Interview

Rich Wulf has once again granted some of his precious time towards a humble request for an interview. I had the great honor of presenting this series of questions to Rich. He was kind enough to answer those he could and offer a few cryptic clues regarding the questions he couldn't answer yet. I hope you all enjoy this glimpse behind the curtain.
Shiba Mythos

Q1) How was the Elemental Council tricked into declaring war on the Mantis? Didn't Shiba Ningen sense something wrong with the whole situation? Isawa Nakamuru is a peaceful guy, and the others are all rather new to the council. Especially with two Gozoku on the council, how did they allow this to happen?

A1) There are outside circumstances that have exacerbated the situation, and suffice it to say that the Council do not take the appearance of a Black Scroll lightly. Ningen is not omniscient, though he may occasionally seem to be; Kinuye has covered her tracks in this. This story will be receiving a great deal more attention; what you have seen thus far is only the beginning.

Q2) Debate has raged regarding the viability of the Phoenix/Mantis War, where will battles be fought? The Mantis navy easily outnumbers the Phoenix fleet and there bushi are infinitely more aggressive than the Phoenix scholars. Why were the phoenix chosen to confront the mantis? (Since the Mantis have been pirating all the other clans ships too).

A2) The Phoenix and Mantis have had a handful of interesting confrontations in the past, dating back to the incident at Shiro Shiba (where Osano-Wo struck down the gates so that the Mantis could find his killer) that in the minds of many was one of the defining moments of the Mantis Clan. It will mostly be in Phoenix territory and on the islands off the coast (such as Aramasu's Pride) where the Mantis have been establishing strongholds.

Q3) Previous fictions have stated that the island known as Aramasu's Pride is located off the northern Phoenix coastline. Is this island going to be featured as a primary battleground in the upcoming war?

A3) Yes.

Q4) Does the Phoenix clan control any island/offshore outposts?

A4) They do have a handful of islands; nothing very significant but as a coastal clan fishing is an important industry for them.

Q5) After the last war with the Mantis the Phoenix repelled the invaders, and reclaimed the occupied lands. Did the Mantis retain any control over this mainland territory? If so where?

A5) The Mantis do not currently retain control of any Phoenix territories from that time period.

Q6) We've heard a lot about Sezaru's Hunters, any chance we'll begin seeing fictions staring them in the near future? Possibly either investigating the mantis for evidence of black scroll usage, or helping the Phoenix with our little Bloodspeaker problem.

A6) Yes, and though he's not a Phoenix the Hunter of the Wolf is receiving a personality card in Enemy of my Enemy.

Q7) I believe it was Rich Wulf who stated that the WoL Phoenix personality Kanjiro, was actually Shiba Aikune's father. How did this happen? Was he always a dragon in human form? Or did he somehow ascend after Aikunes birth? I seem to recall him retreating to a monastery. Is there a chance that Shiba Aikune has some spirit blood? If so why could he never hear the voices of his ancestors? Would you care to shed some light on either characters true nature?

A7) He was not always a dragon, no. He occasionally manifests as one when lending his descendants aid and support, perhaps due to his unique relationship with Tsukune and his connection to the Last Wish. None of Kanjiro's new abilities predate his death, so they would not be reflected in Aikune. Though Iuchiban has claimed responsibility for Aikune's inability to hear his ancestors, this has since largely been discounted as part of Iuchiban's arrogant tendency to take credit for anything which plagues his enemies and cannot readily be explained.

Q8) With the Elemental Council whole once more will we soon see fictions featuring the council members either together or individually? Specifically the mysterious Master of Fire, Isawa Ochai, and the newly minted Master of Earth Isawa Sachi?

A8) Yes. One of the current parts of the storyline that I regret is the lack of development for the new Council. Ochiai and Sachi in particular are greatly in need of screen time.

Q9) How did Isawa Sachi join the Gozoku?

A9) Mostly due to a similarity in philosophy. To clarify, Sachi is not one of the Gozoku who are aware of their connections to the Shadowed Tower. He's merely somewhat cynical and believes that, though the Emperor should be honored and respected, too much power in any one man's hands inevitably leads to ruin.

Q10) When will we get an origin story, or more background on Asako Kinuye? Is the biographical material in the Secrets of the Bloodspeakers considered Canon?

A10) Some hints of Kinuye's past are revealed in Secrets of the Phoenix. Material in Bloodspeakers is generally not canon unless it can be verified with another official source.

Q11) What happened to Isawa Izumi? Fire Tensai extraordinaire.

A11) Sadly even with the increased amount of fictions we've seen since Gold and Diamond, there just isn't enough time to dedicate story time to everyone. Izumi is one of those interesting characters who unfortunately has not yet had her moment in the sun.

Q12) What can you tell us about our new Mistress of Dragons: Isawa Sueno?

A12) We're currently developing more information about the City of Remembrance and its unique relationship with the Elemental Dragons for the Lotus Edition sourcebook for the RPG. Some of that is still subject to change and I also don't want to spoil too much yet so I'll throw a "Wait and See!" on this one.

