New Mechanics

The following sections offers a new Basic School for the

Legend of the Five Rings 4th Edition rules. The Shinjo are
known as wanderers, and few samurai in Rokugan can claim
to have as deep a knowledge of its landscapes and animals
than the Shinjo.
The Shinjo are an ancient and honorable family that
sustained considerable damage to their reputation due to the
subversion by their leadership by the sinister Kolat organiza-
tion. Information on this shameful episode may be found in the
Kolat chapter of the L5R 4th Edition expansion book Enemies
of the Empire. Prior to the exposure of this shame, the Shinjo
were the ruling family of the Unicorn Clan, maintaining a line
of Clan Champions descended from the clan’s founding Kami
herself. After the purge of the Kolat, the Shinjo were removed
from power and replaced by their distant kinsmen, the Moto.
Despite this change, the family persevered in its duties to the
Unicorn Clan, and remained one of the pillars of the Unicorn
Clan and its military endeavors.

Chapter One
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: SHINJO BUSHI
The Shinjo excel at mounted tactics, a trait common to all
Unicorn bushi traditions. The family’s fighting techniques RANK THREE: THEF OUR WINDS STRIKE
incorporate a number of gaijin fighting methods encountered 31
The swift and relentless assault of a Shinjo is a dreadful sight
during the clan’s centuries of travel outside the Empire, and
to behold for his enemies. You may make attacks as a Simple

GEOGRAPHY
as a result they employ a unique defensive style that depends
Action rather than a Complex Action when wielding weapons
on concepts such as the active parry, riposte, and other such
that possess the Samurai keyword. If you are fighting while
oddities that most Rokugani are unfamiliar with.
mounted, you may also attack as a Simple Action when
wielding a bow.
SHINJO BUSHI SCHOOL [BUSHI]
c Benefit: +1 Agility
RANK FOUR:S PIRIT OF THE BLADE UNLEASHED
c Skills: Athletics, Defense, Horsemanship 2, Kenjutsu, Those who mistake the defensive style of the Shinjo as weak
Kyujutsu, any one Skill can find themselves brutally surprised in the last moments
of their lives. When you are in the Defense or Full Defense
c Honor: 4.5
Stances and an opponent makes a melee attack targeting you,
c Outfit: Ashigaru or Light Armor, Sturdy Clothing, after the attack resolves you may immediately take a Free
Daisho, Bow, Knife, Traveling Pack, Horse, 10 Koku Action to make one melee attack against that opponent. This
causes you to immediately assume the Attack Stance. This
TECHNIQUES Technique may be used a number of times per skirmish equal
to your School Rank, but may only be used once per Round.
RANK ONE: THEW AY OF THE KI-RIN
The Shinjo family’s natural affinity for horsemanship is RANK FIVE:D ANCING WITH THE FORTUNES
immediately obvious and pervades their every action. When A Shinjo atop a horse is a sight that gives even the most
spending a Void Point to add +1k1 to any School Skill Roll, seasoned among his enemies pause, and for good reason.
you may also add your rank in Horsemanship to the total. During a skirmish, when mounted, when you wish to spend a
This bonus cannot be used while in the Center Stance. Void Point you may make a Void Ring Roll (TN 20) as a Free
Action. If the Ring Roll is successful, you gain the mechan-
RANK TWO:D ANCE OF THE BLADE ical benefit of having spent the Void Point without actually
The ancient gaijin swordsmanship techniques practiced by the spending it. (This does not actually create a bonus Void Point,
Shinjo have given them a defensive edge against many styles it simply generates the mechanical effects of spending one.)
practiced within the Empire. When you are in the Full Defense If the roll fails, you spend the Void Point as normal. You may
Stance and an opponent succeeds with an attack roll that only use this Technique a number of times per skirmish equal to
targets you, you may immediately take a Free Action to make the number of Void Points you had at the start of the skirmish.
a Contested Agility Roll against that opponent. If successful, You may utilize this Technique when on foot as well, but
the attack misses instead. This may be done a number of times the TN of the Void Ring Roll increases to 30.
per Round equal to your School Rank.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 New Mechanics
This section of the chapter presents new mechanics for the he
Legend of the Five Rings 4th Edition RPG. Here we presentt a
new Advanced School for the Minor Clans, those lesser clansns
who must struggle to find their place in the larger society
ety
around them. Although Rokugani customs and social rules les
present many obstacles for samurai of the Minor Clans, a
handful of them can rise above their position to become true
ue
paragons of bushido, men like Toku or Yoritomo. These men en
and women are the Minor Clan Defenders.

NEW ADVANCED SCHOOL:

MINOR CLAN DEFENDER [BUSHI]
The samurai of the Minor Clans begin their career in service ce
to the Emperor at a significant disadvantage compared to
their counterparts from the Great Clans. They have fewer wer
resources, fewer allies, and vastly less prestige. Many simply
ply
accept this is their lot as servants of a lesser clan and never
ver

Chapter Two
challenge it. There are a few, however, who refuse to acceptept
such a fate, and commit themselves fully to championing the he
cause of their clans to the Empire at large. These men and nd
women do not have any particular unifying qualities other her
than their passion and drive to better the lot of the Minor nor 63
Clans. Such individuals occasionally come into contact with ith
one another during the course of their activities, and over ver

CUSTOMS
the years can form strong alliances in order better serve their
eir
cause. Although no formal dojo exist in which students can an
follow the lessons of such heroes, there are secrets passed ed
down through family lines and via apprenticeship for those ose
who choose to follow such a path. In a show of the devo- o-
tion these individuals have to a greater cause, these secretsets
are shared among all those who share the same passion for
their cause, regardless of what Minor Clan affiliations they ey
possess.

REQUIREMENTS RANK TWO:T HE SPEED OF CERTAINTY

c Rings/Traits: Agility 5, Strength 4 A true master of destiny is versatile and fleet of action. Once
c Skills: Any one Weapon Skill at Rank 5 per Round you may spend a Void Point to make one melee
c Other: Only members of Minor Clans can take ranks attack as a Free Action. You may make no other attacks
in this Advanced School; must possess one Paragon during this Round.
Advantage
RANK THREE:T HE STRENGTH OF HUMILITY
TECHNIQUES A defender of the Minor Clans is a paragon of strength and
certainty, skilled in the samurai arts and capable of virtually
RANK ONE:K NOW NO BOUNDARIES any deadly action. You may make melee attacks as a Simple
Conviction and determination can elevate even the lowest Action when using weapons with the Samurai keyword. If you
samurai to greatness if he but follows his own sense of honor already possess the ability to make attacks as a Simple Action
in moments of crisis. You may spend a Void Point to tempo- when wielding such weapons, you may choose any one other
rarily gain two ranks of Status, forcing others to recognize type of melee weapon (knives, heavy weapons, spears, etc.).
your talents and abilities. This effect lasts for a period of one You gain the ability to attack with these weapons as a Simple
hour. Action instead.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 TECHNIQUES

RANK ONE:T HE AWE OF THE THRONE

New Mechanics A true scion of the Imperial families knows how to use his
social position to his advantage in nearly any situation. Any
time you are called upon to make a Skill Roll, or to use your
Glory or Honor rank, you may spend a Void Point to instead
substitute your Status Rank.
This section contains new mechanics for the Legend of the
Five Rings 4th Edition RPG. Here we present a new Advanced RANK TWO:T HE STRENGTH OF THE THRONE
School for the Imperial Families, the men and women who As a champion of the Imperial line, you can ensure that
live at the pinnacle of Rokugani society. The Imperial Scion those who oppose you suffer mightily for their temerity. After
does not merely manipulate the court society of Rokugan, he conversing with an opponent of lower Status Rank for a few
defines and controls it, and those who displease him can find minutes, you may force that opponent to make an opposed
themselves cast down into the buke or even made ronin. Courtier / Etiquette roll against you. If you defeat your oppo-
nent at the roll, you may reduce his Status by a number of
points up to a maximum of twice your Insight Rank.
ADVANCED SCHOOL:
RANK THREE:T HE TERROR OF THE THRONE
IMPERIAL SCION [COURTIER] There is virtually no one who is immune to the power of an
The Imperial families are not generally given a great deal of Imperial scion. While conversing with an opponent of equal
consideration by the average citizen of Rokugan. Even most or lower Status Rank, you may force a Contested Void Roll. If
members of the samurai caste go their entire lives while you are successful, you can permanently give the opponent
glimpsing only one or two true Imperials, and many of the any one Social Disadvantage. Alternatively, you can force the
more remote family branches never encounter one for genera- opponent to become ronin, but the technique can only be
tions at a time. The Imperial families are simply smaller than

