...After the war with Fu Leng, the Crane sorrowed over the loss of its Thunder. Lady Doji's other children tried to console her, but she wept night and day. She had visions and dreams which told her that Konishiko (The first Crane Thunder) was still alive somewhere in the Shadowlands, and despite her Clan's attempts to rid her of these thoughts, still they returned. Hayaku was a silent child, thoughtful and solemn even in play. He had not inherited his mother's bright laughter nor his father's joy in the sword. Although he studied iaijutsu with his brothers, he excelled in raw combat, tactical strategy and warfare more that precise discipline of the Kakita. When he heard that Lady Doji belived her daughter to be suffering in the Shadowlands, Hayaku swore to a journey into the darkness of the southern lands and seek the lost Thunders.

Hayaku went to the Crab Wall and spoke to the Hida, but they told him he was on a fool's errand, and would not give him aid. So he traveled into the Shadowlands alone. Over three years later, Hayaku returned. The horrors he had seen had changed him - his body was more muscular, and his face was creased as if with age. His hair, once long and dark, had been turned white by the sights he had seen. His voice had been lost, and a great scar ran across his throat as though the claw of some great beast had torn at his flesh. He came to the Great Hall of the Cranem abd knelt silently before his mother. In his hand, he held the sword which Yasurugi (The first son of Lady Doji and Kakita) had forged, the sword which Konishiko had carried on the Thunders' quest. Without a sound he handed it to Lady Doji and as soon as her hand touched the hilt, the blade sang a single pure note of joy. The twins (Yasurugi and Konishiko) had, in a way, come home.

Since that day, the wielder of the Crane Clan Ancestral Sword has always been chosen by the joyous tone which the blade makes upon the first touch of its rightful owner. Hayaku was given the surname "Daidoji" - "Defender of the Doji" - by his parents, in recognition of his bravery and faithfulness. His children became the proud house of the Daidoji, sworn to protect their kinsmen and keep the secret of what Hayaku found in the Shadowlands many years ago. Even today many Crane dye their hair white as a sign of tribute, as a mark of their loyalty to the clan, and in remembrance of Hayaku.

Daidoji Aidogo - Administrator of the Chisei District of Otosan-Uchi

Daidoji Arashi - A Yasuki merchant who sided with the Crane when the Yasuki broke from the clan.

Daidoji Asagai - Brother to Daidoji Tenkazu and Hiki, son of Daimoko.

Daidoji Asira - Secretary to Kakita Umi

Daidoji Baiyutu - A weaver of rope in Otosan-Uchi

Daidoji Chiroku - Legendary samurai-ko who has been changed to a protective spirit.

Daidoji Chutei - A young samurai who attempted to regain the yari Kotoku, and became a monk after losing his arm.

Daidoji Daimoko - Mother to Tenkazu, Hiki and Asagai.

Daidoji Ekiken - Brother of Daidoji Enai, rival to Hida Kuoshi.

Daidoji Enai - Brother of Daidoji Ekiken, Crane Yojimbo, rival to Hida Kuoshi.

Daidoji Gudeta - Master bowman. Been clamed by Hida Yasuhiro to be 'Swifter than the wind itself'

Daidoji Hachi - Crane Gunso, ancsetors were of Yasuki blood prior to the break.

Daidoji Hayaku - The fifth child of Doji and Kakita. Given the name Daidoji after retrieving the ancestral sword from the Shadowlands.

Daidoji Heizo - A Yasuki who stayed with the Crane after the Crab won back the Yasuki lands, took the name Daidoji.

Daidoji Heuji - The Yasuki claim that he stole a full set of Merchant Coins from them after thier break.

Daidoji Hiki - Son of Daidoji Daimoko, brother to Tenkazu and Asagai.

Daidoji Ino - Custom Jeweler.

Daidoji Ishitaka - Teacher at the Daidoji Bushi school.

Daidoji Jubei - A former Daidoji Daimyo

Daidoji Kedamono – Crane Magistrate who trained at the Kakita Academy and took an Agasha bride.

Daidoji Kensen - A former magistrate who turned against Hantei 39th in the first few years of his reign.

Daidoji Kugai - Chui lieutenant of the Daidoji scouts.

Daidoji Kuzan – “The Kakita are the sword - swift and evasive. They win by technique. We of the Daidoji are the spear - We are power, strength and cunning.”

Daidoji Masashigi – His deeds at the Battle of the Landbridge are honored by both the Crane and the Crab. His armor and weapons scatterd to the sea.

Daidoji Maseru - Crane Yojimbo.

Daidoji Megumi - Blind duelest and student of the Kakita Dueling Academy.

Daidoji Mihoko - Noble samurai who elimiated an entire patrol of spirits single-handedly.

Daidoji Mochiko - Unit commander in charge of a Garrison of Imperial elite guarding the empire from foreign invaders.

Daidoji Nazoko - Last living assistant to Kuni Mokuna.

Daidoji Rekai – A Samurai-ko with her Otaku steed who helped retrieve the True Tao. Current Daidoji Daimyo.

Daidoji Ritenu - Uji's lieutenant during the early part of the Clan Wars.

Daidoji Rubaiten - After the death of the samurai-ko he loved he allied himself with Ikoma Nejire against the Scorpion during the Coup.

Daidoji Sadaharu - Arcane merchant of Otosan-Uchi

Daidoji Sembi – Yojimbo who has served the Monks of Shinsei.

Daidoji Shogusha - Trained at the Crab Bushi School, now hunts his tainted Granfather in the Shadowlands.

Daidoji Taishi - Former magistrate who now serves with the Daidoji cavalry.

Daidoji Tekigun - Father to Daidoji Chutei and brother to a former Daidoji Daimyo.

Daidoji Tenkazu - Honorable Crane Yojimbo.

Daidoji Tenzo - Commander of the Daidoji forces at the battle of the Day of Falling Stars.

Daidoji Tashima - The youngest son of a minor lord in the Crane's southern lands.

Daidoji Tsukuro - A Daidoji general who fell to the Shadowlands, now leads armies of the undead against the empire.

Daidoji Tsumerai – The Yari Master.

Daidoji Uji – A Daidoji Daimyo. Helped destroy the False Hoturi and reclaimed Shiro no Yojin. Died passing his title to Rekai.

Daidoji Ukamo - Crane Commander at the start of the Clan Wars.

Daidoji Uriko - A very passionate samurai-ko who has been courted by many of Otosan-Uchi's finest.

Daidoji Yohko - A Samurai-ko who returned with Hayaku from the Shadowlands and became his bride.

Daidoji Yurei – A fearsome general who vowed to take Shiro no Yojin from the Lion after it was taken on the Night of Falling Stars, the night of his birth.

Daidoji Yuzan - Former Daidoji Daimyo who carried the standard of the Iron Crane in battle at Shiro no Yojin.

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