotangu, husband of Amaterasu and father of the Kami. Hantei cut off his father's hand during their duel, and the hand fell to Ningen-do with the Kami.
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[edit] The Day of Thunder
Following the first terrible battle between Fu Leng and the original Seven Thunders, Shosuro returned to the Empire with the twelve Black Scrolls held tight in the grip of "a hand made from a strange black glass that shimmered as if a rainbow had been trapped within". Although this was, in fact, the Obsidian Hand, the samurai in the Emperor's Court assumed that Shosuro had been twisted by the Taint and her own flesh sacrificed. The Hand was kept with the Scrolls for the longest time, until a Scorpion would feel it necessary to use it. [1]
[edit] Scorpion Daimyo
Although no record is made of their names, at least four Scorpion Daimyo have attempted to utilize the Obsidian Hand. Three of the four committed suicide. The fourth used Itsuwari to remove the hand from his arm. [2]
[edit] Mirumoto Hitomi
Following the Battle of Beiden Pass, Bayushi Kachiko had her minions rescue the wounded Mirumoto Hitomi. Hitomi had met her nemesis Hida Yakamo on the battlefield, and had lost her hand when he used the Oni's Claw to shatter the Ancestral Sword of the Dragon. Kachiko gave the Hand to Hitomi, asking only that she enter the Test of the Emerald Champion and win. Although Hitomi was defeated by Kakita Toshimoko, Kachiko still deemed the operation a success, knowing that she had made a powerful ally, and that eventually the corruption of the Hand would overtake Hitomi and the Hand could be reclaimed. [3]
The Hand proved instrumental during the final battle of the Second Day of Thunder, allowing Hitomi to reach into Togashi's chest and remove the final Black Scroll. The Hand (or perhaps the will of Togashi) caused Hitomi to absorb his soul, and while the rush of power rendered her unable to function in the final battle, she learned all of the secrets of the enigmatic Dragon Kami. [4]
The corruption continued uninterrupted throughout Hitomi, as the Hand slowly began to turn her body to solid obsidian. As the days continued, she began to hear Onnotangu speaking to her through the Hand. She gathered the other two artifacts of Lord Moon, his blood (the Obsidian Mirror) and a katana ((Lord Moon's Bones)). Using the power of these three nemuranai, she defeated Lord Moon and ascended to the heavens as Lady Moon.[citation needed]
It is unknown what became of the Obsidian Hand following the fall of Hitomi in 1170.
[edit] New Obsidian Hand
Following the fall of Hitomi and ascension of the Obsidian Dragon as the Obsidian Moon in 1170, the Oracle of Obsidian Shosuro Maru became the Voice of the Obsidian Moon. She began travelling to the Imperial Capital, but on her way encountered Kakita Kensho-in, and rewarded the duelist with the Obsidian Hand. It is unclear if this is the same hand as the original. [citation needed]
