“I do not know who hired those rōnin,” Tsuko admitted aloud, her eyes locking with Kuwanan’s. “And I do not even know if I was expected to care. I have a suspicion I was meant to kill you, that someone thought my rage would demand it.”

–Annie VanderMeer Mitsoda, The Fires of Justice

The 2017 Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game World Championships have concluded. Hundreds of bushi, shugenja, and courtiers attended the Emperor's Winter Court and made their bid to become Shogun. But only one rose above the others—Samuel Benies.

Crowned the first-ever World Champion for Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game, Samuel has earned his spot in the Hall of Honor, as well as a pivotal role in the future of the game. As World Champion, Samuel will inspire the design of a card for Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game, and as Shogun, he has already shaped the game's trajectory.

Called to Justice

Pitted against each other by their competing claims for Toshi Ranbo and the Osari Plains, the Crane and the Lion had been taking hesitant steps along a path toward war. But when a group of rōnin gifted Matsu Tsuko a rare prisoner, they inadvertently presented her a choice:

Tsuko could follow her duty, which would lead her and her Lion Clan troops into battle with all Crane in the Osari Plains. Or she could pursue the path of justice, setting her prisoner free to investigate the death of the Crane champion, Doji Satsume, and its ramifications upon all Crane.

As Shogun, Samuel weighed the options and voiced his support for the path of justice.

What does this mean for the Crane, the Lion, and Rokugan? What does it mean for you, and what does it mean for Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game? It takes a great deal of foresight to anticipate the repercussions of our choices, but we have already seen Matsu Tsuko aim for a larger view of the conflicts that surround her.

You can follow the immediate consequences of Samuel's decision in the new Legend of the Five Rings fiction, The Fires of Justice (pdf, 1.1 MB). Then stay tuned for the wide-reaching consequences to be revealed in future stories!

Our Choices Shape Our World

The Unicorn have been permitted to pursue their mysterious name magic, meishōdō, but at a cost. A thirst for justice compels the Crane and the Lion. And these decisions have repercussions all throughout Rokugan. Every one of the Great Clans is affected.

Just like the real world, Rokugan responds to the choices its leaders and warriors make—in the courtyard, on the field of battle, and most notably, in the Emperor's presence. The beauty of the Organized Play program for Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game is that it grants you the opportunity to join those leaders, warriors, and courtiers. Just like Samuel, you can shape the world.

Pursue your opportunities to influence Rokugan. You can learn more about the Kotei Series from our Legend of the Five Rings: The Card Game website, and you can prepare yourself for the contests to come by following our previews of the upcoming Imperial Cycle and its Dynasty Packs!