Chapter Three
used in this manner once every six months. Forcing a samurai
most of those who serve the clans, and their spheres of influ- to become ronin in this way costs you 5 points each of Glory,
ence are relatively limited in comparison to their clan coun- Honor, and Status.
terparts. Even the well-traveled Imperial heralds of the Miya
family tend to stick to clearly defined travel routes, avoiding
the Empire’s more remote districts for decades or even centu-
79
ries at a time. In some cases this can lead to a mispercep-
tion of the Imperials as dangerous or hostile individuals who

SOCIAL STRUCTURE
desire only the obedience and submission of other samurai.
While this is untrue in the main, there are a few individuals
who prove it correct.
Scions of the Imperial families are utterly ruthless indi-
viduals who have mastered the manipulation of their own
social standing to decimate their enemies. Standing against
a scion in court is tantamount to ruination for all but the
most skilled or highest-ranking samurai. These scions most
often come from the Otomo family, which teaches their
secret techniques in its most prestigious and elite dojo. Much
more rarely, members of the Miya or Seppun families are
permitted to train there as well. The scions are rarely liked,
frequently sought as allies, and almost always feared for the
power they can and will bring to bear on any who arouse
their ire.

REQUIREMENTS
c Rings/Traits: Awareness 5, Perception 4
c Skills: Courtier 6, Etiquette 4
c Other: Only members of the Imperial families may
take ranks in this Advanced School; Status 4 or higher

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 TABLE 4.4: YOU OVERHEAR A RUMOR THAT...
Play
Play A
Aid:
id: Random D10 EVENT
Events at Court 0-1 ...one delegation
d l i isi spying
another delegation.
i on or intriguing
i i i against
i

2-3 ...one delegation is spying on or intriguing against

the host.
The following tables can be used by GMs to create interesting
4-5 ... the host is spying on or intriguing against a
and plausible occurrences for any court-based adventure. If delegation.
the GM is stuck as to how next to challenge the PCs, or if the
action is losing momentum and something needs to happen 6-7 ...a delegate is planning to betray his faction.
to get it going again, feel free to consult Table 4.1—either roll 8 ...a delegate will be assassinated.
randomly, or just pick an option that seems attractive. 9 ...an important member of the host faction will be
assassinated.
TABLE 4.1: RANDOM EVENTS ROOT TABLE
TABLE 4.5: YOU STUMBLE UPON:
D10 RESULT
0-1 You are asked or invited to... (see Table 4.2) D10 EVENT
2 You are challenged to a duel 0 ...members of the same faction arguing with each
other.
3-4 A representative of another faction approaches
you... (see Table 4.3) 1 ...a clandestine (until now, at least) romantic li-
aison between delegates from different factions.
5-6 You overhear a rumor that... (see Table 4.4)
2 ...a note in a faction cipher, apparently dropped
7-8 You stumble upon... (see Table 4.5)
by mistake.
POLITICS

9 Specific event; varies by host (see Table 4.6)

3-4 ...a personal item that seems to belong to a delegate.
5 ...a personal item that seems to belong to a mem-
TABLE 4.2: YOU ARE ASKED OR INVITED TO... ber of the host faction.
108 6 ...a dead guard.
D10 EVENT
0-1 You are invited to hear a musical performance put 7 ...a dead delegate.
Chapter Four

on by the court host. 8 ...an unauthorized person in a delegate’s quarters.

2-3 You are invited to a performance of a noh play put 9 ...an unauthorized person in an area that is off-
on by the court host. limits to everyone except the host faction.
4 The author of a poem asks for your opinion of it.
5 A samurai-artisan asks for your opinion of his work. TABLE 4.6: HOST-SPECIFIC RANDOM EVENT
6 An orator from another delegation asks you for your
opinion of a speech that he plans to give at court.
HOST FACTION EVENT
Crab Clan You are gratuitously insulted by a Hida bushi.
7 You are asked to judge a formal challenge based on
an Artisan Skill between two delegates. Crane Clan A Crane courtier tries to ingratiate himself
8 You are asked to judge a formal challenge of ora- with you through a gift fashioned by a Kak-
tory between two delegates. ita artisan.

9 You are asked to serve as witness for an iaijutsu or Dragon A Togashi monk attempts to engage you in
taryu-jiai duel. Clan an obscure theological debate.
Lion Clan A Matsu bushi challenges you to a test of
TABLE 4.3: A REPRESENTATIVE swordsmanship.
OF ANOTHER FACTION APPROACHES YOU... Mantis A Yoritomo invites you to view an ostenta-
Clan tious display of his clan’s wealth.
D10 EVENT
Phoenix A Phoenix courtier insists on mediating a well-
0-1 ... and tries to befriend you for no apparent reason. Clan known dispute in which you are involved.
2 ... and heaps scorn on you, your faction, and the Scorpion A Bayushi courtier invites you to dine with
way you look. Clan him, with the intent of observing your anxi-
3-4 ... and asks a favor of you. ety over the possibility of being poisoned.

5-6 ... and asks your opinion (in all confidence, of Unicorn A Moto invites you to view a contest of horse-
course) of a matter being debated at court Clan manship—or worse, challenges you to one.

7 ... and tries to blackmail you. Imperial An Otomo takes you aside and passes on a
Court rumor meant to create suspicion between
8-9 ... and tries to bribe you. your clan and another clan.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 RANK TWO:T HE LION CANNOT FAIL
The first true lesson of the great Ikoma is that surrender is
never an option, and failure can be overcome regardless of
New Mechanics circumstances. You gain a bonus of +1k0 to all Skill Rolls
using School Skills.

RANK THREE:T HE SPIRIT OF IKOMA

This section contains new mechanics for use in the Legend Although many among the Lion remember him differently,
of the Five Rings 4th Edition RPG. Here we present the Lion’s the followers of the Lion’s Shadow know that Ikoma was a
Shadow, a rather unconventional school maintained by the warrior who cared for victory first, and the means of attaining
Ikoma. Although it is a bushi school, its students are taught to that victory second. Once per Round, you may lose three
approach the battlefield of the courts with the same ruthless- points of Honor as a Free Action to add +2k1 to your attack,
ness as any other field of conflict, and almost all Lion delega- damage, and Contested Social Skill Rolls until the end of the
tions to major courts include one or two of the Lion’s Shadow. Round.

RANK FOUR:T HE QUIET LION’S CLAWS

Although their principle battleground is that of the court,
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: those who bear the name Lion’s Shadow are sons of Ikoma
THE IKOMA LION’S SHADOW [BUSHI] first and foremost, and carry the ferocity of their ancestor
Although many modern Ikoma no longer recall it, or have within their veins. You may make melee weapon attacks as a
chosen to forget, the first Ikoma was not a particularly honor- Simple Action instead of a Complex Action.
able man. He served his lord Akodo with great distinction and
loyalty, but the means by which he executed his duties are RANK FIVE:F EROCIOUS DETERMINATION
frequently omitted from any historical record. Most Ikoma The wrath of a disciple of Ikoma is terrible to behold. You may
do not consider this an issue, but there are some among them spend a Void Point to take a Free Action to make a Contested
who understand this omission is a means of protecting the Roll of your Courtier / Awareness versus against an opponent’s

Chapter Four
family’s honor, as the first Ikoma was a ruthless, pragmatic Etiquette (Courtesy) / Awareness. If you win the roll, you have
individual who would gleefully embrace dishonorable tactics shaken his resolve by reminding him of his past failings. The
as a necessary means of completing his duties. opponent subtracts a penalty equal to your Awareness plus
the opponent’s own Honor Rank from the total of his attack
The Ikoma Lion’s Shadow are a small and extremely secre-
and Contested Social Skill Rolls against you for a number of 109
tive group within the Ikoma family who remember exactly
hours equal to your School Rank. This Technique does not work
who and what Ikoma was, and they celebrate his memory.
against those who possess no Honor Rank (animals, oni, etc).

POLITICS
They consider themselves extremely practical individuals who
exist as a sort of foil to the dire machinations exercised by
the Scorpion and other unsavory individuals. Although they
frequently are called upon to sacrifice their honor for the
sake of their clan, they do so willingly and without regret,
and almost always with the greater Lion Clan remaining
completely ignorant of their activities.

