Hello all, and welcome to the second day of Previews Week for Chaos Reigns, Part II.
Today, we will be focusing on the first block of Personality previews. Let's begin with the Akasha.

Tensions between the two main factions of the Naga continue to rise, even after the rescue and return of Akasha herself. Hopes that she would be able to act as a mediator between the pro-intervention faction supporting Qamar, and the isolationist faction supporting Ijathilu, are quickly becoming dashed. Many of Qamar's closest allies believe war, if not with Kanpeki, then with their kinsmen, may become inevitable, and are making preparations.

Firmly in the Qamar's camp are the two other major groups that share the Shinomen: The displaced Fox Clan, and the One Tribe of the Nezumi. The Fox continue to honor their agreement to use their particular spiritual gifts to help the Naga rediscover and reclaim cities lost in the depths of the forest for generations, while the Nezumi rebuild their own race at a pace that rivals or even exceeds that of the Naga, and hope to secure their own future.

In the lands of the Crab, the Kuni of the White Tower, assisted by the Hiruma, continue to scour the Shadowlands, hoping to find a way to undo the release of the Seals and thus curtail the strengthening of the Taint that accompanied it. Doing so would nearly cripple the majority of the military support Kanpeki is able to bring to bear.

Meanwhile, what begins as a minor confrontation over a Yasuki headsman inviting a small delegation of Crane merchants to Yasuki Hanko Village, a common pre-war occurrence, quickly escalates when the Crab Champion Hida Toranosuke demands the 'collaborators' of the Hantei be surrendered to him for 'appropriate judgement.'
The situation quickly begins to spiral out of control, as the lifelong military man Toranosuke has little patience for the nuances of politics,
or the 'grey areas' in which families like the Yasuki operate. 

The Crane respond in kind, and soon open conflict between the two becomes inevitable.

Daidoji Akeha continues to resist the regency of Doji Meiji. Her surviving son, Nio, now bears the responsibility of stepping out of his fallen brother's shadow and forging his own path. He watches with concern as his mother's noble cause, and her grief over the death of Shimizu, seem to consume her more every passing day.

Discord within the Dragon finally comes to a head. Togashi Noboru is disgusted with Togashi Higaru's insistence that they follow the directives of Mirumoto Shikei, who abandoned his people, to remain 'neutral'. Also frustrated with being passed over for leadership of the clan in favor of an unknown,
Noboru denounces Higaru and, with his new wife, the prodigy Tamori Reisa, declares his intent to join the fight on Kano's side.

It is not Noboru and Reisa alone, however, as many others within the Dragon lands are discontent and confused by their Clan's inaction against the Hantei, many viewing it as a betrayal of the Iweko line, which shares blood with the Dragon. Many follow Noboru, beginning something of an exodus.
By the time they descend from the mountains to make their way south, Noburu finds himself at the head of a small army. 

Kano's army, consisting of as much as a third of the Lion's standing army, including most of its most battle hardened veterans, base themselves in Maemikake Shiro. However, it's not long before he leads them out, answering a call for support from the Unicorn Champion Shinjo Saeki, whose lands are being ravaged by the seemingly insane former champion, Moto Naleesh, at the head of an army of Dark Moto warriors. Kano, who has yet to win a major military engagement against the Hantei forces, is eager for a chance to prove himself worthy of the trust so many have put into him.

Many Lion in their Clan's homeland, however, grow more and more discontent with their absent Champion, and more concerned about possible attacks against them by the many enemies that surround them, including the opportunistic Crane or the vengeful Scorpion. The new Ikoma Daimyo, Kunisada, takes it upon himself to try and secure his clan's future, even if it means making a deal with the Hantei to do so. The Hantei, already concerned that his corrupt forces will be political liability, makes a surprising offer: support of the Imperial Legions, and a Lion Shogun to lead them, to ensure the Legions remain 'honorable and just.' In exchange, the Lion denounce Kano, and take their ancient position back as the Right Hand of the Hantei. The deal will have ramifications that few can imagine, but is too much for Kunisada to resist.

That's it for the first block of Personality previews. Join us tomorrow for the second block: Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, and Unicorn. 

Thank you for your continued support!