Oracular Spectacular! Part 1
The Elemental Oracles have been a thing in L5R since the very beginning, starting with Imperial Edition (also reprinted on Emerald and Obsidian Editions).
artwork (c) and by Randy Elliott (earth), Ken Meyer Jr. (fire), April Lee (water), and Quinton Hoover (wind)
Noticeably, The Oracle of Air was named «of Wind», instead; probably an editing mistake which was later kept to minimize confusion on the playing table. Also, the Void version was noticeably missing at this time.
The role of the Oracles was then unknown to us, players of L5R… and probably to the writers, too: something to be developed later if anytime, if it ever came to that! Over time we would learn that these individuals were chosen by the Elemental Dragons to be their emissaries on Ningen-do, the earthly realm. Their huge power was strictly limited in order to not disturb the balance of influence from Tengoku on this Realm. They could answer questions, often in the form of riddles, in order to guide or advise those mortals that showed themselves worthy of their attention, but intervene directly on events was to invite push back from the… opposite side.
artwork (c) and by Bonnie Hill (air), Ron Spencer (earth), Bryon Wackwitz & Kevin Daily (fire), and Eric Anderson (water)
The Dark Oracles, the hellish Jigoku counterparts to the Elemental Oracles, were printed on Shadowlands, the very first expansion set for the game. Along the history of Rokugan, some of the individuals chosen for to wear the mantle of the Oracle took the decision to involve themselves directly on the matters of Ningen-do, thus were the Dark Oracles created to mantain balance. At least Jigoku knew that the proper element is «Air», not «Wind»!
But still no trace of Void… what’s up with that!?
artwork (c) and by Greg Simonson (void), and Jeff Remmer (Harima)
The Oracle of the Void, the most elusive element of them all, would eventually appear on the Clan War finale set: Time of the Void. Also, there is no dark counterpart, as Void has managed to never intervene directly on behalf of Ningen-do, thus mantaining neutrality betyween Tengoku and Jigoku… a really by-the-book guy.
Then again, in the same set we got this Monk that has absolutely had it with the Oracles, either light or dark. Really, I haven’t been able to find further information about him. I wonder, what’s his story?
Anyways, this was it for the orginal Clan War arc. The original roster of the four Oracles was reprinted in Jade Edition, the base set for the new Hidden Emperor arc (also in the Pearl Edition expanded reprint of the Jade set) with the following quote/poem by Naka Kuro, Master of the Elements:
- «When the earth calls, mountains rise and the land is torn apart
Fire races to its master’s need, terrible and clear
the soft sway of the ocean’s waves command the sternest heart
and the storm can summon courage, and swiftly banish fear.»
As the Hidden Emperor storyline advanced, we got some heroes from the previous saga becoming the new Oracles.
artwork (c) and by Ron Spencer (original), and Eric Anderson (experienced)
artwork (c) and by Susan Van Camp (original), and Audrey Corman (experienced & experienced 2)
Also, a new Oracle was added to the mix: Thunder! We didn’t know until later, but at the time the title had fallen on Tonbo Toryu, Dragonfly Clan Champion.
artwork (c) and by Diana Vick (Toryu), and Brian Snoddy (thunder)
For Gold Edition, core set for the Four Winds arc, all five Oracles would be reprinted, with artwork reflecting the changes in the storyline, and a new Oracle-specific frame (they were still holdings, but this made them look extra special and cool)
artwork (c) and by Eric Anderson (earth), Brian Snoddy (fire), April Lee (void), Mark Evans (water), and Alan Rabinowitz (wind)
artwork (c) and by Brian Snoddy
Isawa Mitori took the mantle after a brief stint by his brother, the seer Norikazu, who passed his power to him in order to save his life.
artwork (c) and by Brian Snoddy
The Oracle of Water was Isawa Mitako. There never was a card for Mitako, but probably it would have been very similar to the one for her twin. Isawa Sayuri.
Likewise, there was never a card for Doji Hanae, Oracle of Wind.
As with all things, there must be balance, so new versions of the Dark Oracles also came to be during the Four Winds arc.
artwork (c) and by William O’Connor (air), Ben Peck (earth), Luis Vazquez (fire), and William O’Connor (wind)
So, we now got a Dark Oracle of Void! What happened here? Well, Oracle Kaede was the Empress consort. When Toturi I was killed with no clear line of succession (the central idea of this story arc, actually), she temporally took the Throne. This automaticalle triggered the creation of the first Dark Oracle of the Void. Tonbo Toryu, at the moment Oracle of Thunder, just had to step in to take assume the power.
Also, what’s the deal with Fire!? It’s so annoying they forgot to apply the Oracle frame to it! Also, there never was an experienced version of Water (more on that later). Anyway, who are these new guys?
artwork (c) and by Margaret Organ-Kean
Soshi Jomyako was one of the fallen during the Battle at Oblivion’s Gate, the climatic battle at the end of the Hidden Emperor storyline. She later resurfaced as a Dark Oracle.
artwork (c) and by Ben Peck
Another casualty of the Battle at Oblivion’s Gate, Yasuki Nokatsu became the new Dark Oracle of Earth.
artwork (c) and by Randy Elliott
The daimyo Agasha Tamori, never forgave his family when they defected the Dragon to join the Phoenix. When he fell at Oblivion’s Gate he was Tainted and eventually he became a Dark Oracle, and focused his efforts to mess with the Phoenix and, more specifically, with his old family.
artwork (c) and by Craig Gilmore (original), Val Mayerik (experienced), and Edwind David (dark virtue)
Another hero fallen at Oblivion’s gate, Matsu Turi, the once-Protector of the Lion, became the Dark Oracle of Water. For watever reason, he never got carded. But at least he got chosen as one of the poster bois for the Dark Virtues!
Entry put together with the help of The Oracle of the Void database, and the L5R wiki