CREDITS

EXPANSION DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT T im Huckelbery with Max Brooke

WRITING AND ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Robert Denton 111, Lisa Farrell, Jordan Goldfarb, Dustin Hall, Josiah "Duke" Harrist, and D.G. Laderoute

EDITING Christine Crabb

PROOFREADING Jeremiah J. Shaw and Megyn Johanson

RPG MANAGER Sam Gregor-Stewart

LEGEND OF THE FIVE RINGS STORY REVIEW Daniel Lovat Clark and Tyler Parrott

CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF STORY AND SETTING Katrina Ostrander

EXPANSION GRAPHIC DESIGN Scott Nicely

GRAPHIC DESIGN COORDINATOR Joseph D. Olson

GRAPHIC DESIGN MANAGER Christopher Hosch

FRONT AND BACK COVER ART Mauro Dal Bo

INTERIOR ART

Daniel Alekow, lmad Awan, Francesca Baerald, Lukas Banas, Stu Barnes, Sergio Camarena Bernabeu, Cassandre Bolan,
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FANTASY Fantasy Flight Games

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 WELCOME TO THE
T
108 CHAPTER 3:
BA TLEFIELD ACTS OF WAR

6 CHAPTER 1: 109 Expanded Mass Battle Rules

GLORIOUS HISTORIES 118 Battle Zones
122 New Terrain Types
Armies of the Empire 123 Running Military-Themed Campaigns
14 Great Clan Army Styles 127 Outf itting an Army
17 Armies in Action 131 New Titles
19 Bastions of History 138 Spending Opportunity in Times of War
26 The Empire at War 140 Tenets of Bushido: Honor
45 The Lion Clan 142 New Demeanors and NPC Templates
45 Families of the Lion

64 CHAPTER 2:
DEFENDERS OF THE EMPIRE

65 The Badger Clan

72 New Schools
82 New Advantages and Disadvantages
86 New Samurai Her itages
88 Weapons
90 Personal Effects
92 Blessed Treasures
93 Item Patterns
95 New Techniques
14th Day of the Month of Shiba, 1120, on the Plains of Honor

Akodo Sabur6 could see the battlefield as though he This was what it meant to be a leader, to have the
were standing among his generals, the dry wind of the fates of many in his hands, to end lives without draw­
plains ruffling his hair. Across the level ground stood ing a sword. The outcome of this battle, perhaps the
an army led by his old teacher, Matsu Chihiro, famed safety of the Empire itself, would depend on the deci­
for her wise words, sharp tongue, and relentless drill­ sions he made, and a single mistake could lose him his
ing. He did not fight her by choice, but duty and honor strongest fighters, and his own good name. One wrong
demanded they face each other, and only one could move, or a right move made at the wrong time, could
claim victory. put a sudden end to his ambition.
He would defeat her today. Lion facing Lion, his war­ His teacher's generals brooded where they were;
riors reflected hers, but though they looked the same, they did not attempt to escape his foot soldiers, and
their maneuvers would be different. Sabur6 knew how so he set up an attack to claim his victory, sending his
she thought; her tactics would be tried, tested, and lancers behind enemy lines. Yet when her own lancers
tired, while he had a few tricks and surprises ready for threatened one of his generals in turn, he realized he
her. Today, he would prove he had studied hard and could not get his units back there in time. He couldn't
learned well-and had become a worthy opponent. just run them through the foot soldiers, who suddenly
All his bushi were ready to fight and die, but before seemed more of a hindrance than a help. There was
Sabur6 could give the order to charge, he must fortify nothing he could do.
his defenses, protect his most precious general, and One of her generals put himself in a vulnerable
position his lancers to make best use of their range and position, but was it some sort of trap? An invitation
speed. Small changes in formation now, while there for him to seek vengeance, and make a terrible mis­
was still time, could make the difference between ulti­ take? Sabur6 tried to remember what she had said of
mate victory and defeat. Across the plain, his teacher's sacrifice in their lessons. Hadn't she always said sacri­
forces shifted as though in response to his. Whatever fice was a lazy path to victory, that a true leader found
she was planning, she did not commit to it yet, only another way? He took a gamble and sent a cadre of
prepared her warriors to withstand his attack when it foot soldiers in to eliminate the weakened general. He
came. He could see no other plan in her movements, was honest with himself; it felt like just retribution for
but that didn't mean there wasn't one. his own loss.
While he was still contemplating her intentions, Her mounted samurai came out of nowhere, and
she sent her mounted samurai to attack his, forcing a he lost another general. How had he missed them? He
retreat. Despite the sting of her small victory, the attack should have held back some of those soldiers, but it
was hardly devastating. He had far more foot soldiers, was too late now. His last general put up a courageous
and his plan was to send them forward, to use their fight, but inevitably fell. The battle was lost; the game
numbers to surround and pin her generals. It would was over.
surprise her, that he let so much ride on his weakest "An entertaining game for me," Chihiro said, "and
force. He had always believed in the strength of the hopefully, an educational one for you, Sabur6-kun."
common soldier, their courage and determination He bowed his head.
making up for their weaker armor, their lesser training. "Thank you," he said.
She had warned him before that soldiers are merely "And what have you learned here today?"
their leader's tools, like the duelist's sword or smith's He paused, sure she would tell him the correct
hammer. Their value would come from how he used answer, whatever answer he gave.
them. So he must use them well. "Never to assume I can predict your moves,"
he said.
"Even a Lion might advise one path, yet take
another," she said. "Remember, on the shogi board,
all actions are honorable." They reset their units on the
Plains of Honor for another game.
 INTRO D UCTIO N

RUMORS AND

ADV E NTU RE S E E DS LEGENDS

Since the dawn of the Emera ld Empire, confl ict has Th roughout this book,
Throughout this book, you ' ll find sideba rs l ike you 'll find sidebars
embro iled the realm. Ambitious provincial lords ra id this one presenting adventu re seeds for GMs. presenting just a few of
rival territory, da imy6 struggle for dominance and If you ' re a playe r, you might wa nt to avoid the tales in ci rculation

I
glory, and enemy invaders have attempted to conquer reading these, as doing so could spoil thi ngs about a particula r loca­
Rokugan. To defend their borders, the genera ls of the tion or group. As a GM,
shou ld your GM adopt the ideas! If you ' re a
Great Clans marshal the ir best warriors, and when a ll you might use these for
G M, you can expand on these seeds to c reate inspi ration when PCs
of Rokugan is threatened, the Emperor marches the fu lly fledged adventu res, take bits and pieces, inqui re about any local
grand host of the Imperial Legions to wa r. On the fields goss ip or anecdotal

■:r:fflW
or simply use them for inspi ra tio n.
of battle, legends are forged and destines a re decided. reports. Followi ng up

r
This hook p rovides the co ntext on such rumo rs could
for starting the adve n tu re a nd i n t roduces eve n fo r m the basis for
W H AT ' S I N T H I S BOO K ? the important NPCs. We also p rovide a sug­ an adve nture.
i
Fields of the Victory is a gu ide to Rokugan wa rfa re and gested way to invo lve the PCs in even ts, As with all tales, it is
the Lion Clan, whose genera ls a nd sold iers a re m i l itary wh ich you can ta ilor to fit your ca mpa ig n . not always clear which
a re t rue and which a re
masters. nI th is book, players can study the p ivotal bat­
tles of the Emerald Em p ire and tra in and equ ip the ir hhiei•fiiii/.i•P In the next part of a n false. We 've left it up to
you to dete rmine which
adven ture seed, we briefly describe the
characte rs to rise from th e rank of so ld ier to Shogun . are which. Of cou rse,
most like ly way for even ts to esca late, fu rther
Fields of the Victory is d ivided into th ree cha pters: _ eve n the most outland­
em b roi ling the PCs and ra is ing the stakes. ish sto ries might have a
C HA PT E R 1 Gh11@W Fina l ly we o ffer a l ike ly cl i max g ra in of t ruth.
for th e adven tu re, whether th a t is a decis ive
Glorious Histories describes the genera l makeup of encounter w ith a n N PC or a d ifficu lt choice
G reat Clan a rm ies and recounts th e hero ic m i l itary the PCs m ust make . By th is poin t, th e even ts
stru gg les of Rokugan's past a nd present. Th is ch a pter of the adven tu re a re like ly to have take n
a lso features the g reatest co llections of knowledge in unexpected tu rns based on th e PCs ' actio ns,
th e Em pire , from the H ig h H istories of th e lkoma to th e a nd you shou ld feel free to mod ify th e c l im ax
G reat Li bra ry at Kyuden lsawa . Fi n a l ly, th is ch a pte r d ives or reso lve matters in wh ateve r way fits th e
i
deep into th e va l ia nt Lion Cl an a nd its m l itary traditio ns. on goin g adventu re .

C H A PT E R 2
Defende rs of the Em pi re introduces the ha rdy Badger,
a M inor Cl an appointed as the gua rd ians of Roku gan 's
northern bo rder, along w ith ru les for creating characters
from this clan . This cha pter also offers other new
options, including n ew schools, com bat-related
ment, advantages and disadvanta ges, and tsc:hnlclll
leading fo rces into the fray and turning the tid&

C H A PT E R 3
Acts of War offers game m a ster a dvice on ning
military-themed campaigns a n d staging grand
battles. It a l so p rovides expanded ru les
for mass battles, including battle zon es
to m o re closely track the positions of troops
and te rrain, as wel l as rules for h ow to ra ise,
equip, and tra i n an a rm y. Fin a l l y, new titles,
N PC templates, and a n ew demeanor
help G M s bring the h e roes and support­
ing cha racters of battle to life.
 •
or1ous
H istories
The horse grooms were waiting for him as the rider
descended on the Lion Clan way station at a full gallop.
At the last possible moment, Hosokawa Tesshu pulled
on the reins to bring his horse to a stop and slid down
the saddle wordlessly. As he turned around, one of the
attendants offered h im the water dipper. Tesshu greed­
ily accepted it with a nod of thanks, slurping down the
cool water between heaving breaths. He yanked off a
riding glove and splashed his dust-covered face in a
meager effort to stave off the heat of the early sum­
mer sun. His heavy a rmor didn 't help, but he couldn 't
risk being taken by surprise by a Unicorn Clan scouting
c1,1;f"His family's duty was to record and to ride, and
at was what he would do.
" Your horse, my lord, " came a voice. The sil­
ver-black steed was fresh from the stable and ready to
take him through the next leg of the journey. Although
he would have to ride all day and all night, by the time
Lady Sun rose the next morning, Lord Matsu Goh
would know that the war had begun .
 /

C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

BASIC U NITS
Wh i l e the discipl i n e a n d struct u re of Roku g a n 's armies
By nature, battles a re c h a otic, d estructive stor m s of v a ry by clan, terra i n , a n d strate g y, the l i febl ood of each
m eta l , blood, a n d s m o k e . T he shape of an a r m y­ a rm y i s its s o l d i e rs, a n d each s o l d i e r m u st operate a s
a l o n g with the p l a ce m e n t of its u n its- h a s an e n o r­ p a rt of a u n it. A s i n g l e i n s u b o rd i n ate s o l d i e r may cost
mous i m pact on t h e l i ke l i hood of success in wa r. P l a ce t h e i r a rm y the v i ctory; a u n it a ct i n g as o n e m a y swee p
a cad re of m o u nted a rc h e rs in the fra y, a n d they m i g ht the battlefi e l d w i t h the fo rce of a typhoon .
s n i p e the v u l n e ra b l e from a l i n e of a r m o red ashigaru,
but they m a y p rove a l i a b i l ity oth erwise. A l l ow them to C O N S C R I PTS
m ove a s a free , m o b i l e u n it, a n d they m a y s u d d e n l y
d est roy a n e n e m y 's ta cti c a l adva n ta g e w i t h a we l l ­ Conscri pts a re fo rces that a re l evied from a l o rd 's l a n d s

p laced s h ot at i ts com m a n de r. T he best a r m y d o e s n ot i n times o f w a r o r g reat n e e d . They a re p l u cked from v i l­

necessa r i ly conta i n th e b r i g htest or the m ost fea rsome, l a g es, towns, a n d cities a n d th rown o n to the front l i n e s

but it does come p repa red with a solution fo r a n y p l a n with m i n i m a l tra i n i n g . Th ey m ight be p rovided with

o f attack. seco n d h a n d o r piecemea l a s h i g a ru a rm o r-oth e rwise,

T h e m ost ski l l ed wa rrior knows to b ri n g the a p p ro­ th ey m u st scave n g e and lo ot a rmor from defeated ene­

p ri ate weapon to any fig h t; the same i s tr u e of a r m ies. m i es. Conscri pts a re l u c ky to receive spea rs, but m o re

T h e h e a vy- a rm o red , s l o w-m ov i n g C ra b C la n wa rr i o rs often they wi l l u se whatever th ey ca n bri n g with the m

may c re a te an i m penetra b l e wa l l from h i g h in th e i r from h o m e , s u c h a s fa rm i m p l e m e nts. D u e t o th e i r m i n ­

sto n e fo rtresses, but i n soft, m u d dy m a rs h l a n d or e n d ­ i m a l tra i n i n g a n d d e fe n ses, th ey su ffer th e m ost casu a l ­

l ess d esert, th e i r re n ow n ed a r m o r be co m es a l i a bi lity ti es in battle. A s a result, they a re often th e fi rst to flee

i
both i n a n d o ut of batt l e . Th e va st m u lt tu de of th e when th e t id e tu rns a g a i n st th ei r fo rces. If a con script

Li on C la n a r m ies, too, l ose th e i r fe a rsome ed g e wh en s u rv ives a n d p roves ca pa b le in battle, they m ight try to

forced to t ru d g e , s i n g le fi le , th rou g h d e n se fo rest or en list as a n ash ig a ru in futu re co nfl icts .

up pe ri lou s m o u n ta i n s l o pes . Wh en co m p ro m ised , an

i ll - fi tted a r my is a t its m ost vu l n e ra b le to a tta ck. A S H I GARU
Th e G re at C la n s of Ro ku g a n co n s ide r th e m se lves
As h ig a ru , o r foot soldie rs , m a ke u p th e b u lk of m ost
a bo ve th e ba rba ris m of ea rly wa rfa re . Tod a y, m ost
l
Ro ku g a n i a rm ies. As h ig a ru a re se m i-profess io n a l sol­
clash es a m o n g th e cla n s resu t i n re la t ive ly ta m e skir­
i d ie rs fro m va rio u s ba ckg ro u n ds a n d ofte n h ave m ore
m ish es i n stead of p rot ra cted wa rs . Feed ng , train in g ,
p ra ct ica l experie nce on th e ba ttlefi e ld th a n th e ir
a n d ma inta i n i n g a n a r my is a ch a l le ng in g a ffa ir th a t
lea de rs . They m ig ht be peasa nts wh o spen d th e ti me
req u i res n u m e rou s resou rces fro m th e a rmy 's c l a n ; in
between p la ntin g a nd h a rvest on th e ba ttlefi eld , or
th e i n te rest of effic ie ncy, cla ns ra re ly let ba ttles play
th ey m ight h ave left th e ir vi l la ges beh ind e nt ire ly to
ou t o n the g ra nd sca le of leg en d . Fu rthe r, j us t as i n
m a ke a ca ree r of fig htin g . Th ey m ig ht even be f ol low­
cou rt, office rs e nsu re each ba ttle f o l lows a rig id set o f
in g in the ir pa ren ts ' footsteps-some fam ilies have a
ru les a nd e t iq u e tte ; t rue b ru ta l ity h as n o place i n c l a n
h ered ita ry trad ition of serving as ash iga ru for a spe­
wa rfa re.
c if ic lo rd . Over th e centu r ies, some ash iga ru have even
" J us t as a s i ng le brushst roke may fi n ish a pa i n ting ,
been elevated to the ra nk of jizamurai in recogn it ion
a s i ng le sw i ng of a b lade may fi n ish the battle, " w rote
of th e ir serv ice, bu t th ey often face d isda in from more
th e e m i ne n t ta ct icia n Seppu n Yosh isato . I n Rokuga n , l
i estab ished samu ra i f am il ies.
tact ics a nd decis ive action a re key to reso lv ng ba ttles
Ash igaru stand a t the fore front in most skirm ishes
qu ick ly w ith as l it t le b loodshed as poss ible. Ye t legio ns
i i
between oppos i ng cla ns. Ash iga ru su ffer fewer casu­
of Shadow la nds mo nst ros ties wage wars of att r tion ,
a lt ies than conscripts bu t more casua lt ies than bushi.
a nd fo re ig n fo rces have been reco rded using hit -and ­
They a re light ly ar mo red and most often equ ipped
ru n tactics or sabotage to wear dow n the i r foes. Clans
w th long- shafted spea rs, naginata, or bows. Not all
i
l ike the U n ico rn a nd C ra b, which have had to con tend
i
clan ash iga ru a re equa l ly we ll tra ined ; Lion Clan ash­
w th these u nconve n t iona oppo ne n ts, have adapted
l igaru a re f amous ly skil led in combat and proficient in
the ir tact ics a nd style acco rd i ng ly a nd , as a resu lt, fight
f
many weapons, including the sword .
in wa ys a l ie n to the rest o Rokugan.

1
C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

Busm M E D I CAL P RACT I T I O N E RS

Clan samurai bushi are the finest-but usually not the Healers and medics are essential to keeping soldiers
most common-type of solider in an army. Serving as and support personnel moving, fit, and battle ready.
elite forces, they fight for glory in the name of their They are trained in advanced treatments for all manner
family, clan, and daimy o. Their training is dependent of injuries, and are equipped with basic tools and med­
on their family and clan, ranging from the heavily icines to heal the soldiers they accompany into battle.
armored spearmen of the Daidoji to the nimble cav­ A swift treatment can mean the difference between
al ry of the Shinjo, and the duel-wielding swordsmen of life and death for an injured warrior. It is a violation of
the Mirumoto to the ferocious berserkers of the Matsu. Courtesy and Compassion to attack or injure any sol­
Whether fighting on foot or horseback, even a single dier administering treatment on the field of battle, but
bushi can change the course of a battle though dis­ ruthless generals may ignore these virtues in the pur­
plays of martial prowess or stubborn resistance. The suit of victo ry.
placement of each bushi formation in an army can have
a marked impact on the outcome of a battle, although, M E S S E N G E RS
as the makeup of bushi units varies, there is no single
correct arrangement. Armies communicate urgent commands via eve rything
from flares to signals to coded messages. Milita ry
messengers in their stiff horo, or canopy cloaks, brave
the heat of battle to deliver handwritten notes, coded
M E RC E NARI E S
Mercenary gaijin, peasants, ronin, and former criminals messages, and desperate, shouted orders. Some mes­
offer their expertise in short- or long-range combat to sengers also send army-wide signals via booming taiko
any army. Unlike the lives of trained clan soldiers, their drums in the heat of battle or blow on conch shells to
lives are considered entirely expendable. It is mer­ issue sudden orders from leaders to those within ear­
cenaries' responsibility to take care of their own and shot. Battlefield messengers, called tsukaiban, may be
maintain their own equipment. They are flexible and deployed in service of high-ranking officials, or they
may fill any role for which they are qualified. Highly may be placed strategically to form a network through­
specialized mercenaries, such as sh inobi or sailors, may out an army.
be deployed as needed to achieve special objectives.
LABO R E RS AN D S E RVANTS
S PECIALIZED U N ITS Noncombatants usually make up the bulk of an army,
In addition to combatants like bushi and ashigaru, especially when the army must establish itself in a single
armies also require support personnel to play specific location for an extended period of time. Servants follow
roles in a general's strategy and allow soldiers to fight their lords into battle to assist them in getting dressed
more effectively. and maintaining their quarters. Peasants clean, cook,
and tend and raise animals (and sometimes crops). mak­
E N G I N E E RS ing traveling armies seem more like mobile cities. Unless
an army is especially desperate, its peasant population
Rokugani milita ry engineers build siege engines and hangs back during the heat of battle and trails behind
field fortifications when an army invests itself for a the soldiers in a long caravan during travel. It is the
siege of a castle or town's walls. They build scaling lad­ height of dishonor to attack an army 's noncombatants.
ders and siege towers to allow soldiers to climb walls
without being shot by dffenders' arrows, and they con­
struct battering rams to knock in gates so that troops
S H U G E NJA

may break in. They direct ,;:rews as they dig trenches for Calling the elemental forces against their foes,
cover or excavate tunnels under walls that are stable shugenja are highly volatile additions to any army. One
enough for troops to cha ge through and surprise the cannot count on the kami's favor at any given time,
e emy within. During an army 's travels, engineers may as their motivations and their feelings about humans
do double duty as cartwriJhts, fixing wheels and wag­ are subject to change on a whim. However, a well­
ons, especially if the army qoesn't have any dedicated planned elemental strike may shift the terrain an
¥"� " of its = army 's advantage or scatter an o erwise impervio s
foe. While entreating the spirits, shugenj make easy
targets, and tney must be well defended if they are to
� \
:
 C HAPT E R 1 : G LO RIO U S H I STO RIE S

l
p rovince. In th is way,, an army might have seve ra spear
T
BA T LE F I E L D H EA LI N G ashigaru and archer ashiga ru units in addition to sev­
eral d iffe rent samura i units, p lus units of consc ripts
Medics are dispersed throughout an army when app licable. Maintaining focus on the battlefield
to tend to the wounded of every rank. Any and withstand ing the horro rs of war requi res intense
substantial cadre of soldiers likely has a med­ concentration a nd fort itude, often facilitated by the
ical attendant on hand to dress wounds and Meditation and Martial Arts sk i lls.
address sundry health issues. Other med­
ics may be highly specia lized, switch roles U N IT LEAD E R
according the needs of the ir leaders, or serve
as members of a dedicated medical un it. A un it leade r, or kash i ra, is a member of a unit who co m­
In some cases, medics w i ll serve under the mands their fe llow soldiers in battle. Unit leade rs also
supervision of a shugenja and assist in triag­ di rect their unit's noncomba tan ts, such as medics, ta iko
ing the inju red. drumme rs, messengers, a nd ba nner bea re rs. They must
often make use of their ski lls in Courtesy a nd Sen timent
to effect ive ly in flue nce their fe llow soldie rs.
leverage the meteoric cu rrents of the spir itual world.
The best placement of a shugenja on the battlefield is S E RG EANT
high ly subject ive, and they usua l ly must be protected
i A serg ea nt, or gunso, leads a single squad co mp ris ­
by yojimbo if they a re to succeed in swaying the kam
ing two or more basic or spec ia lized u n its and di rects
during com bat. i
t in th e heat of ba ttle acco rding to the o rde rs of the
Shugenja a lso serve as hea lers or sp ir itua l advisors, i
ch u (see page 1 0) . Wh ile a gu nso does not have
wh ich a re a lso v ita l ro les n
i a rm ies. Water and ea rth
a comprehens ive view of th e la rg er ta ctica l choices a t
elementa l ists can entreat the sp ir its to hasten th e h ea l­
play, they a re keen ly awa re of their sq uad 's m oveme n ts
ni g process or pu rge n i fection . Sh ug enj a can a ug u r th e
a nd su ccesses in ba ttle . Depe ndin g on th eir re la tio n­
com ing weath er or beseech th e a n cestors for wisdom .
sh ip w ith th e squad a nd th e requ ireme n ts of th e battle,
Th ey can a lso spea k to eth ics, h istory, a nd ph ilosophy,
a gunso fights in the th ick of com ba t, shou ts orders
a nd th ey serve an im portant fu n ct ion in ma inta in ng i
i from th e rea r, o r cha rges headfirst at th e front lin e . The
i so ld iers on th e r ow n morta l ity.
mora le a nd co u n se lng
gunso m ay m a ke effect ive use of the Command skill to
d irect t roops in rea l time a nd m u st know when to pu ll
T H E H I E RA RC H Y O F A R M I E S ba ck if th e ir sq uad becom es overwh e lm ed .
I n th e furo r of battle, a basic ch a in of comm a nd is key
i
to tra nsm itt n g o rd e rs, a n d tro o ps' a b ility to receive
a n d execute th ose o rd e rs is i m pe rative to vi cto ry. With ­
i
o ut g u idance , even th e m ost exce pt o n a l u n it m ay find
l
itse f isolated and vu l n e ra b le .
Th e feudal mindset extends to a rm i es, wh ich follow
a hiera rchica l structu re that m i rrors the Celestia l O rd e r
as interp reted by the sa m u ra i . A sing le u n it of cav­
a l ry, scouts, infa n t ry, or shugenja follow a u n it leade r.
These u n it leade rs report to their se rgeant, wh ile the
se rgeants report to a lieuten a nt, a n d the lieutenants
report to a capta i n , with the chain of command culmi­
nating i n a n a rmy 's genera l . Th is basic power structu re
can be foun among m o st G reat C l a n arm ies, a lthough
across forces.

A single u n it of conscripts, ashigaru, bushi, or special­

i sts comp rise the simp l e st bui l d i n g block of a Rokugani
army. U n its might be o rganized into g IQ
fifty soldiers based on the i r primary
 L I E U T E NANT G E N E RAL
Lieutenants, or chui , command several sergeants and A general, or taish6, is the military head of an army,
have greater impact on immediate and reactionary answerable only to their own daimy 6, and usually leads
battle tactics. These leaders must make effective use thousands into combat. Generals sometimes also serve
of the Tactics and Performance skills as they assess as their liege's hatamoto, or direct retainers. They
the shifting tides of battle and communicate orders to establish the larger battle plan-often with a team of
their sergeants. advisors and attendants-and see that it is executed
to the letter. In extremely large battles, multiple gener­
CAPTAI N als serving different lords may need to work together
to coordinate multiple armies. A general often com­
Captains, or taisa, are high in the command structure mands from a fixed location, removed from the fray,
and often gain their rank through family ties. Most though celebrated war heroes such as Akodo lchi have
belong to a provincial daimy6's family, or they might be been known to bring their blades and fighting prowess
an extended relative of a family daimy 6. These leaders to the battlefield. Most generals lean heavily on the
each oversee several chui and are thus responsible for Tactics and even Games skills to effectively outplay
hundreds of soldiers. Hardened by numerous battles, their enemy.
taisa draw upon their weight of experience to plan and
execute larger-scale tactics and deployment on the bat­
tlefield. They take a bird's-eye view of the ever-chang­
ing tide of battle and report directly to their general Should Rokugan ever face an existential crisis requiring
with breaking news. These officers use Government all its armies be united as a single coalition, the Emperor
and Tactics to plan and weigh the risks of specific for­ has the prerogative to appoint a Shogun, or military
mations and maneuvers; these skills represent a taisa's commander-in-chief. This theoretical title has never been
tactical senses on the battlefield. bestowed, so military scholars can only theorize as to how
the position would overlap with the Emerald Champion .

•
10
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

SAKAE, D E D I CATE D ASH I GARU ABILITI ES

ADVERSARY CONFLICT RAN K : ,f.l 3 ♦ 4

AS H IGARU VETERAN
As a S u p p o rt action d u ri n g a mass battle, Sakae may
TN 1 Tactics (Earth) check target i n g u p to
The child of a h u m b l e fa rmer, Sakae was conscri pted i nto
m a ke a
a G reat C l a n a rmy at an early age. Despite th eir i n expe­
two cohorts with the Rank Formation· a b i l ity. If S a ka e
rience, Sakae sh owed u nexpected ski l l on the battl efield
succeeds, e a c h of those cohorts' leaders adds 1 kept
and l ived long e n o u g h to develop the courage a n d cl ev­
erness associated with sa m u ra i . They became part of a n
■ set to :,;, to the n ext check they m a ke .
ashigaru force ga rrisoned along t h e border between
two clans. After a long period of service as a spear ash­
igaru, they were promoted to kachigashira, or infantry A DV E NTU R E S E E D :
leader. They have served their clan with distinction ever LOST AN D F O U N D
si nce, e n g a g i n g th eir opponents with d i rect, u nfl i nching
violence i n severa l promi nent battles.
Earlier i n their career, Sakae had accepted their n ew
■:r:fflW Wh i l e j o u rneying though a moun­
ta inous reg i o n , the PCs come across a m i l i ­
l ife , but when they l ea rned that their younger brother
tary u n it comprising a s i n g l e s a m u ra i bushi
Ryota h a d been ca ptu red i n a ra id by a n opposing c l a n ,
a n d a dozen ashigaru l ed by Sakae. The bushi
they were confl icted about whether they s h o u l d return
is you n g a n d n ew to com m a n d , a n d n ot yet
to support their aging parents. Sakae fi n a l ly decided
wise enough to trust the seasoned Sakae for
that fighting for the c l a n wou l d ra ise their fa m i ly's
advice. The bush i 's ta rget is a g ro u p of peasant
sta n d i n g more than beg g i n g permission to return to
th ieves thought to be operati n g i n the a rea.

