In the 22nd year preceding the Imperial War of Clave . . .

an attendant of Miyato Gasema attended the Fighters Tournament in Meijin with a message. In one year he would attend the tournament himself bearing great magical gifts for every one of the Daimyo of the lands. Each Daimyo would be given one of the gifts in celebration of the recent unification of the Clavian land. These gifts would unify the bond between Emperor Gasema and the ruling Daimyo. Each gift would be extravagant and wondrous and aid the Daimyo in incredible ways. To receive them they only need travel to Meijin for the next yearly tournament and pledge loyalty to the Emperor on the Jade Seal.

Gasema wished to thank those who had aided his family in the previous wars to unify the land, and mollify those who were defeated. Swearing loyalty on the Jade Seal was something all the Daimyo, loyal and defeated, had realized they would have to do sooner or later. The Emperor was making this occur in public in order to acknowledge his ruler ship of all of Clave, but was publicly saying that those loyal to him would be rewarded handsomely. By doing this at the fighters tournament, politically, he hoped to convey two messages.

Though the attendant did not reveal the intentions of the Emperor they were realized throughout the provinces. Many Daimyo acceded to the Emperor's savvy political thinking, a few raged and fumed at what they considered public humiliation after their defeat. Nevertheless, in the next year each Daimyo had a representative there or personally showed up.

One final announcement was made by Gasema's attendant. The traditionally closed fighters tournament would be opened to any who could attend from any corner of the world, beyond even the borders of clave. "If you can but put one foot inside the arena, then you may participate!" The news spread to all corners of Cyrus. Journeys began, pilgrimages were put off and any who considered themselves fighters, made for the Clavian city of Meijin.

The Next Year . . . .

the city was packed with Clavian and Gaijin alike. The strongest of the strong came to Clave to test their metal. The Daimyo or their representatives were in attendance to pledge upon the seal, and sitting on the dais at the highest point in the Arena, Emperor Miyato, sat in attendance over all. Many organizations sponsored fighters and extra tiers had to be added to the tournament. Miyato had some imperial guards fighting under his name, as well as his adoptive son Gamayosa. Fighting acolytes from Whytegaard clashed with blade and gun fighters from Gutei and proceeded to the drinking houses after coming to multiple draws. Mercenaries from the explorers guild met steel against the tricks and antics of the Clown Fighters of Tei Jwei. Ogres from the northern frontiers of Ithis out silenced monks from the provinces of Dyhana. The clash of cultures was but a pale imitation of the silent yet tumultuous political clashes which were occurring in the Empire of Clave.

Many of the Daimyo were displeased with the current trend of events within Clave. Many of these Daimyo came from the recently conquered south. Though it had been Emperor Gasema's father who had conquered them, and Gasema who had freed them from the oppressive winds of the Tan Ji Jun dessert, they blamed the entire Miyato dynasty for any ill they encountered. The term Miyatokaze in the south means "bad fortune" or "miyato's ill wind". These daimyo, lead by Minying Peija, plotted to cause great troubles for the newly unified land of clave. Peija

Unfortunately for the Emperor, he himself put into place the final stone that would spur the rebellious Daimyo to action. On the second to last day of the tournament Gasema announced that he would indeed be passing on the emperors crown not to a blood relative, but to his adopted son Gamayosa. Gamayosa had no desire to rule, and upon hearing this fled off to his own secluded lair in a fit of anger. Simultaneously calls of cheating were called upon the emperors fighters, Gamayosa included. Without being there to defend himself Gamayosa was decried and guilt was assumed without trial. The public embarrassment to his father, and the ire of the rebellious Daimyo brought many publicly and privately spoken words of attrition and insults to the Miyato bloodline. Dealings were made behind closed doors and many were swayed to believe that Gasema was unfit for rule.

In the underground chambers . . .

away from even the eyes of the emperors guards the rebellious Daimyo met for a final time. Publicly they had all accepted their gifts and sworn false oaths of loyalty on the Jade Seal. Privately, those who wanted to overthrow the emperor tried to convince those who were not sure to join their side. Minying Peija, came up with a cunning idea. Though the Emperor had given out gifts of great power, he had strategically given them so that those which were of great use were placed in the hands of those who were most loyal to him. Those which would temper and sometimes even restrain a wielder from acting were given to those who were most likely to bring trouble to the dynasty.

Peija brought together many of the Daimyo and suggested they have their own private tournament. Each would gather two fighters, the Daimyo would then wager items against other items or other things of equal wealth such as money, land pacts, services. They would fight with their best fighters and trade items. Being up for a good amount of fun and gambling themselves the Daimyo's private tournament went on, building and trading, changing alliances and disrupting the great order the Emperor had made. Working together the Daimyo's who were pushing for rebellion managed to gain control of the most useful items which would aid them in their upcoming war.

By the end of the tournament the seeds for rebellion and the means to achieve it had been sown and began to bloom.