The Scorpion Coup

It is a cold night, fittingly so for the events about to pass. In the woods, surrounding the Imperial capitol, black-clad samurai stalk silently toward the palace and prepare their weapons, while ninja begin to climb the ancient walls. The hour approaches, treachery is on the wind.

Not so very far away, Akodo Toturi, leader of the Lion clan’s armies and sword defender of the Emerald Throne, kicks off his sandals and enters a small house in a nondescript alley. It is not a wealthy house, nor is it reputable, but it is warm, and it houses the geisha he loves. Toturi comes here to escape the weight of Imperial matters. He shivers. Toturi seats himself and asks for some tea. The rain drips from his hair and kimono, so he does not notice the drop of a single tear landing in the cup she offers him. Her masters have ordered her to poison Toturi, and she has no choice but to obey.

Meanwhile, in the Throne Room itself, Bayushi Shoju speaks with before the Imperial Court. "I have found an ancient prophecy," he says gravely. "It says the greatest among us will cause the Empire to fall and release an ancient evil into the world. I need your blessing to take every action necessary to avoid this fate, Emperor."

"You have it," says the Emperor, "but who, my trusted friend, is more powerful than you?"

Shoju bows. "Only you, Emperor," he says as a dark katana appears in his hand.


So begins the Scorpion Coup. Bayushi Shoju kills Hantei the 38th and much of the Imperial Court. He seats himself upon the throne and declares himself the new Emperor. Only the combined armies of the other six clans prevented the Scorpion from holding that position.

The Scorpion Clan was known for its use of ninja and the dreaded Kolat (Shosuro impersonators). But Clan Scorpion also served another purpose. They were the caretakers of the Black Scrolls, legendary magical spells that had been used to bind and imprison the Dark One in the Shadowlands.

One day, Bayushi Shoju made a dark discovery. The ancient prophecy of the Serene Prophet Isawa Uikku hinted that the Dark God, Fu Leng, would return to Rokugan and that the Emperor would be responsible for this being’s return. Shoju contemplated as to what to do, and made his decision. The time was right, and using ninja and the Kolat to cause distractions around the Empire, Shoju assembled his armies and attacked the Imperial Palace from inside and out. It was swift and Bayushi Shoju claimed the Emerald Throne in one night.

The other clans knew nothing of Shoju’s revelation, save the Dragon. To them, the Scorpion had committed a horrible atrocity. All the other clans, with the exception of the Crab, lead an assault against the Scorpion, but Shoju was one of the late Emperor’s best generals. An impasse was reached, and neither side gained any advantage.

For days now, powerful armies have assaulted the thousand-year-old walls of the Imperial Capitol. For days now, the resolute samurai of the Scorpion Clan have thrown them back heavy losses. All the clans of the Empire have gathered together in a savage attempt to dethrone Bayushi Shoju, arch-traitor and self-proclaimed Emperor… all the clans, save only one.

The Crab Clan has not yet declared whose side they will support. While the Crab will bow to tradition and the restoration of the Hantei dynasty, Shoju also knows the Crab respect strength above all else. He has shown great strength in overthrowing the Emperor and holding the Imperial Palace against the rest of the Empire; strength of heart, strength of intelligence, and strength of arms. And though he has continued to hold out in spite of everything that has gone wrong, his armies are badly beleaguered.

Today the Crab army has at last arrived on the field of battle, and the clan’s champion has asked to speak with the new Emperor. If Shoju can turn the Crab to his side, the other clans will have to concede, for none can pry a Crab loose from his position; but if the Crab join with the besieging clans, the Scorpion are lost.

In front of the Imperial gates, Bayushi Shoju swaggers out to meet Hida Kisada, the "Great Bear" of the Crab Clan. They bow to each other slightly. "You have seen how I have taken the Throne," Shoju begins, "and I have withstood the attack of the other angry clans." There is a long silence. "Join me Kisada," he says finally, "join me and together we shall be invincible."


Needing more force, Bayushi Shoju contacted Hida Kisada of Clan Crab. Shoju promised Kisada great favors if the Crab would ally. One morning, Shoju awoke to see the War Banner of the Crab approach the castle. It is said that Shoju laughed out loud as he felt the surge of victory soar through his body. Those who heard the laughter also heard it become a choked gurgle of surprise, for Bayushi Shoju watched as the Crab joined with his opponents. In the end, it was Shoju’s words "Join me Kisada" that lost him the ally. Kisada later admitted that he would have joined with the Scorpion, but they showed the weakness to ask for it.

The final battle was brief. Bayushi Shoju was defeated in single combat by the Emperor’s Protector, Akodo Toturi. Before his blood stopped flowing, the young Emperor took Shoju’s wife, Bayushi Kachiko, as his own in order to end the Bayushi line.

However, the new Emperor was not pleased at some of the Clans. Angered at the Crab’s lack of support, the Emperor sent them back to guarding the Shadowlands Wall. As well, he took away the status of Lion Champion from Akodo Toturi and disgraced the Akodo family. Those remaining Akodo were transferred to the Ikoma family, Matsu Tsuke was named Lion Champion, and Toturi was denied seppuku (honorable suicide) and made a Ronin (masterless samurai).