■;i§i,j.fiG!M1P
their vil l a g e . Sakae's focus h a s made them an i n credi­
bly capa b l e so l d i e r, we l l known a n d h i g h l y respected. Sakae's u n it-a l o n g with
Solidly b u i lt th a n ks to a steady ration of rice, they have the PCs-is a m bushed by we l l -a rmed peas­
a kind fa ce that i m m ed i ately h a rdens i nto fi erce deter­ a n ts w h o fight m o re l i ke ski l l ed ron i n th a n
m i n ation as they prepare for battle. fa rmers. T h e peasants u se t h e Desperate
B a n d it and Experien ced B a n d it profi les o n

3 0 "' " " ' � , . ••;.. ,; 8

pages 3 1 5 a n d 3 1 6 o f t h e core ru lebook. Sud­
d e n l y, o n e of the a rmed peasa nts ca l l s out to

32 G LO RY 12
Sakae, c l a i m i n g to be Ryota .
CO MPOSURE
i%erfiW
3
�

21
Ryota begs for forg i ve n ess from
STATUS • FOCUS Sakae a n d exp l a i n s that h is b a n d of peasa nts
�

3
· is j u st try i n g to defe n d themselves from rov­
� + 2, �-2 V I G I LANCE
i n g bands of sa m u ra i . The sa m u ra i bush i , h ow­
DEMEANOR ASSERTIVE
ever, is fi rm that the peasants m ust face j u stice

ARTISAN 1 MARTIAL 3 SCHOLAR 0 SOCIAL I TRADE I for attacking his c l a n 's forces and orders h i s
ashigaru to conti n u e the battle. S a k a e ca n n ot
AOVANTAG£S DISADVANTAGES diso bey their superior, but they clearl y want

Indomitable Wil l : I ntolerance: to show mercy to Ryota and possibly send the

� Soci a l ; Mental, Inter­ � Socia l ; Interpersonal

peasa nts back to the fa rm i n g v i l l a g e where

personal they belong. What wi l l the PCs do?

FAVORED WEAl'ONS

Katana: Range 1 , Damage 4, Dea d l i n ess 5/7 ,

Cerem o n i a l , Razor-edged

Yari: Range 2, Damage 5 , Dead l i n ess 3 , Wa rgear

Yumi: Range 2-5 , Damage 5 , Dead l i n ess 3
Gear (equipped): Ash i g a ru armor (Physica l 3 ,
Wa rgear) , trave l i n g rations, tent (med i u m) , a sma l l
d o l l stuffed with rye i n the l i ken ess of Sakae's brother

11
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

THE EMERALD
LEGIONS
warfare and agricu lture. The legions a re even tasked
TH E IM PERIAL LEGIO N S with col l ectin g taxes and tribute when necessa ry. Only
In 1 1 23, the Emperor's
forces include ten cel­ The I m perial Legions a re the Emperor's standing a rmy: when all other options have been exhausted do they
ebrated legions called a single, un ified m i l ita ry force tasked with patrolling and engage in violence to protect the Emperor's agenda.
the Emerald Legions.
defending Imperial power. Their ranks include the best
Each legion has its
own reputation and soldiers from across the Empire and a l l the clans, un ited COM MAN D AND L EA D E RS H I P
specialty: in their dedication . To be welcomed (or even conscripted)
The Emera l d Champion i s head of the I m peri a l
into the Imperial Legions is an incredible honor and
The First Legion: Leg ions, a n d most consider it a great h o n o r t o serve
No specialization, but brings glory to one's fam i ly and clan. Moreover, the I m pe­
under the E m peror a n d have a part in directly carrying
the most prestigious ria l Legions train and feed their troops exceptiona l ly wel l .
and celebrated out the H a ntei 's wi l l . I m peri a l decree dictates that the
When invited t o j o i n t h e I m peri a l Leg ions, a p ro­
most adept, wel l -tra ined soldiers from each clan serve
The Second Legion: spective soldier receives a message from the office of
in the legions-though this decree is not always fol­
Spearmen and archers the Emera l d Champion, del ivered by a M iya messen­
l owed perfectly. Due to the prestige associated with
ger, and is g iven eig hteen days to provide a response.
The Third Legion: service in the legions, soldiers from Roku g a n 's most
Swordsmen and U pon accepta nce, a n ashigaru is expected to serve six
disti n g u ished fa m i l ies e n l ist in sea rch of glory. A great
duelists yea rs in the I m peri a l Leg ions, though their ro l e may
many soldiers a re adm itted i nto the Emera l d Leg ions
shift d u ri n g those yea rs a n d they may renew their
The Fourth Legion: based on their fa m i l ies' wealth a n d con nections (and
Berserkers and riinin service at the end of their term . A sa m u ra i serves for
sometimes outright bribes). The rest a re among the fi n­
twelve years, or until they reach the age of retirement.
The Fifth Legion: est warriors i n the E m p i re, more than making u p for the
I n d u ction i nto the service of the Emperor is typica l ly a
Shugenja lack of m a rtia l merit among other members.
joyfu l , celebrated affa i r for a soldier's fa m i l y a n d l oved
The Sixth Legion: Mem bers of the I m peri a l fa m i l ies inevita bly rise to
ones. The I m perial Leg ions' power is secu red i n part
Scouts and l ight the top ra n ks in the I m peri a l Leg ions, a n d the Seppun
beca use of their exceptio n a l reputation a n d h i story of
infantry fa m i l y i n particu l a r has provided a great many genera l s
bri n g i n g g reat g l o ry to the clans.
The Seventh Legion: a n d other senior officers. T h e Akodo a n d M atsu fa m­
At a l m ost every g reat u pset i n Roku g a n 's h istory,
Superior officers and i l ies a lso have a long trad ition of sen d i n g their most
a n I m pe ri a l Leg ion has a ppeared to either a rbitrate or,
tacticians p romising sa m u ra i to serve at least one term in the
i n the case of d isobed ience to the Emperor, sway the
The Eighth Legion: legions. Although mem bers of any clan may join the
outcome. In some cases, the very a ppeara n ce of an
Cavalry and mounted legions or rise with i n its ra n ks, a delicate ecosystem
I m peri a l Leg ion is enough to avert a blood bath and
shugenja of pol itica l advantage is woven into the legions' l ead­
force the opposin g a rm ies to ren ew negotiations.
The Ninth Legion: ersh i p structu re. The adva ncement of a sa m u ra i to a
Naval units h igh-level rol e is synonymous with g a i n i n g the Emper­
ORIGINS
or's favor for their c l a n . As such, the composition of
The Tenth Legion:
Warrior monks and Emperor H antei Genji fou nded the I m peri a l Legions in the I m peri a l Leg ions' leadersh i p is consta ntly shifting
engineers 1 56 in the m idst of his sweeping reforms of I m peri a l law as the clans vie for domina nce.
throughout the Emera l d Empire . Wh i l e it is said that the
Emperor had hoped to lean exclusively upon the l oya l­
ties of the G reat Clans, it took the betraya l of Genera l
M atsu Kaguya, w h o ordered h e r soldiers t o march i nto
battle expressly against the Emperor's wishes, to tip the
Emperor's resolve. The Emperor began req u iring a l l l oya l
fam i l ies to send soldiers to join the I mperi a l Legions to
patro l the Empire, assist in carrying out the Emperor's
w i l l , and mediate confl ict whenever n ecessary.
The I m peri a l Legions' duties have since l a rgely
rem a ined u n ch a nged, though their scope and size h ave
g rown immensely. Because the legions only i ntervene i n
severe, u n resolvable conflicts, they typica l ly d i rect their
energy and ski l l s elsewhere, engaging i n evel}1hin
from assistin g i mpoverished peasants in harvest
struction, to mediating minor disputes, to tra"
educatin g the citizens of the Emera l d

12..
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

S E PP U N G E N S HI N , CAPTA I N EMERALD

,f.1; 6
ADVE NTU RE SEE D: STRONGHOLDS
ADVERSARY CONFLICT RANK: �6
DECEPTIVE CU RRENTS Some of the Emerald
Seppun Genshin has made a n a m e for h imself execut­

■:rff:i#
Legions are based at
ing orders with i ncred i b l e efficiency. Ra ised at Kyuden or near Otosan Uchi,
Wh i l e trave l i n g in C ra n e or Crab
Seppu n a n d recru ited into the legions immediately the Imperial Capital;
lands, the PCs witness a Daidoj i ship or car­
after his gempuku, Genshin fou n d a new home among others are stationed
ava n com i n g under attack. They m ust decide i n areas that demand
his fel l ow soldiers of the Seventh Leg ion. H i s d i rect,
whethe r to intervene. The attackers bear constant attention,
no-nonsense demeanor and sincerity have inspired such as the Shinomen
n o crest, a n d u pon closer i nspection, they
others to trust in his leadersh i p wherever he is posted. Forest; and still others
appear to be com m on e r bandits or p i rates.
Gensh i n 's tacti cal prowess, combined with h i s school­ patrol the Empire's
B e h i n d the scenes, these cri m i n a l s were set roads and territories.
ing and fa m i ly ties, has propel led him to the ra n k of
up, l u red into attacking by one of the Seventh Additional strongholds
capta i n . As a leader with i n the Seventh Leg ion, he
Leg i o n 's secret shinobi. of the Imperial Legions

■@i,,.;.fi,j.j,p
di rects public works projects and hel ped spearhead include Lost Traveler
the recon struction efforts of the Cra n e coast after the The n ext time the PCs Castle, Naisho Fort,
tsu n a m i of 1 1 20. Wh i l e many citizens consider him a a rrive in a l a rg e tra d i n g city, confl ict th reat­ Toshi Ranbo, Shiro
fa i r mediator, Gensh i n 's a m bitions have not been satis­ Yogasha, and Sunrise
e n s to break out between the C ra n e a n d
Keep.
fied by his cu rrent role. H e is actively seeking the next C r a b clans. M e mbers o f the Daidoj i Tra d i n g
success that wi l l ensure h is ascendancy to Com m a nder Cou nc i l b l a m e their rivals, t h e Yasuki M e r­
of the Seventh Leg ion, where he wou l d report d i rectly chant Com p any, for a series of raids a g a i n st
to the Emera l d Champion. the i r trade carava n s a n d s h i ps, c l a i m i n g that
the Yasuki have been h i ri n g m e rcena ries to

55 H O N O R 14
p i l l a g e their s h i p m ents. The Yasuki m a i ntain
� �1 E N D U RANCE
their i n n ocence. As Daidoj i a n d Yasuki forces

61 ' 0 " '"""'"" 1 2

� beg i n a m assing outside the city, Ca ptai n

5 1 STATUS 5
Seppun Gensh i n a n d a com pany from the
FOCUS Seventh I m pe ri a l Leg ion a rrive to stave off
� �

2
-
bloodshed at the last m i n ute .
� + 2, �-2 VIGILANCE
lfiheefW Capta i n G ensh i n ca l l s a m i l ita ry
D E M EANOR GRUFF

&mm,I
tri b u n a l to m ete out j u stice a n d ca l l s u pon
MARTIAL 5 SCHOLAR 2 SOCIAL 3 TRADE 2 the PCs to testify as witnesses, a s one of the
ra i d 's survivors spotted the PCs d u r i n g the
AOV/\NTill,£S OISAO VANTAG[S
attacks. Ca pta i n Gensh i n is seeking to p i n
Seasoned: Bluntness: b l a m e on eith e r t h e Daidoj i or Ya s u k i fam i l y
(i!i) Soci a l ; Menta l, Inter­ � Soci a l ; Interpersona l so t h a t he can be s e e n t o lay down a swift
personal j u d g ment, thereby j u stifying h i s involvement
of the I m peri a l Leg ions i n the dispute a n d
'"
FAVOREO WEAPONS
e l evating h i s o w n reputatio n . T h e P C s m u st
Katana: Range 1 , Damage 4, Dead l i n ess S/7 , decide whethe r to side with the Cra n e or the
Ceremon i a l , Razor-edged Cra b-thereby w i n n i n g Gensh i n 's favor-or

Wakizashi: Range 0-1 , Damage 3, Dea d l i ness S/7 ,

whethe r to m a ke an enemy of Sepp u n Gen­
shin by testifying that the bandits were unaf­
Ceremon i a l , Razor-edged
fi l i ated with either c l a n .
Gear (equipped): Lacquered a rmor (Physica l 4, Cere­
m o n i a l , Cumbersome, Wa rgear), smoking p i pe

--------------
AUTHORITATIVE N EGOTIATION
When making a Soci a l ski l l check to p u rsue I m peri a l
interests Or t h e Emperor's a g e n d a , Seppun Gensh i n

■
m a y receive u p t o 3 strife i n ord e r t o re rol l that many
showing b l a n k tesu lts.

1,
 C H A PT E R I : G L O R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

@ Strengths: I ncredible defense, exce l l ent tacti­

cians, h i g hly skil led battlefield support
@ Weaknesses: Slow to muster, more reactive
The G reat Clans' approaches to wa rfare a re a s d iverse than offensive
as their cultures and va lues. Each clan brings its own
u n ique approach to Bushido to bea r on how it prepa res @ Typica l Composition: Spear ashigaru, heavily
for, enters into, and engages in m i l ita ry combat. Wh i l e armored bush i , a n d scouts
t h e L i o n rely on t h e i r proud might a n d g reat n u m bers @ Signatu re Warrior: H ida Defender
to overwhelm their foes, the Dra gon-who come from
treacherous terra i n and have fewer soldiers-m ust
focus on creative solutions to outwit and reroute their CRAN E
foes, depen d i n g on the loca le. These practica l a n d phil­
M uch as the Cra n e 's reputation in cou rt wou ld suggest,
osophical d e l i n eations between the clans a re reflected
FROM THE NOTES OF its a rmy excels at subtle a rtist ry. Each of its soldiers is
in other aspects of their m i l itaries as wel l , ra n g i n g from
AKODO KATSUHIDE, held to exacting sta n d a rds in swordsmanship, a rche ry,
TACTICIAN-IN­
a rmy composition to command structu re .
and mou nted combat. The Cra n e 's com mand structu re
TRAINING AT THE
is a delicate, eve r-shifting l a ndscape of com petition
AKODO WAR
COLLEGE:
C RAB a n d perso n a l betterment, all geared towa rd achieving
Stories of the Cra b a rmy's defensive capa b i l ities a re decisive victo ry on the battlefi e l d . Many Cra n e gener­
Siege warfare is taxing
legenda ry thro u g hout Rokug a n . Defe n d i n g the Ka i u a l s employ speci a l ists and sch o l a rs versed in loca l cul­
for everyone involved.
Wa l l a g a i nst i n n u mera b l e monstrosities has t h e effect ture a n d geography i n order to g a i n a n edge in battle.
If a Crab army chooses
of pru n i n g the Cra b fighting force down to only the More than any other clan, the Cra n e re ly heavily on the
to stay somewhere, it is
wise to simply leave them best a n d h a rd iest soldiers. As such, this c l a n 's army is deployment of ron i n .
alone and march around fu l l of sta lwart, unyielding vetera ns who know equ a l ly T h e Cra n e C l a n 's a rmy understa nds a n d prizes the
them. They will return to importan ce of adapta b i l ity. As such, there is no " signa­
wel l h ow to s u rvive a n d when to put their l ives on the
the Kaiu Wall eventually,
line for the g reater good. Cra b soldiers a re possi bly the ture formation " for which it is known : its soldiers shift
and you can return to
capture what they tried most powerfu l a n d dedicated i n the Emera l d E m p i re . from wel l-ordered g roups to disparate m a rching l i nes,
to hold. As a rule, no one Moreover, Cra b medics, sharpened from years o f ser­ then to h i g h ly mobile pods a round a centra l u n it. The
should bother the Crab in
vice defe n d i n g the Wa l l , provide exceptiona l s u pport. com m a n ders and tacticians often com mand from the
its shell.
The Cra b a rmy is i n a consta nt state of wa r as it rea r or from camp during a heavy battle, c h a n n e l i n g
defends the E m p i re a g a i nst the Shadowlands. Th is their energy i nto u ndersta n d i n g e n e m y strategy, hop­
m a kes the Cra b l oath to m o b i l ize a g a i nst other clans. i n g to outplay their foes as in a game of G o .
Outside of a stronghold, Cra b soldiers' h eavy armor The Cra n e a rmy is h i g h ly respected for i t s emphasis
slows them down , a n d their h i g h ly special ized defen­ on swift, l eth a l close combat. Melee combat with even
sive tech niques a re easier to cou nter. This reinforces the lowest ra nking Cra n e duel ist is sure to be a tense,
the c l a n 's unwi l l i n g ness to spend its troops on merely potentia l ly deadly confrontation . In battle, cava l ry and
pol itica l warfa re. The Cra b army fu n ctions best hun­ a rchers tend to h a n g back i n itia l l y to a l low the Crane
kered down , stockpi l i n g its defensive materi e l , a n d i nfant ry to th i n the ra n ks of foes, then step i n to fi nish
FROM KATSUHIDE: t h e n stri king when the time is right. On the battlefield, them off. The Cra n e 's proficiency close-in often ends a
the Crab a re adept at fi n d i n g the most defensible ter­ battle soon after it has beg u n .
Tire very appearance of
a Crane army heralds a ra i n so they can fight from a position of strength.
@ Strengths: H ig h ly skil led duelists,
battle; if tire Crane's fancy When a Cra b a rmy does g o on the m ove, it uses
adapta b l e u n its
lackeys in court cannot roads when ava i la b l e a n d is h i g h l y vig i l a nt of its sur­
outmaneuver their foes @ Weaknesses: S m a l l e r armies, lack of specia l iza­
roundings. The Crab's log istics load a n d h eavy a rmor
in negotiations, the clan
m a kes com manders hesitant to take soldiers through tion, pred icta ble assets
sends its troops, gleaming
and cold in their perfect m a rshy or rou g h terra i n u n less doing so provides a @ Typical Composition: Archer ashigaru , h i g h ly
garb. I find Crane com­ defensive benefit or i m mediate tactica l advanta g e . skil led bushi a n d ron i n
manders are often very Troops may m ove off-road to t a k e advantage of defen­
grumpy when called to e Signature Warrior: Daidoj i I ron Wa rrior
sible terra i n l i ke mou nta i n s a n d h i l ls, or light woods
war, especially when they
get their own blood on that provide cove r.
their kimono. Cra b a rmies a re com posed pri m a rily of a rmored
infa ntry and a rchers, and their medics a re among the
fin est i n Roku g a n .
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

by troop, a n army rese m b l es a h o n eyco m b from a bove

DRAG O N as it sweeps across the widest roads a n d fi elds to its
FROM KATSUHIDE:

The rugged te rra i n of the Dragon C l a n 's territo ry m a kes desti nati o n . The h i g h est ra n k i n g leaders often ride at I feel that if the monks
were truly pursuing
gatheri n g and m o b i l izi n g an a ctive a rmy q u ite d ifficult. the front to c h a rg e i nto battle a l ongside their soldiers,
Enlightenment, they
At best, the Dra g o n boast what m i ght be cal led the issue orders, and i n s p i re courage.
would not be fighting at
h a rdi est, most spec i a l ized m i l itia i n all of Roku ga n . The The Lion a re legenda ry for their fe rocity i n battle. all. Is not the true path
p u rsuit of E n l i g hten ment is i n extri cably woven i nto the The Deathseeke rs, a sect of e l ite a n d fea rless soldiers, one of peace? They are
c h a rge i nto battle wea ri n g fea rsome masks to terrify easily dispatched with
Dragon C l a n 's p h i l osophies of war, tactics, a n d m i l ita ry
large volleys of arrows,
engagement, setti n g its a rmy apart from those of oth er their foes. T h o u g h Lion a rm i e s a re h i g h l y a g g ressive,
though, as they can only
clans. The exercise of battle is a l m ost med itative in they a re not reckl ess; they a re kn own fo r meteoric, val­ catch so many.
nature for even the l owl i est of so ldiers, who h ave been orous g a m b its that overw h e l m oppon ents with both
tra i ned to p u rsue their own paths to u n iversa l truth . n u m be rs and stre n gth . Because the Lion m i l ita ry is
Likewise, m o n a stic life a n d structu re d i ctate each u n m atched by any oth er in Roku g a n in sheer size a n d
so ldier's ro l e i n the m i l ita ry. However, the Dragon ski l l , opponents m ust often util ize u n conventi o n a l o r
arm ies a re l ess concerned with ra n k , h o n o r, or status u n o rthodox tactics t o w i n i n battle.
than with each so ldier's ro le i n the g reater battle p l a n . FROM KATSUHIDE:
@ Strengths: M assive size, i n cred i b l e log istical
A s s u c h , these arm ies operate as s o m e o f the s m a l l ­
ski l l s Our troops areformi­
est b u t m ost flexi b l e m i l ita ry bodies i n Roku g a n . The dable, truly the finest
tattooed ise zumi warrior monks of the Togashi Order @ Weaknesses: Lack o f stea lth a n d su btl ety; armies in all the Emerald
epitom ize this ethos, fi l l i n g a l m ost eve ry ro l e to bring d ifficu lty n avigati n g treacherous terra i n d u e to Empire. But they eat like
their fa ith a n d med itatio n to bea r on combat. re l i a n ce on exce l l ent Lion roads locusts. Our baggage
trains are so Jong, it is
Refl ecting the Dra g o n 's i n d i v i d u a l ist bent, its a rm i es
i'D Typical Composition: Sushi with la rge numbers said, that the last wagon
a re sepa rated i nto n eatly org a n ized l i n e u ps of troops. never actually leaves until
of sword , spea r, a n d n a g i n ata ashigaru
Each one operates independently of the oth ers on t
afer the battle is over.
the battlefield, stri king i n rhythm l i ke a m a n y-h eaded @ Signature Warrior: M atsu Berserker Where our army goes,
starvation often follows.
d ra g o n . Tactics a n d stru ctu re a re org a n ized to s u pport
Luckily, Lion ashigaru are
a battle style of constant, coord i n ated a g g ressio n .
Ta ken b y surprise, few a rm i es c a n with sta nd t h i s m a n ­ P H OENIX also good at rebuilding
the villages they pillage
n e r o f attack. The Phoenix C l a n enters each battle with a key u n d e r­ for food.

sta n d i n g of the reg i o n 's terra i n a n d spi ritu a l c l i m ate.

i'D Strengths: I ndependent troops, a d a pta b l e
M o re so than any oth er m i l ita ry, the Phoen ix C l a n 's
structu re, monastic support structu re
army taps i nto the elem ental potenti a l of its enviro n ­
@ Weaknesses: D i m i n utive a r m i es; dependent ment to util ize it a g a i n st i t s foes. The d ry forest that
on leaders h i p style; weak on l a rg e , open bat­ provides a backdro p to a fi ght may suddenly b l aze
tlefields with a l l-consu m i n g fi re, devastati n g a foe's focus a n d
i'D Typical Composition: S m a l l u n its of warrior prov i d i n g j u st t h e rig h t d i stracti o n t o a i d the Phoen ix.

m o n ks a n d swordsmen

i'D Signature Warrior: Tog a s h i lse Zu m i

LIO N
The Lion C l a n presents the m ost breathta k i n g fi g ht­
i n g force in a l l of Roku g a n , but that force is a l so one
of the most u nwieldy to m a n e uver a n d tra nsport
d u e to its size. M a ny fa mous writers refer to
a Lion a rmy as a " m o b i l e city" that m oves
across the p l a i n s . The Lion a rm ies have
overwh e l med othe rs thro u g h sheer
n u m bers a n d a g g ressi o n . The wide
roads of the Lion Clan territo ry a re
a testa ment to the massive size of
its arm ies. M eticulously o rg a n ized
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I STO R I E S

FROM KATSUHIDE: Even the lowliest Phoenix foot soldiers are trained T he Scorpion army often stations its archers a t the
to anticipate and react to the sudden elemental cata­ fringe of the battlefield to pick off as many enemy sol­
111 battle, the Phoe11ix are clysms that Phoenix shugenja may incite. Given how diers as possible before the clash of infant ry. Scorpion
crucial a single shugenja's invocation or ritual can be scouts and shugenja act as support to help the army's
highly subjective to the
whims of the kam i they
invoke. Even the weather
to Phoenix tactics, ashigaru and bushi must defend meager numbers gain the upper hand in close combat.
can bow to their spirit shugenja rites to the death in the heat of battle. As Communication and careful retreat are key to translat­
allies. I'm told one should such, Phoenix Clan forces often take the shape of a ring ing the Scorpion's highly situational tactical strengths
11ever engage i11 a skir­ of protection, or they skillfully present a fai;:ade aimed into victo ry.
to misdirect enemy troops who might t ry to disrupt a
m ish with Phoenix on a
stormy day, for example.
shugenja's prayers. @ Strengths: Psychological tactics, stealth, train­
Ifyou must, ensure that
your troops rush and As warfare against the Phoenix has evolved over the ing in night marching
engage a Phoenix enemy years, the placement of Phoenix shugenja has become e Weaknesses: Small army, highly situational
a sort of shell game. Knowing that opposing armies tactics, mediocre infant ry
immediately; they will
never call light/ling down
seek to disrupt their shugenja's rituals, Phoenix armies
upon their own. e Typical Composition: Scouts and shinobi as
often place decoy shugenja with yojimbo in places
well as ashigaru and archer bushi
where they distract opponents from other shugenja's
powerful invocations as they perform them in the heat @ Signature Warrior: Shosuro Infiltrator
of battle. T hus, a Phoenix army often resembles a large
circle of troops with different "pockets" of shugenja
and decoy shugenja protected by soldiers. U NICORN
T he Unicorn are masters of horses and swift deploy­
FROM KATSUHIDE:
e Strengths: Powerful shugenja capable of har­
ment. As such, a typical Unicorn army comprises two
The Unicom cavalry are nessing the elements, adept tacticians
distinct forces: pods of mounted caval ry with scouts
Weaknesses: Too dependent on shugenja,
nigh unstoppable unless
they are presented with @ to cut through the opposition, and heavily outfitted
an unmoving wall of lackluster caval ry and archers troops of foot soldiers equipped to fight in even the
Typical Composition: Infant ry augmented by most extreme conditions. Given the Unicorn's special
armored infantry. truly
impassible terrai11 (which e
their steeds may still shugenja relationship with their horses, even their foot soldiers
keep and ride horses for transport across the desolate
0 Signature Warrior: lsawa Elementalist
find ways to conquer/, or
perhaps some well-placed steppe; as such, the Unicorn army is the most mobile
army in Rokugan.
traps to send their horses
sprawling.
T he Unicorn milita ry is nothing without its horses,
SCORPI O N so its movement and tactics are dictated by proximity
T he Scorpion Clan has always favored subtlety and to grazing land and water sources. Once mobilized in
underhanded tactics; it is no surprise, then, that its battle, Unicorn caval ry approach as an engulfing swarm
army operates in similar fashion. T he Scorpion army to thin the ranks of slower-moving enemy infant ry, pre­
places a strong emphasis on stealth and surveillance; paring the way for the rest of the Unicorn to clean up
FROM KATSUHIDE: the arrival of its troops is often preceded by a silent afterward. If they are confined to smaller spaces where
invasion of scouts and spies eager for information. T he they are less maneuverable, however, Unicorn choke
The Scorpio11 try. but they Scorpion's skills in subterfuge allow them to imperson­ easily. The Unicorn must reconcile their formidable
ate their enemies' messengers, soldiers, and support mounted forces with the demands of the battlefield in
are simply not cut out for
real wars. They do excel
at dishonorable combat, personnel to conduct sabotage from the inside. eve ry engagement.
T he Scorpion army is also notorious for its pref­
0 Strengths: Excel in open spaces, massive army,
however. When they are
engaged under "fair" erence for traveling under cover of darkness. It only
conditio11s, any army may
deploys its troops when the time is right, when attacks tactics unfamiliar to other clans

can inflict maximum damage upon opponents. Its Weaknesses: Ineffective in tighter terrain, poor
easily dispatch them­
which is why the Scorpion @
ensure that the conditions shugenja are well versed in creating illusions to distract communication
opponents on the battl efield as wel l .
@ Typical Composition: Caval ry, both heavy
are 11ever fair.