THE IKOMA LION’S SHADOW [BUSHI]

c Benefit: +1 Awareness
c Skills: Courtier, Etiquette, Kenjutsu, Investigation
(Notice), Sincerity, Stealth, any one High or Low skill
c Honor: 3.5
c Outfit: Traditional Clothing, Daisho, any one weapon,
Calligraphy Set, Traveling Pack, 5 Koku

TECHNIQUES

RANK ONE: NO BOUNDARIES

Those who walk the path of Ikoma choose a life of self-sacri-
fice and questionable actions in order to serve their clan as
their founder did. You do not lose Honor for using Low Skills
if they are used directly for the goals or glory of the Lion Clan
(subject to GM judgment). As a Free Action you may target
a number of opponents equal to your School Rank; you gain
a bonus of +1k0 to the total of all attack rolls and Contested
Rolls made against these opponents. This bonus may be acti-
vated a number of times per day equal to your School Rank,
and lasts until the end of the day.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 Roll, you may use your Ranks in the Artisan Skill in place of
whatever Social Skill is called for. You gain no Mastery Level
benefits when using this Technique, since you u do not actually
possess ranks in the Social Skill in question.
New Mechanics There may be social situations where this Technique is not
applicable; when in doubt, the GM has the final say.

RANK FOUR:B OUNTY OF THE CRAFT

This section provides a new mechanical option for players When presenting your art to others, you increase
ncrease not only
of the L5R 4th Edition role-playing game: the Shiba Artisan your own understanding of your place in the he universe, but
school, repository of the Phoenix artistic traditions. Although you aid others in perceiving theirs as well. Once per day you
not as prestigious or politically connected as the Kakita Arti- may make an Artisan Skill Roll against TN 30. If successful,
sans, the Shiba Artisans are still much-admired in the Empire you and a number of other people up to your our School Rank
and few Phoenix or Dragon daimyo will let themselves go who are present at the time regain all Void Points. This ritu-
without a sample of their work. alized presentation of your craft requires at least fifteen
minutes to complete. This Technique cannot be used in the
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: Shadowlands.
SHIBA ARTISANS
RANK FIVE:T HE TOUCH OF DESTINY
c Benefit: +1 Intelligence
The work of a true master requires no explanation to inspire
c Skills: Artisan (pick two), Calligraphy,
others to greatness. When your work is on display in court or
Etiquette, Lore (pick one), Sincerity,
in the home of a lord, all present in the chamber where it is
any one High or Bugei Skill
displayed gain one additional Void Point. If you are present,
c Honor: 4.5 you gain two additional Void Points instead, and you may
c Outfit: Sensible Clothing, Wakizashi, choose to deny the benefit of this Technique to any in atten-
tools necessary to practice your dance. An individual may only receive a maximum of one

Chapter Five
chosen specialty, Traveling Pack, additional Void Point per day in this manner (or two, in your
5 Koku. case).

TECHNIQUES
123
RANK ONE:S OUL OF BRILLIANCE
A true child of the Shiba line finds his

THE ARTS
perfect center in the serenity and beauty
of creation. Select any one Artisan Skill.
Whenever you spend a Void Point making
a Skill Roll using that Skill, you gain a
bonus of +2k2 instead of the normal
+1k1.

RANK TWO:
THE WAY OF SINCER-
ITY
Through use of his craft, a
Shiba artisan can forge close
bonds with others that allow for
long-term alliances to be formed. Once
per month you may make an Artisan
Skill Roll against TN 15. You gain a
number of Experience Points equal
to the amount by which your roll
exceeds the TN, but these Experience
Points may only be spent to purchase the
Allies Advantage (subject to GM approval).
These Allies are temporary and last for a period
of time equal to your School Rank in weeks.

RANK THREE:T HE ART SPEAKS

An artisan has the ability to fall back on his art
when pressed in a social situation, allowing
its beauty and simplicity to speak for him.
Choose one Artisan Skill. When you are
called upon to make a Social Skill

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 The only other notable Imperial holding from an economic c High Official Visiting: Visits by high-ranking person-
standpoint is actually on the Mantis Isles. The great shipyard ages and their retinues will drive up the price of just
of Koutetsukan is located at the northern end of the Mantis about everything, as local merchants prepare for the
archipelago. There, shipwrights who consider themselves sudden influx of wealthy customers. This is especially
subjects of no one but the Seppun family and the Emperor true of villages (as opposed to larger towns and cit-
fashion elegant ships for the use of the highest nobility, and ies), for which such an event is truly extraordinary.
strictly according to the traditional construction methods A particularly large retinue will also drive up basic
endorsed by the Son of Heaven. demand for all manner of goods, especially those used
by courtiers, like peaked caps, fans, perfume, and cos-
metics. Not all of the price inflation caused by such
Price, Availability and the an event comes from testing the travel budgets of the

Curse off Interestingg Times wealthy; a large visiting party with abundant koku
to spend can put upward pressure on prices just by
increasing local demand.
Price and availability of goods in Rokugan may be affected by
a host of temporary and extraordinary conditions, such as a
military campaign rampaging through a local area, a drought,
or an epidemic. These disasters can wreck the fortunes of
even the most careful and experienced merchants in a single
season. Optional GM Tool:
c War: An army on campaign cannot help but leave
its mark wherever it goes, especially if it has chosen
Availability of Goods
MONEY AND COMMERCE

to live off the land rather than carry its own supplies
or bring them forward from its base of operations.
The presence of a campaigning army will drive up the The list of items and prices in the L5R RPG 4th Edition Core
price of weapons, arrows, armor, food, alcoholic bev- Book represents an abstracted “average” of prices across the
erages, and a great many mundane traveler’s items. Empire, and as such is not a very useful tool for those who
c Drought: Prolonged drought will drive up the price of might like to add a dash of economics to their campaign, or
food, with the extent of the increase depending on the even simply to know whether a particular item is readily avail-
length and severity of the drought. It will also drive able in a specific part of the Empire. As this chapter makes
142 clear, many commodities and trade goods are more common
up the cost of other products that rely on cultivated
plants, such as cloth, paper, and silk. Drought will also in some parts of the Empire than in others. Although most
Chapter Six

increase pressure on the price of horses in the Unicorn samurai have little interaction with the world of economics, a
Lands, as less rain means poorer grazing and fewer group of characters that includes Yasuki, Daidoji, or Yoritomo
horses that can be supported. merchant patrons may well need to concern itself with prices.
Even more, if some or all of the characters are ronin, prices
c Plague: In an area disabled or depopulated by plague,
may become very important indeed.
the price of medical supplies will go up, especially the
cost of any kind of herbal curative. Herbalists look- Table 6.1 offers a sample classification of items by how
ing for plants with healing properties will encounter easy it is to locate them. There are three basic grades of rarity:
much competition. If there are too few farmers left c Common: This item is easy to find. Even a small farm-
who are well enough to work the fields, the price of ing village will have a merchant’s or craftsman’s shop
food can go up almost as sharply as it would in a se- that sells it, and any traveling peddler met on the road
vere drought. However, the price of just about every- will likely have some available.
thing else will decrease, as an enervated or decimated
c Average: This is an item that can only be found new
population will reduce its consumption of goods.
and in decent quality at a significant population center.
c Flood: A flood severe enough to dislocate entire lo- A town of a thousand or more people will certainly
cal populations will drive up the price of just about have at least one shop or marketplace trader selling it.
anything and everything that can be carried, espe- But it is highly unlikely to be found in a small village
cially food. On the other hand, large lots of items, or out in the country unless that village happen
happens to host
individual items that are too heavy or bulky to move a specialized
p industry that produces such items.
item Other-
easily, may be sold at rock-bottom prices before they wise, the
he best that can be done out in rural areas
th a is to
must be abandoned to rising waters. track down
d lower-quality specimens, whethe
whether they be
c Bountiful Harvest: An unusually good growing year second-hand
secondd-hand or perhaps old or damaged versions.
versi
will decrease the price of food as well as the cost of c Rare: This
T is a luxury good or a specializ
specialized item,
products that rely on cultivating plants—cloth, paper, one that
thaat can only be found for sure in a major
maj urban
silk, herbs, and the like. However, the prosperity of center. A smaller town might not even have it unless
a bumper harvest will also drive down the value of something
someth hing unusual in the town’s character o or history
coinage, especially since the koku is based on the would make it plausible (i.e., a palace nearby
nearb would
value of rice. Thus, just about everything else will ac- make iti more likely that one could find a high
hi qual-
tually cost more. ity courtier’s
urtier’s fan). Even an old or low-quality version
cou
of this item will be difficult to find in small villages.
v

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 Table 6.1, like the L5R RPG 4th Edition Core Book, assumes TECHNIQUES
that prices of items are the same in every corner of Rokugan.
GMs who wish to more accurately reflect regional imbalances RANK ONE:T HE JOY OF PLUNDER
in the cost and availability of certain goods may wish to use The promotion to the rank of captain in the Mantis navy is
the additional supplemental tables, Tables 6.2-6.9, to reflect one that comes with considerable benefit and reputation. Your
these regional differences in price and availability. Status Rank is considered one higher when interacting with
all members of the Mantis Clan and with any merchants from
the heimin caste. When you spend a Void Point to augment
any Merchant Skill, you gain +2k2 instead of +1k1. Once per
month you may make a Commerce / Intelligence Roll (TN 25)
New Mechanics and gain an amount of koku equal to the amount by which
your roll exceeds the TN.

