I write this to all the members of the Alliance, an Alliance and a Great Clan founded upon the actions of Yoritomo of the Mantis, and upon the actions of all those who stood with the "minor" clans, on the Day of Thunder. Who amongst us remembers that day?
I do.
Who remembers the lessons that we learned that day? I do. I remember the end days of the Clan War.
As, I am certain, do we all.
It was in those days that we saw the meeting of Yoritomo with the leaders of the Great Clans - Toturi, Hoturi and Yakamo. It was in those days that we knew that we had to be ready to die, to prove that we were worthy. It was the minor clans who best knew the role of a Great Clan. It was we who pointed them to their duty. It was Yoritomo who led the way through the gates of Otosan Uchi, fighting through the army of death, that the Thunders could achieve their duty.
Our actions then, the recognition of those actions by Akodo Toturi, Doji Hoturi, and Hida Yakamo, were what gained the Mantis the status of a Great Clan. The need to do what must be done.
For Rokugan.
Now, Toturi has been missing for a full turn of seasons. Hoturi is dead. Yakamo is trapped and likely dead beyond the Great Wall. Great Clan wars against Great Clan, and once more it is the minor clans who suffer. Our Wasp clan scouts see Lion armies move southward. The Naga war with the Dragon, and the Brotherhood gives shelter to their refugees. The Unicorn treat their own will as law. The Crane let greed surpass duty, and betray the trust that Toturi has given us. The Scorpion are banished. The phoenix warn of doom.
We can watch uncommitted no longer.
The phoenix have wisdom. Send our shugenja to their aid. Send our bushi to protect them as they seek to answer Toturi's disappearance. We owe the Emperor a debt. If he lives, he must be found. If, as seems more likely every passing day, he does not, then he must be succeeded. Yakamo is of the blood of Hida. Yoritomo is of the blood of Hida. Speak with O-Ushi and her husband. If the Lion mean them harm, we have no choice but to do what we must do: defend the defenders of Rokugan. The duty of the Unicorn and Lion is to defend the Dragon against the naga. Let them see to their duty, if they remember it. The Crane... ah, the Crane.
This ... Kuwanan betrays the honour of his Clan, betrays the trust which Hoturi earned. Not since the days of the False Hoturi has a Crane behaved so. I fear that Chomei might be the last honourable Crane not gone to join his ancestors.
More pressing matters attend; we will see to our duty. Do not, however, think that we forget the Crane betrayal of the Charter. A reckoning will come due, and gold nor deceit will buy their way past it. Like a mantis, we can be patient; but we will never forget.
To all those who stand with the Alliance, with the Mantis, I ask that you bear word to those you know amongst the other Clans.
To the Crab, assure them that their bushi do not stand alone. We have not forgotten the Day of Thunder. In this new age, old enemies are still a threat. We will see that the Crab can uphold their duty.
To the Phoenix and the Brotherhood of Shinsei, tell them that we recognise their search for wisdom, and that they have nothing to fear from us.
To the Lion, remind them that struggle without purpose cannot bring victory. They perhaps were once the mightiest of Clans, but no more.
To the Crane, tell them that their trade and honour are built in these days upon Mantis gold. Tell them to ever be ready, for we shall never forget.
To the Unicorn, tell them that we see how they "uphold" Toturi's laws, by squabbling with the Crane over land which belongs to neither. The Scorpion provinces belong to the Scorpion's children, a Great Clan no longer.
Tell them all to do their duty, and to uphold the Empire else face the strength of purity which is the wrath of the Mantis.
Any of our kinsmen who have the ear of our daimyo, know that action must be taken, and taken swiftly. The longer the throne stands empty, the farther from truth the other Great Clans fall. Someone must be placed on the throne. Someone with the strength to lead.
Rokugan needs an Emperor, before the other Great Clans destroy us all. If, as I fear, Toturi is dead, then someone else shall have to sit in Otosan Uchi. Someone chosen swiftly, without time for politics and deceit.
Now ready your armies for war. A cold wind blows in Rokugan. Toturi has been forgotten, and the Great Clans need to be reminded of duty.
Yoritomo Toshokan'in