and light; archers (often also on horseback);

foot soldiers

@ Signature Warrior: Utaku Battle Maiden

 C H A PT E R 1 : G LO R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

Many magistrates travel l i g htly a n d thus rely on

l oca l m i l itaries for m a rtial support a g a i n st large
enemy forces.
As a culture, Roku g a n is steeped in m i l ita rism . Every 0 Add ress I nternal Conflict: A c l a n m i g ht
sa m u ra i either is a warrior or p lays a role that supports expand or reinforce its army to dea l with a n
wa rriors and e n a b l es them to engage in battle. Even i nterna l th reat s u c h as a peasant i nsu rrection
peasa nts play a m ajor rol e in wa rfare i n the Emera l d o r even a civil wa r. The clan will try to keep
Empire; heimin may be d rafted i nto peasant IE:vies o r news about such confl icts u nder wra ps, as the
do work t h a t h e l ps k e e p arm ies deployed and effective a ppea ra nce of disun ity or weakness tends to
in battle. embolden enemies. The exception to this ru l e
That said, the deployment of a n a rmy is a costly is t h e L i o n C l a n , which freq uently perm its l i m ­
and time-consu m i n g endeavor. Moreover, deployed ited, supervised wa rfare between lords i n o rder
sa m u ra i a n d commoners a re not contri buti n g to the to h o n e those a rm i es' ski l l s a n d cull the weak.
Empire's myriad other crucial affa i rs, such as oversee­
ing the l a n ds, engaging in pol itics and cu ltu ra l p u rsu its,
prod ucing food, b u i l d i n g and mainta i n i n g roads, a n d CO N F LICTS WITH
so o n . The employment and deployment of a n a rmy i s ,
therefore, not t o b e undertaken l i g htly. OTH ER CLA N S
G iven the sign ificant expense of fie l d i n g a m i l itary Because confl icts between clans tend to attract the atten­
force, most provi ncial daimy6 have re latively sma l l g a r­ tion of the I m perial Cou rt, they deserve closer exam­
risons ready to mobil ize in times of peace. Depend­ ination. General ly, the exact nature of such a conflict is
i n g on the scope of the threat, one or more p rovi n c i a l determined by whether it has received I m perial sanction,
daimy6 m a y b e ca l l ed u p o n t o m a rsha l their forces. as described in Sanctioned Conflicts (see page 1 8).
Cities m a i nta in their own defensive forces, which I n the a bsence of I m peri a l sancti o n , c l a n s usu a l ly
a re overseen by the city's governor u n l ess a general (alth o u g h n ot a l ways) l im it themselves to s m a l l -sca le
co-opts those forces into a n a rmy. Expa nsion a n d rein­ actions. I n peacetime, m a g istrates a n d the sa m u ra i
forcement of a c l a n 's a rmy genera l ly only occurs if it is lords o f border settlements m a i nta i n a wary eye o n
to be employed for a specific pu rpose, such as one of their n e i g h bors o f other clans. When tensions rise,
the fol lowi n g . lords deploy sma l l detachm ents, often mou nted , to

Secure a Clan's Lands: A clan m i g h t expa nd

patrol the border, reporting to static l ookout posts.
©
S h o u l d a patrol or l ookout post detect an incursion
its sta n d i n g a rmy if it perceives a n i m m inent
and survive to relay the n ews, their lord dispatches the
threat to its l a nds. I n such a case, the clan
closest forces capab l e of m eeti n g the threat.
sends forces to occupy positions a l o n g the
threatened border or m a i nta ins them i n more
centra l l ocations from wh ich they can be
redepl oyed q u ickly.

@ Fight Another Clan: l nterc l a n battles a re

the most com mon type of m i l ita ry confl ict i n
Roku g a n , even if they a re officia l ly outlawed
without the Emperor's expl icit assent. A strong
a rmy lets a clan attack or defend a g a i n st their
cu rrent enemy.
@ Defend the Empire: It is ra re for Roku g a n
t o face a n E m p i re-wide threat, b u t shou l d
i t h a ppen , each c l a n is expected t o con­
tribute the l a rgest m i l ita ry force possible to
the I m peri a l Leg ions, thereby u n iting disparate
cla ns' armies under a s i n g l e ba n n e r.

© Assist the Emerald Magistrates: Add ress-

ing th reats such as banditry and cult a ctivity
someti mes requ i res more yoriki (deputies) a n d
doshin (peasant enforcers) t h a n magistrates
h ave ava i lable, n ecessitating m i l ita ry assistance.
C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

The resulting battles tend to be brief, impromptu

clashes between relatively small forces. The attacker
I KO M A H I RO S H I KA,

commonly conducts a raid, a military operation

A DVOCAT E AT C O U RT
intended to achieve some particular objective-for ADVERSARY CONFLICT RANK: l.l 3 �5
example, burning crops or seizing supplies-followed lkoma Hiroshika is a familiar face in the Imperial
by a rapid withdrawal. Clans studiously avoid using Court in Otosan Uchi, appearing frequently before
the term "war" to describe such conflicts, describing the Throne to argue the finer points of what qualifies
them as "skirmishes," "disagreements," "difficulties," as war within the Empire. Few Rokugani know the
or other euphemisms. Since no war is declared, such sprawling body of edicts, petitions, and precedents on
hostilities have no formal start, and therefore no formal sanctioned interclan war as well as she. Hiroshika's is
end, continuing until one or both sides simply choose a crucial role, especially given her clan's penchant for
or agree to stop. launching itself into military conflict. Whether a dispute
In the case of a conflict that does receive Imperial centers on land, resources, or a real or perceived injus­
sanction, the aggrieved clan normally issues a formal tice or insult, the Lion Clan is eager to demonstrate it
declaration of war. While the warring clans still conduct is not to be trifled with. When its targets bring their
patrols and raids, they may also mobilize much larger grievances to court, Hiroshika is well prepared to argue
forces, invading enemy lands in order to seize and that what they claim is a war is nothing more than a
hold territory and resources. Prolonged battles involv­ disagreement, a skirmish, or a "matter of restoring
ing massive numbers of troops may occur, with corre­ honor," requiring no Imperial involvement. Rarely do
spondingly high casualty counts. When setbacks and others find cracks in the armor of this elder courtier's
losses finally force one side to capitulate and accept a reasoned, y et passionate arguments; to date, Hiroshika
peace agreement, the war formally ends. has been successful far more often than not.

�� : : · ,1::::: : :�
SAN CTIO N ED CO N F LICTS
The Hantei have recognized that they must walk a
fine line when it comes to conflict between the Great
Clans. Too much unrestrained warfare is wasteful and
can weaken the Empire. Proh ibiting conflict entirely, 39 STATUS FOCUS 7
3
however, can lengthen periods of inflamed tensions •
between clans, and it can also weaken the Empire by � + 2, �-2 VIGILANCE

allowing the clans' military prowess to atrophy. Accord­

DEMEANOR RESERVED

ingly, at the dawn of the fifth century, following a bru­ ARTISAN I MARTIAL ] SCHOLAR 4 SOCIAL 3 TRADE I
tal clash between the Crane and the Crab, Emperor
Hantei Fujiwa issued an edict prohibiting war between ADVA NTAGES DISADVANTAGES

the clans without the Throne's permission. Since then, Lega l Expert: Frailty:
I
a clan wishing to wage war upon another must petition � Social; Mental � Martial; Physical
the Emperor, laying out the case for its grievance. If the
Emperor approves the petition, the clan issues a formal FAVORED WEAPONS

declaration of war. Considerable political maneuvering Wakizashi: Range 0-1 , Damage 4, Deadliness 5/7,
typically surrounds such petitions, both for and against Ceremonial, Concealable, Razor-edged
their approval.
Gear (eq uipped): Courtly finery (Physical 1 , Ceremo­
Still, clans sometimes engage in unsanctioned con­
nial), legal scrolls and texts, Go set
flicts (see page 1 7). The extent to which they can
get away with mobilizing large forces also depends ABILITI ES
upon political scheming. It is said that what constitutes
POWE R F U L ARG U M E NTS
a "war" within Rokugan is truly defined by whoever is
When making a Courtesy check, if Hiroshika does not
most persuasive in court.
keep any dice with results containing Q symbols, she
It is noteworthy that some daimy6 of the Unicorn
may spend ::;� in the following manner:
Clan-which was absent from the Empire when Hantei
Fujiwa issued his edict-consider their clan to be offi­ I *+: The target of the check receives strife equal to
cially exempt from the decree, following it only out of �� spent this way.
respect for the Throne.
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

QUOTES FROM

LEADERS H I P AKODO'S LEADERSHIP

The people of Rokugan have an intimate relationship A N D CENSORS H I P ·� samurai must serve

with th eir history, the teachings of the Kami having

and command, but before

allowed them to keep intricate records going back Leadership has been altered not only with that, a samurai must

additions, but also through omissions. In the

prepare and study. "
almost to the dawn of the Empire. Whenever a new
challenge faces samurai, almost assuredly the answer year 445, Hantei Muratsugu removed Akodo's
to the problem lies in the past, in the experiences and observations on the need for deception and

wisdom of their ancestors. cunning in war, which the Emperor believed

were not in line with Bushido. These passages
were censored from public copies of t h e text,
CH RO N ICLES O F THE PAST a decision that h as greatly influenced the
History and tradition are integral to every part of life in forthright Matsu family. Many Emperors h ave
Rokugan, from the practices of swordsmanship and war redacted and restored Leadership across the
to the elegant and ancient tea ceremony. Information line of succession.
on these traditions and the meanings behind them is
preserved at locations spread throughout the lands of
every clan, places of great significance where history is in battle, how to represent themselves and their lords
infused into the very foundations. in a proper manner, and how to train samurai to the
highest caliber. The measures offer instruction on con­
AKo oo's LEA DERSHIP quering personal weakness, achieving strategic mas­
tery of one's surroundings, preserving fundamental
There is perhaps no text with a greater influence on military tradition, and innovating with new tactics.
Rokugan than Akodo's Leadership. Written after the Though Akodo was wise and had an unrivaled
War against Fu Leng, Leadership collects the Kami military aptitude, he was able to recognize that even
Akodo's thoughts and experience, both tactical and he did not know everything there was to know about
spiritual, into a single volume that has become the war. To that end, Akodo left the end of the treatise
guideline upon which nearly all samurai base their blank so that generals could add more tactics as they
existence. Akodo codified his views on the warrior developed them. Over time, the tome has become a
spirit and presented it as something more than a sim­ massive collection of observations and accounts of war
ple code of ethics, but an entire way of life-Bushido, from the finest military minds in Rokugan's storied his­
the way of the warrior. Over time, Bushido, and by tory, with revised editions occasionally circulating into
extension Leadership, established how members of the Empire's libraries. The only original, unaltered text
Rokugan's ruling class perceived th emselves and the remains in the care of the lkoma.
world around them.
According to the philosophy of Akodo, the nature
of the world is war. Despite Hantei's declaration of the
DAIDOJ I LI BRARY
Thousand Years of Peace following the defeat of Fu One of the key lessons of Akodo's Leadership is that an
Leng, the Emerald Empire quickly found that tranquil­ army should be adaptable and capable of surprising
ity between clans is a fragile, transient thing, and battle its foes. It would be unexpected for the Crane to take
is ever present. Just as Kakita sought the perfect sword these words from Akodo to heart, which is exactly why
stroke, so Akodo sought the perfect, transcendent they did. Ever pragmatic, the Daidoji family have long
form of battle. He introduced the art of war so that collected the tactics of their foes, secreting the infor­
the samurai of Rokugan might also learn to fight in a mation away in their library in Shiro Daidoji that it may
flawless and honorable manner. be studied, adapted, and implemented in shocking
Leadership divides military philosophy into five new ways. In recent years, Daidoji Uji has been par­
measures, each representing an element. These mea­ ticularly aggressive in changing the attack patterns of
sures form the basis by which a military leader can eval­ the Daidoji Iron Warriors, which has enabled the Crane
uate their forces; any measure by which an army fails army to repel repeated assaults from larger forces. Lion
is a flaw that can be exploited and ultimately lead to Clan assault teams have noted the Daidoji's increased
its downfall. Each measure within Leadership contains use of deception on the field, as well as an alarming
instruction for generals on how to properly command increase in brutality.
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

TOMES O F LEADERS H I P A N D I N F LUEN CE

Much like Akodo's Leadership, the works listed M I RU MOTo's NI TEN
below helped to shape Rokugan's samurai into
what they are today : Niten, which means "Two Swords," is a fighting
form developed by Mirumoto and recorded by
KAK I TA's THE SWORD his adopted son, Hojatsu. The essay Niten pres­
ents five stances developed specifically for two­
Kakita believed that swordsmanship was an art weapon fighting. Developed with the goal of
form, and that it could be honed, as the samu­ killing gracefully and efficiently, the niten tech­
rai had done with calligraphy and ikebana, into nique and the essay on it teach not just how to
something beautiful. "One soul, one sword, one move and how to strike, but also how to think.
strike" served as Kakita's mantra as he developed Niten masters act with uncanny perception and
the techniques of iaijutsu, the art of the fast draw. wield their blades with deadly precision. "There is
His forms would become the foundation of fenc­ no thought, there is only the will. Will your oppo­
ing in Rokugan. The Sword also outlined the rules, nent to be killed; your mind, body, and blade will
techniques, and necessity of the art of the duel become as one, and make it so."
in Rokugan. A duel is not just a confrontation
of swords, but of souls. When a samurai loses a TH E TAO OF SHINSEI
duel, it exposes a flaw not in their technique, but
in themselves. Shinsei developed the Tao in the earliest years
of the Empire, during the War against Fu Leng.
BAYU S H l 'S LIES Most Rokugani consider it the definitive treatise
on humanity, spirituality, and the nature of the
"If telling a lie could save the life of the Emperor, world. The original copy of the finished work rests
should it still be considered dishonorable?" Bay ­ in a place of honor in the libraries of the lsawa,
ushi's Lies i s remarkably candid-and horrifyingly and it has been duplicated for study in every major
honest. Bayushi's book exposed a Rokugan that library in Rokugan. To this day, the Tao of Shinsei
was superficially filled with trust, fidelity, and continues to bring hope and compassion to the
honeyed words of honor, but was still driven by lives of all the denizens of the Empire. For the
humanity's lust for power. Despite its duplicitous samurai, monks, and even peasants of Rokugan, it
subject matter, Lies was created with a noble pur­ is a way for them to better their lives and the lives
pose in mind. Bayushi feared that an Emperor fed of others. Members of the Kolat, a secret society,
only pleasant truths would be na·ive and vulnera­ believe it validates their ruthless quest to topple
ble to betrayal. the Celestial Order.

The Daidoji diverge from the rest of the Crane fam­

QUOTES FROM
ilies in their acceptance of gaijin invention in their tac­ THE GREAT LI BRARY
tical library, kept in a secret wing known only to the AT KY UDEN ISAWA
AKODO'S LE.AOE.RSHIP

Daidoji family daimyo and their most trusted advisors.

"No enemy was ever The lsawa family keeps the largest library in Rokugan,
With the exception of the Unicorn, all the G reat Clans
a massive repository of knowledge on every subject
overcome by repeating the
learned the foundations of their tactics from the teach­
imaginable. The library is so enormous that it is broken
same strategy. Innovation
creates victory. "
ings of Akodo and Sun Tao. The Daidoji have accepted
into three wings, each large enough to equal most other
that to truly innovate, they must be willing to look else­
libraries on its own. The Ethereal Wing contains informa­
where. For most Crane families, this would be a detest­
tion unique to the Phoenix that delves into the realm of
able idea, but the Daidoji have collected scrolls from
the spiritual. It is the most complete known collection of
destroyed gaijin raiding teams and smuggling vessels.
invocations, rituals, and information regarding shugenja
These tactics from the most unthinkable of sources lie
in Rokugan. The Resplendent Wing is dedicated to
waiting to be unleashed upon an unwitting foe.
great works of art, poems, and epics from across the
Empire. The final section, the Corporeal Wing, houses
histories, herald ry, and legal documentation.

2-0
 CHAPT E R 1 : GLO RIO U S H ISTO RIE S

Many of the histor ic events captured in the docu­

I KOMA NAKIDORI
ments of the Great Library are first-person accounts.
THE OFFICE OF THE
JADE CHAMPION
Shiba was an avid observer and wr iter during his time in ADVERSARY CONFLICT RANK: f.J 2 � 1
the Empire , and he va lued personal perspective when Longing fo adve n tu re, lkoma Nakido ri conside rs he r­
r When the Emp i re still had

document ing history. Rather than being s imply factua l se lf to be a songb i rd locked away in the g i lded cage
aJade Champion -tht

recitations, many of the historic accounts in the Great

leading defender o f the
of the High H istories, also ca l led the lkoma L ib ra r ies. realm from he retical
L ibrary are poetic and e icit emotiona connection.
l
l Having been tra ined as a ba tt le c r ie r, Nakido ri ea rned th reats -an office and

early commendations on the battlefield a nd wa lked quarters we re built

H I G H H I STO RI E S w ith pride and g lory a longside bushi. She was known
for them in the G reat
Libra ry. No other lib ra ry
to be fearless, and her wa r songs we re fuel for the f i re
OF TH E I KOMA rag ing in the soldie rs o f her company. One ove rzea l­
could offer the ex tensive
records needed to safely
In the late first century during the reign of Hantei Genji, ous cha rge and a grievous leg i n ju ry ended her ca reer resea rch and enfo rce

the l ibra r ies at Kyuden lkoma (Sacred Watch Pa lace) afield and f orced her instead to an assig nmen t in the
spi r itualjustice. Though

became the officia lly recogn ized repos tory of the High H istor ies. There, she is both ela ted a nd to r­
i the office is no longer
occupied, tire lsawa
recorded h istory of the Empire. The lkoma h istoria ns mented by the sort ing, wr it ing, and memoriz i ng of the family still maintains it
keep meticu lous records of every moment of note in tactica l h istory of the Lion , her sp i r it end less ly cha rged out o f respect for those
Rokugan , from persona l duels to major battles, from w ith stories of g lorious wa rfa re, a nd f orever re m i nded who held the position in

Imperia l proclamations to the wh imsies of cou r t, from of what she w i ll never aga in be a pa rt of. Ever du t ifu l,
the past and in case it is

sa m ura i b irths to deaths. The reco rds in the H ig h H is­

ever needed in the futu re.
N a kidori is g lad to help any pa tron of th e lib ra ries w th i
Some Rokuga ni even whis­
to ries-a nother nam e for th e lkoma Libra ries-a re th e ir studies of h is tory a nd ta ct ics, though she yea rns per that tire position is
prese rved by mon ks dedicated to se rving th e lkoma for a day she m ight esca pe to once aga in sta nd beside not actually vacant -that
h istoria ns. These mon ks ca refu lly org a n ize th e dizzy ing wa rriors a nd lig ht th e ir sou ls afla me.
it wasjust made mo re

a mou nt of information th at th e h istorians reco d da i ly, r secretive to facilitate the

: :::.:· ,,:::::: :
defense of the Empi re
com pi l ing accou nts fro m scouts a nd in de l ivered scro l ls, from the threat of mahii.
fro m eyes a nd ea rs stretch in g a ll across th e vast reach es
of Roku ga n . Th e co l lection here is consta nt ly reviewed
by h istoria n s, d i p lomats , co u rt attend a nts, gen e ra ls,
a n d a ll m a n ner of sa m u ra in need of kn ow led g e .
i
35 S TATUS •
FOCU S 5
Stori n g such a mass ive a m o u nt o f inform ation is
•
a co lossa l task . Whi le doc u ments on h isto ri c fig u res, �+ 2, �-2 VIG ILANCE 3
poet ry, wa r, law, h e ra ld ry, th e ka m i, and oth er major DEM EANOR PASSIONATE
su bj ects a re a lways readi ly ava la b le , th e m o re es ote ric
i

m inut ae of h istory a re filed awa y in the spa ce-sa ving

i i. R T ISi. � I MARTIAL 1 S C H O LA R ·1 SOCIAL 2 TRADE O

dzu ka , a se ri es of na rrow passageways between th e

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAG(S
main floors of th e l b ra ry. Scro l ls th e re a re st l l o rga­
i i

nized, but they a re tightly packed in efficient racks. I nspiring Presence: War Inju ry:
@ Martial; In terpe rsonal � Martia l; Physical
It s im poss ble to walk u p r ght th rough th ese a reas;
i i i

typically, the attendant monks pe rform th e less-than­ Historian:

gra cefu l task of hunting down reco rds for samu rai . � Scholar; Men ta l
Though ch ronicling the comp l ete history of THE HONORED SCRIBE

Rokugan is challenging, it is also an hono r, a duty the

FAVOHEO WEAPONS

lkoma have pe rformed with the utmost ca re and rev­ Wakizashi: Range 0-1, Damage 4, Deadliness 5/ 7 ,
The Emperor graced the
lkoma fam ily with the
erence for centuries. The information held in the High Ce remonial , Concealable, Razo r-edged task of recording the
Histor es, including some of the most ancient texts in
i

Gear (equipped): Scholar's robes (Physical 1) , sham­

Empire 's histo ry after

the Empire, has been refe renced by many Emperors lkoma Noritobe wrote
isen, calligraphy set, scroll satchel
and used to save countless lives. The centerpiece of
h is epic The Prince of
Heaven detailing the life
the High Histories is a set of unaltered copies of Ako­ I\BILITIES of a young Hantei Genji.
do's Leadersh ip, Mirumoto 's Niten, Kakita 's The Sword,
L I O N EXPERTIS E Noritobe's remains rest
and Bayushi 's Lies, all taken directly from the original in a place of honor in the
When l koma Nakidori assists another character mak­
sou rces and among the oldest in the Empire.
libra ry, under a scr oll rack

ing a Scholar check involving military or Lion Clan his­ featuring information on

tory, the character may rol l two additional ■ instead the Kami and the dawn of

of just one.
the Empire.

2-1
C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

siege engines, and more. If the Crab were ever able to

turn these weapons of war away from the Shadowlands
ADVENTU RE SEED:
and toward the other Great Clans, it is questionable
CO U NTERFEIT HISTORY whether anyone would be prepared to stop them.
Though the Kaiu have their eyes on the future,
■:r:ffi# The PCs have been invited to a
gathering at the High Histories of the lkoma
their scholars continue to reexamine historic scrolls
to spark their creativity. One collection of documents,
celebrating the anniversary of the Lion's vic­ restricted to Kaiu eyes only, are the documents of the
tory over the Crane at the Battle of the Broken Blue Dreamers.
Daish6. The PCs are asked to help investigate The Blue Dreamers were a group of Kaiu Engineers
when Phoenix historian lsawa Kabesuru pro­ who found that by ingesting the petals of a particu­
duces shocking scrolls suggesting that the Lion lar blue lotus, they would enter a strange, lucid dream
general Matsu Chusun won the battle dishon­ state. In that state, they imagined new inventions fully
orably through deception and assassination, formed and often created detailed diagrams. Curi­
having faked the surrender of Kakita Gosano. ously, while the technology to realize these dream

■@Bfflf.fflii/.ieW Chaos consumes the gath­

ering as documents are found in the libraries
inventions did not exist at the time, it is now possible
to complete some of them. The Blue Dreamer �aiu
Desura, who died in 445, envisioned numerous inven­
that seem to be a confession from General
tions with unrivaled destructive capabilities that have
Chusun. In light of these contradictory find­
just become possible to construct.
ings, Kabesuru immediately threatens to peti­
The blue lotus that allowed the Blue Dreamers to
tion the Emperor to make the lsawa family,
enter this state is grown in the northwest corner of Uni­
and not the lkoma, the official historians of
corn lands. However, in recent decades the Unicorn
the Empire. As the PCs continue to investi­
Clan, for unstated reasons, has refused to part with any
gate the validity of the documents and the
of its supply.
intentions of the l sawa, they soon find them­
selves fighting to save their honor and their
lives: notes are uncovered implicating them SECRET H ISTORY
in a plot against the Lion, seemingly written O F TH E U N ICORN
by their own hands!
The written histories of the Unicorn are unique among
ISiinfi@ The PCs' attempts to redeem those of the Great Clans. Early in the Empire's his­
themselves uncover a plot woven by an tory, the Ki-Rin, who would become the Unicorn Clan,
unparalleled artisan. Kabesuru has joined began their mass exodus from Rokugan. Ide himself
forces with Kakita Oryosu, a skilled calligra­ began to chronicle their wondrous travels and every­
pher and even better forger, who is more than thing they encountered outside of Rokugan. Adapting
happy to restore the honor of Kakita Gosano the nomadic way s of the Ujik, the Ki-Rin kept their
and destroy the reputation of the Lion and its history in the minds of their storytellers. These storytell­
allies. Now that the two have had their con­ ers, or kuurch , would memorize vast genealogies and
spiracy uncovered, they can't afford to let the stretches of history and then share them with people
PCs live to spoil their plan. through stories, music, and art.
The earliest records of the Secret History of th e Uni­
com include not only a rt an d song, but symbols lifted
from natu re and animals, concepts that are not easily
KAI U E N G I N EERI N G translated back into Rokugani but are understood by
ACADEMY those raised in the Unicorn's culture. In the y ear 1 38,
the Ki-Rin learned a form of calligraphy from Shima
Located in Shiro Kaiu (Carpenter Castle), the Kaiu Engi­
Khilan, a captured Caliphate scholar, and soon began
neering Academy is where the greatest inventions of
transcribing their existing h istories.
the Empire are created. The only school in the Empire
Since· their return to Rokugan, the Unicorn have
devoted solely to the creation of technologies, the
translated a version of what they refer to as the Golden
Engineering Academy creates increasingly cunning
History for the rest of the clans to see, highlighting the
and deadly traps, ballistae, alchemical fire launchers,
beauty of the world surrounding the Empire. However,
the shrewd Unicorn have not revealed the full depth In time, the most important function of Castle of
of their accumulated information. Still trapped away in the Swift Sword took shape: it became the home of the QUOTES FROM

their symbolism, art, and song, and in writings in gaijin Akodo War College. Initially a small, simple dojo ded­
AKODO'S LEADERSHIP

languages, are the most ancient and valuable pieces icated to the teachings of Akodo, it grew into one of "Lady Sun and Lord Moon
of their wisdom. Battlefield tactics, secret travel routes the two most prestigious military schools in Rokugan, made us with a left hand
around the edges of the Empire, ancient magics, and along with the Kakita Dueling Academy. Some of the and a rig/rt hand. In tire

their vital horse-breeding procedures are all hidden greatest tacticians and warriors of the Empire have
left hand goes the text,

where no other clan can reach them, behind the barri­ come from the War College, and it is said that no grad­
and in the right hand
goes tire sword. Remem­
ers of language. uate has ever lost a battle. Even if that is not quite true, ber this. "
it is telling that the school's reputation for greatness
AKODO WAR CO LLEGE has not wavered throughout centuries of conflict.

