The Unicorn Clan
When the Emerald Empire was first formed, the Ki-Rin Clan was commanded to explore the rest of the world. The Ki-Rin were to report any news of what was on the other side of the southern mountains, a natural barrier that has kept Rokugan a country in isolation from foreigners. Two hundred years ago, a foreign Clan calling itself the Unicorn returned on the mightiest steeds Rokugan had ever seen, completing its mission with information of gaijin lands.
During the early days of the Empire, the Kami called Shinjo gathered around her mortals of her same adventurous spirit and wanderlust. These men and women became the foundation of the Ki-Rin Clan.
After the Seven Thunders vanquished Fu Leng, the Hantei realized that other threats might exist beyond the borders of Rokugan. So he commanded that the Ki-Rin travel beyond the known world to return one day with knowledge of the realms of the gaijin. Eight hundred years passed before Shinjo’s followers returned. When they re-entered Rokugan, they rode under the banner of the Unicorn.
Among the skills the Unicorn brought back with them included a mastery of horsemanship (as well as numerous superior breeds of horse). In fact, before two hundred years ago, cavalry was nearly unheard of in tactics. Now the Unicorn are the undisputed masters of riding. Though a common belief is that to unhorse a Unicorn is to defeat him, this all results in a foe’s death to a Unicorn blade. The descendants of the Ki-Rin also returned with new forms of swordsmenship, sorcery, even styles of dress (such as the abhorrent idea of wearing animal flesh and fur).
Shunned by the Empire, though undeniably one of the Great Clan, the Unicorn fight a constant battle for acceptance. Though this will only be made more difficult if some of the Unicorn’s darker secrets are ever revealed. But that is another tale.
Colors: Purple and Gold
Daimyo: Shinjo Yokatsu
Personalities: Shinjo Yasamura (son of Yokatsu), Otaku Kamoko (head of the Battle Maiden Dojo), Ide Tadaji (head Unicorn courtier in the Emerald Palace), Moto Tsume (head of a Shadowlands army)
Families:
- Shinjo
: Free and untamed, the Shinjo still carry their ancestor’s restless demeanor in their souls.
- Otaku
: An Otaku is short on words, bust strong in action. They are straightforward and utterly determined in any task they accept.
- Ide
: Just the opposite of their Otaku cousins, the Ide know the power of words. The family standard itself bears the motto, "Violence is the language of defeat, swords the tongues of the lost."
- Iushi
: Traditionally a family of shugenja who adopted many foreign ideas into their magical philosophy. They are devoted to the study of magic and understanding its true form.
- Moto
: The Moto were originally a tribe of nomadic raiders in the Burning Sands. After the Unicorn’s return, Moto Tsume, daimyo of the Moto family, traveled into the Shadowlands to aid the Crab Clan in their constant struggle. Neither Tsume nor his troops ever returned from there, and now he and his corrupted army ride under the standard of Fu Leng. The current Moto family still exists, but in shame.
Dojos:
- Shinjo Bushi Dojo
: The fighting style of the Shinjo is confusing and misleading to other samurai for its use of gaijin techniques. Most notably is the famous Shinjo parry, a skill unheard of in Rokugan.
- Otaku Battle Maiden Dojo
: The women of the Otaku family make up the most elite unit of cavalry in Unicorn armies. As fierce as a Matsu, and as devoted as a Shiba, the Battle Maidens are a deadly force to be reckoned with.
- Ide Emissary Dojo
: The diplomatic skills of the Ide helped forge alliances with gaijin kingdoms, allow safe passage through dangerous lands, and re-established the Unicorn as a Great Clan upon their return.
- Iuchi Shugenja Dojo
: Simultaneously loathed and feared by other shugenja for their foreign sorcery, the Iuchi use magic in a way that baffles even the Isawa
- Moto Sagasu Dojo
: The Moto Sagasu (hunter) have devoted their lives to the destruction of the minions of Fu Leng. Specifically they seek out their lost brothers, the corrupted Moto of the Shadowlands.
Special Notes:
- The Unicorn are definitely an odd clan to Rokugan. They dress and act like gaijin. They are the only Clan to use leather armor and possess the greatest steeds in all of Rokugan.
- All Unicorn must learn Horsemanship. There is no exception to this rule. They prefer to fight from horseback and are quite adept at doing so (especially shooting bows on the move).
- All the dojos use the basic rules of each respective background (bushi and battle maidens are warriors, emissaries are augers, shugenja are mages) with the exception of the Moto Sagasu.
- Additionally, Shinjo bushi have learned the Parry skill. They all know this and use it often.
- Iuchi "foreign tactics" usually involve casting Fireball on their own troops and sending Lightning Bolts into melee. They use magic much like the average AQ party, a style seen as horrid in most of Rokugan.
- The Moto Sagasu are one unique type of warrior as many are not warriors at all. They are a collection of different backgrounds, usually forming very balanced parties. While most favor warrior skills, some know magic, some are nomads, and almost all have auger skills. They are the usual AQ party, though much more organized and honorable.