Have my baby TIBS.

Spider can easily come back.... as can Snake.....

I think the Issue with Spider in the past was that their leader(s) were the rightful emperors. But without that bloodline leading the clan, it will never have the same impact it did. But an organized, even sometimes honorable, force dedicated to the Shadowlands was more interesting than random gibbering monster.... that you could duel....

On 08/23/2017 at 9:13 AM, TheItsyBitsySpider said:

The ONLY way I could imagine a "Spider really being the Imperials" would be as a conspiracy among the imperial factions, not a shadowlands inversion.

Considering there were rumors at Gencon of one of the future deluxe expansions being an Imperial cycle, with many more Imperial cards and themes, something like it could easily happen. In Old5r the greatest allies of the Otomo were quickly becoming the Susumu, with the original heir apparent for the Otomo family marrying the Susumu Daimyo, who had an entire deck based on using the clout provided by their small family's close connection to the Imperial Families. So a tie to the Spider, or the idea, could show up.

-Scorpion launch the Coup, they kill the Hantei and decapitate the heads of the imperial families, causing absolute chaos

-Scorpion fail to kill the sons of the emperor, are defeated by the other great clans

-The elder brother takes the throne, but is traumatized and weakened by the whole experience, this is covered up by the Otomo

-His younger brother (traditionally Daigotsu), face damaged, wears the iconic mask and takes control of the Otomo family

- Trusted unconditionally by the Hantei, the younger brother becomes his closest advisor and practically rules by proxy

-Don't write the new Otomo as plotting treason, but instead have him dedicated to protecting his remaining dear family, no matter the cost.

- The Imperial families are convened to discuss the ultimate failure of the Scorpion, who was trusted to prevent this exact turn of events.

-New Daigotsu (whatever he is called) asserts that the Imperials need to gain far stronger control over the empire, never again allowing anyone to get this close.

-Wants to challenge the clans to lure out the threats "like insects in our web", and thus the Spider Conspiracy is born.

-Launches a political campaign to seize power back from the clans, for the first time in hundreds of years the Imperials are actively making moves in society,

- At this time the Deluxe Expansion comes out with the Imperial Families becoming an unaligned but Imperial faction in the game

- They are themed around having and burning the Imperial Favor for specific effects and feature the Seppun, Miya, and Otomo families

-Mechanically they care far more about having the imperial favor then any faction currently does, Way of the Spider/Otomo being "Gain the imperial favor or take it from the opponent" as its abilities, that kind of thing.

-They have Kyuden Otomo as a new stronghold, allowing only Imperial characters to be recruited

-By now they would also have Meshiodo magic, because the choice was made to share it with them, showing players that giving them things have consequences

-Story wise they reachout to clans, offering enticing rewards in exchange for falling into line and making examples of those that refuse

- Clans that agree gain new characters representing their new ties to the Imperials, with the Imperial Keyword so the Imperials may use them.

-Become a non shadowland's antagonist faction based on sheer highborn arrogance and individual superiority.

-OR, Shahai becomes corrupt, marries the young Daigotsu and slowly corrupts him and the Hantei, paving the way for Reborn Fu-Leng

-OR, they just become the unaligned faction in the game, but act as another player in the big game of rokugan.

But really, the Imperial Families would make an excellent addition as a new faction, Spider themed or no. When I did Winter Court 4, having the Imperials as one of the competing factions was a really cool thing to see, all of their hidden agenda's and plans really help bring the struggle of the great clans more to life.

Even if they don't do what I just listed, Imperials would be a really solid addition to the game, allowing the Imperial Favor to possible be used in very interesting ways, as the Favor right now is kind of meh impact wise. +1 to a conflict is nice, but not as impactful as it could be. Imagine if Imperials let you discard the favor for special effects on their dudes, to represent the power of their political influence, would be very interesting to see. The design space IS there, that's for sure. I hope the rumor turns out to be true.

Conspiracy time. The latest previee confirmed the current cycle is the Imperial cycle.

A goblin is among the teased personality of the very first pack of the cycle.

Goblins were Shadowlands and Spider Clan personalities.

Imperial = Spider

Illuminati confirmed.

1 hour ago, Tetsuhiko said:

Conspiracy time. The latest previee confirmed the current cycle is the Imperial cycle.

A goblin is among the teased personality of the very first pack of the cycle.

