Eratimus
08-03-2006, 23:14
From GW: Faction Pre-Order Booklet
Two hundred years ago, in the Age of the Dragon, the emperor of Cantha ascended the steps of Kaoya Zun Temple. At the very top, in the middle of the ancient bamboo floor, he knelt and bowed his head before the carved stone statue there - a supplication from a god among men to the gods of men.
The emperor's ritual took place at the same time each year, during the height of the Harvest Festival. And though he did not know iit as he laid head to the cool hardwood, this would be the last time he celebrated the harvest.
A shadow grew behind him, and when he turned his head, he looked up at a pair of drawn swords and the cruel grin on the face of his personal bodyguard - Shiro Tagachi. The emperor lost his life that day, as did many other grave Canthan heroes.
At that time, there were three great armies on the continent of Cantha, and all three were present for the Harvest Festival. Hundreds of soldiers poured up the steps of Kaoya Zun Temple to avenge the death of the emperor.
Shiro's skill with a blade was unmatched by anyone on the continent, and he revealed in carnage. What turned him from the stawwart and honorable man who protected the life of the emperor into the cowardly murder who stole away the pride of Cantha? Nobody knows. What is known is that two brave champions finally bested Shiro, striking him down with the very same weapons the former bodyguard used to slay the emperor.
Run through the belly with his own blades, Shiro dropped to his knees on the sanded bamboo floor. He was in agony, blind with rage, and simmerin with power he could no longer control. With his last breat, Shiro released a final shout. So filled with malice and evil was Shiro's death wail that it washed over Canthan landscape it irrevocably transformmed the world - petrifying the forest and turning the sea to pure jade.
Two generations have come and gone since that tragic even. In the intervening years, the Canthans hhave adapted to the frozen waves and the stone trees. The tale of Shiro Tagachi has slowly drifted into legend, bogeyman to frighten children at night and a cautionary story for those who would seek great magical power.
But the Harvest Festival is fast approaching once again, and a growing unease has settled over Cantha unlike any since Shiro's death. It is wise to remember the past. For in it, we see the fugure, and if we are lucky, we do not allow ourselves to make the same mistakes.
Two hundred years ago, in the Age of the Dragon, the emperor of Cantha ascended the steps of Kaoya Zun Temple. At the very top, in the middle of the ancient bamboo floor, he knelt and bowed his head before the carved stone statue there - a supplication from a god among men to the gods of men.
The emperor's ritual took place at the same time each year, during the height of the Harvest Festival. And though he did not know iit as he laid head to the cool hardwood, this would be the last time he celebrated the harvest.
A shadow grew behind him, and when he turned his head, he looked up at a pair of drawn swords and the cruel grin on the face of his personal bodyguard - Shiro Tagachi. The emperor lost his life that day, as did many other grave Canthan heroes.
At that time, there were three great armies on the continent of Cantha, and all three were present for the Harvest Festival. Hundreds of soldiers poured up the steps of Kaoya Zun Temple to avenge the death of the emperor.
Shiro's skill with a blade was unmatched by anyone on the continent, and he revealed in carnage. What turned him from the stawwart and honorable man who protected the life of the emperor into the cowardly murder who stole away the pride of Cantha? Nobody knows. What is known is that two brave champions finally bested Shiro, striking him down with the very same weapons the former bodyguard used to slay the emperor.
Run through the belly with his own blades, Shiro dropped to his knees on the sanded bamboo floor. He was in agony, blind with rage, and simmerin with power he could no longer control. With his last breat, Shiro released a final shout. So filled with malice and evil was Shiro's death wail that it washed over Canthan landscape it irrevocably transformmed the world - petrifying the forest and turning the sea to pure jade.
Two generations have come and gone since that tragic even. In the intervening years, the Canthans hhave adapted to the frozen waves and the stone trees. The tale of Shiro Tagachi has slowly drifted into legend, bogeyman to frighten children at night and a cautionary story for those who would seek great magical power.
But the Harvest Festival is fast approaching once again, and a growing unease has settled over Cantha unlike any since Shiro's death. It is wise to remember the past. For in it, we see the fugure, and if we are lucky, we do not allow ourselves to make the same mistakes.