In the second century, Lion Clan Champion Akodo

Tokoyama ordered the construction of a new castle,
TRA I N I N G G RO U N DS

one symbolic of the Lion Clan's reverence for history As the oldest military academy in Rokugan, the Akodo
and tradition. Hayaken no Shiro, or Castle of the Swift War College has changed little since its inception.
Sword (see page 62), was built to reflect elegance, It continues to teach the same curriculum passed
simplicity, and strength in the manner of Akodo. This down from Akodo to his own followers during the
strategically important location would be the fortress War against Fu Leng. Even small changes to Akodo's
home of the Kitsu family and would house a temple teaching methods are frowned upon by instructors in
and shrines to memorialize the race for whom they the War College; they believe that his words are to be
were named: the lionlike, shapeshifting kitsu. taught unaltered.
C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

Although the teach ings of the Wa r Col lege h ave

rem a ined static over the centuries, the scope of the
school has not. What was once a simple dojo has grown
ADVENTU RE SEED:
tremendously, and Castle of the Swift Sword is now one B LIG HTED PROCESSIO N

■:ifflj#
of the major m i l itary strongholds of the Lion C l a n . The
centra l castle sti l l looks m u ch the same as it did when its The PCs a re among those i nvited
construction was complete, its traditional design und is­ to atten d a m i l itary procession at the Akodo
tu rbed by war or changing tastes. H owever, a round the Wa r College. l koma Uj iaki and commanders
centra l pagoda , the school has added tra i n ing g rounds of the I mperi a l Legions w i l l be there recru it­
a n d ba rracks for many bush i , as wel l as storage space i n g new g ra d uates as sergea nts for their
for provisions for the ever-expa nding a rmy. H i g h-ra n k­ a rm ies. The night before the parade, how­
i n g samura i from every Lion fam i ly vie for space with in ever, a mysterious i l l n ess strikes many of the
the castle walls. The l koma m a i nta in a peerless l i bra ry Lion present, i n c l u d i n g a l l of the clan's new
of m i l ita ry h i story a n d tactica l records in the castle, the Wa r College g ra d u ates.
M atsu use it as a way station for troops on the move,
and the Akodo headqu a rter their war room there . As a ■,jffij,i.f4fij..j,p The PCs i n vestigate the
mysterious i l l ness a s the Lion Clan prepa res
resu lt, students of the Wa r College learn the tactics of
to l ose face before the visitin g com m a nders
every bra n ch of the Lion a n d spar with every conceiv­
of the I mperi a l Leg ions. Sch o l a rs resea rch the
able type of opponent before their g raduation.
affliction medica l ly, and bushi search for fou l
play, but shugenja suspect that some fore i g n
C U RRICULUM m a g i c h a s b rought this upon the g ra d uates­
A t t h e h e a rt o f Castle o f t h e Swift Sword is a s i n g l e g a ij i n m a g i c in particu l a r. Following the tra i l
p u rpose: war. A t any g iven time, thousands of warriors t o its source, t h e PCs d i scover a h idden ca m p
a re statio n ed in or a ro u n d the castle for tra i n i n g . Kiai conta i n i n g t h e n otorious gaijin bandit Kelsa
shouts a n d the ri n g i n g of stee l can be heard throughout Talar and her stea lthy warriors. Ta l a r can be
the day, m uffled only by the low ru m b l e of h u n d reds of represented with the Skil lful Ron i n profi l e
stom p i n g feet as soldiers con d u ct d ri l l i n g maneuvers o n page 3 1 6 of the core ru l ebook, while h e r
outside the w a l l s . The Wa r College accepts only bushi warriors can use the Experienced B a n d it a n d
with noble heritage o r who h ave demonstrated excep­ Desperate Bandit profi les on p a g e s 3 1 5 a n d
tional performance in the fie l d . Although its student 3 1 6 of the core ru lebook.
population-a n d therefore, g a rrison-is sma l ler than
other m i l ita ry academ ies, its e l ite wa rrio rs wou l d match
liherEfW Talar boasts that she plans to
k i l l the PCs and then take the weakened cas­
the m ettle of any force that m i g ht dare to attack. tle, but that strains credu lity, even with the ill­
The Akodo Wa r College d ivides its cu rricu l u m i nto n ess sweeping the college grounds. Secretly,
three seaso n a l courses. Students engage in rigorous she was h i red to compromise the Lion before
physical tra i n i n g a n d weapon mastery through the the a rrival of the commanders of the I m perial
summer a n d fa l l , fol l owed by wi nter classes i n p h i los­ Legions so as to shame the clan . Her actual plan
ophy, tactics, and Bushido. I n the spri n g , the practica l is to l eave the a rea shortly and return to U nicorn
and phi losophica l a re com b i n ed in wa r g a m es. They l ands, where she gained her assignment.
a re expected to set a sterl i n g exa m p l e for a l l sa m u ra i
serving a longside them or u n d e r their com m a n d .
T h e students a t t h e Castle o f t h e Swift Sword a re
M I N D A N D BODY
among the best-trained and most recogn ized samu­
rai upon their graduation, but they all stil l aspire to be Adj o i n i n g the Wa r Col l ege is the l koma H a l l of Scri bes.
selected for the u pper echelon of the War Col lege: officer Though s m a l ler than the H ig h H i stories-th e l i braries
training. Officers learn to lead groups of soldiers, to make at Kyuden l koma-it is sti l l a very l a rge l i bra ry, fu l l of
tactica l assessments, and to organize sieges. Officer vita l i nformation for any m i l ita ry sch o l a r. Developed as
candidates must learn from, and pass tests in, five dojo, a n a i d to the Wa r College, it conta ins enormous sec­
displaying mastery over the five measures described in tions on a l l topics that cou l d be of a i d to future m i l ita ry
Akodo's Leadership. Trained by the most experienced campaigns. Scro l l s about a rchitectu re provide i nforma­
and decorated teachers in the Empire, officers from the tion that ca n toppl e defensive insta l lations. Civics les­
War Col lege a re virtu a l ly guaranteed a n honorable com­ sons offer insight i nto contro l l i n g a conquered people.
mand and a career serving with distinction. Geographical stu d i es can revea l n ew paths by which
 (

C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I STO R I E S

make him no friends in court o r among the more con­

servative ranking officers of the Lion Clan. Having the
RELICS FROM
T E NJ I N , LE SSER good sense to stay away from formal affairs, Doju can
BEFORE THE FALL

FORT U N E OF STO RI E S usually be found showing off his battle prowess in the Among the rarest and

AN D S E CRETS d6j6 or talking up his military victorie? in sake houses. most unusual items to

He adores his mother more than anyone and takes her

be found in the High

In nearly every g reat library of Rokugan is a agg ressive combat training to heart. However, from
Histories are scrolls that
predate Doji's invention
shrine to the Fortune Tenjin. The Hig h Histo­ his father, Doju has inherited a love of dramatic histo­ of the kanji writing
ries incorporate many such shrines through­ ries and an unusually warm and open manner toward system. Many of these

out their immense collection space. A poet his friends. feature pictographs used

of exceptional skill and minimal tact, Akodo Among the small contingent of soldiers under his
by the cultures that were

Tenjin was executed for offending Hantei command, Doju is known as a demanding but gener­
present in the region
before the Kami fell to
I l l with the bluntness of one of his poems. ous and g regarious leader. To his superior officers, he's the Mortal Reolm. Within

When a plague subsequently fell over the known as "that one who keeps making unsupported these images, scholars

Imperial Court, the Hantei sought forgiveness charges into enemy lines, but somehow manages to
have found curious and

and elevated Tenjin to the status of Fortune. come back alive." Friend and foe alike know him for his
recurring drawings
depicting things such
Since that time, writers have come to Tenjin's deafening war cries on the battlefield, instilling hope as people with snakelike
shrines seeking knowledge and guidance, in his allies and terror in the opposition. lkoma Tsanuri lower bodies and human­

leaving secrets as offerings in return. said of him after the last battle for Tosh i Ranbo, "There sized rodents in coats

ii� '"'"""'
is no Lion who roars louder."
standing before gleaming
towers. While some schol­
ars (and Hiruma Scouts}
to safely march troops or disclose natural barriers that know the identities of

can trap an enemy force. All students of the War Col­ 60 """°' 1
some of these nonhuman

lege are expected to have a well-rounded education

"
beings, the images'
4 meanings and why they
to keep them adaptable and capable in any situation.
:� :::�: �.�' "::::: 1�
are so common remain a
mystery.

PRE S E N C E OF T H E S U PE RNATU RAL

@ + 2, @-2 VIGILANCE 2
The presence of kitsu sh rines makes the War College D E M EANOR AGGRESSIVE
subject to an unusual amount of supernatural activity.
The Temple of Listening Ghosts, resting not far from ! A RT I S AN o IMMR\NiiiMUHMWMfM T RA DE 0

the gates of the War College in a secluded clearing ,

is a regular destination for those reverent of the past.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Forever tinged with regret, the temple is a monument Inspiring Presence: Flam boya nt:
to the nobility of the kitsu people, who are assumed @ Ma rtial; In terpersonal � Social; In terpersonal
extinct, and to the shame still felt for the genocide the Rounded Education:
samurai led against them in ancient times. All members � Scholar; Mental
of the Kitsu family travel to this sh rine at least once in
their lifetime to remember the tragedy that begat their FAVORED WEAl•ONS

family. However, bold students from the War College G raduate's Katan a :Range 1 , Damage 4, Deadliness
visit there as well, as the spirits of kitsu are rumored 5/7 , Ceremonial, Durable, Razor-edged
to sometimes emerge and give quests to samurai of
Gear (eq ui pped): Personalized armor (Physical 3 ,
particular bloodlines.
Resplendent, Wargear), wakizashi

MATSU O0J U Alll LITllS

ADVERSARY CONFLICT RANK: tJ 5 ♦2 ROAR OF T H E L I O N

A s a Scheme and Support action during a ski rmish,
A g raduate of the Akodo War College who combines
Doju may receive up to 3 strife to force the same num­
the fury of his Matsu mother and the braggadocio of his
ber of enemy characters at range 0-3 to make a TN 2
lkoma father, Matsu Doju encompasses all the skill and
Med itation check (Earth 1 , Air 3). Each character who
passion of the Lion Clan. Doju's ostentatious nature;
fails suffers the Dazed condition.
his hair, colored radiant gold like a Lion's mane; and
his kimono, adorned with outlandish animal imagery,

2.s
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

THE RISE O F THE EM PI RE

What is referred to as the rise of the Empire was n ot
QUOTES FROM Confl i ct has troubled the Emera l d E m p i re for most of a specific battle or conflict. Rather, it was the m i l ita ry,
AKODO'S LEADERSHIP
its eleven centuries. The vast majority of this h i stori­ cu ltura l, and spi ritua l campaign to fou n d , u n ify, a n d
"Nothing is more ca l strife has been loca l i n scope: skirmishes and bor­ consolidate the nascent Emera l d Empire a ft e r the fa l l
important than the art of der d isputes between the clans, a n d sometimes even of t h e Kam i from t h e Celestial H eavens. Roku g a n 's ca l ­
warfare, for it protects all with i n them, as the ru l i n g sa m u ra i have bickered over enda r system, the l sawa Calendar, sets as y e a r 1 the
other art. "
l a n d , resou rces, and matters of honor. Such confl icts year when a blazin g l ight rent the sky and the Ka m i
n u m ber in the thousands. N everthe l ess, relatively few fel l t o N i ngen-do, t h e M o rt a l Rea l m . F o r t h e n ext
m i l ita ry actions h ave swept up a l l of Roku g a n , affecting two hundred years, the Ka m i spread their influence
the entire Empire. Those that h ave done so have been across Rokugan, bu i lding an end u ring empire throug h
pivota l , both i n the affa i rs of govern ment and i n the ruth l ess expa nsion .
evol ution of Rokug a n i m i l itary p h i l osophy and practice. Despite what the official h i stories may say, Rokugan
The fol l owing sections describe the m ost important was not born the moment the Kam i la nded in the Mor­
Empire-wide m i l ita ry actions, with pa rticu l a r emphasis ta l Rea l m . I m mediately thereafter, each Ka m i began to
on the ways i n which they h ave shaped the Empire's explore the lands in which they found themselves. I n
approach to wa rfa re. those l a n d s , they encountered diverse peoples who
encom passed a wide ra nge of cultures, beliefs, and
systems of governa nce. Each Ka m i met people who
would change their perspective and l ife, and in turn,
each Kam i 's actions shaped and changed the l ives of
THE WAR the people they encou ntered. Some of the Ka m i i m me­
AGAI N ST F U LEN G d i ately set a bout esta b l i s h i n g domains of their own ,
w h i l e others were pushed i nto positions of leadersh ip
Shortly after they fel l from the H eavens, the by their new fol l owers. Although each Ka m i 's a rriva l
eight Kam i who h a d descended into the had a momentous i m pact, whether for good or for i l l ,
lands that wou l d become Rokug a n h e l d a these divine beings each strugg led with t h e pu rpose
tou rn a ment to select o n e of their n u m be r of their new morta l l ife . Eventu a l ly, due to the Ka m i
as Emperor. U po n preva i l i n g , H a ntei l e d H a ntei 's efforts, t h e scattered s i b l i n g s reconvened. This
those Ka m i a s they set a b o u t expa n d i n g a n d u ltimately led to a tournament, through which H a ntei
conso l i dati n g t h e i r n ew Empire . S o o n after­ assumed the title of Emperor, beco m i n g Roku g a n 's fi rst
ward , h owever, the s i b l i ngs' l ost brother Fu I m peri a l leader. The other Kam i then traveled out i nto
Len g , who h a d fa l len a p a rt from them into the world a n d beg a n to b u i l d what wou l d become the
the h e l l ish rea l m known as Jigoku, a rrived G reat Clans of the E m p i re .
and demanded his opportun ity to become
Em peror-for they had held the tou rn a ment
A L E GACY O F S T RI F E
i n his a bsence, abandoning him to his bitter
fate instead of searching for h i m . When the Two tumultuous centu ries passed, d u ring which the
eight Kam i rebuked Fu Len g , he u n l eashed g rowing Em pire faced a l m ost constant confl ict. The
hordes of demons a n d other monstrosities, Wa r against Fu Leng comprised m uch of the strife,
spa rkin g a bitter war that wou l d l a st decades but by no means a l l of it. The eight Ka m i had a l ready
and shape Rokug a n forever. swayed a n u m ber of g ro u ps to their cause through
The eight Kam i and their fol lowers fought th e i r charisma, cu n n i n g , and force of arms. These
many battles against Fu Leng's hordes during groups were coalescing into the begin nings of the
this time, but despite their best efforts, they Great Clans. Some neighboring kingdoms and clans
stood at the precipice of defeat. Then, in the saw the Ka m i as threats or as assets they wished to pos­
year 42, a sma l l group of morta l heroes selected ses s, and they moved to crush the domains the Ka m i
by Shinsei made a final, desperate attack on were buil d i n g . A n era o f chaos emerged, as countless
Fu Leng h imself. Those heroes, known as the factions struggled for dom i n a nce. Th e wars waged i n
Seven Thunders, saved Rokugan and ended this time va ried . Sometimes, t h e nascent G reat C l a n s
the war. This struggle is known to virtu a l ly a l l fought to defend themselves from aggressors. A t other
Rokugani, b u t h o w much o f i t is historical fact times, they were themselves the aggressors, striking to
and how m uch is heroic myth is no longer clear. seize land or resources held by neighboring g roups.
The Emperor's Ka mi sib l i ngs i n Rokugan were at the

u
hea rt of these endeavors, each pursu i n g their own
 /

C H A PT E R 1 : G LO R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

goals and attempting to sway the Emperor to their ide­ As a result, bitter fighting often erupted between
als. Seemingly invincible in battle against mortal foes, the early clans and those who rejected their way of life.
IMPERIALISM I N

unnaturally capable and convincing, these demigods Increasingly, any people who opposed the rule of the
ROKUGAN

changed the world in many ways-some good, some long-lived Kami or denied their divinity faced the Great Rokugan is a fictional
terrible. For every monster slain or famine averted, a Clans' violence and destruction. The· Kami had begun empire, but it does

village burned or part of a cultural legacy vanished. something greater than themselves, and for all their
reflect the history of

And yet, despite the Kami's power, many humans power, it was now beyond them to halt it. Whether
real-world imperial
powers in some ways,
balked at bending their knee to the strange, semidi­ they wanted this legacy or not, the landslide could no including conquest, the
vine beings who had literally fallen from the sky. The longer be stopped. erasure of cultures, and

societies the Kami were shaping also began to move Conflicts continued to rage both within the clans'
more. The inclusion

in ways the Kami could not have predicted-save per­ lands and against outside powers. Ultimately, the Kami's
of these events in
Rokugan's history
haps inscrutable Togashi. From the start, some people followers achieved victory over their opponents, whether is not intended to
sought to use these divine beings for their own ends: driving them from their lands, subjugating them, or cul­ rationalize or create
as tools with which to subjugate their neighbors or to turally assimilating them. Some groups became inte­ entertainment from

secure their own power within society. Then, as time grated into the Emerald Empire without losing their
atrocities, but rather

passed and the Empire began to crystallize, Rokugani identities. The lsawa, for instance, still maintain the
to present a world that
has problems resonant
humans increasingly identified with the Great Clans the unique culture they brought with them from the north with those of our own .
Kami had formed. The Kami had not, for the most part, thousands of years ago, and a number of the diverse Even so, GMs and
tried to push any ideology on humans. However, their set of groups called the Yobanjin accepted a degree of
players should discuss

connection to Tengoku, the Celestial Heavens, became Imperial rule and doctrine but also maintained their own
how comfortable they
are exploring these
increasingly important to their children and grandchil­ cultural traditions. Other Yobanjin societies left the lands themes before deciding
dren and those of their earliest followers. These descen­ claimed by the Kami and settled in the Great Wall of whether and how to
dants sought power by emphasizing their progenitors' the North mountain range, within Rokugan's ostensible delve into them.

divinity or closeness to the divine. bounds but beyond reach of the Emperor's power. Still,
C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

the G reat Clans destroyed some kingdoms a n d peo­

pl es, or su bsumed them so fu l ly into the Empire that
THE BATTLE O F
their cultures van ished forever. REGRET'S S HADOW
The g rowi ng G reat C l a n s a l so fou g ht one a n other
In the ea rly second century, the Lion Clan received a
as they vied for control of land a n d resou rces to support
d ra m atic opportun ity to prove its m a rtial supremacy
their g rowi ng popu lations. For the m ost part, the Ka m i
over the oth er c l a n s . This came a bout when it waged
d i d seek to use negotiation a n d compro m ise whenever
war a g a i n st the rebe l l ious forces of Doj i Ta kamori,
possi ble, worki ng to i n sti l l concepts of sta b l e gover­
the so-ca l l ed B l oody Cra n e , who dared to look at the
n a n ce a n d d i p l o m a cy in their fo l l owers. N evertheless,
I m peri a l T h ro n e with eyes of avarice.
even the m ost peacefu l a m o n g them , such as Doj i ,
embraced a genera l ly m a rtial p h i l osophy-refl ecti n g
t h e i r youthfu l experi e n ces i n Te n goku-a nd be l i eved
To C LA I M A T H RO N E
it necessa ry to wield m i l itary power a g a i n st their sib­ B y the second centu ry, i t appeared that the g rowi n g
l i ngs' fo l l owers from time to ti m e . Some of the more E m e r a l d E m p i re w a s i n i t s cultura l ascendancy. Those
a g g ressive a n d m i l itant, such as Akod o, even saw wa r who opposed it were scatte red, and few major pow­
as desira b l e , believing it to be a fa r m o re orderly a n d e rs sti l l opposed the m i g ht of the H a ntei l i neage.
decisive state for a soci ety than the e n d l ess, sch e m i n g Appearan ces can be deceivi n g , h owever. Su bversive
pol itics preferred b y s o m e o f h i s s i b l i n g s . elem ents l u rked with i n the E m p i re's socia l stru ctu re .
By t h e time t h e second century e n d e d , the bor­ From a m o n g them, a m a n named Doj i Ta kamori rose
ders of the E m p i re a n d between the c l a n s were l a rgely to pro m i nence. N ickn a med "the B l oody Cra n e " for
esta b l ished. They h ave varied somewhat over the ensu­ h i s ruthl ess approach to confl i ct, Ta kamori sought to
i n g e i g ht centuries, but there a re few i n sta n ces i n which g a i n a n d conso l i d ate infl u ence a m o n g the G reat Clans.
a c l a n h a s l ost l a rg e tracts of territory for more than a Over the course of severa l years, he asse m b led a coa­
short period of time. This is n ot, h owever, because the l ition a m o n g the Cra n e , Phoen ix, and Scorpion Clans
E m p i re h a s avoided strife . Though it h a s n ever rea ched a n d even some mem bers of the I m pe ri a l fa m i l ies.
the b l oodshed of the fou n d i n g days of the E m p i re, the
e ra known as the Thousand Years of Peace h a s a ctu a l ly
been characterized by n e a r-consta nt confl i ct.

L E SSO N S OF H I STO RY

The fu n d a menta l nature of war i n the Emerald E m p i re

If ttt I · / t1tf
derives l a rgely from this ea rly period of its h i story.
Wh i l e the Ka m i-pa rti c u l a rly Akodo-i ntrod uced their

1t1ftt � t 11 I
own m a rtia l ideas a n d p h i l osoph ies, th ese m ixed with
those of their orig i n a l fo l l owers, g i v i n g rise to a hybrid
culture of war that sti l l h o l d s sway today. For i n sta n ce, TAKAMORl'S
MAIN FORCE
the use of bows was a l ready we l l esta b l ished by the

JI
reg i o n 's i n h a bitants, but they g e n e ra l ly deployed �
a rchers i n sm a l l , loose formations of skirmishers. The TAKAMORl'S
1 ff I
1ft ltt
BLOC K I N G FORC E

ttlt
su bseq uent e m p l oyment of bows i n massed and dis­
c i p l i ned u n its of a rchers, fi ring i n a coord i n ated m a n ­

11 ft
ner, w a s a n i n n ovation t h a t beca m e widespread u n d e r

�
Akodo. Akodo a l so revo l ution ized the use o f wartime
spies, often turn i n g agents sent to observe him back
TOKOYAMA'S
on t h e i r masters thro u g h fa lse i nformation or bribery. I NTERC EPTING
FORCE
U n d e r the g u idance of the Ka m i , the m i l itary fo rces
of Roku g a n a n d , in fact, m u ch of its soc i a l a n d pol iti­
ca l stru ctu re, came to m i rror the h i e ra rchy and o rder of
Ten g o k u . This model has proven sta ble, and without it,
it is certa i n l y poss i b l e that the Emera ld E m p i re wou ld
not h ave become such a d u ra b l e i n stituti o n .
 CHAPTE R 1 : G LO RIO U S H ISTO RIE S

By the year 1 20, Takamor i 's fo llowing had grown large shadows and wait ing to st r ike. The Empe ror may once
enough to begin worrying the Emperor, Hantei Gen j i, more find it necessary to ca ll upon the Lio n to protect
also known as the Shining Prince. the Th rone from such sedition.
To most observers, the support Takamori had
T
assembled reflected his sheer po litical acumen. In T H E BA T L E O F
reality, however, T akamori was a man of endless ambi­
tion-one who knew that the world had existed befo re
B RO K E N H OOVE S
the Kami and planned to be the one to ru le the world In the fourth centu ry -and for the fi rst time since the
after they were gone. By 1 23, the Empe ror had begun War against Fu Leng -the Empi re was assa iled by a
to discer n genuine sed ition simmering among T akam­ serious externa l th rea t. This was a g roup of Uj ik ho rse
or i 's coa lition. The Shin ing Prince therefore approac�ed lords, a largely nomadic people who live on the steppes
Lion Clan Champ ion Akodo Tokoya ma and instructed and grasslands to the northwest and west of Rokuga n.
him to prepare to stand aga inst T akamor i, whom he The term Uj ik is somewha t misleading, suggesti ng a
l
be ieved would soon make a move on the Th rone. sing le, coherent g roup. I n fact, the U j ik enco m pass a
Su re enough , in the spring of 1 24, Ta ka mori began wide and d iverse array of cu ltu res, rel ig ious bel ie fs,
marsha ling a force west of the Mounta ins of Regret, and even ethnic ities. The com mon factor un iting them
a rugged , forbidding range in northeaster n Rokugan . is th eir pencha n t for l iving a p rima ri ly nomadic l ifestyle
Ta ka mor i 's stated purpose was to ma rch his forces in wh ich horses play a ce n t ra l role.
north a nd confront the Yobanjin , an independent peo­ As a resu lt, the Ujik a re s uperlat ive ride rs, using
ple who st i ll had confl icts w ith the Phoen ix a nd Dra gon horses not on ly for t ra nsport, bu t a lso in wa r -to the
Cla ns in th ose days . Tokoya ma harbored susp icions, extent that th e concept of fig hting on foot, as i n fan­
however, and assem b led h is own army at Loya lty Cas­ try, is essent ia l ly fo re ign to the m . I n the fou rth ce n tu ry,
tle , th e Lion hold ing closest to Ta ka mori 's forces. Rokugan a nd the other na t ions a n d peoples borde ring
In th e late summer of 124, Taka mori made h is th e Uj ik's trad it iona l la nds d id not ma ke extens ive use
i
m ove . He sent a sma ll cover ng force westwa rd to of ca va l ry. Conseq u en tl y, foes on ho rseback typica lly
i
b lock To koya ma 's a rmy long en ough to a llow th e ma n
part of h is a rm y to ma rch on Otosan Uch i a nd se ize the
Th rone . The Lio n Cla n Ch am p ion was ready for th is,
l
thou g h , hav in g a ready de ployed a sm a ll force of h is
i
own to th e ea st of S h ro Akod o . Th e B loody Cra n e's
i l
block n g fo rce wa s itse lf bl ocked , a l ow ing the main
body of Li on troops to inte rcept Ta ka m ori's a rmy nea r
i
the south e rn end of th e M o u nta ns of Reg ret.
Th e en suin g Battle of Reg ret's S h a dow saw th e
Lion repeated ly outmaneuve r th e B loody Crane 's
i i
fo rces, b l ockin g th e r wa y south a n d keep n g th e m on
th e defens ive . U n a b le to seize th e in itiative , Ta ka m o ri
i
soon fou n d h i m se lf h e m m ed in a g a n st the Mounta ins
EMP LAC E D W I CKER SHIELDS
of Reg ret, Lion fo rces closin g i n on him li ke re lentless
111 .. .... ... -

111 1 1111 Hit IHI 1111 1111

pince rs from th e north a n d so uth .
With most of his fo rces scatte red a n d destroyed ,

- --- - -
Takamori made a l a st stand. Witnesses claim he was
decrying the E m peror a n d the Ka m i as ty rants even a fter
1111 44 44 � 44 1111
the a rrow that wou l d shortly ki l l h i m h a d fou n d its m a rk. H 1111 44 44 44 44 111 1
11 1111 illl 1111 1111 Ill! tlll
L E SS O N S O F H I STO RY