Goblins were Shadowlands and Spider Clan personalities.

Imperial = Spider

Illuminati confirmed.

Be happy

The Crab will be along shortly ?

We know what to do about your goblin problems ??

4 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Be happy

The Crab will be along shortly ?

We know what to do about your goblin problems ??

Goblin problems? I don't see any problems. Goblins have blood, do they not...?

7 minutes ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

Goblin problems? I don't see any problems. Goblins have blood, do they not...?

The kansen never said it had to be YOUR blood, Phoenix... Only that the price had to be paid. Of course, if word ever got out... your blood or not, it would still be on your hands...

28 minutes ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

Goblin problems? I don't see any problems. Goblins have blood, do they not...?

.....Where did I put my Jade Strike scroll?

....Okay, wait here while I go get it.?

2 minutes ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

.....Where did I put my Jade Strike scroll?

....Okay, wait here while I go get it.?

Obviously, I meant "If they have blood, then they can bleed...and they're not a Phoenix problem, they're someone else's problem?" Gosh, why is everyone so quick to just ASSUME I meant maho?

30 minutes ago, Zesu Shadaban said:

Obviously, I meant "If they have blood, then they can bleed...and they're not a Phoenix problem, they're someone else's problem?" Gosh, why is everyone so quick to just ASSUME I meant maho?

Whoops ?

Sorry Fire Chicken. ????

*FLEX*!!

Is okay. I just tried to look up what my glorious clan champion's name means...according to Google, Tsukune is a chicken meatball. (I saw that and just had to share it somewhere)

2 hours ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

Be happy

The Crab will be along shortly ?

We know what to do about your goblin problems ??

Give him to Yori so he can relay Fu Leng's orderssssss.........I mean experiment for the good of the empire.

I really hope this Kuni Yori will be a paragon of virtue, a Kuni we needed but never deserved, fighting fire with fire but never setting himself on fire.

Because he is not a Phoenix : P

16 minutes ago, WHW said:

I really hope this Kuni Yori will be a paragon of virtue, a Kuni we needed but never deserved, fighting fire with fire but never setting himself on fire.

Because he is not a Phoenix : P

If he's not a Phoenix, shouldn't he be fighting fire with earth?

You have a Phoenix avatar, thus your argument is Void.

31 minutes ago, WHW said:

I really hope this Kuni Yori will be a paragon of virtue, a Kuni we needed but never deserved, fighting fire with fire but never setting himself on fire.

Because he is not a Phoenix : P

It would be an easy subversion of audience expectations if some of the guys who went evil originally don't this time.

23 minutes ago, shineyorkboy said:

It would be an easy subversion of audience expectations if some of the guys who went evil originally don't this time.

And in some ways better than the other way round where people who were loyal last time go evil this time through.

1 hour ago, WHW said:

I really hope this Kuni Yori will be a paragon of virtue, a Kuni we needed but never deserved, fighting fire with fire but never setting himself on fire.

Because he is not a Phoenix : P

??

47 minutes ago, Tonbo Karasu said:

If he's not a Phoenix, shouldn't he be fighting fire with earth?

He fights fire with Jade ?

*JADE STRIKE*!!

*FLEX*!!

8 hours ago, Kuni Katsuyoshi said:

??

He fights fire with Jade ?

*JADE STRIKE*!!

*FLEX*!!

*Slaps hand* I said knock it off!

Homeboy over here thinks he's got Jedi mind powers 'n ****.

10 minutes ago, Isawa Kioshi said:

*Slaps hand* I said knock it off!

Homeboy over here thinks he's got Jedi mind powers 'n ****.

Jealousy is an ugly thing.??jk

*FLEX*!!

...

As a Phoenix, duly tasked with maintaining peace where possible, it seems things have escalated despite our best efforts.

Clearly, we need to incinerate literally everyone. Be right back.

There. Now back to our Usual Civil Discourse.

I'm down with an imperial faction being "spider", not in a Shadowlands taint way. More of a getting rid of the great clans and consolidating power kind of way. Something that would make it easier for Fu Leng to swoop in and control.

Every cycle could be Spider trying to undermine the clans, Hotaru killing important people with her bow while shedding a tear, the Lion picking a new fight, Crab flexing and the Phoenix taddling on a clan and trying to ban something. Best soap opera ever!