RANK TWO:S TRENGTH OF THE MANTIS

This section includes new mechanics for the Legend of the The true measure of a captain is the quality of those who
Five Rings roleplaying game 4th Edition. In this case, in pledge their loyalty to him. You gain 30 Experience Points
keeping with the themes of this chapter, we present a new which may only be used to purchase the Servants Advantage.
Mantis Advanced School that allows players to captain their The servants purchased in this manner represent a portion
own ship, conducting trade, war, or piracy as their storyline of your crew. Budoka servants purchased in this manner are
demands. instead considered to be Rank 1 Yoritomo Bushi. You may
also spend 10 points to gain a Rank 1 Moshi Shugenja as your
navigator. This shugenja is considered to have Air 3 rather
than all Rings at 2.
NEW ADVANCED SCHOOL:
KOBUNE CAPTAIN [BUSHI] RANK THREE:M ASTER OF THE SEAS
The majority of the Mantis Clan’s holdings are removed from A true captain of the Mantis Clan excels in all areas pertaining

Chapter Six
the mainland by a vast expanse of sea, resting amid the to his duties. You may spend a Void Point on any Merchant
Islands of Silk and Spice. The clan has lived this way for one Skill Roll (excluding Craft Skills) to replace the normal
thousand years; although the ascension of the Mantis to Great amount you would roll with 10k10. You also add a bonus of
Clan status resulted in the addition of small mainland prov- +3k0 to all Bugei Skill Rolls made while onboard a water-
inces held by the Tsuruchi and Moshi (and later the Kitsune), borne vessel. 143
the lifeblood of the Yoritomo family still flows through the
fleets of kobune that ferry materials and personnel back and

MONEY AND COMMERCE

forth to the mainland. The captains of these vessels are the
trusted servants of the Mantis Clan Champion, and are respon-
sible for ensuring their clan endures and prospers in spite of
the perpetual threats they face from enemies, pirates, weather,
and any number of other hazards. Young samurai look upon
these masters of the waves as an inspiration, admiring them
for their bravery, their reputation, and their wealth. If some
are possessed of the stereotypical arrogance of the Yoritomo
family, it is at least well deserved, for they are surely the true
sons and daughters of clan founder Kaimetsu-uo and the chief
bearers of his legacy in the modern Empire.

REQUIREMENTS
c Rings/Traits: Water 3
c Skills: Commerce 4, Knives 3, Sailing 4
c Other: Must possess the Leadership Ad-
vantage, and have been appointed to
a position of command within the
Mantis Clan

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 TABLE 6.1: DISTRIBUTION OF ITEMS

ITEM RARITY ITEM RARITY

Arrows, Yumi, Chain Weapons, Masakari, Common Parchment and Charcoal Average
Knives, Peasant Weapons, Staves Personal Seal and Chop Rare
Daikyu, Hankyu, Bisento, Nagamaki Nagi- Average Pet Average
nata, Sasumata, Sodegarami, Yari, Swords,
War Fans, All Armor Pillow Book Average

Dai Tsuchi, Masakari, Ono, Tetsubo Rare Pot, Iron Common

Backpack Common Quiver Common

Ball, Kemari Rare Rope Common

Baskets Common Sake Cup Average

Blacksmith’s Hammer Common Shovel Common

Blanket Common Small Back Banner Average

Bottle of Bleach or Dye Average Small Folding Stool Common

Bottle of Sake or Shochu Common Small Knife Common

Bottle, Empty Common Small Painting or Statue Average

MONEY AND COMMERCE

Books and Scrolls Rare Spices Rare

Bowyer’s Kit Common Sweets Common

Brazier Common Tatami Mat Common

Bucket Common Tattoo Needles Average

Candle Common Tea Set Average

Chest, wood Common Tent, Small Average

144 Chest, metal Average Tent, Chomchong or Yurt Rare

Chopsticks Common Traveling Rations Common

Chapter Six

Cloth, Silk Bolt Average Umbrella Common

Coin Purse Common Walking Stick Common

Daisho Stand Average Whetstone Common

Dice and Dice Cup Common Writing Box (Sumi-E Kit) Rare

Divination Kit Average Clothing Rarity

Finger of Jade Rare Cap, Courtier’s Rare

Fishing Kit Common Fan, Courtier’s Rare

Flint and Steel Common Hakama Common

Furoshiki Sack Common Haori Average

Games, Traveling Common Kataginu Average

Grapple Hook Average Kimono Common

Kiseru Common Makeup Kit Average

Kubi Bukuro Average Mask Average

Lanterns and Lantern Oil Common Netsuke Average

Lucky Cricket Average Obi Pouch Average

Medicine Kit Average Perfume Average

Mirrors Rare Sandals Common

Mortar and Pestle Common Snow Shoes Common

Musical Instruments Average Traveling Cloak Common

Palanquin Rare Wide-Brimmed Straw Hat Common

Paper, Writing Rare War Paint Rare

Wig Average

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 TABLE 6.2: AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF TABLE 6.6: AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF
GOODS IN THE CRAB LANDS GOODS IN THE MANTIS LANDS

ITEM PRICE RARITY ITEMS PRICE RARITY

Courtier’s Cap and Fan -20% Rare Finger of Jade +50% Rare
Food/Traveler’s Rations +20% Common Food/Traveler’s Rations +20% Common
Iron or Steel Utensils -20% Common Iron or Steel Utensils +20% Common
Perfume -20% Rare Netsuke/Jewelry -20% Average
Spices +50% Rare Lucky Cricket +/-0% Common
War Paint +/-0% Average Perfume +20% Average
Weapons -20% Common Spices -30% Common

TABLE 6.3: AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF TABLE 6.7: AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF
GOODS IN THE CRANE LANDS GOODS IN THE PHOENIX LANDS

ITEM PRICE RARITY ITEM PRICE RARITY

Books and Scrolls -10% Average All Armor, Bows, +20% Rare
Spears, Swords
Paper, Cheap +/-0% Common
Books and Scrolls +/-0% Average
Paper, High Quality -10% Average
Medicine Kit -30% Common
Perfume, Poor to Aver- +10% Average

Chapter Six
age Quality Paper, Fine Quality -30% Common
Perfume, Fine or Excel- +20% Average Parchment and Charcoal -30% Common
lent Quality
Pillow Book +/-0% Common
Pillow Book +/-0% Common
Small Painting or -20% Average
Silk and Silk Clothing -10% Common Statue 145

