https://drafts.fantasyflightgames.com/en/news/2017/8/2/curved-blades/

But... can we have previews?

Probably the strongest fiction yet.

I must say I'm a fan of both of the central characters here. We even got a great introduction into the differences between the clan and the rest of the empire.

My only concern is that Kamoko is clan champion in the core, which makes me worry a bit about Altansanai. I'm assuming that she keeps her name but must step down as champion based upon the Scorpion's suggestion during their fiction. That way Kamoko becomes champion.

Welcome back Ree.

I really enjoyed this one.

Long live Shinjo AlBundy (or whatever)!!

1 minute ago, Kubernes said:

I must say I'm a fan of both of the central characters here. We even got a great introduction into the differences between the clan and the rest of the empire.

My only concern is that Kamoko is clan champion in the core, which makes me worry a bit about Altansanai. I'm assuming that she keeps her name but must step down as champion based upon the Scorpion's suggestion during their fiction. That way Kamoko becomes champion.

Kamoko isn't champion in the the core.

1 minute ago, Kubernes said:

My only concern is that Kamoko is clan champion in the core, which makes me worry a bit about Altansanai. I'm assuming that she keeps her name but must step down as champion based upon the Scorpion's suggestion during their fiction. That way Kamoko becomes champion.

Per the Launch Program page, Altansarnai is shown as the Champ.

So without reading the story yet, in the lead in excerpt there's no mention of the Unicorn fighting the Scorpion. Also is it different that the Unicorn came in through the Shadowlands? I thought in the original they came I'm through a forest claimed by the Lying Darkness, but I forget if that lead directly into the Shadowlands or not. I don't remember the Unicorn beating the Crab in the original timeline but I'm less well versed in some of that stuff.

Just now, Coyote Walks said:

Per the Launch Program page, Altansarnai is shown as the Champ.

It's in the fiction on the last page. Didn't see it on the phone until I looked at the desktop version.

I love my fiction.

I hate that no Ide are present.

I am conflicted.

Just now, Kubernes said:

It's in the fiction on the last page. Didn't see it on the phone until I looked at the desktop version.

That says altanarsai on the fiction last page??

To my biggest surprise, I can't say anything wrong about this fic. This is pretty much how I wish every L5R fic would be written. The character introductions are spot-on, the dialogues are great, and the drama is kept in place for actual characterization. Not only that, but the whole story makes sense and every thought in it is presented thoughtfully, and it breaks up the exposition with trivia and other interesting bits.

Like, wow, this is solid 10/10 for an L5R fic.

Also, I really like Altanarsai.

9 minutes ago, RandomJC said:

I love my fiction.

I hate that no Ide are present.

I am conflicted.

If the Ide were present none of this issue with the Ikoma would have even happened. They are the only ones that actually get this "courtier" nonsense after all.

Just now, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

If the Ide were present none of this issue with the Ikoma would have even happened. They are the only ones that actually get this "courtier" nonsense after all.

I sense sucking up. You get a like.

So this entire fiction is the Unicorn champion overturning a hard fought treaty, deciding to fight against the most powerful aspects of rokugani culture, damning possibly thousands to death, all over the life of a single courageous Asako who wanted to die just for love of all things.

Like Shinjo herself that compassion will bite them in the ***, but they certainly are the clan of Compassion.

5 minutes ago, AtoMaki said:

To my biggest surprise, I can't say anything wrong about this fic. This is pretty much how I wish every L5R fic would be written. The character introductions are spot-on, the dialogues are great, and the drama is kept in place for actual characterization. Not only that, but the whole story makes sense and every thought in it is presented thoughtfully, and it breaks up the exposition with trivia and other interesting bits.

Like, wow, this is solid 10/10 for an L5R fic.

Also, I really like Altanarsai.

The story makes sense? Doesn't make any sense to me from a Lion PoV. Deception in combat is one thing, but forcing the Ikoma family daimyo to break the marriage vows made before his family and his ancestors for a political convenience is rather dishonorable don't you think?

16 minutes ago, RandomJC said:

That says altanarsai on the fiction last page??

Yeah, she's officially the "Trailblazing Champion of the Unicorn Clan"

I can't help but feel like there is no happy ending for that Asako. Even if her husband would welcome her back with open arms the rest of the Lion certainly wouldn't.

Just now, TroutNinja said:

The story makes sense? Doesn't make any sense to me from a Lion PoV. Deception in combat is one thing, but forcing the Ikoma family daimyo to break the marriage vows made before his family and his ancestors for a political convenience is rather dishonorable don't you think?

It completely is, that's why the Unicorn are still barbarians to Rokugani at large.

5 minutes ago, TroutNinja said:

The story makes sense? Doesn't make any sense to me from a Lion PoV. Deception in combat is one thing, but forcing the Ikoma family daimyo to break the marriage vows made before his family and his ancestors for a political convenience is rather dishonorable don't you think?

Since all Samurai marriages are, in a sense , matters of political convenience. To switch from a 'good ' match to a 'great ' one is a matter of Duty

I'd be a fan of Altansanai even if it were only to avoid this , as if I'd have non-calvary followers in my deck. It irked me not to have a better champion, Once the Scorpion Clan Coup inexperienced version came out I never played that card again.

6 minutes ago, Kubernes said:

Yeah, she's officially the "Trailblazing Champion of the Unicorn Clan"

...trailblazing is an adjective not apart of a title.

Just now, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

It completely is, that's why the Unicorn are still barbarians to Rokugani at large.

Yeah, but the idea that I got out of this was that the marriage was the Lion's idea. It was mentioned that her marrying into the Ikoma family was a surprise to her, revealed after the fact. Unless their marriage broker was Scorpion, it kinda seems like it was a dishonorable deal for everyone involved.

11 minutes ago, TroutNinja said:

The story makes sense? Doesn't make any sense to me from a Lion PoV. Deception in combat is one thing, but forcing the Ikoma family daimyo to break the marriage vows made before his family and his ancestors for a political convenience is rather dishonorable don't you think?

Besides marriage being 100% about political convenience, this is very in character for the Ikoma.

Just now, TroutNinja said:

Yeah, but the idea that I got out of this was that the marriage was the Lion's idea. It was mentioned that her marrying into the Ikoma family was a surprise to her, revealed after the fact. Unless their marriage broker was Scorpion, it kinda seems like it was a dishonorable deal for everyone involved.

No, the Lion are following honor and tradition to the letter. Sure it morally is a sinister move, but morality doesn't matter, tradition is. Only the Unicorn care about valuing love over duty.

To reveal that the Unicorn DIDNT know a thousand year tradition with the Ikoma would do nothing but weaken the Unicorn and lead to only slander.

"What? You DIDNT know this fact! What uncultured barbarians, they don't even do their research!"