Toturi's madman. Outcast reviled, he grins with bloodstained teeth and howls like a wolf as he slaughters his enemies. Shotai is not an enigma, he is not a mystery. He is insanity unleashed, his eyes dark and hollow with unspent rage. He is the kharma of all souls lost penitent and denied the salvation of the Fortunes.

Or, at least that is how men speak of him.

The truth is somewhere else, as all truths are. Shotai was once an Ikoma, sent as diplomat to the Scorpion court. He made his trade in treachery, lived among the most dangerous courts in the land, and returned to his master's side bearing the most deadly secret of all: an assassin was going to make an attempt on Emperor Hantei the 38th's life. Akodo Toturi, at the time, was Champion of the Lion, and he ensured that the attempt failed.

The assassin came from the darkness of the night, and Shotai and his lord were ready. Though the combat was mighty, the assassin could not approach Hantei. During the last minutes of his life, the assassin leapt toward Toturi instead, attempting to plunge the poisoned blade deep within the Akodo's own flesh. The death which was intended for Hantei was to be given to the Lion, instead.

However, during the attack, Shotai threw himself between his daimyo and the ninja, shattering his sword as he deflected the ninja-to of the killer. The ninja's blade missed Toturi, but struck Shotai. The Emperor's healers fought for three days to save the valiant samurai's life, using the most potent spells of the Phoenix and the great resources of the Crane, but their success was limited.

Shotai had been subjected to the poison which was intended for the Emperor. Though it did not kill him, it ruined his mind, stealing his memory and logic, destroying much of his ability to recognize and adapt to his surroundings. The spells of the Great Clans saved his life, but did not save his mind. Ever after, Shotai has borne his shattered katana, seeing nothing wrong with the blade despite its broken length. He stands proudly beside Toturi, not recognizing his great Lord and speaking only half-correct phrases from the Tao. He is not a madman, not a murderous butcher, but a harmless old bushi. He speaks with honor, when he can be understood, and he whispers to himself when he is alone, telling tales of the Lion ancestors.

Until he sees combat.

Once swords are drawn, Shotai finds himself drawn into his past, reliving the battle between the ninja and the Emperor's defenders. He screams of loyalty and honor, and howls the Emperor's name at the top of his lungs. Every opponent he fights is an "accursed Scorpion," and every man who fights by his side is "Toturi-sama" - He fights, heedless of his life, as if he fights the greatest battle of his life. And, in his mind, hi does. Only when he is no longer able to fight does he cease, gasping and panting, falling to his knees with sobs and screams of anguish, reliving his ancient woun

Akodo Toturi, grateful for Shotai's years of service, hz kept the old bushi by his side for many years, and late] he has commanded that Shotai be well cared-for by th( Imperial Guard. Shotai no longer recognizes his old daimyo, referring to him as the "Hantei" He is, in man, ways, the fool of the court, an honorable jester who do; not understand the joke. Yet deep in his heart, he bear the scars of honor, and the memories of a man who sacrificed everything that he was for the future of the Empire.

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