Scorpion Coup
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
| Scorpion Coup |
|---|
| Location: Otosan Uchi |
| Date: 1123 |
| Major Forces: Scorpion Clan, The Remaining Great Clans |
| Generals: Bayushi Shoju, Akodo Toturi, Doji Satsume, Hida Kisada |
| Battles of Rokugan |
The Scorpion Coup, in 1123, was quite possibly the most important turning point in the history of Rokugan. During the utterly chaotic time, an Emperor was assassinated by his spymaster, a Great Clan and the family of a Kami were cast out of Rokugani society, and not one, but two men not born to the Hantei family claimed the Imperial Throne. The repercussions of this event are still felt across the Empire to this day.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] The Ancient Prophecy
The Scorpion Clan Champion Bayushi Shoju discovered an ancient prophecy indicating that the last Hantei would bring about the return of Fu Leng. Eager to save the Empire and under the thrall of the Bloodsword Ambition, he plotted to kill the Emperor to prevent the passing of the prophecy.[citation needed]
[edit] The Death of Hantei XXXVIII
Due to their longtime friendship, Hantei XXXVIII granted Shoju's request for an audience. Secretly scattering his army about Otosan Uchi, Shoju traveled there and before the entire Imperial Court, slew the Emperor. Believing the Emperor and his son, Hantei Sotorii dead, Shoju declared himself Emperor Shoju I.[citation needed]
[edit] Initial Success
Despite the arrival of the Enemy forces, most notably the Unicorn Clan, being quicker than Shoju had anticipated, the Scorpion Clan maintained a strong hold on the capital initially. The first Unicorn attack of Otaku Battle Maidens was turned aside by Soshi Bantaro, who used the magic in the wall of Otosan Uchi itself.[1]
[edit] The Clans Unite
The other Clans arrived quickly to oppose the new Emperor, led by the Emerald Champion Doji Satsume. Shoju desperately began to stall the other armies, waiting for the arrival of the Crab Clan Champion Hida Kisada, hoping the Crab would ally with his family. But in asking for help, he showed weakness in the eyes of Kisada, and would have to face the united forces of the Clans. Early in the conflict, Shoju charged the forces opposing him, causing as much chaos as possible. In the fighting Doji Satsume was mortally wounded.[citation needed]
[edit] The Downfall of Shoju
While the Clans were bickering among themselves on how best to depose the Usurper, it almost looked like Shoju would be successful. Satsume was mortally wounded early in the assault on the well-entrenched Scorpion and none looked to be able to defeat Shoju. It was then that the Lion Clan Champion Akodo Toturi returned from a trap involving a geisha (orchistrated by the Scorpion) and, with his superior tactical skills and excellent grasp of strategy, the tide began to turn. Using the Crab to create a diversion by storming the front gates, Toturi, Doji Hoturi (the son of Satsume), and a small fighting force entered the Imperial City stealthily, catching the Scorpion by surprise. Toturi and Shoju faced each other in a final fight, with Shoju showing himself to be the superior swordsman. Instead of killing Toturi, Shoju, finally realizing that his actions had been in error, cleft the Emerald Throne in two with Ambition, breaking the bloodsword. Toturi took this opportunity to kill Shoju, effectively ending the Coup.[citation needed]
[edit] The Return of the Heir
With the Heir to the Hantei Dynasty believed dead, Toturi quickly decided to declare himself Emperor to prevent the petty squabbles of the other clans from devolving into civil war. Unknown to him the son of the Emperor had not been killed, but spirited away by the Elemental Master of Void, Isawa Kaede, and the Captain of the Imperial Guard, Seppun Ishikawa, to the Phoenix lands. Upon the Heir's return, Toturi immediately abdicated his claim to the throne, but this did not appease the new Emperor. He ordered Toturi stripped of his name and denied seppuku, made to wander Rokugan as a ronin. The Akodo family was disbanded, as was the entirety of the Scorpion Clan. The only one to escape this fate was the revered sensei, Akodo Kage. The new Emperor took Kachiko, the late Shoju's wife, as his Empress while the rest of her erstwhile family fled, hid, or were put to the sword.[citation needed]
References
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