The outcom e of the Battle of Reg ret 's Shadow fi rmly

esta b l ished the m i l ita ry p rowess of the Lion-even after
the death of the Kam i Akodo i n the yea r 99-while a lso
clea rly demonstrating the clan 's ongoing ded ication to
the Ka m i a n d the Celestial Ord e r. Despite the Lion 's
success over the B l oody Crane, h oweve r, rumors per­
sist that su bve rsive elements who a i m to end d ivine
ru le over Roku g a n exist to this d a y, hidden i n the
C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

p roved overwhe l m i n g t o t h e Uj ik's opponents. I ndeed, I n it i a l ly, the Uj i k encountered l ittle resista nce, cross­
the only th i n g that l i kely p revented the Uj i k from over­ i n g the G reat Wa l l of the North mounta i n s a n d enteri n g
r u n n i n g their n e i g h bors a n d becom i n g the preem i n ent the E m p i re t h rough the pass now known as the Ki-Ri n 's
power i n the reg ion was their own fra ctious n ature . Path . Cross i n g the S n ow P l a i n , then passing south of
Org a n ized m a i n ly i nto fa m i ly g ro u ps, the Uj i k have D ra g o n 's H e a rt Forest, they fi n a l ly encou ntered the
a h i sto ry of frequent i nfighting-so m eti mes for a ccess westernmost outposts of the Empire, a n a rray of sm a l l
to favored g rassl a n ds a n d som eti m es, it seems, p u rely stron gholds defended b y t h e Lion C l a n . The Lion gar­
for the sake of confl i ct. During rec u rri n g events such as risons, horrifi ed by the sudden a n d wholly u n expected
the c h a n g i n g of seasons a n d various cel esti a l phenom­ a ppea ra n ce of a vast army of mou nted g a ij i n warriors,
e n a , the Uj i k gather i nto l a rger asse m b l i es, a n d these sent u rgent warn i n g s eastwa rd before being overru n .
someti m es war with one a n other. The Roku g a n i l a rgely _The Lion C l a n h a stily asse m b led a n u m ber o f sma l l
rem a i n b l issfu l ly u n awa re of the occasio n a l sweep i n g arm ies a n d fl u n g them i nto the path o f the Ujik, but the
c a m p a i g n s a n d h u g e battles fought a l m ost upon t h e i r Uj i k destroyed them i n a ra pid su ccession of atta cks
weste rn doorstep . they carried out with ruth less precision. Mou nted
a rchers wou l d g a l lop i nto ra n g e of the Lion ra n ks, loose
F U R I O U S I NVAS I O N their a rrows, a n d then wheel away a g a i n before the
Lion cou l d engage them . Once the Lion ra n ks were suf­
I n tbe year 376, h owever, this was not t h e case. A par­ fi ciently depleted and began to waver, a fi n a l , massive
.
l a rl y charismatic leader, known only as the Lord of mou nted c h a rge wou l d overru n their battered l i n es,
ss, h a d risen to pro m i n ence among the Uj ik. During sweep the s u rvivors from the fi e l d , and decisively fi n i sh
e height of h i s i nfl uence, a com et-a lso observed by the battle. See m i n g ly u n stoppa ble, the Lord of G rass
Roku g a n i astrologers-a ppea red i n the eastern skies; pressed on, l e a d i n g his enormous army ever deeper
its ta i l was said to "wipe away half of the sta rs i n the into the E m p i re.
sky. " I m pe ri a l sch o l a rs bel ieve that the Lord of G rass It was apparent to the Lion C l a n C h a m p i o n , Akodo
inte rpreted the comet a s a sign from the Lords of Death , K i m i ko, that sta lwart brave ry and ski l l at a rm s were not
an e n i g matic pantheon wors h i ped by m a n y of the Ujik, g o i n g to be enough to defeat the Uj ik. She therefore
that h e shou l d stri ke east o n a ca m p a i g n of conq u est. traded space fo r time, withdrawi n g her forces eastwa rd
With a vast n u m be r of Uj i k b e h i n d h i m , the Lord of a head of the adva ncing Uj i k a n d avo i d i n g a decisive
G rass l a u nched an offe nsive s l a m m ed i nto e n g a g e m ent. Some Lion com m a nders saw this as
coward i ce, but there was pu rpose to K i m i ko's a ctions.
Having seen the a bys m a l fa i l u re of the Lion 's earl i e r
piecemeal efforts, she concentrated her forces a n d
bolstered them w i t h h asti ly formed l e v i e s o f peasant
troops. At the same time, she studied i nformation pro­
vided by the survivors of the earlier battles i n order to
develop ways to counter the Uji k's stu n n i n g m o b i l ity.
For a l m ost two weeks, Kim i ko m a i nta ined a del icate
b a l a nce between ca refu l l y readying her a rmy to fa ce
the invaders and kee p i n g her own im patient genera l s
a n d com m a n d e rs at bay. F i n a l ly, as the Uj i k cl osed i n o n
Kyuden l koma (Sacred Watch Palace), K i m i ko a rrayed
her a rmy to m eet them on the p l a i n s north of the pal­
ace. This may h ave seemed a n odd choice; the flat,
open te rra i n appeared to favor the use of cava l ry w h i l e
p rovi d i n g l ittl e advantage for the defenders. M o reover,
despite having m a rshaled the l a rgest a rmy she cou ld ,
Ki m i ko a n d her forces were sti l l b a d l y outn u m bered .
When the Battle of B roken H ooves was joined, how­
ever, Kimiko's tactica l c u n n i n g soon beca me apparent.
Sodden rice paddies on her a rmy's right fla n k stym ied
the Uj ik, l i m iting th eir maneuvers to her front and left.
The Lion a lso employed porta b l e shields of wicker and
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

wood, ca rried and placed by the peasant levies, which

shelter ed the ranks of samurai from the worst of their T H E WARS
attackers' a rche ry. Fina l l y, most of the Lion warriors AGA I N ST I U CH I BA N
armed themselves with overlong spea rs and adopted
I n the l ate fifth centu ry, a n evil so rce rer known as
squa re for m ations with soldiers facing outwa r d in every
l uchiban rose to power wield i n g potent, d a n g e rous,
d i rection. Arche rs, enclosed in the m iddle, cou ld fi re i n
a n d i l l icit m a gics i n a n effort to seize control of the
a n y d i rection from a position o f relative safety.
Empire. Wo rst of a l l , l u ch i b a n seemed to have power
T he Uj i k h u rled themselves at the Lion aga i n and
over l i fe and death themselves. N ot only did h e retu rn
aga i n . Wh i l e the Lion s uffered losses each time, Kim ­
seve ra l times after appearing to have perished i n bat­
i ko, who perso n a l ly led the a r m y, kept her troo ps
tle or via assassination, but he was a b l e to a n i mate
ra l l ied a n d their l i n es solid. M o reover, many of the
corpses to do h i s bidd ing a n d fight on his beha lf. H e
peasants, who p reviously had been on ly sh ield bea rers,
even i m bued those foolish a n d corru pted m o rta ls who
p i cked u p the spea rs of fa l l e n Lion wa rriors a nd took chose to fol low h i m-the B l oodspea ke rs-with the
thei r places in the l ine of battle. Now it was the Ujik
power to do likewise.
attackers who su ffe red the more eg reg ious casua lties .
F i na l l y, after a long, bloody day of fighti n g , the
Lord of G rass p u l led the rem a i n i n g Uj i k back out of I M M O RTA L V I L LA I N Y
a rche ry ra nge and a rrayed them i n a s i n g l e h u g e fo r­ l uc hi ba n 's o rig i n a l identity is the su bje ct of debate,
mati o n . Th e Lion b ra ced for a massive fi n a l cha rge, at least a m o n g those few schola rs b rave enough
but the mounted inva d e rs on ly ra ised a s ing l e, ech o­ to d e lve i n to lore pe rilously close to the forbidden .
i n g shout -a ppa re ntly a sa l u te to th eir u n b ro ken Lion Some believe that luch iban was a g a ij in magician who
opponents- th en tu rned and th unde red off westwa rd . a rr ived in th e Empi re in sec ret, slowly gathering a cu l­
i
Ev entu a l l y, they pa ssed back th ro u g h th e Ki- Ri n 's Path ti sh fol low i n g a bout him befo re la u n ch n g h is terrible
and left th e E m pi re. Th ey have not retu rn ed in su ch ca m pa ign of conquest. Oth e rs conte nd th at luch iban
g reat n u m be rs s in ce . was actu a lly a Ro ku g a n i-an a m b itious sa m u ra i lo rd ,
a powe r- h u n g ry sh ugenj a , or pe rh a ps even a re lat ive
L E S S O N S O F H I STO RY of th e E m pe ro r-whose thwa rted a m b itions led h i m to
strike sin ister ba rg a ins with co rrupt powe rs . Still oth e rs
Th e Battle of B ro ke n H ooves m a rks seve ra l im po rta n t
be lieve th at luch iba n was n ever hum a n at a l l, b ut rath e r
m ilesto n es i n th e e vo lu ti o n o f Ro ku g a n i m il ita ry ta ctics .
an a n c ient a nd m a levolent being from some b lea k and
It wa s th e fi rst majo r battl e to see th e em ploym ent o f
long-forg otten Spirit Rea lm .
la rge peasa nt levi es . I n p rev iou s battles, most peas­
Wh at is kn own is that in th e yea r 5 1 0, th e Lion ,
a n ts had bee n re leg a ted to su pporting tasks, such as
Cra n e, a n d Cra b Cla n Ch a m pions a ll perish ed under
b r i n g i ng supplies fo rwa rd a n d re m oving casua lties.
myste riou s ci rcumstances. With such d readfu l events
Th e com m o n e rs we re othe rwise conside red un su it­
u nfo ld ing , a Scorpion Cla n mag istra te , Sosh i Ta kasho ,
a b le for co m bat. I n th is battle, desp ite be i ng deployed
undertook an investigation th at eventua lly led h im to
o n ly as sh ie ld bea re rs, th e levies a cqu itted th emse lves
th e Imperia l Ca pita l. Th ere , accom pa n ied by Im peria l
w ith g reat h e ro is m ; ma ny d ied a longside Lion sa mura i,
G ua rd Akodo M inobe, he uncove red an insid ious plot:
s ta nd i ng aga i nst th e Uj ik cha rg es.
a cu lt of Bloodspea kers, led by the elus ive luchiban,
S i nce th is battle, ash iga ru ha ve become an in creas­
was engaged in a fou l r itua l to a nimate the dead who
i ng ly i mporta n t, ofte n p ivota l, pa rt of Rokuga n i m il ita ry
had been la id to rest in the city's tom bs a nd catacombs.
fo rces. I n f act, some co m mo ne rs a re e ffect ive ly pro fes­
No sooner had they made th is terr ifying discovery than
sio nal so ldie rs. Th ese se rve i n sta nd ing ash igaru gar r i­
T a kasho and M inobe we re themse lves discovered by
sons or t ra ve fro m regio n to reg io n se rvi ng lo rds who
l the Bloodspeakers. Wh i le M inobe fought a desperate
employ them f or m i l ita ry ca mpa igns. More broad ly, the
reargua rd action aga inst the undead monstros ities pu r­
battle shows the i mporta nce o f innova tions in th inking,
su ing them , T akasho was able to ra ise the alarm .
such as t radi ng space for ti me, choosi ng decis ive t imes
This was fortuna te, because otherwise, the city
a nd places for batt les, a nd i nco rpo rating flex ib i l ity in
wou ld have been caught complete ly unaware and
fo rma tions a nd weapo n ry. Th is not on ly wou ld in flu­
over run by an implacable horde of the undead. V ir­
ence I mpe ria mi l ita ry ph i losophy gene ra lly, bu t also
l tually the entire population would have been slaugh­
would se rve the Lion we ll whe n the return i ng Ki -Rin
tered. Even worse, the Bloodspeakers would have
clan co nfro nted them four centuries later.
an imated those casualties, dramatica lly swe l ling the
ranks of their ghastly army.
CHAPTE R I : G L O R I O U S H I STO R I E S

last conflict in the brief campaign, took place near the

TH E BATTLE O F present-day village of Shaiga, just northeast of the
GRI M RESO LVE Kitsune Forest.
The Bea r Cla n forces, hopelessly outmatched,
In the seventh century, the Lion Clan's martial power
nonetheless fought bitterly. The few who survived the
was put to grim purpose, its legions being deployed
Lion onslaught a re reported to have fled into the enig­
at the Emperor's order to obliterate the Bear Clan, a
matic gloom of the Kitsune Forest. When the battle
Minor Clan that supposedly had fallen into terrible
ended, the Bear Clan had been obliterated, and with it,
corruption, driven by the blood-tainted sorcery known
the th reat of its ra mpant blood magic ended. The fate
as maho. The truth of the matter is more problematic,
of th e Bear Clan still stands as a reminder of the Lion's
however, and may not be as unequivocal as the official
readiness to enforce the Emperor's will a gainst any cla n
histories record.
that would d efy the Celestial Order.

MA H O A N D MYST E RY
L E SSON S O F H I STO RY
Little detail remains available regarding the Bear Clan.
In the years since, quiet discussions among historians
What is known is that this Minor Clan occupied lands
and other scholars have cast some doubt on the affair.
north of the Kitsune Forest, on the southern border of
It seems strange, for example, that such an egregious
the Scorpion Clan. The Bear gained Minor Clan sta­
use of blood magic could have occurred undetected
tus from "an Emperor in the fourth century, in recog­
and for so long, in lands bordered by the Scorpion Cla�
nition of valuable service performed for the Throne by
to the north and the Crab Clan to the south. More­
a samurai of heroic stature." If records exist describ­
over, although maho is a grave offense against Imperial
ing which Emperor authorized the clan's formation
!aw, not a single charge was ever brought against any
or w at "valuable services" were performed by which
member of the Bear Clan. Some scholars instead claim
"samurai of heroic stature," they are lost or carefully
to have found hints that the Bear had actually been
hidden away.
embroiled in a dispute with the Imperial authorities
What Imperial records do chronicle is that in the
over taxes.
early seventh century, "disquieting news" reached
The fact that the Emperor chose the Lion to redress
Emperor Hantei XVI I regarding the Bear Clan. An
the situation, rather than the Imperial Legions, has
unnamed Emerald Magistrate reported that, despite a
some scholars further believing that the whole matter
period of favorable weather that made harvests rela­
may have been intended as an object lesson to the
tively bountiful across the Empire, many of the Bear
population about subordination to Imperial authority.
had fallen ill and were starving. The Emperor ordered
These scholars speculate that the Lion had made a
a deeper investigation, whereupon a horrific discovery
secret agreement with the Emperor to destroy the Bear
was made: the Bear Clan Champion was a maho-tsukai,
Clan as a way to glorify their own clan and enhance
a practitioner of evil and blasphemous blood magic.
their reputation for martial ruthlessness.
Worse, many of her followers had also adopted the vile
While the official history remains one of rooting
practice. Fearing that such foul sorcery not only would
out and destroying corruption, these surreptitious
corrupt the Bear Clan and bring the Taint to its lands,
questions demonstrate the extent to which milita­
but also would spread, afflicting the lands and peoples
rism is embedded in Imperial politics. It also empha­
around it, the Emperor ordered the Lion Clan to put an
sizes the truism that warfare in Rokugan is, in the end,
end to the threat.
merely an extension of those same politics, serving
Accordingly, the Lion Clan Champion marched
to achieve objectives that cannot be as readily-and
a powerful array of legions south. Upon arriving in Bear
dramatically-accomplished in court.
lands, the Lion army immediately set about destroy­
ing the Minor Clan. The Battle of Grim Resolve, the
 CHAPT E R 1 : G LORIO US H ISTO RIE S

In 662, the s imme r ing rese ntment fina l ly bo i led

BATT L E S O F T H E over. R iots e rupted in the City of Lies in Sco rpion lands,
G REAT FAM I N E the City of Rememb ra nce in Phoenix lands, and even
in the Imper ial Capita l, Otosa n Uch i. The I mpe r ia
In the latter part of the seventh century, Rokugan was l
Legions, bolste red by Lion and C ra ne t roops, ru th less ly
aff l icted by a tumu ltuous period known as the Great
c rushed the insu rrect io n. The number of co mmone rs
Famine. As crops fa iled and disease spread, haphaz­
k i l led in th is b loody c rackdow n is not reco rded, bu t
ard and often tyrannica leadership th roughout the
l anecdotes from the t ime suggest a ho r r ific death to l l.
Empire exacerbated the population 's misery. A lthough
Th is ended the immed iate th rea t, bu t it ha rd ly quelled
the Imperia Histories downplay the era as a " relat ive ly
l the unrest - in fact, it th rew fuel on the fi re, p rompt i ng
brief period of str ife " that soon led to a "resumption of
r iots and sabotage to sp i l from the cities and in to the
a g lorious t ime of prosperous peace, " the b itter tru th l
surrounding coun tryside. Disa ffected co m mone rs, a nd
was that the Empire was r iven by a lmost five years of
even many samu ra i dis i l lusioned by the b ru ta l ly rep res­
ra mpant starvation and disease, r iots, insurrection , and
s ive response from the I mpe r ial a u tho r it ies, loose ly
open wa r among the clans.
organized themse lves into the People 's Leg io n .
Th is ad hoc a r my established itse lf in the northwest­
D RIVE N BY D E S PE RATION e n portion of the Em p i re, in wha t wou ld la ter become
r

From the year 660 to the year 665, Rokugan was sub­ Un icor n la nds, bu t they we re no ma tch for the I mpe r ia l,
jected to a period of bad weather: intense
relentless ly Lion , and Crane a rmy dispa tched to co n fro n t them .
drought broken by bursts of torrent ia l ra in, compounded The long a nd grinding ca mpa ig n th a t fol lowed cou ld
by heavy sn owfa lls during unusua lly long and cold win­ have on ly one ou tcome: the Peop le 's Leg io n eve n tu­
ters. These c l imatic extremes ravaged the Em p ire 's a l ly we re obl itera ted .
crops , resu lt ing in one poor ha rvest after another. Des­ St il l, even the Lion a nd Cra ne we re not
perate appea ls to th e Fortunes a nd elementa l spir its a ll im m u ne to th e tu r m oil sha king the Empi re .
f a i led to rect ify th e implaca b ly worsen ing s ituation . In 662, a Lion Cla n delega tion c rossed
By 662 , food stocks were badly depleted , a nd the D rowned M ercha n t River to con fron t
fam ine spread a mong th e cla n s. Outbrea ks of d isease th e D ra gon Cla n beca u se it had done
beg an to com pou nd th e a l ready d ire s itu ation . Wa te r little to stem th e flood of sta rving re f­
fever, in pa rti cu la r, spread ra pid ly d u e to flood in g from u gees d r ive n so u thwa rd into Lion
the sudde n , inten se ra ins and h ig h- vo lu m e sn ow m elt, la n ds . H owever, th e Dragon Clan
wh ich ra n off too qu ick ly to a llev iate th e d rou g ht but Ch a m p ion , who was in med itative
sti ll conta m i n ated wate su pplies.
r seclusion , refu sed to m eet with th e
Desp ite th is, th e Em e ra ld Ch a m p ion refu sed to co m mande r of th e Lion deleg a ­
lowe r I m pe ria l taxes on th e scant food th e stru g g ling tio n , Gene ra l Akod o Masaumi.
fa rm e rs d id man a g e to p roduce . Exace rbatin g th e E n ra g ed , Masaumi m a rshaled
m ounting tro u b les , E m pe ror Hante i XX-a ruth less a n d an a rmy a n d made to march
d evious ru le r-bestowed arb itra ry a n d d ra matic favo r into th e D ra g o n la n d s .
on th e Li on and C ra n e Clans w h il e exp ressin g little
in te rest in th e oth e rs. H e e n su re d that th ese two clans
rece ived adequate supplies of food by inc reasing taxes
on the rest of the Empi re.
 L E SSONS O F H I STO RY

These battles demonstrate the extent to which social dis­

order can lead to unrest and confl ict. Wh ile the Battle of
Drowned Merchant River shows that such situations can
be resolved through diplomacy, the Rice Wa r is an object
lesson in the deleterious effects of supply shortages­
especia l ly of food-on m i l itary campaigns. The Crab, in
particular, have since remained keen ly aware of the need
A Dragon a rmy
to keep their a rm ies wel l supplied, which is why they find
engaged the Lion soon
the Empire's casua l and even contemptuous dism issa l of
after they crossed the border.
their supply and materiel needs so infu riating.
The ensuing Battle of Drowned
Merchant River raged on for severa l
days with neither side gaining the u pper TH E BATTLES O F
hand. The a rriva l of a Phoenix Clan force KYU DEN TO N B O AND
fin a l ly convinced Masa u m i to pa rley with h i s
opponents. T h i s l e d t o a truce. T h e L i o n agreed
THE GREAT CLIM B
to withd raw and provide some assistance to the In the early eighth centu ry, the Lion genera l Akodo
fa mine-ravaged Dragon; the Dragon, i n turn, agreed to Yokutsu was betrothed to Phoenix sa m u ra i lsawa Moroko
curta i l the movement of refugees into Lion lands. as pa rt of a series of negotiated agreements between
A confl ict that eru pted i n the E m p i re's south was the two clans. Moroko's fa m i ly held many of the plains
not so easily resolved . When Crab Clan Champion to the north of Toshi Ranbo, east of Dragon lands and
H ida Tsuneko appealed for a i d for her c l a n i n the I m pe­ west of Drowned Merchant River. However, before the
ria l Court, she was derisively dism issed, partic u l a rly by marriage could take place, Moroko's fa mily broke off the
the Cra n e . In what beca m e known as the Rice War, the betrotha l so that Moroko cou ld be free to ma rry her true
Cra b a n d Cra n e Clans engaged i n a n i ntense trade dis­ love, M i rumoto Ash ijin of the Dragon Clan, and a l l owed
pute over rice other foodstuffs. As the dispute esca­ her to reta in her inheritance even after she joined the
lated, Ts u neko and the Cra b i nvaded the Cra n e lands. Dragon. Enraged at the loss of Moroko's lands and what
I n itial ly, and despite being critically short of food, the he perceived as a person a l slight, Yokutsu petitioned his
Crab preva iled i n battle after battle, drivi n g the belea­ champion for leave to marsha l a n a rmy and attack the
guered Cra n e forces northwa rd . Only the timely a rriva l Dragon as revenge for " stea l i n g " the territory he was
of severa l I m peri a l Leg ions sta b i l ized the fa lterin g owed. The Lion Champion agreed but lim ited the size
Cra n e , bolsteri n g their defenses a g a i n st the relentless of Yokutsu 's a rmy to avoid any a ppearance of sta rting a
Crab advance. war unsanctioned by the Throne.
F i n a l ly, j ust outside of Lonely Shore City, Tsu n e ko's
offensive ra n out of momentu m . The Crab, their food LAN DS AN D L E GAC I E S
stocks exh a u sted , were forced to plead for peace. As
the Cra n e had the backi n g of the I m peri a l Leg ions I n the year 704, Yokutsu led h i s a rmy across the border
and i nto the lands of the Dragon. His objective was
a n d the favor of the Emperor, the Cra b had n o choice
Kyuden Tonbo, or Dragonfly Palace, Ash ijin and Moroko's
but to accept a treaty that i n c l u ded a ra nge of severe
n ew holding in the southern Dragon lands. Yokutsu's
p u n itive measures. These i n c luded repa rations to the
u nbridled wrath was not unexpected by the newlywed
Cra n e to be paid i n coin, food shipments, and other
couple, however. Rea l izing that their new home lacked
resou rces the Cra b simply cou l d n ot afford . M a n y Crab
the defensive works to withstand a determ ined attack,
sti l l bitterly contend that the h a rm caused by this treaty
they appealed to their respective clans for help. When
contri buted sign ifica ntly to the near-victory of the oni
Yokutsu reached Dragonfly Palace, he found a combined
known as the Maw when it led a massive attack a g a in st
Dragon and Phoenix Clan army wa iting for h i m .
the Empire fifty yea rs later.
U n d eterred, Yokutsu l a u n ched h i s attack. I n the
ensu i n g Battle of Kyuden Tonbo, h e made some ini­
tial headway, but h i s a rmy's l i m ited size soon meant he
had to commit h i s small reserve force. U n a b l e to main­
ta i n the momentum of the attack, Yokutsu's a rmy was
forced on the defensive. Eventua l ly, the Akodo rea l ized
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

he could not win the day and tried to retreat, but Phoe­
nix shugenja led by Mirumoto Moroko used their ele­
mental power to block the Lion forces' withdrawal.
Yokutsu had no choice but to parley with his victorious
opponents. They required him to swear to the Emperor
that he would never again attack the young couple;
in recompense, the Dragon offered him a yearly tax
of rice and ore from Ashijin's and Moroko's lands, to
last as long as his and his heirs' lives. Enraged, Yokutsu
111 1 1111 1111
DRAGON PHOENIX
refused the offer and withdrew, swearing wildly that he
I N FANTRY I N FANTRY

would still have Moroko's lands for his own.

In the aftermath of the battle, the agreement nego­
tiated between the Lion, Dragon, and Phoenix Clans
1111 ll II lllt
prompted the Emperor to recognize Moroko, Ashijin, 1111 !tit lltl
and their followers as members of a new Minor Clan,
YOKUTS U 'S
FORCES

the Dragonfly. The Hantei granted them the new fam­

ily name Tonbo, further insulating them from potential
political challenges. The Dragon ceded to the newly
minted Dragonfly Clan the lands south and southeast
of the Great Climb (including Moroko's territory), with
the understanding that the new Minor Clan would help
to further both clans' interests. In particular, the Drag­
onfly would act as the Dragon's ga_tekeepers, receiving
visitors and ensuring that only those with approved or
important business were permitted to journey onward
into the mountains. The Lion Clan Champion consid­
ered the Dragon's and Phoenix's loss of tax revenue
from the region to be an appropriate consequence
for its role in the broken engagement. Yokutsu saw
matters differently.

EXC U S E S FOR WAR

For seven years, peace held in the lands of the Drag­
onfly. Akodo Yokutsu had not assuaged his wrath,
however, and he continued to brood over his failed
attack on Ky uden Tonbo. He bided his time, waiting
to quench his thirst for blood; since his oath prevented
him from attacking the Dragonfly, he set his sights on
the Dragon Clan. An opportunity finally presented
itself in 7 1 1 , when a Dragon ambassador spoke some
rash and poorly chosen words in the court of Shiro
Akodo (Loyalty Castle). This was all the pretext Yokutsu
needed to resume his egregious quest for revenge.
He marshaled another army, carefully marched
around the Dragonfly lands in order to maintain his
vow, then struck north for the lands of the Dragon Clan
beyond. He met the Dragon defenders in the Battle of
the Great Climb. It was a relatively brief conflict; Yokutsu
had obsessively developed specific tactics against the
Dragon, who relied on their mountainous terrain to bol­
ster their defense. Unable to hold against the Lion, the
Dragon forces withdrew into the stronghold of Shiro
Mirumoto (Last Glance Castle).
C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

Yokutsu maneuvered h i s a rmy to su rround the L E SSONS O F H I STO RY

castle a n d threatened to besiege it, even though it
meant sta rving the defenders out. He then offered Wh i l e these battles offered little in terms of advancing
an a lternative: he cou l d instead face Ton bo Ash ij i n­ I m perial m i l itary ph i l osophy, they are instructive in other
formerly M i rumoto Ash ij i n-in a d u e l . The Dragon Clan ways. I n particu lar, they demonstrate the role of per­
Cham pion rea l ized that h i s clan cou l d never be free sonal vendetta in driving violent conflict. Akodo Yokutsu
from Yokutsu's aggression u ntil the matter was fi n a l l y went down in history as being synonymous with selfish
resolved, as Yokutsu wou l d never rel i nquish h i s wa rped g rudges-h is unwi l l i ng ness to relent ended u p costing
view that Moroko a n d her lands were a possession Ash­ the Lion Clan l ives as wel l as reputation. The Battle of
ij in had stolen. Ash ij i n l i kewise came to understa n d that the G reat Climb a lso shows that not a l l wars a re won by
Yokutsu wou l d not rest wh i l e h e rema ined a l ive-a nd, battlefield triu m phs; victory can very much come down
worse, that the brash Lion's descenda nts wou l d proba­ to other factors, such as the outcome of a duel.
bly perpetuate the grudge even if Ash ij i n were to slay
Yokuts u . Accord i n g ly, the Dragon a g reed for the duel
to take place, a n d Ash ij i n a l lowed the vengefu l Akodo
to slay h i m . Yokuts u , fi n a l ly satisfied that his " h onor" BREA KI N G
h a d been clean·sed, brazenly declared h i mself the new BETROTHALS
Champion of the Dragonfly C l a n .
Yokutsu's tyra nny was short-l ived, h oweve r. Ash ij i n The m atch between Akodo Yokutsu a n d lsawa
and M o roko h a d adopted a you n g sa m u ra i , To n bo M o roko certa i n l y wasn't the first betrothal to
Kuyuj i n , as their son a n d h e i r. Kuyuj i n , trained in the be broken in the Empire's h istory, nor was it
a rt of d u e l i n g by the S h i ba fa m i ly of the Phoenix C l a n , the last. The d issol ution of a betrothal isn't
cha l l enged Yokutsu t o a d u e l t o avenge h i s father u ndertaken l i ghtly, a n d usua l ly match mak­
a n d protect his pacifistic mother. Kuyuj i n won , ki l l i n g ers a n d c l a n negotiators w i l l attem pt to find
Yokuts u , a n d w a s recogn ized b y t h e Emperor as the a lternative means of securi n g a l l i a n ces or
new Champion of the D ragonfly C l a n . tran sferring lands to compensate . The indi­
viduals i nvolved a re expected to accept the
outcome, even if it means enduri n g what
might seem to be a persona l insu lt.
I n 1 1 23 , once a g a i n the Lion fou n d
themselves on the receiving end o f a bro­
ken betrotha l-th is time for a match struck
between the l koma d a imyo and the U n icorn
Clan Champion. H osti l ities between Lion and
U n icorn had been g rowing s i n ce before the
match was made, h owever, a n d the match
itself was des i g n ed to prevent fu rther con­
fl i cts. Some believe the l koma created a
match that the U n icorn should have never
a ccepted i n the fi rst place, fu l ly expecting the
U n icorn to reject or break the betrotha l and
thus giving the Lion the pretense of having
fi rst tried to secu re a d i p l om atic solution.
TH E BATTLE O F THE
HOUR O F TH E WO LF
The Battle of the Hour of the Wolf is one
of most infamous battles ever fought
in Rokugan. It is also one of the most
poorly understood. Even the histori­
ans of the Lion Clan's lkoma family,
renowned for their minute atten­
tion to detail when chronicling the
Empire's military history, have little
to say about this particular battle. This
may be because it is remembered as
a terrible tragedy for the Lion. In any
case, the Battle of the Hour of the
Wolf has obtained an almost mythic
status, which is only reinforced by
the eerie legends that have grown in
its aftermath.