Small Painting or -30% Average Tea Set -20% Common

MONEY AND COMMERCE

Sculpture
Tea Set -10% Common
TABL
ABLE
A E 6.8:
BLE
BL 8: AVA
VAILABILITY
VAIL
ILAB
IL ABILIT
I Y AN
AND
A D PRIC
ND RICE
RIC
CE OF
GOOODS
OD
DS IN T E SCO
THE
HE ON LA
CORPION
CORP
R IO ANDS
ND
DS
TABLE 6.4: AVAILABILITY AND PRICE OF
GOODS IN THE DRAGON LANDS
ITEMS PRICE RARITY
Dice and Dice Cup -40% Common
ITEM PRICE RARITY
Finger of Jade -10% Rare
Divination Kit -30% Common
Food/Traveler’s Rations -30% Common
Food/Traveler’s Rations +20% Common
Netsuke/Jewelry -10% Average
Iron or Steel Utensils -20% Common
Mask +/-0% Common
Netsuke/Jewelry -20% Average
Pillow Book +/-0% Common
Silk and Silk Clothing +10% to +20% Average
Tattoo Needles -30% Common
TAABLE
BLE 6.
6.9:
.9:: AVA
VAILABILITY
VAIL
LAB
A IL
LIT AND PRIC
I Y AN RICE
IC
CE OF
O F
GOOODS
ODS IN
ODS
OD N T HE UN
THE NICORN
NIICO
C RNN LAN
ANDS
A D
DS
TABLE 6.5: AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
OF GOODS IN THE LION LANDS
ITEMS PRICE RARITY
Books and Scrolls +20% Rare
ITEM PRICE RARITY Fingers of Jade -10% Rare
All Armor, Bows, -10% Common
Perfume +/-0% Rare
Spears, Swords
Tent, Chomchong or Yurt +/-0% Average
Brazier -20% Common
War Paint +/-0% Average
Pillow Book -20% Common
Yumi -20% Common
War Paint +/-0% Average

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 Mantis Clan at one time included many wako within its ranks,
but after attaining Great Clan status it expelled its piratical
elements—and in the process, created a number of new wako Adventure Seed:
gangs, most notably the infamous Rolling Waves fleet. The Pirate’s Treasure
Pirates sometimes acquire a romantic reputation among
Rokugan’s common folk. Since they prey mostly on merchant
Challenge
shipping, few peasants feel the pain of piracy in the same
In the official histories of Rokugan, Fumoki’s lost
way they do banditry, and popular legend often portrays
treasure is finally located in the year 1158 by the Lion
pirates as “noble rogues” who steal from the wealthy and
hero Ikoma Otemi. However, in your own game this
help the downtrodden. Probably the most famous example
need not be true, especially if an old-fashioned trea-
of this (somewhat naïve) view of piracy is the legend of
sure hunt would allow your players a change of pace
Yasuki Fumoki, a Crab pirate from the seventh century who
from the intense pressures of samurai drama. The
left his clan to wage a private war against the Crane aboard
PCs might find clues leading to Fumoki’s lost island
his mighty ship, the Dealthless. Supposedly, Fumoki sank
in any number of places, such as forgotten Crab Clan
over a hundred Crane ships and hid the accumulated wealth
records (Fumoki remained in touch with his old clan
on a remote island; it was lost forever when Fumoki died,
during his war against the Crane).
hurling himself sword-forward into the throat of the King
of the Orochi. Focus
The PCs must undertake a hazardous sea voyage to
Fumoki’s island. If word of their quest has leaked out,
they may face all manner of obstacles, including pirates,
corrupt authorities, rival treasure-seekers, and Fumo-
GM’s Toolbox: Who ki’s Crab descendants seeking their ancestor’s legacy.

Are These Outlaws? Strike

Chapter Seven
Once the PCs find the island and its treasures (which
include the legendary ship Deathless) they still face
one final obstacle: the Orochi King, a sea-serpent of
immense power.
For GMs who wish to incorporate a bandit gang into their
campaign at a level more profound than a one-off encounter,
169
the following listings provide some ideas for fleshing them
out into more serious opponents or villains.

LAW AND ORDER

JIYUU: RANK 0
Jiyuu is a heimin bitter at the injustices of the caste system. referred to as the Steel Rose, a fitting counterpoint to her
His gang, The Raised Kama, is composed entirely of other gang’s name, the Rose’s Thorns.
heimin who follow his lead. Though they are ill-equipped
and physically weak, their zeal and dedication should not be
underestimated.
JUSTICE: SHIBA BUSHI 3
No one has ever seen the true features of this bandit lord; his
KOSHI: RONIN INSIGHT RANK 1 face is obscured by an elaborate mask. He calls himself Justice,
yet there is nothing righteous about his brutal assaults on
Koshi grew tired of the stigma of being a ronin. He has gath- helpless villages. Tengoku’s Judgment, as his gang is called,
ered other malcontents under his banner. He and his gang, shares his merciless style, leaving hundreds of victims in its
Koshi’s Horde, have set out to create a name for themselves. wake.
Minor bullies at best, Koshi’s Horde preys on small farming
villages.
MABURO: RONIN SHUGENJA 4
TOMISU: RONIN INSIGHT RANK 2 Maburo looks like a fearsome warrior and is skilled with the
katana. The fire kami flock to his aid; Maburo keeps his skill
Legend claims Tomisu began thievery to steal money for his with the sword to himself, preferring to use it as a secret
home village, which was stricken with a dangerous disease. weapon during an emergency. His gang, the Fallen Star,
No one knows the truth of the matter, but those who have met follows Maburo because they are truly devoted to him, and
the aging bandit say an air of nobility surrounds the old man. obey his orders with zealous fanaticism.
Tomisu’s gang, the Fallen Leaf, tends to keep a low profile,
eager to avoid altercations with the authorities.
IDE JOBENAI: SHINJO BUSHI 3
TETSUKA: RONIN INSIGHT RANK 2 Jobenai is a trader, not a warrior. He formed the Crossed
Blades to supplement his income, using his diplomatic activi-
Rumors say Tetsuka is a former Crane yojimbo who was ties as a cover. The gang has a reputation for ruthlessness,
stripped of her name when her charge was killed by an killing innocents in each of its raids. As the secret leader
assassin. Tetsuka never addresses these rumors, but her of the Crossed Blades, Jobenai publicly deplores the gang’s
amazing beauty only adds to her air of mystery. She is often actions while privately counting his earnings.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 SORU: BA
ORU HI BUSH
AYUSHI
YU
USH HI 2 (
USHI
U SH (INSIGHT RANK 4)) often against th
the
he Do
D
Doji
ojjii tthat
haat o
h ot
other
theer ssu
such
ucch
h sschools
choo
ch ools
l aare
ree m
measured,
eeaasu
ureed,
d,
conscious
although this is not a cconscio ousus ccomparison.
ompa
om p ri
riso
s n.
so
Soru believes he
h w was
ass b
betrayed
etrayed by the Scorpion Clan. To exact
his vengeance, he left the Scorpion lands and began a spree Despite the name of the school, in actuality only a minority
of violence. His gang, Soru’s Vengeance, prefers to make raids of its students are actually appointed as clan magistrates—
at night; they burn many of the buildings in their victims’ students are far more likely to serve as yoriki, assisting other
village, marking their presence for miles. magistrates, or simply as guards patrolling the borders and
magistrates
maintaining law and order in cities and towns. Still, those
who are trained in this school are often among the first to
THE LEGENDARY SANADA, PIRATE KING: receive an appointment when a magistrate position becomes
RONIN (INSIGHT RANK 5) available, and it is not uncommon for many Doji to serve in
Sanada is a self-proclaimed ruler of the seas, and has the ranks of the Emerald and Jade magistrates as well.
successfully continued his piracy off the Rokugani coast for
over a decade. His wako (pirate fleet), Serpents of Sanada, is DOJI MAGISTRATE [BUSHI]
skilled and dangerous and has killed countless magistrates
c Benefit: +1 Reflexes
and Mantis samurai bent on bringing him to justice.
c Skills: Defense, Horsemanship, Jiujutsu, Kenjutsu,
Knives (Jitte), Polearms, any High or Bugei Skill
YASUKI TORINAGA: HIDA BUSHI 3 Honor: 5.5
(INSIGHT RANK 5) c Outfit: Light Armor, Sturdy Clothing, Daisho, any 1
Torinaga is the leader of the local sect of the Black Lotus weapon (or 2 Knives), Traveling Pack, 10 koku
smuggling cartel. He has many talented samurai under his
control, both Crab bushi who serve him publicly and ronin TECHNIQUES
hirelings in the gang. If anyone becomes too large a problem
for his gang, he can always call for reinforcements from the RANK ONE: TEMPER STEEL WITH HONOR
LAW AND ORDER

rest of the cartel… Doji Magistrates are trained to fight with compassion,
avoiding injury to both themselves and whenever possible to
others, a style known to the Crane as Mizu-do (the Way of
Water). They specialize in the use of weapons designed to
disarm or capture foes rather than kill them. You may add

170
New Mechanics an amount equal to your Air Ring to your Armor TN (unless
caught helpless or unaware). You gain a +1k0 bonus to your
attack rolls when fighting with a jitte or a sasumata.
Chapter Seven

