Sudaro

Kaiu Sudaro was a Crab Clan samurai. In 200 he lost his son in Shinomen Mori. The boy was rescued by a Naga named the Mara, in what became the first notation of Naga in the Empire's history. After this the Naga were quickly added to Rokugani culture and folktales. Legend of the Five Rings; Third Edition, p. 11 Sudaro was raised to Fortune of Perseverance by Hantei XXI.
== Unsatisfactory Work ==
Kaiu Sudaro was a ji-samurai, forced to work as a stonemason to support his family. His skill failed to please a powerful Scorpion daimyo, who took Sudaro's only son as recompense for what he perceived as unacceptable work. Sudaro followed after, determined to recover his only source of solace but without any idea of how to effect the rescue. Way of the Naga, pp. 115-116
The Scorpion lord and his retainers spent a night of their return trip within the Shinomen Forest. There, they tied the boy to a tree to torment him. Seeing his plight, though they did not understand his words, the few naga in the area slew the Scorpion and stood guard of the frightened lad. Late at night the boy heard his father calling his name, and cried out in excitement. The naga saw his relief at this new voice and disappeared into the trees, allowing the two to be reunited. 
== Gates of Persistence ==
To honor the strange creatures for saving the life of his boy, Sudaro spent years moving a single massive stone from Kaiu lands to its current position without help, though the stone was so massive that a small team of horses should have been needed. With his son's help he stood it upright, and dedicated more years carving. The resulting torii arch was known as the Gates of Persistence. 
== Fortune of Perseverance ==
The arch had since become a destination for monks, who would travel across Rokugan to visit it, and rumors persisted that visitors who slept under the arch were given visions of Sudaro and the naga. Centuries later Hantei XXI named Sudaro the Fortune of Perseverance for the years Sudaro spent in honoring the naga for his son's life. 
== Enmity ==
Sudaro was upset by the ascension of Kisada as the Fortune of Persistence. He had accepted his role as a kindred spirit, and he had little choice but to accept his position and persevere. Emerald Empire; Fourth Edition, p. 184
Kaiu Sudaro
Category:Fortunes