Elemental Imbalance
The opening of Fu Leng's prison has created a terrible disruption in the harmony of the universe. Because of this, any shugenja in Rokugan who casts an elemental spell has the TN of their spell raised by twice the number of Black Scrolls that have been opened (+6 TN total thus far).
When a shugenja casts an elemental spell, calculate the highest possible result of the dice for their Spellcasting Roll. If this total would normally succeed, but does not meet the TN after this increase is applied, then the spell fails. In addition, the shugenja casting the spell becomes nauseated, unable to move or take actions for a number of future rounds equal to the Mastery Level of the failed spell. If this happens in combat, the shugenja's Armor TN is unaffected, but they will be unable to change their stance until they recover from the sickness.
This TN increase to Spellcasting Rolls applies until all of the Black Scrolls have been opened and Fu Leng has been defeated.
Common Knowledge
Due to the Scorpion altering historical records and spreading misinformation through the Empire for the past seven hundred years, few people within the Empire are aware that the Black Scrolls are the seals that prevent Fu Leng from returning to Rokugan. Because of this, most characters within the Empire simply believe that the Black Scrolls are spells of incredible power passed down through the ages from the time of Isawa.
Characters with the Forbidden Lore (Black Scrolls) advantage know better.
Opened Scrolls
- Touch of Despair: Asako Shiori opened the first Black Scroll on Horse 23, 755, and used it to heavily taint Shiro Akodo and the many samurai stationed inside of it, as well as the surrounding city and countryside. The Lion have since razed the castle and city to the ground.
Dark Divination: Isawa Meiun opened the second Black Scroll on Tiger 7, 755, at the behest of Isawa Arya, the Elemental Master of Fire. The corrupted acolyte was quickly incapacitated by Arya and her inquisitors, who bound Meiun in chains of jade and imprisoned her in the bowels of Kyuden Isawa. Over the next few months, the Phoenix learned much about the Black Scrolls and the future from Meiun's insane ramblings and visions.
A Terrible Oath: Yogo Kouhei opened the third Black Scroll on Hare 25, 757, in an attempt to use its power to cement his control over Ryoko Owari. Instead, his opening of the scroll polarized the forces opposing him and he was eventually executed by the Scorpion Champion. The Jade Magistrate Kakita Taromitsu was initially implicated in the theft of the Black Scroll from its Scorpion guardians at Yogo Kouhei's behest and executed for his crimes, but the Crane have since stepped forward and announced that Taromitsu was working against Kouhei the entire time.
