L5R/Guns of the Burning Sands/Background

=The Story So Far= In the 19th year of The Long Peace of Hantei XXXVIII, the Mantis CLan, led by Yoritomo, wishes to be raised to the status of a Major Clan, and propose the amendment of the laws against polvora. A diplomatic expedition led by the right honorable Miya Goro, assisted by a multi-Clan force.

The players are a group gathered from the different families as assistents to Miya Goro. After thwarting a few attempts on Miya Goro's life, they become his trusted caretakers, and allowed to accompany his son Miya Daigoro, a brash and ambitious man.

The expedition learns that the Yoritomo have opened a new trade route far the south, having been contacted by new gaijin from faraway western lands called Fe-yah. The Clan has acquired new very small teppo, and great cannons to mount on ships and island forts. They have also perfected the ancient teppo designs that were left behind after The Battle of the White Stag, in 742.

The expedition continues south to ascertain if what the Mantis Clan claims is true, and meet with the foreign traders.

During this time, the attacks of ninja have become more and more frequent, interspersed with zombie ship attacks and a devastating storm that sinks part of the fleet. When the expedition arrives at the southernmost isles of the Mantis domain, only the flagship remains, and many expedition members are dead or bearing scars, physical or spiritual, from their journey.

At the idyllic South Seas village, the gaijin arrive and turn out to be as dishonorable as they are arrogant, although some show merit. As the negotiations are concluded, and the village rejoices, two groups of mysterious ninja do desperate battle on the island. When the morning comes, no ninja are visible and some of the gaijin are missing.

The expedition now sets course for home, to answer the question if Mantis should be made a Great Clan, and fire-powder be allowed on the high seas, or even in conflicts on Rokugani soil? The answers are up to Miya Goro, but he has become very open to suggestions from his assistants after the conflict with the ninja, as he feels he is missing a piece of the puzzle to solve this mystery. And what is the mysterious Kolat?