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Susumu Shibatsu 
Susumu Shibatsu 
Born: Unknown 
Died:
Parents: Iweko I,
Iweko Setai 
Siblings: Iweko II,
Iweko Miaka 
Titles: Spider Clan Champion (of the renegades loyal to Iweko II),
Daimyo of the Susumu Family
People

Iweko Shibatsu was the second son of Iweko I and Iweko Setai. His older brother was Iweko Seiken, [1] and his only sister was Iweko Miaka. [2] Once Seiken became Emperor Iweko II, Shibatsu joined the Spider Clan as Susumu Shibatsu. [3]

Raised by the Spider[]

Iweko Shibatsu 2

Iweko Shibatsu

Shibatsu was raised by the Spider Clan in exchange for Daigotsu Kanpeki, who was fostered to the Imperial Families. [4] According to Moru, the Imperial Advisor, the Empress seconded him and not his older brother and heir apparent, Iweko Seiken, to Daigotsu's Clan in order to ensure that no "corrupted scion" would succeed her. Furthermore, Iweko Seiken was well acquainted with various clans and was brought up to be martially powerful, so that he could withstand any attempt to overthrow him. [5] His brother had no doubt that Shibatsu had endured his time with the Spider Clan well, because he was ever a sturdy child. [1]

Reputation[]

While Shibatsu didn't question that those of lesser status would follow his orders, he noticed that others in Rokugan were uneasy around him because of his association with the Spider Clan. Unlike others, he didn't regard being fostered by the Spider a punishment or sacrifice, but a "convergence of destiny". [6]

Avoiding Conflict with Seiken[]

He had met his brother, the heir apparent Iweko Seiken after his return from the Spider Clan only shortly, but already caused fear that he was pursuing a confrontation about the line of succession. In 1198 he confided to Susumu Kuroko that he considered the Spider his only true allies and that he didn't want to pursue such a conflict out of respect for his parents. He had arranged his return to the Colonies once he had secured the support of Kanpeki's clan with regards to this decision. [6]

Colonies[]

Seiken and Shibatsu at Court

Shibatsu and his brother Seiken at Court

Acting Governor of the Colonies[]

After the Siege of the Second City the Kuni Daimyo Kuni Renyu was appointed the interim Imperial Governor of the Colonies by Shinjo Kinto, who led the Ninth Imperial Legion. Shibatsu took the post for himself after a few days, and appointed Renyu's karo, Kuni Itsuko, as his advisor. Shibatsu ordered Kitsuki Horume to determine the depth of the former court's corruption, if any. [7] Eventually, word from the Toshi Ranbo reached the Second City. His mother had decreed that Renyu should be interim governor until she would choose someone to properly rule the Colonies in her name. [8]

P'an Ku's Madness[]

In 1199, when P'an Ku's madness spread over the Second City, Shibatsu gave Yoritomo Saigo legitime travel papers so the Mantis could leave again the city. Saigo had been involved in the escape of Suikihime from the Imperials, so Shibatsu gave him a letter intedend for Lady Otomo, renewing the alliance of the Spider with her, and to pass his regards to Omigawa and Bayushi Shizuka, who had helped Suikihim to go into hiding. [9] Unknown to Saigo, Shibatsu sent a message to Suikihime's pursuer, Shinjo Tselu, about the travel the Mantis would take and whom he would meet. [10] Suikihime realized Shibatsu wished her return to the Second City, and willingly surrendered to an agent of the Ivory Champion. [11]

Dealing with the Crane[]

Shibatsu requested the courtier Doji Iza to release Daigotsu Subudi, who had been taken hostage by the Crane during the riots in the Second City. By merely dealing with him, she might become the inroad through which the younger heir gained influence and allies in the Crane. [12]

P'an Ku's Defeat[]

His brother Seiken moved to Second City, and alongside the Master of Air Isawa Mitsuko announced in the Ivory Court that P'an Ku would be summoned in the Imperial District, to be banished from the mortal realm. [13]

Blood of the Preserver[]

After the defeat of P'an Ku the Spider Clan Champion, Daigotsu Kanpeki, gave the Blood of the Preserver to Shibatsu as a gift for the Empress, [14] a way to demonstrate the Spider support to him as proposed Imperial Heir. The Spider Champion presented it at the Ivory Court. [15]

A Brother's Destiny[]

Iweko Shibatsu 3

Shibatsu, progressive.

