Otosan Uchi
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
Otosan Uchi, the city of the Emperor and the Imperial Capital, was the seat of power of Rokugan, the home of the Emperor and the Imperial Court from the dawn of the empire for over a thousand years. Over those thousand years the city saw many invasions and conflicts. Most notable of these are the Battle of White Stag, the Scorpion Clan Coup, the Second Day of Thunder and Daigotsu's invasion of the city.
Contents |
[edit] City Layout
Otosan Uchi was divided into sixteen districts, with two gigantic walls surrounding the city.
The areas outside the first and outermost wall are unnamed and consisted of eight districts (clockwise from Golden Sun Bay, direction as gauged from the Imperial Palace):
- Tsai, to the southeast.
- Hidari, to the southeast. A jewel of the outer districts, there is nothing here that would offend the Emperor. This area is truly a construct of the Crane. Sword polishers, the origami shop, high-end restaurants and geisha houses lavish the streets. This area is heavily patrolled by Crane bushi now that the Emperial Magistrates are disbanded. There is always an air of resentment to the non-Crane clans here. The governor is Asahina Hidari and he is protected at all times by his yojimbo, Kakita Arisigato.[citation needed]
- Juramashi, to the south-southeast. A conglomerate of architecture and ideas. Upper Juramashi is largly residential and the more wealthy of the two. Lower Juramashi contains lower caste housing, geisha and tea houses. Governors rarely last longer than one year in this area. Doji Kurotama, the advisor, largly runs the operations. A member of Empress Kachiko's guard is acting governor for now.[citation needed]
- Hayasu, to the west. One of the most affluent residential sections, it is the home of the elite, wealthy merchants and artisans. The most elabrate homes are situated on the steep hill in the center. The streets are safe due to the high number of patrols (many of which are privately owned). The farmland in this district produces a high yield. The governor is Shinjo Hayasu.[citation needed]
- Hinjaku, to the west-northwest. A rich and vibrant area which is maintained to give visitors a beautiful impression of the Forbidden City. This area is a mix of private homes, temples, and merchant shops. The governor, Mirumoto Hinjaku actually controls the Hojize district as well.[citation needed]
- Hojize, to the northwest. Actually part of the Hinjaku district, this area was given to Mirumoto Hojize by his cousin. Hinjaku tries to tempt Hojize away from his life of a monk to prove his faith is a lie. This area is the least respected district. Ruins, eta homes, questionable temples, and the crematorium are located here. Lately, many refugees of the Lion-Crane wars have been settling here for safety.[citation needed]
- Toyotomi, to the north-northeast. A bustle is always seen in this district. What was once the filthiest area, the governor, Shiba Toyotomi, had cleaned up although after the coup, it has reverted slightly. Many expert artisans have shops here. Also, the restaurants are of the highest quality.[citation needed]
- Meiyoko, to the east-northeast. This area was largly run by the Scorpion Shosuro family before the coup. Now, the Yakuza have obtained a firm grip. This area at one time was respected for its theatres, geisha, tea, and sake houses, and library. Much had been destroyed.[citation needed]
The area between the first wall and the second wall, known as the Enchanted Wall, contained the same 8 districts as the outskirts and two other districts that bordered the mouth of the river:
- Higshikawa, to the east. The former governor was Bayushi Higshikawa. After the Scorpion Coup, the area is now handled by the Empress herself, Kachiko. This area is still well maintained by the Empresses personal guards and the unofficial Yakuza. The economy is largely dependant on the many warehouses pleasure houses for the merchant class. The River of the Sun floods this area once or twice a year.[citation needed]
- Kosuga, to the east-southeast. Most of Otosan Uchi's port trade occurred here. The area was well-maintained and highly populated. Even at night, heimin could be seen carrying torches leading workers to the job. This area was middle-classed. The governor at the time of the Scorpion Coup was Hida Kosuga, a Crab with more than 13 years experience on the Kaiu Wall. Oddly enough, a ronin named Yotsu Urieko has politically wrestled away a good deal of power from Kosuga and because of this, there is a small ronin population here.[citation needed]
Within the Enchanted Wall was the heart of Otosan Uchi, the Forbidden Palace district, and four other districts that surrounded the palace:
- Hito, to the north. Most notably located here is the Temple to the Kami, a shugenja site. Oddly enough, this area does not house the Phoenix embassy but instead, the Unicorn, western Lion, and Fox embassies. The governor is Ide Ukuri.[citation needed]
- Kanjo, to the east. The southern gate is the most traveled and is controlled by the Lion Clan. This area holds the Lion, Phoenix, and what was once the Scorpion embassies. The governor is Shiba Kanjo.[citation needed]
