The Yamori are one of the rare species of minor clans which are not totally aligned with the Great Houses. They are very outward looking, and -- while militarily not amazingly powerful -- have considerable commercial clout and also a fair share of Drakonium fields. They entertain an high number of outposts along trading routes (the most important of which is Aprah, about two days from the main city and a very ancient trading town), often defended by troops of allied minor clans. Many of these outposts can be seen as "joint ventures," with the Yamori providing the trader's know-how and their partners providing support and protection. The Yamori are careful not to rely too heavily on one or two other minor clans; instead, they have attempted to create a strategic web of partners and allies, a strategy shaped by the near-constant upheavals within Shogunate society. House Lord Yamori Yabu believes that it is better to maintain many loose alliances than it is to hire mercenaries.

The Yamori are wooed by two Overclans. Bot the Tatsu and Kobara clans see them as a useful potential asset, and both have attempted to draw them into a closer alliance. Neither Clan has succeeded so far, as Yamori Yabu plays one Clan off against the other. This strategy has succeeded for over a hundred years, but it is not without it's risks. Some members of both Overclans advocate more forceful attempts to ensure an alliance with the Yamori, although these elements are currently in the minority. The Tatsu seek an alliance with the Yamori for access to the Yamori trading empire. The Kobara are more interested in the Yamori High Guard, a commando force equipped with specialized ceramic armor.

Clan Yamori is in no hurry to make a decision, and would have a difficult time of it if they were. The Clan has begun to factionalize, some favoring the Tatsu while others favor the Kobara. The rift is not yet strong enough to threaten the stability of the Clan, but some members fear that it will irrevocably divide them. If this happens, Overclan Kobara's involvement could easily push the division into a Yamori civil war.

The samurai of Clan Yamori indicate their allegiances through the martial arts Way they study. Those who favor Kobara study Snake style, while those who favor Tatsu study Dragon style. Those who seek neutrality study other styles, predominatly the Way of the Phoenix. Unfortunatly, those who choose neutrality are in the minority and are becoming rarer.

The Jade Spider Clan are survivors, of that there can be little doubt. Two millennia ago, when the Time of Chaos enveloped the land in a bloody shroud, the Spider Overclan stood as lord astride the southernmost sector of the Shogunate, and few would face them or their I allies. Distinguishing himself during these these troubled times, the great samurai Hisuiiro Kumo Musashi, son of the Spider Clan's Overlord, was granted boon to form his own splinter clan. Taking his own verdant eyes as his influence, the jade Spider Clan was born. Few could have forseen what was to be.

The Battle of Hell-Storm Gate was among the most bloody of conflicts seen in those dark times, as the Spider Clan clashed with the Tatsu. The conflict dragged on for weeks, and the Spider forces were gaining the upper hand, but alas they were weakened. Tuning to nurse their wounds for a fresh assault they fell under the treacherous tusks of their I allies, who had thrown in their forces with the Tatsu in return for monetary aid. The Spider Clan was all but annihilated. Too small to face the traitors, the Jade Spider Clan went underground to survive. Against all odds they succeeded and prospered, forging many contacts and allies with their wit, cunning and honor.

Gradually re-emerging under the reign of the Kitsune Shogun Mara, the strengthened Jade Spider Clan has become a Clan of note, independent from all others until a mere decade ago. Noting the worrying signs of an impending Age of Darkness they made moves to ally themselves with the Tora Overclan, and the deal was cemented with the marriage of Lady Hisuiiro Kumo Ama to the Tora Overlord Hehachi (pg. 45-46, The Shogunate).

Hisuiiro Kumo Musashi, founder of the Jade Spider Clan, was graceful, pasionate and attractive, with eyes of a unique emerald hue. Swift of mind, wit and sword, he was also tenacious in the extreme and honorable to a fault. It is these lofty qualities that allowed the jade Spider clan to thrive, and this is the legacy that the emerald-eyed samurai strive to uphold. Eloquent, honorable and fair in their dealings, the jade Spider Clan sits at the center of a vast web of businesses, manufacturing everything from textiles to foodstuffs, vehicles to weapons. However, they refuse to deal with Ninja, yakusa or criminals of any stripe (a fact which has slowed their steady progress).

Despite their strong adherence to codes of honor, the Jade Spidrs are terribly patient, cunning, and vengeful. Decieving them is no easy task, and they are quick to react to such ploys. When you deal with a Jade Spider it is usually on their terms.

Garbed in black armor with emerald green accents, the samurai of this clan are striking. They still practice the Way of the Spider, the martial art created by their mother clan. Calm and imperturbable in conflict, they fight to win and hold honor secondary to success in war. Passionate and loving in peace, they are charming, witty and friendly to all save the I.

Now, with a powerful ally and tumultous times ahead, the jade Spiders begin to plot the downfall of the overambitious I, for honor demands vengeance, and no traitor should be allowed to assume the mantle of Shogun.

Hisuiiro Kumo Kage, the current Overlord of the Jade Spider Clan, is new to his position, having recently ascended to rulership after the retirement of Hisuiiro Kumo Akira. While fairly youthful, he has been through 3 reincarnations and is an experienced warrior. He was also insightful enough to forge the alliance with the Tora, and his clan holds him in high regard.

The Devil Kats are highly visible among the clans affiliated with Clan Tora, and have a fearful reputation. They are the executioners of the Tora, charged with putting to death enemies of the clan, dissidents, rebels and traitors in public executions. They possess a reputation for being cold-blooded and unfeeling, are loathed by all who know them.

The Enma Neko (Devil Kats) are huge, barrel chested and tall, with cold eyes and powerful jaws. They tower over the Tora, though they still defer to the more cunning Tigers.

while they hold the Tora view of the world as "predator and prey", they seek to dominate through sheer physical power and brute tactics above all other concerns. They are brtal, cold and direct in both combat and manners. However, this lack of subtelty also means they can be out-thought and outmaneuvered, which helps to explain why they are allied with Clan Tora.

Perhaps reflecting the Tora rivalry with the Kobara, these executioners bear a similar hatred for Clan Scorpion (Sasori), who are allied with the Serpents. The swift, agressive nature of the Scorpions has resulted in a clash of personality and many minor skirmishes between them and the Devil Kats. Effective in combat, they have not developed a martial art of their own, learning instead the Way of the Tiger from their Tora allies.

Clad in heavy ceremonial armor, enameled with dark crimson and inlaid with the godl engraved faces of leering Oni, these executioners are an awe-inspiring sight. Wearing the opaqe, blac full-face visor (the executioner's mask) and bearing their trademark Mortis Forceblade (a two-handed forceblade with a long blade used for beheadings), few people have any wish to attract their cold scrutiny.

Lord Enma Neko Takashi is middle-aged with graying hair, but few mistake his age for weakness. He is a huge brute of a man, dour and brooding, obsessed with the many deaths he has both seen and caused. He possesses little patience, and has been known to fly into a cold rage when angered or disurbed. He rarely speaks more than a few words to anyone, even his own family, and takes council from no one save Tora Hehachi himself.

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