RANK TWO:F LOWING LIKE WATER

This section presents two new basic schools for use in the
Legend of the Five Rings 4th Edition role-playing game. It The Magistrates are taught the art of subduing law-breakers
should be noted that these schools both have the word non-lethally by turning their own strength against them, an
“Magistrate” in their title, but not all samurai trained in their especially useful skill when dealing with drunken samurai
techniques will automatically be given magistrate appoint- whose deaths might carry political repercussions. When
ments (see the “Mechanics versus Reality” sidebar earlier in rolling to control a Grapple or to resolve a Disarm attempt,
this chapter for details). Both of these schools incorporate you may use your opponent’s Strength Rank in place of your
unarmed martial arts techniques; the history of Rokugani own.
martial arts is discussed in the “War” chapter later in this
book.
RANK THREE:B REATH OF THE LAW
The Doji Magistrates practice a variety of submission holds
designed to disarm and disable lawbreakers without harming
them. If you successfully Grapple or Disarm an opponent,
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: they are also Dazed.
DOJI MAGISTRATE [BUSHI]
The Doji family is dedicated to protecting its lands and people
RANK FOUR:F LOWING LIKE AIR
from all threats, an expression of the Crane Clan’s devotion A true student of the Doji path can move as swiftly as the
to the Virtue of Compassion. Consequently, they maintain this wind of justice that brings ruin to his enemies. You may make
school to teach their bushi techniques of law enforcement attacks as a Simple Action when fighting unarmed or when
and peace-keeping. Although generally less famous for their wielding a jitte, sasumata, or a weapon with the Samurai
deeds, the Doji family’s magistrate tradition actually predates keyword.
their more sensational counterparts in other clans by centu-
ries. The Kitsuki family, the Soshi Magistrates, and even the RANK FIVE:T HE WILLOW IN THE STORM
Emerald Magistrates were not created until well after the Doji In their final lesson, Doji Magistrates are taught to maneuver
tradition had been in pplace for a very
y longg time. In fact, it is around their opponents, redirecting their energy and
defeating them
t with their own momentum. You may spend a
Void point during the Reactions stage of a skirmish Round to
anyone who attacks you on the next Round to subtract
force anyon
their Air Ring
R from each of their dice. (Dice which explode
have their final total reduced.) This technique cannot be acti-

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 vated
v
vated o
te
ted orr used
d wh
whil
while
ille yo
y
you
ou ar
are
re in
in tthe
he F
Full
u l Atta
ul At
Attack
tttaack sstance
t nc
tan e or
o tthe
he
he RANK
N TWO
ANK O:R
RIISE
SE
ET O MEET
TO EET
ET T HE CHA
THE HALLENGE
ALL
LENGE
EN
E NG
GEE
Center stance. Soshi
S
Soosh
sh
hi MaM
Magistrates
agi
gist
giist
s rraate
t s of
ofte
often
ften
teen deal
deall cclo
de close-up
l se
lo se-u
-uup with h crimi
criminals
minaals
l and d
thugs
th ugs who
hug who employ
wh emp
em
mpl o dishonorable
ploy dis
isho
ho
on
noora
ora b e tactics,
rabl tac
ta
act ics, so they are taughtt
ctics
ic
brawling
braw
awli
aw l ng
li ng ttechniques
echniq iquues and lelearn
lear
a n to
ar to q quickly
ui
ui
uickly recover any time
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: they find themselves in a vu vulnerable
uln
lner
ner
erab
rabble
l position. Any time you
SOSHI MAGISTRATE [BUSHI] are PProne, you may ttake k a F Free Action
A ti to
t roll
Agility at TN 20 to regain your feet. You gain a +1k1 bonus
ll Athletics
Athl ti /

The Soshi magistrate school is descended from a set of tech- to any roll made to control a Grapple.
niques taught to the yoriki of Soshi Saibankan during his
many years as a judge, and some rumors claim the first three RANK THREE:T HE MAGISTRATE’S CUT
techniques were invented by Saibankan himself. Whether Soshi Magistrates prefer to disable foes rather than kill them
this is true or not, the school remains the principle method outright, since prisoners can be useful when ferreting out
the Scorpion use to educate those who must maintain order criminals and enemy spies. In a skirmish, once per oppo-
within their lands—magistrates, yoriki, city guards, and nent, by successfully making three Raises for a Called Shot
border patrols. Like many such schools, the Soshi Magistrate on a melee attack you may temporarily Blind a foe. They are
school teaches a mixture of armed and hand-to-hand tech- considered Blinded until the Reactions stage of the following
niques, allowing its students to suppress brawls and defeat Round.
lethal bandits with equal skill.
RANK FOUR:C ERTAINTY OF PURPOSE
SOSHI MAGISTRATE [BUSHI] When the time comes to fight, the Soshi Magistrate does so
c Benefit: +1 Agility with vicious speed and ruthlessness. You may make melee
attacks (including unarmed attacks) as Simple Actions rather
c Skills: Athletics, Defense, Intimidation (Control),
than Complex Actions.
Jiujutsu, Kenjutsu, Lore: Underworld, any Bugei skill
c Honor: 2.5 RANK FIVE:R ELENTLESS RESOLVE
c Outfit: Light Armor, Sturdy Clothing, Daisho, any 1

Chapter Seven
The Soshi Magistrates are taught to wait for the perfect
weapon, Traveling Pack, 5 koku moment and then overwhelm their enemies with fear and
aggression, crushing lawbreakers with a few swift blows.
TECHNIQUES
IQUES Once per skirmish, you may gain extra unkept dice equal
to your Intimidation skill rank on your attack rolls for one
RANK ONE:TTHE FACE OF JUSTICE Round. This technique cannot be used in the Center Stance. 171
The Soshihi Magistrates are trained to control their environ-
ment through
rough a mixture of fear and force, intimidating even

LAW AND ORDER

the mostt violent street gang with ease. You gain a +1k0
+1k
1kk0
bonus to o the Intimidation skill; when you use
usse itt
against someone of lower Status Rank k
than yourself,
ourself, the bonus is is +2k0
+2k
instead. You also gain a + +1k0
1k0
1k
1k0
damage bonus with melee meele
lee
ee
attacks.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 the Rokugani found it wise to venerate and appease her in their houses, preventing evil spirits from entering the place.
much the same way as they had her predecessor. When Hitomi At the conclusion of the festival, these strips of straw are
finally gives way to the Obsidian Dragon, the dark and sinful burned along with any other trappings or decorations from
nature of that being likewise draws both awe and appease- the festival, so all old spirits are purged and kharma is
ment from the people of Rokugan. cleansed for the New Year’s celebrations the next morning.
The Festival of the Moon’s Wrath is observed in an unusual Similarly, both commoner and samurai families create special
manner, especially when compared with more conventional altars within their houses known as toshidana, covered with
and positive celebrations such as the Iris, Chrysanthemum, rice cakes and bottles of sake, to honor the spirits of the New
or even the Bon Festival. Samurai surround themselves with Year when they arrive the next morning.
friends and family and then cease all speech from sunset on At dusk during the New Year’s Eve Festival, the monks of
the seventh day of the Rat to sunrise on the ninth day of the Brotherhood of Shinsei conduct a great ritual cleaning of
that month. Not a single word is spoken by a samurai during their temples. Throughout the Emerald Empire, temples are
those two days, showing their reverence for the Moon. Those emptied, scrubbed, and cleansed with fresh water. Their bells
who break this silence, it is said, draw the Moon’s wrath—with are rung to drive out any lingering evil spirits. The bells toll
fearful consequences. a total of 49 times (seven times seven, for the benevolent and
wrathful aspects of the seven Great Fortunes), the temples are
NEW YEAR’S EVE (TOSHI NO ICHI)— fully cleansed, and visitors are welcomed back inside.
TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF THE TIGER
The counterpoint to the New Year’s Day Festival is the festival
of the year’s end, called Toshi no Ichi, held on the final day of
the old year (the twenty-eighth day of the month of the Tiger).
This event is designed to prepare the Empire for the coming
new year, and is observed with equal vigor by samurai and
New Mechanics
commoners alike. It is believed the Celestial Heavens look
down with special favor on Rokugan at New Year’s Day, so
the end of the year is a time to cleanse and prepare for that This section offers two new mechanical options that show-
RELIGION