- Chisei, to the south. The most beautiful area inside the inner walls. The "Emperor's Walk" cuts strait between the Chisei and Kanjo districts and is the main road for both leading to the Forbidden City. The Crane and Minor Clan Embassies are located here. The local celebrity and wise-man, Ise Zumi Togashi Kenjinn, still sits on Seppun Hill. The Scorpion were even ordered not to bother him during the coup. Also here is the Temple of the Seven Fortunes. Kakita Foruku is the governor.[citation needed]
- Karada, to the west.Famous here is the Trading Grounds, largely Yasuki run although Tortoise are often seen. Also located in this area is the Crab embassy, the Imperial Museum of Antiquities, and the Forbidden Citie's sewer system. The wall in this area is run by the Kuni Family. The governor is Hida Reitaan, who has a history of rude outbursts.[citation needed]
Finally, at the center of the city on top of Seppun Hill is the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City district. The heart of the Empire. The wall surrounding it is 70 feet high. Sites here include, the Imperial Palace, Clan, Otomo and Seppun guest homes, the Imperial water garden, the temple to Hantei, and the Miya Palace. The Emperor and many of his personal attendants resided there, and the Imperial Court frequently gathered in the palace to hold court.[citation needed]
[edit] History
[edit] The Scorpion Coup
- This section is covered more in-depth in the article Scorpion Coup
On the evening of the 14th day of Month of the Rooster in the year 1123, Otosan Uchi was seized by the Scorpion Clan following Bayushi Shoju's assassination of Emperor Hantei XXXVIII. This unprecedented act was the first major battle to take place in or near the city since the Battle of White Stag over seven hundred years ago. The armies of the Phoenix under Shiba Tsukune arrived that night, with the Unicorn Clan forces led by Shinjo Yokatsu arriving the following morning. During this time, open fighting was raging in many of the districts, with the Seppun Miharu conducting guerrilla warfare against the much larger Scorpion forces.
The night after the coup, the forces of the Lion and Crane, led by Matsu Tsuko and Doji Satsume respectively, arrive at the capital. After joining with the Unicorn and Phoenix, the seige began in earnest, as the Lion penetrated the Outer Southern Wall shortly after the Crane also began their attack on the western portion of the city. On the 16th, two days after the coup, Bayushi Shoju rode out and fatally wounded Doji Satsume. The defeat (and subsequent death) of the Emerald Champion dealt a serious blow to the morale of the coalition armies.
On the day of the 17th, two independent events occured that doomed the Scorpion armies and the new Emperor, Shoju I. Akodo Toturi, who was trapped in the outer city after being poisoned by the geisha Hatsuko, managed to escape and join with the assembled Clan armies. At the same time, Hida Kisada and the Crab arrived and joined the coalition forces. With the might of the Crab and the skill of Toturi, the clans retake the outer city by nightfall.
Five days after the coup, The Elemental Masters of the Phoenix arrived and managed to temporarily defeat the Enchanted Wall on the morning of the 19th, allowing the Great Clans to enter the inner city, where the southern gate of the Forbidden Palace was also breached by the Masters. That night, Toturi dueled and killed Shoju, and freed the remaining hostages in the Imperial Palace, ending the Scorpion Coup.[citation needed]
[edit] The Clan War
[edit] Crab Invasion of 1127
After their stunning defeat at the Battle of Beiden Pass, the Crab armies regrouped and Kisada, alongside his son Hida Yakamo, planned a new offensive. Together they sailed to Otosan Uchi and invaded the city alongside their Shadowlands allies, swiftly crushing the Lion garrison. Lion commander Matsu Tsuko was ordered by the Emperor himself not to take command of the Lion armies, and without her leadership, the forces crumbled. When Kisada strode into the Imperial Palace to take the throne with his son at his side, he found Hantei XXXIX standing in wait. There, the Emperor revealed himself to be possessed by Fu Leng, and before Kisada or Yakamo could act, the corrupted Hantei drove his ancestral blade into Kisada's gut. Yakamo and his wounded father managed to flee the palace, and Yakamo announced to his soldiers that their alliance with the Shadowlands was at an end, tearing off Yakamo's Claw and boarding the ships for home.[citation needed]
[edit] The Second Day of Thunder
- This section is covered more in-depth in the article Second Day of Thunder
In 1128, on the 9th day of the Month of the Ox, the major powers of the Emerald Empire united under a single banner and focused on one goal: to destroy the corrupted Emperor Hantei XXXIX and free the heart of the Empire from the Shadowlands' control. The battle was fought by the six Great Clans, the Scorpion forces, the Naga, the Brotherhood of Shinsei, Toturi's Army, Yoritomo's Alliance and many smaller factions. The Naga used their powerful pearl magic and tactics to defeat the Horde's outlying units, while Toturi rallied the divided Lion Clan and reunited them against the Emperor.
After taking the outer city, the clans suffered a major setback when Master of Fire Isawa Tsuke succumbed to his Taint and unleashed his powerful magic upon the allied forces before Shiba Ujimitsu sacrificed himself to stop the insane Master. At the same time, the Unicorn forces swept through the city and trampled many of the Shadowlands beasts. Yogo Junzo himself was defeated when Otaku Kamoko crushed him beneath her steed.