With the coming of morning, the few, battered

AN ACCU RS E D H O U R
remnants of both armies withdrew, leaving their dead
According to extant accounts, sometime between strewn across the field. So much blood had been
the seventh and ninth centuries, a combined force of spilled that the Lake of Shining Glass had turned crim­
Scorpion and Crane legions sought to push northward, son; it was later renamed Red Lake.
through Beiden Pass, and into the lands of the Lion To this day, on the anniversary of the Battle of the
Clan beyond. For reasons unknown, once through the Hour of the Dog (which they renamed Hour of the Wolf
pass, this army turned east, following the south shore after the horror of the battle), it is said that the lake once
of the Lake of Sorrows and marching back toward more turns red, and blood washes up on its shores. The
Crane territory on the northern side of the Spine of the lake is also said to be haunted. The Lion further con­
World Mountains. The army then turned south, finally sider it sacred, a resting place for their ancestors who
clashing with a Lion army consisting almost entirely fell in the battle and were lost in the bloody waters. As
of Matsu legions on the northern shore of the Lake they make pilgrimages to the many ancestral shrines
of Shining Glass. Historians speculate that the two that dot the lake's shore, the Lion remember the battle
armies may have actually fought prior to this, and that as a terrible tragedy for their clan, even though losses
the Scorpion-Crane force was simply pushed east and among the Scorpion and Crane are believed to have
south by the victorious Lion, forcing it to seek refuge been just as severe.
in Crane lands.
Regardless, on the shore of the Lake of Shining L E SS O N S O F H I STO RY
Glass, a ferocious battle ensued. Fighting raged all
From a strictly military perspective, this is a rare exam­
through the day and, contrary to normal Rokugani mil­
ple of a large-scale night battle. This is something that
itary practice, did not cease with the coming of night.
Rokugani generals largely eschew, given the difficulties
The armies, locked in a vicious struggle to the death,
of deploying, maneuvering, commanding, and con­
simply continued to fight, the carnage illuminated
trolling a large army in the dark. It is also an example
only by torches and the wan light of Lord Moon. It is
of a battle in which both sides were nearly eradicated.
said that ten thousand samurai were killed during the
The darkness and consequent loss of effective com­
Hour of the Wolf. Scholars argue over whether this is
munication between generals and their units probably
hyperbole-few armies of that era had enough samu­
contributed heavily to the carnage as, being unable to
rai to sustain such losses-but the number is widely
receive commands to withdraw, both sides likely kept
circulated regardless.
fighting until collapse.

J9
C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

prey to wh atever stra nge a n d terri b l e peoples a n d pow­

T H E RETU RN O F TH E KI-RI N ers they l i kely had encou ntered . The Ki-Rin beca m e a
I n the year 45, three years after Fu Len g was defeated cautionary ta l e a m o n g the people of the E m p i re, a n
o n the Day of Thunder, the Ka m i S h i nj o led her c l a n object l esson i n t h e dangerous h osti l ity o f t h e fo re i g n
on a l o n g , a rduous j o u rney beyond the b o u n d a ries of l a n d s t h a t wo u l d feed Roku g a n 's g rowing isol ati o n i s m .
the E m p i re . Wh i l e the g rowing E m p i re was reb u i l d i n g
fo l l owing decades o f ru inous w a r a n d beg i n n i n g the I NVAD E RS F ROM THE PAST
campaign to cement its borders, S h i njo was i ntent on
It was with g reat su rprise, then, that i n the yea r 8 1 5,
exploring the s u rro u n d i n g world. The treachery of her
a l a rg e force, m ost m o u nted on powerfu l warh orses,
fa l l e n brothe r, with whom she h a d been close, affected
suddenly a rrived i n the south ern rea ches of the E m p i re
her deeply, so she was determ i ned to ensu re that no
having apparently traversed the Shadowlands. The
oth e r force could come to pose a threat to the E m p i re .
Crab, who e n cou ntered them fi rst, i m m e d i ately pre­
Accord i n g ly, she ch ose t o project the E m p i re 's awa re­
pared to withsta nd a n assa u l t by these stra n g e outsid­
n ess beyo n d its borders, to identify such poss i b l e
e rs. The trave lers c l a i m e d , h owever, to be the long-lost
threats a n d l e a rn h ow to a v o i d or defeat th e m .
Ki-Rin C l a n , n ow called the U n icorn C l a n . For nearly
M ost o f h e r clan-known as t h e Ki-R i n , after a fa n­
eight h u n d red years, they said, they had wandered and
tastic, encha nted creature that took a form s i m i la r to
exp lored the world outside the E m p i re, a n d n ow they
that of a h o rse-fo l l owed S h i nj o o n h e r long journ ey.
were back.
Those who remained eventu a l ly beca m e a M i n or Clan
Unfortu n ately, any forces approa c h i n g the E m p i re
i n the i r own right, the Fox C l a n. Th e b u l k of the Ki- R i n ,
from the Shadowl a n ds, a sin ister l a n d of evi l , we re
however, journ eyed across the Plain o f Wind a n d Stone
suspect. Such fo rces m i g ht a ppear h u m a n , but when
a n d thro u g h the B u r n i n g Sands. They passed n ot only
it came to the Shadowlands, the Cra b h a d l e a rned that
out of sight of the rest of the Em p i re , but l a rgely out
appeara n ces cou ld be tra g i ca l ly deceptive . M eeti ng
of m e m ory as well. Eventu a l ly, the Ki-Rin assumed a n
the U n icorn va n g u a rd fo rces with a hail of a rrows, siege
almost mythical status a mong the Roku g a n i . More to
e n g i n es, and some of the fin est warriors i n Roku g a n ,
the point, most Rokugani assumed that they had va n ­
the Cra b i n itia l ly rebuffed them .
ished into t h e su rro u n d i n g world, eithe r l ost or fal l e n
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

H owever, the U n icorn had ridden through the Shad­ Rokugan a n d the U n icorn hordes fi n a l ly emerged from
THE BATTLES OF
owl ands and knew the dangers they wou ld endure by the mounta i n passes in Lion la nds, they fou n d them­ WHITE STAG AND THE
rem a i n i n g i n Fu Len g 's territo ry. With the Cra b u n a b l e selves a rrayed a g a i nst a wel l -org a n ized a rmy of tra i ned RAGING SEAS
( o r perh a ps unwi l l i ng) to recogn ize t h e m for w h o they ashigaru a n d va l iant s a m u ra i . This time, their speed,
By the fifth century, the
were, the U n icorn fol l owed their Clan Champion, power, and adaptiveness n o longer worked to their
Empire had established
Shinjo N ishij i n , who a cted with swift decisiveness. advantage, as the Lion a rmy was prepared for such a relatively open relations
The Battle of B u r n i n g Shadows was brief and bruta l , force . Yet the two a rmies never crossed a rms, for at the with the various foreign
t h e Cra b defenders fi n d i n g themselves u n p repared eleventh hour, a n emissa ry from Otosan Uchi a rrived powers that existed
with a decree from the Emperor. beyond its borders. For
for the tech niques the wa rriors from distant lands
some years, represen­
employed . I nvoking foreign mag ics theretofore u nseen Wh i l e the hordes had been crossi n g the mounta i n s
tatives of these gaijin
in Roku g a n , the hordes' l uchi shugenja blasted a mas­ a n d defeati n g t h e i r foes in combat, U n i corn d i plomats nations had engaged
sive hole in the Ka i u Wa l l , and the hordes overra n the had ridden to their a n cestra l a l l ies among the Cra n e . the Empire in diplomacy
u n p repared Cra b defenders. Although the i n h e ritors o f Lady Doj i were skeptical that and trade. Unfortunately,
this new openness to
Before the Cra b cou l d even beg i n to form u late the foreigners were the returned Ki-Rin C l a n , the U n i ­
foreign relations did
a response, their l i n e of battle had broken and their corn diplomats sti l l carried a sanda lwood fa n : t h e o n e not last; pressure from
forces d ispersed. Ree l i n g from the u n expected assa u lt that Doj i h a d g iven S h i njo before t h e K i - R i n departed more conservative and
a n d u n s u re how best to oppose their mou nted foes, more than 800 years earl i e r. The h i stori a n s of the M iya traditional factions in the
Empire eventually led to
the Cra b a l l owed the U n icorn to pass them by a n d and Asa h i n a authenticated the a ncestra l a rtifact, a n d
an Imperial decree for­
reg rou ped t o focus t h e i r efforts on repa iring the Wa l l . the Em peror a cknowledged the U n i corn a s the succes­
mally expelling all gaijin
Meanwh i l e , the U n i corn took l ittl e t i m e t o rest before sors of the Ki- R i n . With the support of the Cra n e C l a n diplomats and merchants
march ing deeper into the Empire . Champion, the U n icorn Clan w a s welcomed i nto t h e from Rokugan.
I n a series o f su ccessive battles, t h e U n icorn faced E m p i re a n d , by I m peri a l decree, g iven b a c k their lands
In the turmoil that
armies ra ised by the Lion, Phoenix, and Scorpion i n the northwestern portion of Roku g a n . The Lion, who followed, bitter fighting
Clans. I n each case, the U n i corn's use of massed cav­ had been ca retakers of those lands for centuries, were erupted between Imperial
a l ry charges overwhelmed their oppon ents and drove u n a b l e to g a i n say an edict d i rectly from the Emperor; and gaijin forces, culmi­
nating in two large and
them from the fie l d . At the Battle of White Shore P l a i n , nevertheless, they strugg led to g ive u p towns a n d
consecutive clashes: the
t h e U n i corn defeated a Scorpion a rmy despite t h e fa rmlands t h a t had essenti a l l y b e e n theirs for so long. Battle of White Stag and
underhanded tactics its com m a nders employed. At To this day, the Lion a n d U n icorn conti n u e to clash over the naval battle known
the Battle of Thunder G rove, the U n icorn thwarted a their territories, each having a n a ncestra l c l a i m to the as the Raging Seas. The

lands surrounding the Drowned Merchant River and Bottle of Wl,ite Stag is
Lion a m bush with a cava l ry retreat that drew the Lion
described in more detail
soldiers i nto a counter-ambush that destroyed them . Th ree Sides River that they a re unwi l l i n g to cede.
in the Legend of the Five
And at the Battl e of the Peaks, as the U n icorn hordes Rings Game Master's Kit.
crossed the Spine of the World Mounta ins, a tea m of L E SS O N S F ROM H I STO RY These battles werefought
Phoenix Air Elemental G u a rds a n d the H u rrica n e I n iti­
in and around the Imperial
ates attem pted to a m bush them, only to be rebuffed Since the return of the Ki-Rin Clan as the U n icorn, the
Capital, Otosan Uchi.
by spi rits they did not recogn ize that a n swered the Empire has seen a widespread adoption of cava l ry Imperial forces eventually
com mands of the U n icorn shugenj a . forces by the clans, i n c l u d i n g the use of warhorses, defeated and drove of
f

A n i m porta nt advantage o f t h e U n i corn's cava l­ rather than ponies, and the e m p l oyment of saddles the gaijin forces, but
a n d sti rru ps. The c l a n s h ave also widely i m plemented only after the foreigners
ry -dom inated forces soon beca me apparent to the inflicted great damage on
other clans: u n p recedented strategic mobil ity. Wh i l e cava l ry tactics.
the city and killed many of
b e i n g mou nted doesn 't necessa rily make a n a rmy Despite this, the U n icorn rem a i n the u n d isputed its inhabitants. The legacy

much faster than one trave l i n g m a i n ly on foot, it masters of mounted wa rfa re. Accord i n g ly, the clans of this debacle was a
have a lso developed a ra nge of tech n iques a n d tactics renewed distrust offoreign
does a l low for m uch longer m a rches and swift reac­
powers, sparking not just
tions. These advantages a l l owed the U n icorn to d i c­ to dea l with oppos i n g cava l ry, i n c l u d i n g the use of stout
a resurgence of Rokugani
tate where and when battles wou ld be fou g ht, seizi n g spears and obstacles to block and break charges, the isolationism, but an actual
the i n itiative from the other clans and forcing t h e m t o employment of squ a re formations to avoid presenting hardening of it as official

a b a n d o n long-proven strategies. mou nted opponents with vulnera b l e fla n ks, a n d a fu l ler Imperial policy.

F i n a l ly, as the snows of wi nter descended upon a ppreciation of terra i n that l i m its a foe's u se of cava l ry.
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

ever-mounting losses. Eventually, Sakura realized she

T H E BATTLE O F might win the battle, but even now lacked sufficient
S N OW P LAI N force to reliably hold the Snow Plain for her clan. She
finally called for a parlay with Kamu. The battle ended
In the year 820, the Lion Clan faced an unprecedented
in a tactical stalemate, which represented a strategic
and complex situation-nearly half of its lands had just
loss for the Lion, who faced a winter on the plain with­
been given to the returned Unicorn Clan. Reluctant to
out actually having secured it. Still, thanks to intense
sacrifice the way of life his people had known for nearly
lobbying from the Crane, who considered the Unicorn
eight hundred years (not to mention a great deal of
their allies, the Emperor quietly issued a decree: the
fertile land), the Lion Clan Champion lkoma Kojima
Lion would surrender the Snow Plain to the Unicorn
pressed his claim to many of the outlying towns and vil­
in perpetuity, while in return, the Unicorn would give
lages the Emperor had assigned to the Unicorn. While
most of the region's food production to the Lion Clan
he and other lkoma envoys brought numerous such
for a period of ten years.
cases to the Imperial Court, he did not shy away from
leveraging the Lion's unmatched armies to defend his
clan's histo ry and honor. L E SS ONS OF H I STO RY
Although ultimately inconclusive, this battle was an
B LOOD I N TH E WATE R important one from the perspective of fighting in
Rokugan. By defying the expectations of the Lion-who
The Snow Plain, one of many regions the Lion had gov­
had anticipated facing mostly caval ry -the Unicorn
erned in the centuries since the Ki-Rin Clan left, was
had demonstrated the importance of unpredictability
a fertile area located south and west of White Shore
and innovation in warfare. The battle also showed that
Lake. While the Emperor had given the Snow Plain to
while maintaining an aggressive momentum is import­
the Unicorn, he had issued the edict less than five years
ant, it must be tempered by sound judgment. Sakura
before, and the clan was still in relative disarray. Taking
was headstrong and prideful, pressing her tactical
advantage of this opportunity, the Lion Clan Champion
offensive forward and losing sight of her strategic goal:
ordered his most skilled general, Matsu Sakura, to mar­
to take and hold the Snow Plain for her clan.
shal an army to strike for the Snow Plain and return it
to the Lion.
Sakura had studied the caval ry tactics of the Uni­ TH E BATTLE O F
corn in great detail and carefully prepared her army FATE G ORGE
throughout the summer to defeat them. In the fall,
Sakura launched her offensive. The Unicorn command­ In the year 1 1 00, a bitter dispute flared in the Impe­
ing the defenders, Shinjo Kamu, struck back at the Lion rial Winter Court between a high-ranking Lion Clan
army with a succession of small caval ry raids. Sakura general, Matsu Uniri, and the Phoenix Clan's Master
was undeterred, however, and simply drove onward, of Water, lsawa Kaiyoko. In addition to performing
pushing Kamu's forces ever westward. his duties to the Lion, Uniri served as a general in the
By the middle of the autumn, it seemed that Sakura Imperial Legions. During his tenure, fewer of the Phoe­
would be fully in possession of the Snow Plain. Then, nix's lsawa Elementalists entered the legions each year,
Lion scouts reported that a large Unicorn force had until only Water Elementalists who specialized in heal­
appeared not far to the west and was arraying itself ing were joining the ranks. As the Master of Water, Kai­
for battle. Again, Sakura didn't hesitate, immediately yoko had fo rbidden those shugenja from calling upon
HISTORICAL
preparing her army for an attack. By the time she had the kami for any violent purpose. Uniri saw this as a vio­
lation of the chain of command, while Kaiyoko warned
DISCREPANCIES
her forces deployed, the Unicorn had established a
that the spiritual repercussions of using shugenja on
Scholars who study the
strong defensive position among rice paddies, based
Battle ofSnow Plain have
not on strong caval ry forces, but on spear-armed infan­ the battlefield outweighed Uniri's wishes. She argued
that although the lsawa family maintained the Elemen­
t ry. This initially threw the Lion into confusion. Between
long been intrigued by

tal Legions, this elite force was to be reserved for only

some inconsistencies in
their belief they 'd be confronting caval ry, not infant ry,
the gravest of threats, such as those presented by the
both the official histories
and surviving personal and the difficult approach to the Unicorn line of bat­
documents. The scholar
tle through the still-sodden rice paddies, the first Lion Shadowlands or the Bloodspeakers.
Bayushi Kiriko holds that
attack was repulsed with heavy losses. The dispute boiled over when a Shiba commander
the accounts were likely
The battle raged for the next several days, amid in the Imperial Legions joined the argument, agreeing
with his general that the Water elementalists should
altered not by the Lion,
periodic snowstorms and generally worsening weather.
do more than just heal. Moreover, he said, the rest of
but rather by Imperial
bureaucrats seeking to sow
The Lion made steady gains, but at the cost of
discord among the clans.
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

the Cou ncil of Elem enta l M a sters cou ld sta nd to spare L E SSO N S O F H I STO RY
a few lsawa Elem enta l ists spec i a l izing in Air, Earth, or
Fire as wel l . Afte r the S h i b a 's i l l -fated contri butio n , The Battle of Fate Gorge is a testa ment to the sca r­
Emera l d C h a m p i o n Doj i Satsume, leader o f the I m pe­ city a n d potency of shugenj a in the E m p i re . I nvoked
ria l Leg ions, com m a nded that those legions rema i n by only a h a n dfu l of l sawa Elementa l ists, the fu ry of
neutra l in t h e dispute. H owever, he cou l d n o t stop the elements can turn the tide on a battlefield or wreak
M atsu U n i ri from m a rch i n g h i s own Lion Clan forces havoc upon war camps a n d supply l i n es. Despite this,
into Phoenix lands to fo rcibly requ isition the shugenja the clans ra re ly employ shugenja i n battle , m a i nta i n i n g
he believed the I m peri a l Leg ions were owed. t h e s a m e caution a dvocated by Ka iyoko. M ost com­
manders keep their precious shugenja i n rel ative safety
a n d relegate them to supportin g roles such as h e a l i n g ,
MAG I C AGA I N ST STE E L
contro l l i n g the weather, or ra pidly creati n g earthwork
l sawa Kaiyoko cou l d not bea r to simply sta nd by a n d defenses. By the year 1 1 23 , Kaiyoko's shugenja had
watch as the S h i ba fa m i ly's sma l l a rm ies paid t h e yet to be u n leashed a g a i nst the Emperor's e n e m i es,
bloody price o f her refusa l . To her s i d e , she sum moned a lthough they h a d proved p ivota l i n the I m peri a l
the Ts u n a m i Leg ion, one of the Elemental Legions, to Leg ions' rescu e efforts after a tsun a m i struck t h e
dissuade U n i ri from conti n u i n g his m a rch . By making a Cra n e coast l i n e i n 1 1 20.
few displays of force, including summoning a powerfu l
typhoon to slow his soldiers' progress, she hoped to
d iscourage h i m from contin u i n g to fight. H owever, this
only reinforced U n i ri 's desire for the l sawa Elementa l­
ists' offensive ca pabil ities. Undau nted, the Lion contin­
ued the i r advance, u ntil they i m periled the l ives of the
very students Kaiyoko was teach i n g at the El ementa l
Academies. She cou l d n 't a l low the confl i ct to con­
tinue-she had to stop U n i ri , and q u ickly.
Under the cover of torrential ra i n , Kaiyoko d is­
patched assassins to k i l l U n i ri . Although they e l i m ­
i nated t h e i r target, they had n o t a nticipated t h a t h i s
wife, Yu n a k i , and h i s d a u g hter wou l d be i n t h e same
war tent and wou l d put u p a fight of their own . A skil l ed
warrior and commander in her own right, Yu naki dis­
patched severa l of the attackers. Ten years old and
a rmed with only a wooden practice sword, the g i rl who
wou l d g row u p to become M atsu Tsu ko kil led one of
the assassi ns herself.
The next day, M atsu Yunaki assumed com m a n d
o f the L i o n a rmy a n d prepa red to attack the Phoenix
i n what wou l d become known a s the Battle of Fate
Gorge. It was U n i ri 's you n g d a ug hter who proved the
true ra l lying point for the Lion, h owever. Despite her
tender yea rs, her cries for vengeance for her father,
one of whose " craven assassins" she h a d s l a i n " o n ly
with a stick, " spu rred the Lion as they cha rged i nto
the waiti n g ran ks of the Phoenix. By the end of the
day, the Phoenix had been d riven from the fie l d with
heavy losses, and the Lion were victorious. Rather than
endure further casua lties, Kaiyoko surrendered many
shugenja from her Ts u n a m i Leg ion to Yima k i , a n d the
confl ict ended.
 CHAPTER 1 : G L O R I O U S H I STO R I E S

When one c l a n was in power, its sym bology wou l d be

TH E BATTLES O F shown a n d worn throughout the city, while that of the
TOS H I RAN BO othe r wou ld be h idden away-at least until the ru l i n g
clan changed a g a i n .
Esta b l ished by the Lion Clan in the fifth century, Vio­
The centuries o f strife l ed t o a butcher's b i l l : thou­
lence Beh ind Courtliness City-mo re commonly known
sands of dead samura i , even heavier casua lties among
as Toshi Ran bo-is located in a key strategic position
the peasant levies, a n d countless noncom bata nt com­
between fou r G reat Clans and su rrou nded on all sides
moners caught i n the crossfi re. It wasn't until 1 1 1 8 that
by fertile fa rm l a n d . It sits on the northern border of Lion
the situation seemed to change decisively. I n that year,
lands a long the Drowned M erchant River, a major trade
the Tsu m e fa m i l y, vassa ls of the Crane's Doj i fa m i ly,
route in northern Roku g a n . The northwestern end of
l a u n ched an attack from their holdings in the Golden
the Cra n e-held Golden Va l ley (Kinta n i) is a lso very
Va l l ey-h o l d i n g s they had seized from the Lion only a
close to Tos h i Ranbo. The Dragon possess the lands
short time before . The Tsume had a l ready destroyed a
to the north a n d west of the city, w h i l e the Phoenix
Lion Clan vassa l fa m i l y, the Damasu, and the Tsu me's
control those to the north a n d east. It is little wonder,
ruth lessly am bitious d a i myo, Tsu m e Retsu, had wasted
then, that Toshi Ra n bo has seen confl ict rage a ro u n d its
no time in pressi n g on with h i s offensive. He succeeded
own ersh ip, m a i n l y between the Lion a n d Cra n e Clans
' i n seizi n g Toshi Ranbo, effective ly ending the blood l i n e
for n e a rly its entire h i story.
o f a n other L i o n Clan vassa l fa m i ly, t h e G oseki , in the
process. The Cra n e Clan Champion supported Tsume
C LAS H E S F O R C O NTROL Retsu's actions, a l beit somewhat rel u ctantly, g iven the
Original ly, t h e a rea that would become Tosh i Ranbo con­ d ra m atic extent to which doing so would worsen rela­
sisted of a form idable fortress surrounded by only a sma l l tions with the Lio n . Retsu, through h i s swift, decisive,
settlement. T h e intent o f Toshi Ranbo's Lion founders and bruta l action, had su cceeded where generations
was to establish a headquarters and secure base for mil­ of his Cra n e fo rebea rs had not. When Retsu retu rned
itary operations against the Crane, Phoenix, and Dragon to the Kinta n i , the Doj i assumed formal control of Tosh i
Clans. The Lion were concerned a bout the Crane, in par­ Ra n bo a n d began to conso l i date their hold upon it.
ticu lar; an offensive launched by that clan from the river
could quickly break into open territory and threaten to L E SSO N S OF H I STORY
overrun much of the eastern Lion Clan lands. The Akodo
The Battles of Tosh i Ranbo demonstrate m u ltiple
tacticians studying the problem eventu a l ly settled on the
aspects of Roku g a n i wa rfa re, but two, in particular,
a rea surrounding the fortress as the best place from which
stand out. Fi rst, the Crane and Lion Clans elevated the
not only to block a ny Crane aggression, but a lso to proj­
pol itica l scheming a round perm issible interclan combat
RECENT ect power against their neighbors.
to a verita ble a rt form . Despite h u n d reds of yea rs of bat­
DEVELOPMENTS From these relatively h u mble beg i n n i n gs, Toshi
tle and bloodshed, in o n ly a very few specific instances
Ranbo has g rown i nto a fu l l -fledged city-----<:Jespite hav­
In the spring of 1 123, were their confl icts officially considered "war. "
i n g been the focus of a l m ost constant confl ict since
the Crane and Lion have Seco n d , the Battles of Toshi Ra n bo exempl ify the
a fateful confrontation about 1 50 years after its fou n d i n g . In the late sixth
Roku g a n i preference for d i rect assa u lt over siege wa r­
at the gates of Toshi centu ry, the Cra n e C l a n , beco m i n g increasingly wary
Ranbo. Akodo Toturi and fa re . Large, sophisticated siege e n g i nes and equip­
of g rowing Lion power on its northern border, abru ptly
Matsu Jsuko witness the ment a re norm a l ly o n l y used by the Cra b Clan in their
attacked and seized Toshi Ranbo, holding it for a short
slaying of the Lion Clan g ri m , unending stru g g l e a g a i n st the Shadowlands.
Champion, Akodo Arasou, time before the Lion retook it. This m a rked the beg in­
I nside the Empire, protracted sieges a re ra re, even
by Doji Hotaru's arrow. n i n g of repeated i n sta nces in which the city switched
a g a i nst strongly defended ta rgets.
Ostensibly to reduce ownership. Wh i l e under Cra n e contro l , Tos h i Ra n bo
tensions, the Emperor I nstead, direct assau lts on fortified locations a re fa r
wou l d become a base of operations from which the
Hantei XXXVlll appointed more com mon, ra rely uti l izing a nyth i n g more soph isti­
Cra n e cou ld stri ke i nto the Lion's northern provi n ces
Emerald Magistrate cated than mobile shie lds, ladders, and battering ra ms.
Bayushi Yojiro to admin­ along the Drowned Merchant River, just as Lion strat­
This tends to l i m it damage to towns, cities, and castles,
istrate the city. with egists had fea red. The Lion wou ld, therefore, a m a ss
support from the Imperial h e l p i n g aggressors reta i n their va l u e and avoid costly
forces to d rive the Cra n e back, reta ke Toshi Ranbo,
legion (featuring a and time-con s u m i n g rep a i rs. Even more favored is the
a n d launch their own attacks i nto Cra n e territory. The
suspiciously high number Lion strategy of bypassing and isolating garrisons; gen­
ofScorpion legionnaires). Cra n e , i n turn, wou ld push the Lion back and recaptu re
era l s simply do not l i ke engaging i n the grinding attri­
This effectively usurped the city, a n d the cycl e wou ld repeat itself.
tion of a lengthy siege a n d wou l d much rather ach ieve
Crane control through a I ndeed, the city changed hands so often it was said
political coup, proving swift and decisive resu lts.
that citizens kept sets of identifying reg a l i a for both .
that not all battles are
won on the battlefield.

