I'm so glad everyone else seems to be as hyped up about the way the story is progressing as I am. The Matsu Tsuko story gave me chills!! Here's the scoop...I am proud to say that me and my players here had this figured out awhile ago: Togashi Yokune is the original Togashi, clan founder and brother of Fu Leng and Hantai. He is also a real dragon (there's a bit on the Dragon Stronghold card where it mentions him shapeshifting into dragon form to fight Fu Leng). Since he is more than mortal (a son of the sun and moon), he couldn't be a thunder. For more "req. for being a thunder" and clan founding info, check out a copy of the L5R RPG book. It's a great reference for any L5R player (even those, like me, who don't role-play at all).

The card says that Fu Leng picks up Yokune in dragon form and pretty much snaps his back in multiple places. As he lays dying, Hitomi runs in screaming this death cry and wearing the Obsidian Hand, plunges it into Yokune's chest. She pulls out Yokune's heart, which is really the missing 12th black scroll and opens it. Fu Leng goes nuts, raving on about how that now all 12 have been opened his powers are now complete at last. Yeah, well then someone else (I forget who) also reminds him that by Hitomi opening that last scroll, Fu Leng is now permanently bound into the body of Hantai. Essentially, now he is a mortal being and the card says "fear simmered behind his eyes for the first time..." (or something to that effect). The death of Fu Leng is imminent...I, too, can't wait to see how this all turns out!!!

As for the other clans, Miramoto Daini leads the Naga against Junzo's army and Quamar is fried cripsy by...Isawa Tsuke. All the Phoenix masters (except Isawa Kaede, Master of the Void, whom I've not seen any reference to in this story yet) have become totally corrupted and have joined the side of Junzo and Fu Leng. Tsuke was up on the battlements of Ostan Uchi and used his corrupt magic to fry poor Quamar. I actually think Quamar is a naga title, not a name, because upon his death Isha tells Daini "I am no longer the Isha, now I am Quamar."

As for the rest of the Phoenix, Tsuke engaged Ujimitsu and toasted him too. With great effort, Isawa Tadaka overcame his corruption and hit Tsuke with a spell at the same time Ujimitsu cut Tsuke with his last action. Shiba Tsukune broke off in mid-battle after seeing her champion fall and ran over to try and help him. Too late and while dying, Ujimitsu gave Tsukune the champion's sword.

Otako Kamoko rode down Yogo Junzo while the Unicorn had engaged the undead army in battle. He was trampled to death under her horse, after which she runs off in a mad fit to find and kill Fu Leng. In the end, all the thunders end up meeting in the throne room (see the setup for the winner of the Thunders tourney?). Kamoko charged Fu Leng and got smacked aside hard. It's not said whether she lived or not. The others all do what they can and the rest is all pretty ambiguous. Kachiko redeems herself by clawing Fu Leng's eyes out, but I'm missing more story after that. This is pretty much what I've got. If I find out anything else (like when our players get back Sunday), I'll post to the group then. Hope you like the story so far, I sure do!!!