While the fighting raged outside, the Seven Thunders, the Hooded Ronin and Togashi Yokuni entered the Imperial Palace to destroy Fu Leng, who by now was in complete control of the Hantei emperor's shell, but was still immortal enough that the Thunders could not defeat him. The tide turned when Yokuni, who revealed himself to be the original Kami Togashi, sacrificed himself so that the Twelfth Black Scroll could be opened, fully binding Fu Leng to the mortal realm. After being blinded by Bayushi Kachiko, Fu Leng was sent back to Jigoku by the dual sword strikes of Toturi and Doji Hoturi. With their leader dead, the Shadowlands forces fell into a rout and were swiftly defeated by the allied forces. The Clan War was over.[citation needed]
[edit] Shinjo's attack on the Capital
In 1132, after completing the Kolat purge of the Unicorn Clan, the Kami Shinjo assembled the armies of her clan and marched on Otosan Uchi to destroy the corrupted Emperor Toturi. As the armies arrived, the Great Sea Spider spun a web of darkness around the Capital, and the minions of the Lying Darkness began to slaughter the inhabitants as they fled. The Emperor's forces, who were already engaging the Unicorn, were suddenly aided by an avatar of Lord Moon.
During the battle, Takao stepped forward and engaged the Moon's avatar, defeating him in a single round of combat. The death of his avatar weakened Onnotangu enough that he could be slain by Hitomi, thus beginning the Twenty-Seven Days of Darkness. Meanwhile, after Toturi fled the city with Isawa Kaede, Shinjo arrived in the throne room alongside Yoritomo, whom she then offered the Jade Throne. Yoritomo refused, saying he did not earn it, and the throne remained empty for the time being.[1]
[edit] Daigotsu's invasion of Otosan Uchi
- This section is covered more in-depth in the article Fall of Otosan Uchi
On the seventh day of the Month of the Ox in the year 1159, the Dark Lord Daigotsu culminated months of planning and manipulating by assaulting the Imperial Capital. The invasion forces came by sea courtesy of Garen's Tainted navy, and the surprise attack quickly overwhelmed the meager defenders. As his armies descended upon the city, Daigotsu captured the Imperial Palace and activated the ancient wards, preventing any without Imperial blood from entering or leaving. Using the city as a nexus between the Spirit Realms, Daigotsu entered Meido and freed Fu Leng from Emma-O's prison in the Realm of the Dead. Fu Leng found that the mortal realm is forever barred to him, so instead he turned his anger on his celestial kin and launched a massive attack on the Celestial Heavens.
Soon after the attack began, Matsu Nimuro and the Lion armies, Akodo Kaneka and his followers, and Toturi Tsudao and her followers arrived to retake the city. At the same time, Hantei Naseru and Yasuki Hachi organized the evacuation of the capital while the battle raged. During the fighting, Nimuro slew Obsidian Champion Goju Kyoden but was unable to enter the Palace. Eventually, Tsudao entered the Palace but arrives too late to stop the ritual. With the assistance of Bayushi Tai, Tsudao managed to cut off Daigotsu's arm as the Dark Lord escaped.
In the wake of the attack, Otosan Uchi was gutted by fires and retreating Shadowlands forces. With a heavy heart, Matsu Nimuro ordered the city destroyed and declared it cursed for allowing Fu Leng to return twice.[citation needed]
[edit] Relocation of the Imperial Capital
In the wake of the attack, the division between the Four Winds grew wider as each blamed the other for failing to stop Daigotsu. Each Wind declared a different city to be the new capital, with Kaneka in Yasuki Yashiki, Naseru in Ryoko Owari, Sezaru in Kyuden Tonbo and Tsudao in Kyuden Seppun.[2]
The Empire went without a centralized place of power for almost a year until in 1160, when the new Imperial Capital became Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigisaho. After the Four Winds March and the death of Tsudao, Toturi III ordered a new Imperial Palace be constructed in the new capital. The reconvened Imperial Court took up residence in the city shortly thereafter.[citation needed]
[edit] Empty Ruins?
Despite its destruction, there have been several factions who have still chosen to make the fallen city their home.
[edit] Iuchiban
When the immortal sorcerer Iuchiban once again threatened Rokugan he took up residence in the ruins of Otosan Uchi, building an Iron Citadel. Once his presence in the city was discovered a combined effort by the Lion Clan and Crab Clan distracted the sorceror long enough for Isawa Sezaru to locate and destroy Iuchiban's heart. [citation needed]
[edit] Ninube
Following the fall of Iuchiban the Ninube sought refuge in the ruins. The Jade Champion Asahina Sekawa exposed their existence in the city however, and led a coalition army to exterminate them. [citation needed]
[edit] Yotsu family
The Yotsu family refused to leave the city, holding to their duty given to them by Hantei XXXVIII. They protect any who also chose to remain to the best of their abilities. [citation needed]
[edit] Spider Clan
The "ronin" group known as the Spider Clan, in truth the remants of the Lost, secretly made the abandoned sewers of the city one of their bases of operation. It was from here that the Spider Clan Champion Daigotsu launched his wave of assassinations in 1170, causing more chaos in an already chaotic Empire. [citation needed]
[edit] References
  |