The more progressive samurai supported Shibatsu as Imperial Heir. [16] The Mantis had rallied to his banner while the Lion Clan supported his brother, [17] as well as the Scorpion. [18] Although the two brothers did not sanction action against one another, their followers began to take that initiative on their own. [19] At Imperial winter court his supporters formed an alliance, so-called Progressive, with the Spider, Crane, Mantis and Unicorn Clans. [20]

Outmanouvered by Force[]

His brother Iweko Seiken returned to the Second City, and in presence of the Governor Suikihime, the Imperial Heir forced to have command upon half of the Ivory Legion and half of the Second City Guardsmen as well. [21]

The Samurai Caste Divides[]

In the Ivory Court an unsanctioned duel between two followers of Seiken and Shibatsu quickly escalated. Members of the Dragon Clan attempted to arrest several parties involved in the initial melee, but there was resistance. The violence unleashed tensions throughout the city, and the fighting renewed in the Second City streets. Kanpeki reported to Shibatsu, who left the Second City to see his brother at once. [22] Shibatsu was advised by the Scorpion Clan that a massive attack planned by the traditionalist forces would arrest those loyal to his cause. He shared this information with Yoritomo Hiromi, in the estate of the Mantis Clan Champion at Kalani's Landing. [23] The Scorpion's information proved correct, and the reserves of the traditionalist forces were only the first to fall beneath the ruthless onslaught of the forces loyal to Shibatsu. [24] The Progressive forces would not had defeated Seiken's supporters without the duplicity of the Scorpion. [25]

Meeting with his Brother[]

Seiken met his brother in his estate at the Second City, and they pondered the outgoing conflicts, such as the fight in the Colonies between their own supporters, the Lion-Scorpion war. Shibatsu advised his brother to let himself neutral respect the retribution of the Unicorn against the Phoenix Clan after their research on the Moto Curse, as he had nothing to gain by getting involved. [26]

New Emperor[]

Shibatsu accepts his mother's choice

Shibatsu accepts his mother's choice of Seiken as new Emperor

Eventually, her mother the Empress went in seclusion to decide her official heir. Iweko I decided there was no reason not to adhere to the tradition of primogeniture, proclaiming Seiken as the future Emperor in the year 1200. [27] All Imperials were required in the capital for the coronation [28] of Seiken as Iweko II. [29] Shibatsu returned to mainland Rokugan alongside the Mantis Clan Champion Yoritomo Hiromi, and Yoritomo Saigo. [30] Shibatsu accepted his mother's choice. [31]

Spider Clan Champion[]

During the festivals leading towards the coronation of Iweko Seiken as Iweko II, Shibatsu's brother surprised him with a public announcement that was meant to humiliate Daigotsu Kanpeki. Seiken revealed that once he was emperor Kanpeki would no longer be the Spider Clan Champion and the Daigotsu family no longer the Spider Clan's ruling family. Shibatsu was to join the Susumu family as their daimyo and rule the clan. [32]

This caused Daigotsu Kanpeki to declare war on the Empire. When Iweko II was in power, Shibatsu joined the Susumu family, took their name and ruled over less than 100 Spider samurai who were loyal to Iweko II while the majority of the Spider Clan kept following Kanpeki into exile and onto the warpath. [3]

Sequestered at Toshi Ranbo[]