moment. Houses are cleaned, streets are brushed clear, and case the extremes that religion can produce in the Empire.
daimyo customarily issue new clothes to all the peasants Although Shintao can be a source of strength and purity for
under their jurisdiction. its samurai and monks, there are other sides to those who
revere the supernatural powers in Rokugan. The forces of the
206
During these cleansing rituals, Rokugani peasants tradi-
Shadowlands draw power from the dark strength of Jigoku,
tionally hang a rope of straw known as a shimenawa inside
and the City of the Lost and its Spider Clan off-shoot that
Chapter Eight

emerge in the twelfth century both openly worship Fu Leng,

calling on his power to enhance their own capabilities. Spider
Playing a Shinmaki Monk samurai and monks embrace the ways of Shourido with reli-
gious fervor, giving birth to the sinister Dark Paragons. At
The Shinmaki monks are even more liable to violate the other end of the spectrum, those Brotherhood monks who
the social norms of Rokugan than other monks of devote themselves to the most obscure texts and beliefs can
the Brotherhood of Shinsei. They tend to speak with behave in a manner that alienates most Rokugani, as with the
complete honesty, and regard Rokugan’s social con- obscure but notorious Shinmaki sect.
ventions and traditional politeness as little more than
distractions from what is important. Such a charac-
ter has the potential to be a source of disruption and
conflict within a group of samurai PCs, not to men- NEW MONK SCHOOL:
tion generating frequent confrontations with samurai SHINMAKI ORDER
NPCs. The GM and players should discuss such issues
The monks who are admitted to the small Shinmaki sect spend
beforehand to make sure a Shinmaki monk will not
much of their lives studying the controversial Diamond sutra
disrupt the overall play experience.
and meditating on the Seven Thunders, who are supposedly
That being said, Shinmaki monks can be a source of avatars of Shinsei from other cycles of the world. They remain
considerable entertainment in the proper group. They in their dark and isolated monasteries for years, and some
are liable to behave in an erratic and mystical manner, of their practices there are highly controversial (for example,
such as suddenly taking a vow of silence for the day, some claim they copy sutras onto dried flesh). However, they
stopping to tell someone’s fortune, or uttering bizarre do occasionally emerge to explore the world or to gather for
statements such as “Only the dragonfly knows what is meetings of the entire sect.
in the frog’s heart.” Besides such fun, they can also be an
asset to a group, since they speak freely and openly with
SHINMAKI ORDER
anyone and thus quickly gain the trust of commoners
and eta who stay silent in the presence of samurai. c Devotion: Shintao
c Benefit: +1 Void
c Honor: 6.5
c Skills: Divination, Jiujutsu, Lore: Theology (Diamond
Sutra), Meditation 2, any two Skills

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 TECHNIQUE prerequisites. If you possess the ability to make a melee attack
with a weapon as a Simple Action, you also gain the ability to
THED IAMOND SUTRA make an unarmed attack as a Simple Action, and vice versa.
The monks who study the Diamond Sutra are known for
RANK TWO:R ISING SHADOWS
their strange and bizarre behavior and esoteric practices, but
also for their extreme spiritual purity and lack of respect for The strength of the pious is that surety of purpose can lead
conventional etiquette. You start play with the Disturbing one to overcome virtually any failure if one is but strong
Countenance Disadvantage for no points, but gain a +1k0 enough in one’s beliefs. A number of times per skirmish equal
bonus to Meditation rolls, Fear rolls, and to all Social Skill to your Void Ring, you may immediately re-roll any failed
Rolls involving members of the heimin and hinin castes. You Bugei Skill Roll using your Lore: Theology Skill in place of the
do not lose Honor for touching dead flesh (but lose Glory or Bugei Skill originally used.
gain Infamy normally).
RANK THREE:A BSOLUTE & UNWAVERING
A true paragon of darkness can eschew the restrictions of
honor or even the touch of another realm in order to accom-
NEW ADVANCED SCHOOL: THE plish greater things in the mortal world, simply by tapping
DARK PARAGONS [MONK] into his true connection to the universe. You gain two Kiho,
There are those among the Spider Clan, particularly among for which you must meet all prerequisites. You may sacrifice
the ranks of the Daigotsu bushi and the Order of the Spider 2 Honor points or voluntarily reduce your Taint by 1 point
monks, who have embraced their own sinister variant of rather than spending a Void Point in order to activate any
honor and devotion. Even the touch of Jigoku itself can be Kiho. You do not lose any physical deformities previously
used as fuel for their power, a power that strangely resembles gained as a result of your Taint Rank in this manner, but you
the oneness many Brotherhood monks have with the universe. can lose Shadowlands Powers. If you gain subsequent ranks
Some believe this is an indication that the path of the Spider, of the Shadowlands Taint, you regain lost abilities rather than
while radically different from the paths of the Brotherhood, is getting new ones.
a true path to enlightenment. Those among the Brotherhood

Chapter Eight
who are aware of the existence of the Dark Paragons vehe vehe-
mently refute this claim, insisting they are nothing but more
seductive tricks of the Realm of Evil. The Paragons them-
selves insist instead that their power reflects their abso-
lute mastery of themselves, and Jigoku has no reason 207
to leave its mark on its servants when those servants
are willing, devoted, and able to enact its will far more

RELIGION
effectively without the constraints of the Taint.

REQUIREMENTS
c Rings/Traits: At least one Trait at 5
c Skills: Lore: Theology 4+
c Other: Dark Paragon Advantage, Honor Rank 4+,
must be able to make a melee attack as a Simple
Action

TECHNIQUES

RANK ONE:RRUTHLESS DETERMINATION

A student of the dark paths learns to flow from one
thing to the next, and learns the secrets hidden
in between. You gain two Kiho,
for which you must meet all

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 If you choose to incorporate a PC’ss time spent in training
into your campaign instead of glossing
glossiing over it, or perhaps

GM’s
G M’s T Toolbox:
oolbox: to start play with untrained samurai in their first dojo, the
designed
following table (Table 9.1) is design ned to offer ideas and

Students iinn T
Students raining
Training suggestions for interesting events to liven things up at the
further
dojo, perhaps even giving rise to fur rther plotlines later on.
Depending on preferences, you may use the chart to create
random events, or just pick one you find interesting.

Youths who have not yet undergone their gempukku cere-

mony are not considered true samurai, though they are in fact TAABLE
BLE 9.1:
BL 9..1
9 1:: RAN DOM DOJO
ANDOM
A NDO JO EVE
OJO VENTS
V NTS
NT
members of the samurai caste by privilege of birth. A GM who
wishes to run a game following samurai children from their D100 ROLL EVENT
enrollment in their school to their graduation (and beyond) 01-05 Your sensei is displeased with your progress;
may use the following guidelines in developing the campaign. you must extend your stay in the dojo before
Students at a dojo or other educational facility are consid- you can gain the next School Technique.
ered Insight Rank 0, and do not have access to their school’s 06-08 Your sensei is pleasantly surprised at your
Techniques for the majority of their training. Trait benefits progress; you may shorten the stay in the dojo
and Skills are likewise not available from the moment the necessary to gain the next School Technique.
student enters the dojo, but rather are learned over time.
Indeed, part of the reason that adult samurai can readily learn 09-17 Another student challenges you to a friendly
new Skills is because of the years of study and conditioning duel or contest.
while they are first being trained. Generally speaking, major 18-20 Another student challenges you to an
student milestones are gained in the following order: unfriendly duel or contest.
c Family Benefit: The natural hereditary tendencies of 21-25 You are asked to witness a duel or to judge a
students begin to emerge after the first few months contest between two other students.
EDUCATION

of rigorous conditioning (whether social, physical, or

26-32 Another student tries to befriend you, for no
artistic) they receive in their school.
apparent reason.
c School Benefit: The physical and mental attributes
brought to the fore by a school’s particular form 33-35 You incur the enmity of another student, for
of conditioning and instruction take a bit longer to no apparent reason.
220
manifest, and usually emerge roughly a year after the 36-38 You discover that a fellow student is misrepre-
student enters the dojo. senting his identity.
Chapter Nine

c School Skills: Skill training in earnest begins only after 39-41 You hear a rumor that one of the sensei is
the students have the basic mental and physical traits misrepresenting his identity.
necessary to support it. At the beginning of a student’s
42-45 While performing drills, another student
second year in the dojo, he begins to accumulate Skills
suddenly and mysteriously falls ill.
at a rate of one every three to six months. The order
and exact speed with which they are gained varies de- 46-48 A sensei begins behaving erratically, for no
pending upon the particular school’s traditions of in- apparent reason.
struction (and the aptitude of the student). 49-55 Another student declares his property has
c School Technique: Most students become proficient been stolen.
in their school’s first Technique three to six months
56-60 A sensei declares property of the dojo has been
prior to their gempukku ceremony. At this point, they
stolen.
are considered Rank 1 characters from a mechanical
standpoint, although not yet from a social standpoint. 61-67 Students try to enlist you in a prank against
another student, or against one of the sensei.