ff
 1tle liott Cratt
At the heart of Rokugan stands the Lion Clan. This is true
in more ways than one. Not only do Lion 's pr ov inces lie
at the center of the Emerald Emp i re, but the Lion Clan
is the core of its greatest martia tradition: that of the
l
samurai as a warrior. From its found ing, the Lion Clan has
existed for the purpose of making wa r, but its samura
i
are also the keepers of Rokugan 's martia traditions and a
l
liv ing reminder of the Empire 's warrior heritage. The Lion
have taken this ca l l ing to hear t, and over the centuries,
their sold iers have become the might iest m i litary force.
The Ka m i Akodo forged the Lion Clan into the
blade of the Emperor, prepared to attack or defend at
his comma nd . The Lion are the Empire 's wa r r ior con­
sc ience, rem inding its sa mura i what honor demands.
Th ey are the scholars of wa r, producing some of the
finest tactic ians the Empire has ever known . They are dedicated t o especia lly heroic figu res.
keepers of B ush ido, the path of th e sa mu ra i. And Of course, th e Lion a lso wo rship the Fo rtu nes,
l
th ro ugh it a l l, th ey a re the sta unch est a l ies of th e Ha n­ especia lly B ish amon , th e Fortu ne of St re ngth , a nd
i
te l in e, ever ready beside the Empero r, just as Akodo H ach ima n , th e Fortu ne of Wa rfa re . H oweve r, th ey co n ­
i
a nd H ante stood at the dawn of th e Em pire . sider wo rsh ip o f the Fo rtu nes a d iffe ren t re l ig ious prac­
The Em pero r's first commands to the Lion Clan are tice a ltogeth e r. Fo rtu n e wo rsh ip is t ra nsaction ba sed ,
ca rved into the fou ndation of every Lion dojo, so that every wh i le a n cestor worsh ip is th e ir sa c red obl ig a tio n . Th ey
student wh o crosses the th reshold knows them by hea rt: be l ieve th at a Li on fig hts n o t a lo ne , bu t w ith ge n e ra ­
" Be my sword and a rmor, my liv ing memory, my lante n r t ions of a n cestors by th ei r side .
in the nig ht. " The Lion interpret these orders as the clan 's
ancestra l duty: to be the m i lita ry arm of the Em peror, to
preserve and ch a m pion Rokugan 's wa rrior trad itions, and
to rem ind th e Empe ro r's serva nts that they a re sa mu ra i.
i
Cod ify n g B u sh ido, th e way of th e wa rrio r, is a m ong Th e fo u r g reat fa m i l ies of th e Lio n d a te fro m th e d a w n
i
i i
th e Li on 's m ost nfl u e ntia l contr b utions to Ro ku g a n 's of th e Em p re . Th e Akod o g u ide th e clan a s its m o ra l
cu ltu re . B efo re Akodo, th e co n ce pt of wa rrio rs ' h on o r co m pa ss a n d d e facto lea d e rs , tra ci n g th e i r a n ces­
i
ex isted in many g ro u ps, but it va ri ed a cross th e l a n d try back to th e r n a m esake a n d th e cl a n 's leg e n d a ry
a n d was ra rely fo rm a l ly cod ifi ed . Akodo so u g ht to fo u n d e r. Stea dy at th e ir sid e a re th e wa rl ike Mats u , wh o
i i
clearly d efi n e Bush id o in h s sem n a l text Leadersh ip, s u pp ly th e b u l k of th e Lion 's m i lita ry fo rces as th e clan 's
i
wh ch outl i n es a code of seven virtu es sha red by a l l l a rgest sa m u ra i fa m i ly. Tog eth e r, th e Akod o a n d M a ts u
i
h o n o ra b l e wa rr i o rs . l
A th o u g h the Lion l ve a s thou g h l ea d , u n ited b y respect but d iffe ri n g i n v is ion a n d p h i­
they i n vented t h e cod e , Akodo h i mself said B u sh i d o l o so p h y. Adventu ro u s a n d stu d i o u s , th e l ko m a a re th e
is a n i n n a te tr uth th at h o n o ra b l e wa rr i o rs k n ow by Lion 's sch o la rs a n d d i p lomatic fa ce, keep i n g the c l a n 's
i n stinct, a n d that a n cient h e roes wa l ked the wa rrior's h isto ri es, advising e l d e rs, a n d rep resenti n g the Lion at
i
path without ever having known i ts n a m e . co u rt. Fina l l y, the K tsu fa m i l y of s h u g enja i s th e clan 's
i
Wh i l e a n ce stor wo rsh p is a p ro l ific p ra ctice a m o n g spi ritua l a n c h o r, its connection to the a n cesto rs a n d the
sa m u ra i , the L i o n a re especi a l l y d edicated to i t . T h e i r will of the H eavens.
p ra ctices go b a c k furth e r than those of most cla ns, Th e rol es a n d the h i e ra rchy of the Lion fa m i l ies a re
a n d th ey remember the n a m es of m o re than j u st the as o bj e ctive as an army's military ra nks . H oweve r, a l l
g reatest c l a n h e roes. Each Lion fa m i ly keeps a n ces­ fou r fa m i l i es have l ed the Lion a t som e point i n h is­
tra l records of every p e rson born i nto the fa m i ly a n d tory. M ost often , an Akodo o r Matsu has served as the
p rese nts offe ri n g s to them a l l . F u rthe r, the L i o n h ave Lion C l a n Champion . Less common l y, an l koma has led
m o re a n ce stra l festivals than a n y oth e r c l a n , a n d t h e i r the c l a n , and a h a ndfu l of ti mes, a Kitsu has been clan
h o u s e h o l d s h r i n e s t o the a n cesto rs a re m o re e l a b o rate ch a m p i o n . I n the a bsence of a clea r h e i r or the wishes
and crowded than any oth e rs. In the richest h o m es, of the prior cham pion, the clan 's leader is u ltimate ly
the household shrine is a sepa rate b u i l d i n g with h a l l s whoever everyone a g rees has the strongest cla i m .
What th is m ea n s h a s varied from e ra to era .
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

The other clans praise this attitude, but it also

THE AKODO
FAMILY MON
A KODO explains the Akodo's reputation as unyielding and
========!.- To establish his clan, the Kami Akodo sought out the overly principled. The Akodo are notoriously difficult
A reserved lion face, greatest fighters and tactical minds, challenging them in to negotiate with and not half as pragmatic as their
divided into two halves:
whatever they claimed as their mastery. Whether through lkoma cousins. Famously, the Akodo trust only outsid­
duels, tests of strength, or games of wit and strategy, ers they personally have fought in a contest, duel, or
one representing

skirmish. This is because the Akodo believe a person's

the tactical thinker, the
other representing the Akodo met every challenger in his search for those wor-
martial spirit. thy to share his legacy. But few proved his equal, and true nature is revealed in the midst of battle, when
his clan grew slowly. While his siblings boasted the alle­ everything is stripped away but the "survival mind." It
giance of entire families and their clans began to swell, is then that a person's essential values are laid bare and
he had only a small fellowship of warriors, tightly knit the strength of their character shrines through.
but few in number. Akodo did not mind. He knew his Similarly, the Akodo remember all slights and let
patience would one day pay off. One winter, when he nothing slide. An Akodo might remind another samurai
brought only a handful to court befo re the Emperor, Han­ that their ancestor insulted the Lion centuries past­
tei remarked that he was "a lion without a pride." Akodo and follow up by challenging that samurai on the spot.
simply replied, "A lion does not stand with sheep." The Akodo even tend to reject an alliance, however
Such is the way of the Akodo family, even to this day. logical, until the potential ally has apologized for an
Tight-knit, patient, and purposeful, ever judging but ancestor's role, no matter how minor, in leaving a dark
accepting once their respect has been won, the Akodo spot on Akodo history.
have risen to become one of the most glorious samurai
families in Rokugan. Their victories decorate the halls of C U LT U R E AN D TRA D I T I O N S
Lion dojo and abound in the histories of the defeated.
A s i t is fo r most samurai fami lies, the way o f life for
the Akodo is modeled after the life of their founder.
As a warrior, Akodo lived for the thrill of battle and
R E P U TAT I O N AN D VAL U E S

Merely following Bushido is not enough to the Akodo. embraced the path of Bushido. As a general, he stud­
Bushido must be fully embraced, all tenets given ied the ways of war and made innovations in the way
equal weight. But if an Akodo must choose a tenet to it was conducted. As a strategist, he devised a unified
venerate above all others, that tenet is Honor. Lesser theory of warcraft that laid the foundations for gen­
warriors fixate on what Honor forbids, hesitating and erations of warfare. Most of all, as a mentor, Akodo
second-guessing their actions, weighing them con­ fostered fellowship in everyone he led, taking a per­
stantly against their codes. For a true samurai, how­ sonal interest in each of his vassals a nd binding them
ever, honorable action is second nature. Wh�t honor together as kin. The Akodo family's traditions invoke
forbids never occurs to them, right action is obvious, each of these aspects in turn.
and any disgrace is unthinkable. The Akodo believe Unlike the cultures of the Matsu and lkoma, Akodo
such a warrior cannot be defeated. cultu re emphasizes the group over the individual,
teaching children from a young age to prioritize the
greater needs of fa mily. An Akodo's path is never cho­
sen by themselves, but by their parents, their parents'
THE ROAD TO WAR advisors, their teachers, and their lord. And, some
would insist, by their ancestors, whom the Akodo
Although the Lion lands form distinct terri­ believe guide their every step. While most Rokugani
tories, they are far more integrated than the believe their a ncestors' attention must be attracted,
lands of other clans. It is not uncommon for a and that they can dwell in Ningen-do only for a time,
Matsu palace to stand in an Akodo province, the Akodo believe their ancestors are a constant pres­
or for the lkoma and Kitsu to share the fiefdom ence, always watching, guiding, and judging.
of a village, for instance. Rather than dividing At the heart of Akodo culture is warrior fellowship.
road maintenance by ancestral territories, the Strong bonds are encouraged from an early age, and
entire clan maintains the Lion's internal roads, each young Akodo is heavily guided to their place
which are laid out for rapid deployment of within the family. This is embodied in the Akodo's con­
troops and are among the best engineered cept of the dc5shi, or dojo partner. While most dojo
roads in the Empire. They contrast sharply pair students together as doshi, among the Akodo,
with the roads along the Lion's borders, which this is considered a sacred bond. Doshi are not just
the clan intentionally keeps run down and in classmates and sparring partners, but blood siblings, a
disrepair so as to frustrate would-be invaders.
It
C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

IM PERIALIS M I N RETROS PECT

Roku g a n is an e m p i re , a n d wh i l e its days of overt it is. For exa m p l e , w h i l e the offi c i a l h i story of
expa nsionism a re l a rgely i n its (fictional) past, this Rokug a n m a y c l a i m that the h u m a n s whom the
does n ot mean they d o n ot m atter. Many of its Ka m i fi rst encou ntered were pitiable a n d without
ru l e rs and citizens su bscri be to the idea that the culture , the l sawa 's records from centuries before
a ctions of their a n cestors were j u stified by the fact the Ka m i 's a rriva l deta i l complex, vi brant societ­
that they created a m a ssive e m p i re-even those ies. The l sawa e n co u nte red these societies when
a ctions that were u n d e n i a b l y wicked, such as wars they a rrived i n the mounta i n s that wou l d become
of conquest a n d the suppression of the g ro u ps, their homeland. I ndeed, the l sawa 's own conti n u ­
ideolog ies, a n d be l iefs that existed prior to the ous culture p roves t h a t com p l ex h u m a n societies
Ka m i 's a rriva l . Far m o re Roku g a n i simply never existed before the Ka m i 's a rriva l . M ost Roku g a n i
q u estio n the eth ical decisions of their a n cestors. b e l i eve the various g roups o f p e o p l e they ca l l t h e
A few d o q uestio n the ori g i n s of their society a n d Yoba nj i n subm itted o r were a n n i h i l ated, a n d many
w o n d e r h ow they can g ra p p l e with their h i story of were i n d eed k i l led i n the wars fought to bri n g
conqu est. Readers s h o u l d take the opportu n i ty to Rokug a n u n d e r the contro l of the Ka m i a n d their
refl ect m o re deeply on these matters when th i n k­ descenda nts. H owever, these peo p l e do sti l l exist
i n g a bout the story of Roku g a n , as we l l as to con­ in m a n y parts of Roku g a n , either m a i nta i n i n g their
sider how such themes may be re l evant to their culture wh i l e blending i nto the g e n e ra l pop u l ace
own l ives. o r l i v i n g i n remote locations, such as the G reat
If this i s a theme a GM wishes to exp l o re in Wa l l of the N o rth mou nta i ns, where their u n i q u e
the game and the p l ayers a re comforta b l e d o i n g culture sti l l th rives. C h a ra cte rs who d iscover such
so, the G M can g ive the cha racte rs a c h a n ce t o i nformation wi l l be forced to g ra p p l e with d ifficult
refl ect o n the past, a n d o n the u n comfortable q u estions about the sins of Roku g a n 's past.
truths b e h i n d h ow Roku g a n came to be what

l ife l o n g comm itment whose ties a re as stro n g as a ka r­ LAN DS OF TH E AKODO

m i c l i n k . Dosh i a re expected to be l oya l to o n e a n other
n o m atter the c i rc u m stance a n d to support each oth er Th e Lion 's lands were o n c e t h e d o m a i n Akodo con­
i n their wea kest m o m e nts, even i nto a d u lthood . q u ered for h i mself. Conti n u a l ly ready to defend the
The most va l u ed path in Akodo culture is that of the capita l , Akodo b u i l t his keep a mere day's ride from
genera l . In fact, the very word Akodo invokes genera­ Otosa n U ch i . These a n d the oth er provi nces of the
tions of accompl ished war genera l s and bri l l iant tacti­ Akodo a re d o m i n ated by ro l l i n g g rassy p l a i n s . Streams
cians. Throughout the Empire, the most prestigious ori g i nating from the E m p i re's two l a rgest rivers work
Akodo school is the Akodo Wa r Col l ege, where the tradi­ their way across Akodo l a n d s l i ke th i n veins, bestowing
tions and tech n iques of the Akodo Com mander School a bou nty of g ra i n s , s h ru bs, a n d flowering p l a nts.
a re taught. Accepta n ce i nto the Wa r College assures a
long and celebrated career, as the school is the most
reputa ble institute of leadersh ip and tactics in Rokugan Loyalty Castl e
a n d claims the most successfu l army genera l s i n h i story.
S h i ro Akodo, or Loya lty Castle, is t h e a n cestra l seat
The h a l l s of the Akodo Wa r College a re decorated
of the Akodo fa m i ly's power and the g reatest of their
with war bann ers taken from fa mous defeated g e n e r­
fortresses. It is l ocated a day's ride from Otosan Uchi
a l s of oth er clans, a n d the sch ool m a i nta i n s an open
across m ostly fl at land, so that the Lion C l a n Cham­
cha l l enge for a nyone to come a n d take them back. So
pion may swiftly respond to any invasion of the capita l ,
g reat is the reputatio n of this school that it h a s led to
which is a l ways visible o n the horizo n . Here , t h e Ak
the common tru ism "An a rmy led by a n Akodo-tra ined
m a i nta i n their l a rgest sta g i n g g rounds a n d retinue
g e n e ra l h a s never l ost. " Alth o u g h this claim can be
sm ith i es, consta ntly cyc l i n g a n d d ri l l i n g troo
easily disprove n , it rem a i n s q u ite popu l a r.
kee p i n g their fo rges b u rn i n g day a n d n i g ht.
As a keep b u i lt for sta g i n g m i l ita ry ca mpaigns,
Loya lty Castle was n ever i ntended to h ost d i p l omatic
 C HAPTE R t : G L O R I O U S H I STORI E S

guests. Not even the Akodo d a i myo's perso n a l estate

is located on the g rounds, a fact few outside the clan REJ ECTI N G THE TAO
rea l ize. The castle itself is a u stere a n d underdecorated,
its labyrinth ian layout designed to befuddle invaders, The conversation betwee n H antei a n d the
its steps fa mously u n even so as to trip rush i n g attack­ monk known as Sh insei was recorded by
ers. For a l l these reasons, the " h o m e " of the Akodo S h i ba in a document that eventua l ly came to
fa m i l y has not received the designation of palace wor­ be known as the Tao of Shinsei. This docu­
thy of hosti ng the Emperor's Wi nter Cou rt. ment funda menta l ly changed the cou rse of
However, there is one occasion on which the keep Rokug a n i rel i g i o n and p h i l osoph ical thought,
welcomes g uests. Once a yea r, Loya lty Castle hosts and each G reat Clan pu l l s n u m e rous lessons
the grandest Go tou rnament in the Empire, crowning from with i n its pages. It is even ru mored that
Rokugan's G o champion after a week-long competition. each of the Kami l e a rned a perso n a l l es­
During this time, the keep becomes a n impressive dis­ son from S h i nsei that m olded their clan in
play of Lion m i l ita ry might, decorated with the personal subtl e ways.
battle standards of the fam i ly's most famous generals. All but Akodo , that is. Akodo fou n d S h i n ­
sei's p h i l osophy to be so o d i o u s , so antithet­
H e a rt of V i g i lance S h r i n e ical to the sam u ra i way, that he denounced it
as soon a s h e heard it, before the Empero r
For ages, the H e a rt of Vig i l a nce Forest rem a i ned a n d the Little Te a c h e r h i m se lf. Convin ced
u ntouched, due to ru mors that the stu rdy pines and that embracing the Tao wou l d mean the
bam boo thickets were b lessed by the Fortu nes. But death of the warrior's way of l ife, h e forbade
after centuries of deforestation with i n Akodo territory, all members of h i s c l a n to so much as g l ance
the Akodo saw l ittl e choice but to d raw their l u m ber at its pages.
from the ancient forest. With i n , bushi d iscovered a H owever, H antei intervened, ordering that
forgotten shrine, one that appeared fa r older than any a copy of Shinsei's Tao m ust be g iven a p l a ce
other in the reg i o n . of honor withi n a l l Lion d6j6. Akodo cou l d not
T h e s h r i n e w a s dedicated t o forty-two Lesser For­ d i sobey, and so to this day, each Lion d ojo
tunes, including the Fortune of Ag ricu ltu re a n d the has a copy of the Tao of Shinsei right beside
Fortu ne of Stacked Stones, yet the shrine seemed its copy of Leadership.
to predate I m peri a l procl a m ations recog n izing the And to this day, every Lion dojo's copy of
existence of these Fortu nes. Even more puzz l i n g , in Shinsei's Tao rem a i n s unopened.
spite of its obvious age, the a rch itecture was modern
Rokuga n i . N o records cou l d identify the shrine, nor
who built it or why.
None of these facts prevented the bushi from h a r­
vesting trees from the su rrou n d i n g forest, for these
were their orders. With i n weeks of this i n itia l h a rvest,
every one of the d i recti n g bushi d i ed suddenly. To this
day, foresters avoid the trees closest to the shrine, and
wood is drawn from the Heart of Vig i l a nce Forest only
i n times of dire need. Those who take the sacred wood
inevita bly die soon after, accompan ied by whispers
of having been struck down by the any of the h idden
shrine's forty-two Fortu nes.

Auth o r i ze d C i ty

Over the past centu ry, the vibra nt town known as

Authorized City, or N i n katos h i , has ra pidly g rown from
a simple fa rm i n g v i l l a g e at the mouth of the Golden
Val ley to a fu l l -fledged city. H i storica lly, this is where
rs have awaited permission to conti n u e on i nto
rovi nces. The g rowing
 C H A PT E R 1 : G LO R I O U S H I S T O R I E S

AKOOO RUMORS AKODO S HOS U K E AOVANTAG ES DISADVANTAGES

"I overheard the senior ADVERSARY CON FLICT RANK: :u; 4 ♦2 Unflappable: Unassuming:
� Social; Mental � Social; Mental
Akodo Shosuke is the second-born scion of the ltagawa
students discussing why
our teacher endures such
vassal family, whose purpose as a "forge family" is to Patient:
� Social; Mental
terrible insults from that
brute Hasawa. They said supply the clan with weapons and armor. But Sho­
the two were diishi and suke isn't content with merely forging the Empire's
FAVORED WEA PONS
that they were sworn weapons-he is determined to become an expert
together at the same
in wielding them as well. His dream is to one day be Self-Forged Katana: Range 1, Damage 4, Deadliness
5/7 , Ceremonial, Razor-edged, Resplendent
ceremony. "
anointed with the honorary title of kensei, or sword­
saint. In the meantime, he is a dutiful quartermaster Gear (equipped): Lacque red armor (Physical 4, Cere­
':4kita does not care that

serving at the Castle of the Swift Sword, but he relishes

his actions punish us with
extra work every evening. monial, Cu mbersome, Wargea r), wakizashi, offerings
the chance to practice his skills against any who are
He will take any chance to for the ancesto r spirits, knife, small ham mer
willing to test him.
Gear (other): Plain robes, forging equipment
meet that strange woman
in the woods, even if the
rest of us must pay for it!"
ABILITI ES

D ETA I L E D P R E C I S I O N
"I saw ltsuko practicing
in the d6j6 alone just the
other day, and after she 30 GLORY When making a n Attack o r Movement action check,
Akodo Shosuke may remove 2 strife. For each strife
left, I swear the Tao of
Shinsei had been moved 37 STATUS
he removes this way, he adds one kept ■ set to i;, to

2
from its spot!"

� + 2, �-2 VIG I LANCE the check and receives 1 fatigue.

D E M EANOR · DETE R M I N E D Q U I C K FIX
A s a Support action, Shosuke may receive 3 fatigue
ARTI S AN 3 MARTIAL 3 SCHOLAR 2 S OCIAL 1 TRADE I
and 3 strife to remove the Damaged item quality from
one weapon or set of armor at range 0- 1 .
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

T he M atsu bel ieve their honor i s their g reatest

M ATS U wea pon . Bushido is n ot merely a col lection of virtues
THE MATSU
FAM I LY MON
Wh i l e many wa rriors strove to meet Akodo 's cha llenges, codified by Akodo : it is a n i n n ate truth of the u niverse,
eager to join his clan, the re was one who denied h i m . the d isti l l ed m in dset of a wa rri o r. The M atsu do not A lion's pa w, grasping a
sword. In early centuries,
T he wa rrior Matsu garn e red a fie rce reputation as a regard the Bushido virtues as l i m its,- but as sou rces
the depicted sword was
bandit lord , ta rgeti ng those she deemed unjust and of st rength . This accou nts for their inspiration a l lead­ a chokuto. This was
corr u pt. One day, she saw the harm she had caused to ers h i p style. A Matsu general always p l u nges i nto the amended to a wakizaslri
the meekest com moners, and she ca st aside the bandit thickest fi ghti n g , g a lva n izing everyon e a round them. in the sixth centu ry.

l i fe and d istributed her i l l -gotten goods to the su ffe ring For all that the M atsu a re fa mous for their honor
vil lages, settling down to open a martial school and con­ and battle prowess, as w e l l as for their n atu ral cha­
tem plate her l i fe. Her former fol lowers came to avenge risma a n d fie rce loya l ty, the M a tsu a re most fa mous
her betrayal of them, and each ended up buried in the for their strong emotions. Oth e r clans consider a short
ya rd of her schoo l . When wo rd of th is reformed bandit a n d m i g h ty temper to be their defi n i n g trait. Afte r a l l ,
reached Akod o 's ears, he was i ntrigued. t h e M a tsu battle rag e is t h e h a llma rk o f their school . A
Yet M a tsu i g n o red Akodo 's many req uests for an com m o n saying is, "The Akodo do n ot fo rget, but the
audience. To h e r, he was l i ke all the other corr u pt l o rds M a tsu do n ot fo rg ive . "
and ba ndit ki ngs she'd known i n her adol escence­ T he Matsu reg a rd t h e i r a n g e r as a sou rce of st ren gth
j u st a n other brute killer risin g at the cost of others. to be h a rnessed. This is epitom ized in the M a tsu battle
Eventu a l l y he ca me to her vi llage, h i s fo rces in tow, rage, a n entra n ced state in which a wa rri or is at one
and o ffe red her a p l a ce by his side, as h i s wife . She with their m a rtia l i n stincts, beco m i n g an u n stop pa ble
cou n te red h i s offe r with a cha l lenge to d u e l. When they fo rce on the battlefi e l d , i m m une to hesitation, fea r, a n d
fi nished , Akod o lay on h is back with Matsu 's b lade at pai n . T h e best- l a id pla n s a n d m ost carefu l ly deployed
i
h is th roat. T h at sa me d a y, M a tsu pledg ed he rse lf to advanta ges cru m p le l ke rice pape r ben eath the co n­
Akodo 's cau se , o n th e co nd ition th at th ey be eq u a ls in t ro l led storm of th e M a tsu B e rse rke r. Th e key is kn ow­
i
th e cl a n . Wh i le l eg e nds specu late a bout wh at ch a n ged n g wh e n to h o ld ba ck, a n d wh en to u n leash the fu ry.
h e r m i n d , h e r desce n d a n ts be l i ev e th e ir d u e l revea led
Akodo 's h o n or a nd a m b it io n ; from th ese , sh e j u d g ed C U LT U R E AN D T RA D I T I O N S
h i m wo rth y of h er respect a n d loya lty, be li ev i ng th at i
M a tsu cu ltu re derives fro m th e life of th e r fou nd e r, th e
tti.ir $kills tog,ther would ta ke the pair fu rth er th a n
legen da ry folk he ro wh o was on e of th e Seve n Th u n­
f6
eitlw <:euld.ri lone .
d e rs . Th e M a tsu see k to em u late he r in everyth in g,
1'he ily has served as th e Akodo 's right
from th e courts to th e ba ttle fi eld , in peace and in wa r.
h�d sfnee e Lion Cl a n 's fou n d i ng . A prou d fami ly
Wh eth e r th rough a r t, poetry, ga m es, or th e m a rtia l a rts ,
tha t ma in ta i ns ma n y m a t ria rcha l t rad it ions in M a tsu 's
everyth ing th e M a tsu do is fu lly comm itted a n d seen
hono r, it fu lly e mbraces the Lion 's ph iloso phy, rega rd­
th roug h th e lens of th e wa rrior m ind .
i ng a ll aspects of life th rou g h the lens of wa rfa re . Seek­
For instance, Matsu poetry is spontaneous a nd
ing to e m u late their fo u nder i n a ll aspects and fa mous
improvised, as simple as it is audacious. It is composed
for the ir hot -b looded te m pe r, th ey a re th e bea ting
from cu tting words a nd del ivered with unfl inch ing emo­
heart of the Lio n Cla n , em bodying the wi l l, fie rce e mo­
tio n . M a tsu theater favors the Kabu ki sty le and is fi lled
tio n, and cou ra ge of th e ir fou nde r.
with action and pass ion, focusing on the individua l
and packed with special effects. W r iters and directors
RE PU T AT I ON AN D VA LU E S
rega rd their troupe members as so ldiers of a un it, dri ll­
The Matsu name is synony mous th roughou t the ing relentless ly for a flawless show. The Matsu pursue a ll
E mpi re w ith both the best a nd worst of the Lio n Cla n, arts in th is manner: not as med itation or personal enjoy­
e mbodying its g reatest st reng ths and weaknesses. Th is ment, bu t as disru pt ive expression, a battle to be won.
repu ta tio n stems from the Matsu 's natu ra l ave rsion to This is why other samura i say, " No matter what a Matsu
hesita tio n. Bold ness a nd impetuous actio n a re virtuous a ttempts, they are sharpening their claws. "
in Matsu cu ltu re, or as the Ma tsu pu t it, " Hes ita tion is a Unsu rprising ly, Matsu cu lture is thoroughly martia l.
thousa nd deaths. " The ideal sta te of the wa rrioris one in F rom the age of six, Matsu children are trained in lethal
which there is no space between thought and deed, and combat. Those who do not take to martial arts are
the wa r rioris nothi ng mo re than a vessel for pu re martial sw ift ly placed elsewhe re: foste red to other fam ilies or
i nstinct. If one does not co mmit fu lly to action, conse­ sen t to monastic life . Even Matsu who become artists
que nces and a ll, the n o ne ca n not ca ll oneself a samu rai. and courtiers conduct themse lves as warriors, destined
for a very different battlefield.
C H A PTE R 1 : G LO R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