Shibatsu was nearly sequestered by his brother, with guardsmen that dogged his steps everywhere he went, to keep safe the next in line for the throne. He was met in the Inn of the Wilted Rose by Susumu Kuroko and Susumu Takuan, who swore the loyalty of the Susumu family to him. [33]

Fall of Toshi Ranbo[]

This year the rebellious Spider Clan had the upperhand in their goal to rule the Empire. Bayushi Nitoshi offered to the enemy leader Daigotsu Kanpeki his services, and the services of half of his Clan. The Scorpion Clan Champion had delivered to Kanpeki the heads of the Crane Clan Champion Doji Makoto and the Phoenix Clan Champion Shiba Tsukimi to prove his allegiance. Shortly after the Spider stormed Toshi Ranbo, the Phoenix used the spell Walking the Way to take the Emperor, his bride, Hida Ayameko, Shibatsu, and Miaka to a secret location. Nitoshi and his Clan were instrumental to secure the Iweko family, denying Kanpeki's real target, Iweko II. Shibatsu's Spider-trained honor guard defied assassination orders and instead decided to defend him. [34]

External Links[]


Preceded by:
Kuni Renyu
Interim Governor of the Colonies
1198 - (ca. 1199)
Succeeded by:
Kuni Renyu
Preceded by:
Daigotsu Kanpeki
Champion of the Spider Clan loyal to Iweko II
1200 - Present
Succeeded by:
-
Preceded by:
Susumu Kuroko
Daimyo of the Susumu Family
1200 - Present
Succeeded by:
-


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 State of the Clans, Part 1, by Shawn Carman
  2. Love Letter Flyer & Characters
  3. 3.0 3.1 Embracing the Darkness, by Maxime Lemaire
  4. Imperial Histories 2, p. 282
  5. Chosen of the Emperor, by Shawn Carman
  6. 6.0 6.1 Embers of War, Part 3: The Spider, by Shawn Carman
  7. City of Smoke & Ash, by Shawn Carman and Robert Denton
  8. Coils of Madness, Part 1, by Shawn Carman & Robert Denton
  9. Coils of Madness 2, by Seth Mason & Robert Denton
  10. Coils of Madness 3, by Seth Mason & Robert Denton
  11. Scenes from the Empire 35, by Robert Denton & Seth Mason
  12. Gates of Chaos, Part 3, by Seth Mason
  13. Face the Madness, Part1, by Shawn Carman & Seth Mason
  14. Changing the Game (Aftermath flavor text & card artwork)
  15. Scenes from the Empire 38, by Seth Mason & Robert Denton
  16. Progressive (A Line in the Sand flavor)
  17. Strike First (A Line in the Sand flavor)
  18. Scenes From the Empire 37, by Robert Denton, Nancy Sauer, and Seth Mason
  19. The SAmurai Caste Divides (A Line in the Sand flavor)
  20. Winter Court 4 - Nearing the End
  21. The Coming Storm (Story rulebook)
  22. A Line in the Sand, Part 2, by Shawn Carman
  23. The New Order, Part 1, by Shawn Carman
  24. Unexpected Attack (The New Order flavor)
  25. Devastating Betrayal (The New Order flavor)
  26. One Way or the Other, by Robert Denton
  27. The Ascendant Son, by Shawn Carman
  28. Hida Kurabi (Twenty Festivals flavor)
  29. Iron Defenders (Twenty Festivals flavor)
  30. Twenty Festivals, Part 2, by Shawn Carman
  31. Accepting the Choice (Thunderous Acclaim flavor)
  32. Thunderous Acclaim, Part 1, by Shawn Carman & Thomas C. Hand
  33. The Dawn of Onyx Edition: The Battle of the First Seal, by Shawn Carman
  34. The Dawn of Onyx Edition


Imperial This Imperial Families related article is a stub. That means that it has been started, but is incomplete. You can help by adding to the information here.


Spider This Spider Clan related article is a stub. That means that it has been started, but is incomplete. You can help by adding to the information here.
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