Dojo
j Days
y 68-75
76-80
Other students pull a prank on you.
The Clan Champion or family daimyo pays a
surprise visit.
In the Legend of the Five Rings RPG, learning School Tech-
81-85 The master sensei announces a tournament or
niques is not simply a matter of gaining “experience” until
challenge to fill a vacant junior sensei posi-
one day superior abilities suddenly appear inside the char-
tion.
acter’s mind and body. School Techniques represent ancient
clan and family secrets that sensei impart when they feel their 86-90 Another student provides you with an adven-
students are ready to learn them. Thus, as mentioned above, ture hook related to his home town or village.
Rokugani samurai continue training throughout their active 91-95 A student from another clan provides with you
careers; PCs who gain Insight Rank have to return to their old with an adventure hook related to his Clan’s lands.
dojo to take the next step in their ongoing education in the
mysteries of their school. 96-00 You receive the opportunity to study at
another school’s dojo in the future as an
exchange student.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 RANK 2: FIST AND BLADE
The Taoist Swordsmen train alongside the Togashi tattooed
men, studying their unconventional methods of combat and
New
New M
Mechanics
echanics learning to apply those methods to swordsmanship. When
fighting with a sword, you may perform the Knockdown
maneuver for 1 less Raise, and if you control a Grapple while
holding a sword you may inflict damage with the sword
This section offers new game mechanics for the Legend of instead of unarmed damage.
the Five Rings RPG 4th Edition. Here we present the Taoist
Swordsman, a school born from the unusual educational
RANK 3: STRIKE OF HARMONY
customs of the Dragon Clan. The Taoist swordsman is now so skilled with his sword that
it functions like an extension of his body. While wielding a
sword, you may spend a Void Point on your damage roll.
If the sword is a katana, this ability stacks with the natural
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: MIRUMOTO ability to spend a Void Point on damage with a katana.
TAOIST SWORDSMAN [BUSHI]
Although the Mirumoto family are best know for following
RANK 4: MASTER OF STEEL
the twin-sword fighting technique pioneered by their founder The Taoist swordsman is now completely at one with his
(and defined most clearly in his famous book Niten), not all weapon, striking with the speed of thought itself. You may
members of the family embrace Mirumoto’s fighting tech- attack as a Simple Action while wielding a sword.
niques. The Dragon Clan’s long association with the quest
for enlightenment, not to mention the existence of a special- RANK 5: BALANCE IN NOTHINGNESS
ized monastic order right within its own ranks (the Togashi The final lesson of the Taoist Swordsman teaches the school’s
tattooed men) has given rise to other warrior traditions. The students to pour their entire soul into a single deadly strike.
most notable of these are the Taoist Swordsmen, ascetic While wielding a sword, once per skirmish you may spend as
many Void points on damage as you wish.
wish

C
Chapter
warriors
arriors who maintain small dojo deep within the most inac-

hapter Nine
cessible
ce
essible mountains of the Dragon lands. There they pursue
enlightenment
en
nlightenment and swordsmanship with equal dedication,
often
offten praying and training alongside small groups of Togashi
monks. Taoist swordsmen are seldom seen outside their own
lands,
lannds, though on rare occasions they have been known to 221
embrace
mbrace the tradition of the “worldly monk” and travel the
em

EDUCATION
Empire
Emmpire in search of both enlightenment and experience
with
wi ith the sword.

MIRUMOTO TAOIST
SWORDSMAN [BUSHI]
c Benefit: +1 Void
c Skills: Athletics,
Defense, Iaijutsu,
Kenjutsu (Katana), Lore:
Theology, Meditation, any one Bugei or High Skill
c Honor: 5.5
c Outfit: Sturdy Clothing, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto,
Traveling Pack, 1 koku
c Special: All members of this school are considered
to be Ascetic, but do not gain Experience Points for
it. It does not count against their 10-point limit of
Disadvantages.

TEECHNIQUES
CHNIQUES

RANK 1: ALIGNED WITH THE ELEMENTS

Sttudents of the Taoist Swordsman school spend their days
Students
n the rugged mountains of the Dragon lands, enduring the
in
harsh
haarsh elements with little clothing and no armor, learning
the
th
he ways of the sword in complete selflessness. When
wielding
wi ielding a sword and wearing no armor, you gain
Reduction
Reeduction equal to your School Rank +2. Addition-
ally,
allly you add +1k0 to your damage with any
ly,
sword.
sw
word.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.

 RANK THREE:FFURY OF THE AVALANCHE
At this rank the Pragmatist learns to fight just as well with his
bare hands or whatever is available to him as with the tradi-
New Mechanics tional weapons of the samurai. You may make attacks as a
Simple Action when fighting unarmed or with an improvised
weapon, or when wielding a Samurai keyword weapon.

This section provides new mechanics for use in the L5R 4th RANK FOUR:S TONE TURNS STEEL ASIDE
Edition RPG. Here we present the Hida Pragmatist school, The Pragmatist is taught he does not need a weapon when
the oddly-named warriors who follow the traditions of Kobo he can turn an enemy’s weapon back on him. Regardless of
Ichi-Kai. your Stance, a number of times per skirmish equal to your
Void, immediately after you are attacked with a melee weapon
(after damage is rolled, if the attack hit) you may take a Free
Action to make a Contested Roll using Jiujutsu /Agility
NEW BASIC SCHOOL: against your enemy’s (Weapon Skill) / Agility. If you win the
HIDA PRAGMATIST [BUSHI] roll, you immediately strike the enemy with his own weapon
The practitioners of Kobo Ichi-Kai, whose primary dojo is (thus, you use your own Strength when determining damage
located in Clear Water Village, focus on unarmed combat rolled with this Technique). You may Raise on this Contested
above all other forms of martial conflict. Although sometimes Roll to perform the Increased Damage Maneuver.
considered a touch bizarre by other Crab warriors, they are This technique cannot be used during an iaijutsu duel.
nonetheless respected because of their sheer physical power
and ability to devastate virtually any opponent in hand-to- RANK FIVE:F IGHT TO THE END
hand combat. Pragmatists make fine yojimbo, since they can The final lesson of the Pragmatist teaches him to prevail no
leave their weapons at the door and suffer only minimal loss matter what the odds, killing his enemies no matter how
of effectiveness when doing so. Even creatures of the Shad- severe his own injuries. At the start of your Turn you may
owlands can be overcome by a skilled Pragmatist, and indeed spend a Void point to allow you make an attack as a Complex

Chapter Ten
the school was originally developed out of the need to adapt Action that ignores your Wound penalties (including Down
jiujitsu to fighting inhuman opponents. and Out) and any restrictions or penalties from Status effects
or physical Disadvantages you are currently suffering. You
HIDA PRAGMATIST [BUSHI] gain a +3k1 bonus to your damage roll
with this attack. 247
c Benefit: +1 Agility
c Skills: Athletics, Defense, Jiujutsu (Impro-

WAR
vised Weapons) 2, Kenjutsu, Lore: Shadowlands,
any Bugei skill
c Honor: 2.5
c Outfit: Light or Heavy Armor, Sturdy Clothing,
Daisho, Heavy Weapon or Polearm, Traveling Pack,
3 koku

TECHNIQUES

RANK ONE:T HE ETERNAL STONE UNLEASHED

The Pragmatist is taught to endure terror and
humiliation while killing his enemies with
anything he can find. You gain a bonus of
+1k0 to any roll made to resist Intimidation
or Fear effects. You also gain a bonus of +1k0
to the total of your attack and damage rolls
when fighting unarmed or with improvised
weapons. However, you must always keep
high dice with any attack rolls or damage
rolls that benefit from this Technique.

RANK TWO:W EARING

DOWN THE MOUNTAIN
At this rank the Pragmatist learns to strike
repeatedly at the same point, wounding
even powerful opponents. When fighting
unarmed or with an improvised weapon,
you may make the Extra Attack Maneuver
for only 3 Raises instead of 5.

Wouter Kooijman (order #3277134) 87.