Regarding the Spider SH, if you cant lose honor, does that mean they can not play cards like Death after life and Cursed gift, because they can not pay the cost of losing honor? Or is losing the honor not considered a cost?
Lotus rules, pg. 42: "A cost that requires changing something is only paid if the change fully occurs."
The Spider's Lair
You do not lose Honor from Fate and Spider Clan cards you own.
In your Dynasty Phase, you may refill a province face-up one time for each of your provinces destroyed this game.
Death after Life
Reaction: After one of your Personalities is destroyed during battle: Lose 5 Honor. Target a dead Personality in your discard pile, or in any discard pile if you are a Spider Clan player. Permanently give him Shadowlands and Undead. Bring him into play in your current army, ignoring restrictions (paying all costs).
Cursed Gift
Battle: Lose 3 Honor. Give a target Personality or Follower in the enemy army -3F. Its abilities can not be used this battle. If you control a Bloodspeaker or a Shadowlands Shugenja, permanently give the target Shadowlands.