Q13) Could you explain Agasha Miyoshi's (WoL) affinity to Dragons?

A13) See #12

Q14) What is the current status of Isawa Nodotai? Corrupted during the Rain of Blood he was last reported fighting against the Phoenix army during the battle for the City of Remembrance. Did he perish in the battle? Was he allied with the Mantis Attackers?

A14) Nodotai was one of the characters who was targeted for corruption during a previous Kotei Season, so yes he fell in the Rain of Blood.

Q15) How did the Rain of Blood affect the tribes of Yobanjin living in the mountains to the north of Phoenix lands? Will we ever hear from these tribes again?

A15) Yes, you'll hear from them again. They were not unaffected by the Rain of Blood. Not to harp on shameless plugs here, but more information about the Rain in general will also appear in the Lotus Edition sourcebook (which covers the Gold and Diamond story arcs as well as setting the RPG stage for Lotus).

Q16) The City of Blood, once known as The City of Tears, was one of five elemental cities formerly existing in the Blessed Realm of Ancestors. Since any Phoenix Shugenja in such a stronghold become bloodspeakers, will future storyline wins with this stronghold automatically be tainted/corrupted victories?

A16) No. If you win with a City of Blood deck and your deck is pure, it will count accordingly. That being said, ignoring the abilities of the stronghold by using such a deck may make things very difficult - but nobody ever said redemption was easy.

Q17) Is it possible to purify and reclaim the City of Tears for the pure Phoenix? Or does this require a "burn and purge" cleansing?

A17) Yes, if you win a major tournament with a pure City of Blood deck, it's a step in the right direction. Winning GenCon with a pure City of Blood deck will cleanse the city.

Q18) Prior to the fall of Fu Leng Maho was a form of pure magic, untouched by Jigoku. Today some renegade Phoenix wish to purify maho, or develop a new method of using our traditional magics without becoming pawns to either Fu Leng or Iuchiban. Asako Kinuye is obviously seeking some manner of freedom with her search for Yoritomo Kitao's tainted, but free, fleet. Is pure maho an obtainable storyline goal? Since player success in tournaments can swing amazing things in Rokugan what kind of victory would it take to purify Phoenix Maho?

A18) Not sure if this would be possible at this time. Maho has developed a pretty strong connection to the powers of Jigoku. Kinuye's goals in maintaining her free will are not entirely noble, considering that even without Fu Leng's influence she's proven herself murderous and untrustworthy. If maho were to be purified, it would most likely not be through Kinuye.

Q19) What is the origin of the five elemental cities? Who created them and for what purpose?

A19) The Five Elemental Cities were originally part of Yomi, the Realm of Blessed Ancestors. They were the first line of defense in the event of an invasion of that Realm. When the Darkness attacked, the Elemental Masters saved the cities by conducting a ritual that would bring them to Rokugan.

Q20) Why is the City of Remembrance associated with Elemental Dragons? Has it been rebuilt following its destruction during the Rain of Blood?

A20) It has been rebuilt. Originally the connection was a mechanical decision, to give the Phoenix a unique new play strategy. The story implications will be explained in time.

Q21) The region card "City of Gold" has been revealed to be an ancient stronghold of the first Isawa. Possibly even the birthplace of Isawa, does the Phoenix clan know of its existence? If not why? When will we learn more about its secrets, especially regarding the ancient race that created something similar to Isawa's Last Wish?

Q22) When will we see the City of Gold's story, both its ancient connection to Isawa, and its current Yobanjin inhabitants?

Q23) If the City of Gold was the birthplace of Isawa, why did he travel so far south? Exile? Exploration?

A21-23) The origins of the City of Gold and its possible connections to Isawa will be explained in an upcoming fiction.

Q24) The Dragon clans discoveries regarding Nemurani have led to them destroying any such items they encounter. Why is that? What is the Nemurani secret?

A24) Not a secret as much as a unique philosophy; they've merely come to a rather cynical conclusion that it's better to destroy these items when possible rather than allow potential harm to come of them.

Q25) During the Spirit Wars while the rest of the Empire turned inward the Mantis clan, led by Yoritomo Aramasu went to war with the distant Ivory Kingdoms, subsequent fictions imply that they won, how was one clan able to stand against an entire kingdom? Was the Ivory Kingdom just overrated? Or did the Mantis have help? Who was the aggressor? Where/when was this story told?

A25) The Mantis did not attack the entire Ivory Kingdoms with wild abandon. They struck very carefully and very cleanly and directed their war at House Rafiq, the heart of the Cult of Ruhmal which had dominated the Kingdoms. More information about this war can be found in the fiction, Strangers.

Q26) The Green-Green-White tribe of Nezumi lives within the Phoenix woodlands, the Secrets of the Phoenix RPG supplement claims that this tribe possesses no Shugenja. This seems like an odd coincidence. How did this occur?

A26) Shaman ability among the Nezumi tends to follow distinct bloodlines. In the Green-Green-White, these bloodlines have died out. It is a similar problem to that of the Stained Paw, who have no more Rememberers.

Rich Wulf Head Writer, Legend of the Five Rings Alderac Entertainment Group