CONTENTS

The Black Land and its Lord
The Jade Wall

THE BLACK LAND AND ITS LORD

The Black Land is ruled by a terrible Lord. It is not known whether or not the Lord is male or female; reports differ. The Black Land, though fertile, is tainted by blood and the constant wars that rage through it. From this Taint, it is easy to distinguish the Black Land origins of demons and monsters that come into the Empire; those who have given their allegiance to the Black Lord have physical or spiritual signs of their Taint, which can be spread to innocents. Because of the Taint’s poison, any discovered to have association with the Black Land are killed, either on the spot, or after torture to discover associates or other important information. If a person associates with the Black Land, they forfeit any rights as a citizen, and the magistrates have free rein to use them as they wish.

The most common agents of the Black Land are small demons, sent to spread havoc or massacre innocents. If an assassination or a more subtle task is required, Tainted human spies known as ninja are sent.

THE JADE WALL

The Jade Wall is the Empire's primary defence against the forces of the Black Lord, built by the First Emperor. It stretches from the Dragon-Spine Mountains through to Bing Wan (the Gulf of Ice). Upon it are seven great castles, named for the Seven Virtues of Bushidou, the greatest of which is Shiro Meiyo (Honour Castle), which holds the area between the foothills of the Dragon-Spine Mountains and the Black Flower Hills. The Jade Wall has only been breached twice: once in the Year of the Empire 71, and once in the Year of the Empire 171. There are skirmishes with the creatures of the Black Land every summer during campaign season, and while they are usually driven off, there are always battles and often very high casualties.

It is the Imperial Duty of the Mountain Clan to maintain the Jade Wall, as the Clan whose lands border the greatest length of the Jade Wall. The Glacier Clan and Pine Clan lands also border the Jade Wall. All samurai, regardless of Clan, are expected to spend at least six months every five years patrolling and fighting on the Wall, or stationed at one of the seven Jade Wall Castles.