So, I thought there was a thread about previous edition/AEG fiction, but I could be mistaken.

I just thought this could be a neat way for the veterans to share their favorite pieces of the older storyline fictions for the people arriving with the new game. What are the fictions that inspired you, what sucked you in and kept you going? If you could tell the newcomers, "This is the fiction you need to read!" what fiction would it be?

Here's mine. It's Crab (which should surprise nobody). As a little background, this fiction takes place after a massive Shadowlands attack gained control of several Watchtowers along the Wall, claiming the life of Hida Kuroda, then-Champion of the Crab. His brother Hida Kuon, has become the new Champion, and this story is about the return assault to reclaim the Towers.

Kyofu is an Onisu, a literal nightmare-demon, created to be the Nightmare of the Crab, and is the manifestation of Fear Itself.

So without further ado: Brotherhood.

http://www.kazenoshiro.com/kazenoshiro/5/h5e06p95.php

Is it a Halloween fiction? Written by Robert "Spooky" Denton III? Then it is one of my favorites.

Seriously, I cannot recommend them enough. Spooky captures the sense of the supernatural in Rokugan perfectly.

My favorite piece of fiction is from Way of the Scorpion (like Hida Jitenno, I am sure there is no surprise there.). It is a simple piece, but to me, has always shown that there is one aspect of Bushido that the Scorpion believe in with such conviction and has helped me explain one of the reasons I love them so much. To me, it is a beautiful piece.

I am unsure if there is a version online, but it is excerpt titled 'From Kakita Ryoku's famous novel "Winter"'.

21 minutes ago, KveldUlfr said:

My favorite piece of fiction is from Way of the Scorpion (like Hida Jitenno, I am sure there is no surprise there.). It is a simple piece, but to me, has always shown that there is one aspect of Bushido that the Scorpion believe in with such conviction and has helped me explain one of the reasons I love them so much. To me, it is a beautiful piece.

I am unsure if there is a version online, but it is excerpt titled 'From Kakita Ryoku's famous novel "Winter"'.

Is this it?

10 minutes ago, Hida Jitenno said:

Is this it?

It is, in fact, the very story.
Once one understands it, I think, one understands the Scorpion a whole lot more.

19 minutes ago, KveldUlfr said:

It is, in fact, the very story.
Once one understands it, I think, one understands the Scorpion a whole lot more.

Indeed.

Loyalty is not enough. Loyalty is a weapon which must be wielded against one's enemies, and recorded for history, so that shame can never truly die.

4 hours ago, sndwurks said:

Is it a Halloween fiction? Written by Robert "Spooky" Denton III? Then it is one of my favorites.

Seriously, I cannot recommend them enough. Spooky captures the sense of the supernatural in Rokugan perfectly.

1000% agree!

Hopefully he gets to do another one for this Halloween.

Also, his Sins of the Father fictions are most excellent.

Must chime in to say that I really like Spooky’s work, from his stories to his work as a GM for the Topaz Championship.

Personal favorites of mine are the stories of the death of Hida Kuon (my favorite Crab) and the one of Doji Kurohito (one of my favorite Cranes). Nothing but respect for those two.

25 minutes ago, Nheko said:

Must chime in to say that I really like Spooky’s work, from his stories to his work as a GM for the Topaz Championship.

Personal favorites of mine are the stories of the death of Hida Kuon (my favorite Crab) and the one of Doji Kurohito (one of my favorite Cranes). Nothing but respect for those two.

Hida Kuon was definitely my Favorite Crab Ever. He started out as the berserker younger brother who just liked to smash faces, and quickly had to take on the mantle of responsibility. He wore it extremely well. Not only that, but had to face the potential of a near-mutiny in his own clan, caused by his Grandfather's return from Tengoku, and yet he managed to hold it all together.

I really like the story of the Winter Court on the Wall, where the realities of the Crab Clan are shown very dramatically to everyone else. I think it was in Bearers of Jade (which also has a number of other awesome stories).

I also have something of a personal attachment to Minor Complications

My initial favorites were the stories of Lady Matsu. She always reminded me of Musashi much more than Mirumoto did. No Man's Bride, and the great lesson she refused to learn from Kakita flavor the family so well. I don't think the Lion clan comes to life without the various details of what unbending passion for battle does to them socially.