T H E DEATH SEEKERS
The Deathseeker tradition originates in terri­
ble d isgrace and glorious redemption. During
a border dispute between the Lion and Scor­
pion, a Matsu lord betrayed his liege and
sided with the Scorpion. H is retainers rebelled
against h is treachery, took his head, and
served in the vanguard of the liege's forces
to redress their lord's failures. After defeating
the Scorpion, the vanguard's only survivor,
Kirifu, swore to serve in the army 's most dan­
gerous positions in order to spare others.
Kirifu's oath became a path to atone­
ment, a commitment to redemption through
selfless action, and others who had suffered
disgrace followed her lead. Yet volunteering
for the riskiest missions, forming vanguards
for armies without being asked, and throw­
ing themselves recklessly into danger, gives
the impression of someone who is try ing to
die. These so-called " Deathseekers " hope
to redeem themselves by achieving one last
great victory for the clan, or as many as possi­
ble before they die.
Adopting their oaths voluntarily, a Death­
seeker returns their katana, wakizash i, and
any other family relics, and gives up their
rank and holdings. No longer beneath any
lord , they swear to fo rever follow a warrior
pilgrimage, to disregard their own safety, and
confront necessary dangers so others do not
have to. While permitted to keep their family
name, some elect to adopt a new personal
name to d istance themselves from their for­
mer identity. A Deathseeker can be identified
by their black-and-white painted face, the
braided cord around their arm or fo rehead,
and their relative lack of armor.
While many admire and praise Deathseek­
ers, the tradition is nonetheless controversial.
Shielding others from harm is considered self­
less, but many consider it selfish to sever one­
self from lord and family. Others bemoan the
human cost in expertise, resources, and lives.
Ultimately, no one is ever pleased to hear that
a loved one has joined the Deathseeker ranks.
For rules on making a character a Death­
seeker, see page 1 32.
 /

C H A PT E R 1 : G LO R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

The stringent standards of the Matsu are demon­

strated in their gempuku, which is considered draco­
nian even by Crane or Scorpion standards. Students
A LI FE O F BATTLES
must pass many tests to reach adulthood, including The Matsu believe that life is a series of bat­
reciting memorized passages from Leadership, prov­ tles. Farmers battle the land to yield crops,
ing their martial prowess with a variety of weapons, sailors battle the ocean to cross the waters,
quartering a tossed pomegranate before it touches the magistrates battle criminals, and so on. Sta­
ground, and enduring numerous strikes from a bamboo tion and rank do not matter; every person
practice sword called a shinai against their bare back. fights an invisible war, be it against them­
Those who pass the tests are marked with the Matsu
selves, the elements, or very rea l enemies.
crest as a sign of their eternal devotion. Those who do No one can possibly understand the nature of
not pass are "allowed" to commit seppuku to spare another's war, and it is no one's place to judge
themselves and their parents the shame of their fail­ how that war is fought, except by the m et­
ure. While the other Lion families sometimes adopt the ric of personal honor. If life sets one samu­
same tradition, it is the Matsu who are most strongly rai against another, then it is inevitable that
associated with it. they will fight. To be allies one moment and
Matsu lords and vassal families are always seeking enemies the next: that is the life of samurai,
to expand their territory. While the frequent targets are according to the Matsu.
the lands of other clans, it is common for the Matsu to
conduct limited conflicts with each other. In fact, the
Matsu encourage limited intrafamily warring, believing
it will keep the family strong. Matsu leaders cannot
show any sign of weakness, lest their neighbors sense
an opening to capture their lands.
It is commonly said that "a Matsu makes no prom­
ises." A Matsu's word and deed are as one; promises
are unnecessary, and to ask for one is an insult. How­
ever, Matsu samurai may still demonstrate their sincerity
through a tradition called kinch6, in which they strike
their swords together in order to "seal a promise." It is
believed that if one party is lying, their sword will break,
and therefore they will be cut or killed by the other.
Among the most unusual of the Empire's martial
traditions are those of the Matsu Beastmasters. These
warriors train lions and other animals to fight alongside
Lion soldiers in battle. Among the rarest Lion samu­
rai, a Matsu Beastmaster is always accompanied by at
least one trained animal, raised alongside them since
adolescence, with which they have formed a bond of
mutual respect. Caring for the lions of the Matsu is
considered a sacred task, for legends claim these lions
carry the spirits of ancient kitsu, accounting for their
unusually high intelligence.
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

LAN D S O F TH E MATSU Since then, the Matsu have retained the castle to
keep watch over the Scorpion, renaming it Kenson no
MATSU RUMORS

"Mere/rants are saying our The varied lands of the Matsu family unfurl across Lion Gakka, or Humility's Lesson, in honor of their victory.
lord is extending fealty to provinces like a waving banner. Oxen and lion prides They hold an annual festival on the anniversary of the
tire bandits in tire hills. I freely roam the flatlands, while herds of deer wander castle's recapture, marked with imported fireworks and
shut them up, but w/rat if
through the few but dense forests. The lands grow boisterous song. The Matsu ensure the yearly festivities
steadily hillier as they reach south and west, eventu­
it is true?"
can be readily seen and even heard from miles away,
':4 true account of Kaki­ ally culminating in the Spine of the World Mountains, particularly from Scorpion lands.
ta's slight to Lady Matsu
whose foothills house rich copper mines, one of the
clan's most important exports. To the southwest is
has been discovered in
Last B reath Castle and
Beiden Pass, one of precious few crossroads through
the Imperial Libraries,
one that proves our lady
t h e Va l l ey of Sto r m s
was not the villain of that the mountain range and part of the most important
story. But tire lickspittles trade route in the Empire. Overlooking Beiden Pass from a rising sea of golden
A person could throw a stone from the edge of grass before the Lake of Sorrows, Last Breath Cas­
in the Crane are covering

Matsu lands and strike the open gates of Ky uden tle, or Shiro Matsu, is the home of the Matsu family
it up!"

':4 lone lion is wandering Kakita, which taunt the military might of the Lion daimy6 and the military might of the family. It was
behind treaties and thin diplomacy. The lands along built at the historic site where Lady Matsu first met
the Valley ofStorms, a

this border have changed hands countless times over the Kami Akodo. The nearby town was once the tiny
lion that is completely
black. Some say the lion
was rejected by its pride, the centuries, causing resident farmers to lose track of village that Matsu called home but is now the largest
but I heard it is simply who their current lord is on a regular basis. and most industrious settlement in Lion lands. Visitors
from across the provinces arrive at the castle on their
seeking a pride worthy

pilgrimage to the Hall of Ancestors, which is under the

enough to join. "
H a l l of A n cestors
keep's protection. Truly, Last Breath Castle would be
Built into the western hills above Shiro Matsu (Last the capital of the Lion were the Akodo not the tradi­
Breath Castle), the most sacred site of the Lion con­ tional leaders of the clan.
tains the remains of the clan's greatest heroes. Jointly To the north, the fertile Valley of Storms forms the
maintained by the Matsu and Kitsu families, the Hall of breadbox of the family. South of the castle, Beiden
Ancestors with its many tombs, shrines, and memorials Pass lies exposed to Matsu scouts and way stations.
is the largest funerary complex in the Empire. To be Any travelers who enter the pass without the Matsu's
enshrined there is to be recognized as a legend among permission are immediately discovered, although
the Lion; it is orie of the clan's highest honors. Also those seeking passage into Crane lands to the south
inside the complex are the histories of the dead, one are generally allowed through. Unlike Loyalty Castle,
of the richest collections of genealogical information Shiro Matsu hosts diplomats from other clans year
available to the clan. Traditionally, Lion samurai visit round. Still, few considerations are given to a guest's
this place at least once in their lifetime to honor the comfort, and most courtiers consider an assignment to
memories of the great heroes who went before them. Last Breath Castle to be a severe punishment.

H u m i l i ty's Lesson
The largest Lion keep against the mountainous Scor­
pion border, the castle known as Kenson no Gakka did M ERCY A M O N G
not always have that name. Originally belonging to the
lkoma, the castle was infiltrated and taken by the Scor­
THE MATS U
pion Clan in the sixth century. Renaming it Castle of Even in this harsh family, there is familial love
Honor, the Scorpion intended to use it as a bargaining that cannot easily be set aside. If a Matsu
chip in their campaign to seize Ky uden lkoma (Sacred parent believes their child will not pass their
Watch Palace). However, their campaign was disrupted gempuku, they are likely to seek to have the
by the Matsu family, whose samurai stormed the keep child adopted by another family, such as a
and killed every Scorpion living within. From there, the vassal family or even a family of a Minor Clan,
Matsu staged their forces to press into Scorpion lands or have them enter a monastic order. This
through the southern Beiden Pass, eventually com­ way, they can maintain the family tradition
ing within sight of Ky uden Bayushi (Silk and Shadow without condemning their child to death, a
Palace) itself before the Scorpion lobbied for Imperial fate few parents can endure no matter how
intervention. The Matsu gained a foothold into Scor­ disciplined they may be.
pion territory in the resulting trade.
 C HAPTE R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I STORI E S

MATSU NAOKO ADVANTt\GES l)JSAOVANTI\GES

ADVERSARY CON FLICT RANK: :r,J 4 ♦2 Trained Survivalist: Hot-Tempered:

I
� Martial; Physical, Mental � Social; Menta l
Naoko's parents first noticed something unusual about
their third-born child when she collected a dozen FI\VOREO WEAPONS
housecats in the garden teahouse and was feeding
Magari-Yari: Range 1 -2, Damage 6, Deadliness 4,
and caring for them. More unusual was the rapport
Cumbersome, Razor-Edged, Wargear
she shared with the felines-they seemed to follow
her lead. On a hunch, her parents introduced her to Gear (eq uipped): Common clothes (Physical 1 , Mun­
a teacher from the Beast's Heart dojo. When she was dane), daisho (katana and wakizashi), knife
fourteen, she received a newly weaned lion cub, a rare
Gear (other): Tattered kemari ball (Ta mi's favorite toy)
honor for an inexperienced student. Now a proud stu­
dent of the Matsu Beastmaster tradition, Naoko and ABILITIES
Tami, her lioness companion, use their bond in their
W H I R L I N G C LAWS AN D S PEAR
work as cartographers and scouts for the Lion Clan­
When performing an Attack action against a target at
when they aren't hunting game across the plains or

�fi'. '"'";'""
range O of one of Naoko's allies (such as Tami), Matsu
sleeping beneath the open stars.
*
Naoko may spend in the following way:
I :-;�: The target suffers the Disoriented condition.
60 " " ' " " 1
2
F E LI N E E M PATHY
Naoko can understand the motives of cats great and small
and can communicate with them in a rudimentary way.

: :::, ¥'"": : : :
B EASTMAST E R
3 Tami the lioness is never far away from Naoko and
� + 2, �-2 VIGILANCE
uses the Hunting Cat profile on page 327 of the
core rulebook.
DEMEANOR ASSERTIVE

ARTISAN I MARTIAL ] SCHOLAR 3 SOCIAL 1 TRADE O

 C U LT U R E AN D TRA D I T I O N S

Akodo found many of his greatest warriors via cross­ The lkoma way i s that o f the adventurer-scholar,
roads duels and in d6j6, yet his closest ally, the elder embracing knowledge and martial prowess in equal
lkoma, he found drunk in a sake house. The only patron measure. lkoma was Akodo's most valued advisor, and
THE !KOMA
who refused to bow to the divine Kami, lkoma met lkoma culture molds its members to serve in similar
====,.,,,.===et, each of Akodo's threats with one in turn and topped
FAMILY MON capacities, as military strategists, scholars, and experts
each of Akodo's boasted feats with several of his own. in law. The art the family values most is that of the sto­
ryteller-performer, embodied in its famous bardic tradi­
A stylized torii arch
depicting a lion's face, When Akodo expressed disbelief at what he saw as a
representing a portal to doddering old man's claims, lkoma regaled the Kami tion. lkoma often serve as clan representatives based
knowledge and discovery.
with battle tales of his youth well into the night. By on family reputation alone.
morning, Akodo had warmed to the old man, offer­ These values and traditions stem from lkoma's
ing him a place at his side. The founder of the lkoma teaching that pride is a virtue. The past should be ven­
family is remembered as a braggart and a wastrel, a erated, one's ancestors celebrated, and one's deeds
brawler and a boaster, and an old fossil quick to speak eagerly shared. Bragging is encouraged, for when
his mind. But he is also remembered as a charismatic a person is recognized for their deeds, so are their
storyteller, a wise advisor, a mischievous ally, and one ancestors. As a samurai's name is inherited, each samu­
of few mortals whom Akodo called "friend." rai's personal goal should be to return it even more
The lkoma family serve the Lion as historians, glorious than before.
scholars, seneschals, and diplomats. They are the liv­ The lkoma's study of history serves them well in
ing memory of the clan, keeping the stories of their fulfilling the family's ancestral duty. They are charged
ancestors alive. They are gatekeepers to the clan's with keeping the official clan histories, a daunting task
wealth, the first contact for alliances and favors. But that includes recording the genealogies of its samu­
most importantly, the lkoma are the mortar of the clan. rai; interpretations of its laws; and military innovations,
They bond Akodo and Matsu, young and old, warrior victories, and perhaps most importantly, defeats. So
and scholar, glorious path with hopeful future. seriously do the lkoma regard this duty that neutral
lkoma heralds are regularly deployed to both sides of
momentous battles, honor bound and sworn against
interfering, in order to record the events precisely as
R E PUTATI O N A N D VAL U E S
Outside the Lion Clan, the lkoma have a reputation as they happen. The lkoma have even been known to
the Lion's resident troublemakers, an impressive feat accept the written accounts of soldiers who witnessed
for the clan of the impetuous Matsu. This reputation important battles as marriage gifts in arranged mar­
is owed in part to the infamy of the family's founder, riages and as bargaining chips in negotiations.
lkoma, who notoriously preferred brothels and sake The lkoma carefully preserve these records in the
houses to d6j6 and tea gardens, and who fought with lkoma Libraries (see High Histories of the lkoma, on
his bare hands against armed opponents. In spite page 2 1 ) . Housed at Kyuden lkoma within an ever-ex­
of this, the lkoma are usually regarded as the most panding shrine to Tenjin, the Lesser Fortune of Stories
approachable Lion family. and Secrets. The documents in the High Histories are
 C H A PT E R 1 : G LO R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

tended with the same reverence as religious texts. Main­ Emotion is what sets these bards apart from other
taining the largest library in the Empire is the most expen­ clan storytel lers. They are among the few who may
IKOMA RUMORS

sive and time-consuming endeavor of the lkoma, yet they show open emotion in court without a loss of clout, "I have it on good author­
embrace it with great zeal, boasting of its sheer size and such is their socially accepted role. They are the voices ity that the farmers of the

depth. It is the pride of the lkoma, their living legacy. of the voiceless, the accusers on behalf of the wronged,
nearby Daidoji-owned prov­

Officially, the lkoma Libraries house the records and the ones who boast while the accomplished
ince are dissatisfied with
their rulers. It would be a
used by the Imperial families, who have open access remain silent. Often it is an lkoma Bard who argues a shame if they took matters
to them at all times. Simply put, if it isn't in the lkoma Lion samurai's point in court, passionately recounting into their own hands. "

Libraries, the lkoma insist that it never happened. That the slights they 've endured, while the injured party "My sister heard voices
the records within the libraries always seem to paint remains serene beside them. At funerals, a bard recalls in a corner of the lkoma
the Imperial line (and, in many cases, the Lion Clan) in the deeds of the departed and openly mourns their Libraries the other day,

the most flattering light is beside the point. Natural l y, loss. The bard is the only one present who is permitted but 110 one was there

there are historical events that the lkoma prefer not to to cry, expressing the emotion others cannot, allowing
when she looked. "

record, and others whose records they have altered the departed's loved ones to maintain face even in the "I overheard several

to preserve the dignity of the lords involved. Yet few wake of overwhelming tragedy. scribes complaining about

Rokugani dare to contradict the handpicked accounts Often, these bards wander the lands in search of
scrolls having been rear­

within, lest they inadvertently offend those who pen the new tales. They fol low warrior companies and join
ranged in the underfloor
stacks, and now others
histories that are embraced by the Emperor himself. honor guards, acting as mediators or advisors, col lect­ claim the very words are
The lkoma are most famous for their bards. While ing as many stories as they can. In court, they reca l l changing on some of the

other clans boast famous oral storytel ling traditions, the deeds o f the brave, bragging o n their behalf, so
older histories! Surely the

such as those of the Crane Clan and of the warrior-po­ that their glory might be multiplied. By reminding
ancestral spirits must be
at work here. "
ets of the Sparrow Clan, none of these storytellers are Rokugan's samurai of their best, the omoidasu hope to
quite as versatile as the lkoma Bard, who is part histo­ show them how great they can be.
rian, part folklorist, part adventurer, and part performer.
 In the northeast corner of the Lion lands l i e the Vener­
able Plains of the l koma, a dusty region of rol l i n g h i lls,
wild g rasses, ba m boo g roves, and signal towers along
minor rivers. There, the lands resemble those of the
Lion's U n i corn neighbors, suitable for the clan's meager
pony h erds. Relatively sparse throughout, l koma lands
a re more heavily populated at their borders, especi a l ly
to the south , where they cast a wary eye on the Scorpion.
TH E LIO N 'S S H ADOW
Sacred Watch Palace
Whi l e the Akodo a n d M atsu hold themselves
The a n cestra l seat of the l koma fa m i ly, Sacred Watch to high standards, the l koma u nderstand the
Palace (Kyuden l koma) sta nds just beneath the face u g ly rea l ities of wa rfa re. Pro l onged war is
of the M o u nta i n of Seven Th unders. The castle was bad for the E m p i re, a n d need l ess loss of l ife
ori g i n a l ly built as the pri m a ry s i g n a l tower of the Lion's shames the Emperor. But more so than this,
western border. Wh i l e suita b l e to host d i plomatic they understan d the power of i nformation to
meeti ngs a n d the Emperor's fa m i l y, it is sti l l defensi­ decide a battle's outcome.
ble a n d reta i n s its o ri g i n a l m i l itary pu rpose of s i g n a l i n g To serve war's necessities, they maintai n a
Western i nvasions. With i n this keep a re t h e vast l koma smal l network of spies and i nfiltrators for the
Libraries (see High H istories of the lkoma on page purpose of gathering i nformation and, some­
21 ), the pride of the l koma fa m i ly a n d the envy of times, to end a battle before it even begins.
h i storical sch o l a rs throughout the Empire . Beyond this, they tra i n select students i n sub­
terfuge and stealth to serve as spymasters
The C i ty of H o n o r's Sac r i fice a n d saboteurs. Whi l e this is not especi a l ly
wel l-known withi n the Lion, it is obvious to any
Among t h e o l dest cities i n l koma territory, t h e City of
general that the m i l itary leaders have access to
Honor's Sacrifice dominates the northern Firefly P l a i n s
enemy troop n u m bers, deployments, strate­
and is s e t a g a i n st the Drowned M erchant River, making
gies, and battle plans, things that a re d ifficult to
it rich with trade from U n i corn a n d Dragon travelers. It
explain without the presence of spies. All a Lion
a lso boasts the g reatest geisha house i n Lion l a nds, the
Clan genera l must d o is ask the right l koma.
H ouse of Morn i n g Dew.
Akodo h i m self endorsed espionage i n
Wh i l e its orig i n a l name is lost to h istory, its cu rrent
warfare, since h e knew i nformation is the
name derives from the legend of l koma Ari m i , a Lion
g re atest weapon a general can wield. He
samura i whose sterling reputation was ru ined when her
even rewarded his spies more h a ndsomely
lone indiscretion was exposed by her many enemies.
than his h i g h est-ra n k i n g advisors, ensuring
Requesting ritua l suicide to cleanse her family of this
their l oya lty a n d w i l l i n gness to take unth i n k­
shame, her spitefu l lord gave her a wooden practice
a b l e risks. The l koma a re q u i ck to point this
sword to complete the ceremony, intendi n g to cast her
out to any Matsu o r Akodo who object, a n d
under further disgrace. Regardless, she i m pa led her­
a lso to emphasize the d i sti nction between
self upon the blunt weapon, erasing any doubt as to
" s h i n o bi , " who a re outlawed by I m perial
her honor and shaming a l l who had disbelieved her. A
edict, a n d "spies, " whom the law never men­
statue to her memory sti l l watches over the Firefly Plains.
tions. After a l l , what is so dishonora b l e a bout
simply observing others?
 C H A P T E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

I KOMA S H I N I KO FAVORED WEAPONS

ADVERSARY CONFLICT RANK: l.l 2 ♦4 I ron-Soled Sandal (improvised weapon): Range 1 ,

Damage 2, Deadliness 3/4
Shinko was not born a member of the samurai caste
but was adopted by an lkoma samurai, who pitied the Gear (equipped): Splendid geisha " outfit or other
war orphan wh ile also recognizing her usefulness. Now suitable disguise " (Physical 1 , Ceremonial, Resplen­
a member of the lkoma Shadow School (see Courts of dent)
Stone page 92), Shinko compromises her honor on a
Gear (other): Kiseru, writing kit, tea set
daily basis, adopting guises and wrapping herself in
lies for the good of the clan. She has been well com­ ABILITIES
pensated for the personal risks she takes, receiving a S L I P P E RY
fine estate in the town surrounding Last Breath Castle
Once per scene as a Movement and Scheme action,
and enough wealth to ensure her comfort for many
Shinko may receive up to 3 fatigue. Increase the TN
years, far more than is typically given to one who is
of checks targeting her by 1 for each fatigue received
peasant born. Originally believing she would only be
this way until the start of her next turn.
needed for a few missions, it has slowly dawned on
Sh inko that she will never be finished with this duty, FLEXIBLE PERSONA
and deep down, she wishes to be free of her obliga­ At the start of each scene, choose up to two shuji of
tions so she can enjoy the trappings she has earned. the same element of rank 3 or lower. Until the end of
the scene, Shinko can perform those shuji .

�! : :�• •
8
3 0 STATUS
:: : : : FOCUS
I�
5
@ + 2, @-2 VIGILANCE 4
DEMEANOR DUPLICITOUS

M A RT IAL O SCHOLAR 2 SOCIAL 3 TRADE 4

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Inexhaustible Politeness: Skittish:

� Social; Interpersonal @ Martial; Mental
Calming Presence:
� Social; Interpersona l
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

THE KITSU
KITSU R E PUTATION A N D VALU E S
Members o f the Kitsu family are rarely encountered
FAMILY MON
......,=======!,, When Akodo first set out to tame the heartlands of
A stylized profile of a
Rokugan, among those he encountered were a feline beyond Lion borders. Other Rokugani regard them
lion's head with a flaming
warrior people known as the kitsu. These powerful as unusually fierce for shugenja, blunt in manner, and
mane. Members of the
supernatural beings had aspects of both humans and strangely comfortable with death. Among the princi­
ples of Bushido, the Kitsu most highly venerate the
Kitsufamily claim this
lions. The kitsu had existed in the Empire's heartlands
tenets of Honor, Compassion, and Righteousness.
depicts one of the five
founders 0f their family. for as long as anyone could remember, but little was
known about their true nature. According to the Kitsu The Kitsu bow to Heaven first, and their duties to
family, Akodo's war against the kitsu people started their ancestors come before their duties to the Lion
when he and his followers mistook the lionlike beings Clan. They know it is the Fortunes and ancestors who
for monsters. As the final battle loomed and the exter­ judge them first and finally. Theirs is a calling greater
mination of the kitsu seemed inevitable, a single kitsu than the concerns of individual mortals. This sometimes
made their way to Akodo, confronting him in his war sets the Kitsu at odds with the Akodo and Matsu, but
tent. But instead of killing the enemy general, the kitsu only the truly foolish would stand in a sodan-senzo's way.
offered his surrender. Few things offend a Kitsu like speaking ill of the
This shocking incident caused Akodo to realize the dead. Kitsu family members believe that a person's
kitsu were intelligent, and indeed possessed the same karma is left behind when they pass on, and while
sense of honor as he. According to legend, Akodo the Fortune of Death, Emma-0, judges mortals by
apologized to the last of the kitsu people and offered their deeds in life, spirits are ultimately redeemed by
them a place within his clan. Those who accepted took the Realm of Punishment to which Emma-0 assigns
human form, founding the Kitsu family. them. Kitsu honor even angry spirits and seek to settle
The Kitsu are the descendants of these mortal their grudges.
kitsu and their human spouses. Many Kitsu trace their The Kitsu make no attempt to hide the tragic and
bloodline back to these shapeshifting beings and have terrible origins of their family. They believe that elab­
inherited their unique spiritual abilities to communi­ orating on or obscuring history shows disrespect to
cate with the blessed ancestors of Yomi, summon their those who lived through it. A common Kitsu proverb
spirits into the Realm of Mortals, and even travel to is, "Embrace your history, warts and all." It should,
other Spirit Realms. As the Lion's lone shugenja family, then, come as no surprise that while Rokugani culture
the Kitsu are regarded as the foremost mediums and shows considerable tolerance for interpretive truth, the
mythologists in the Empire. Famous for their sc5dan­ Kitsu care not about recorded history. Instead, they
senzo spirit callers, who have an ability no other family commune with the ancestors to seek out what actu­
in the Empire can claim, the Kitsu serve the Lion as ally happened. They are far more likely to embrace
liaisons of the ancestors and wardens of the clan's most controversial ideas than other Rokugani are, and their
ancient traditions. written records tend to be unelaborated, simple, and
uncomfortably frank.

C U LT U R E A N D TRADITIONS
O f all the traditions o f the Lion Clan families, the ways
of the Kitsu are the most unusual. This is because they
have derived some of their traditions from their ances­
tors, the feline kitsu people. The Kitsu family believes
it is their duty to keep the way s of their ancestors
alive. Akodo promised this to the last of the kitsu in
atonement for his misunderstanding that destroyed
their people.
 C H A PT E R I : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

Kitsu fa m i l y membe r s with close ancestral con nec­ LAN DS O F T H E KITSU QUOTES FROM
tions to the kitsu blood l i n e i n h erit the physical traits AKODO'S LEADERSHIP
of their fe l i n e a n cestors. Golden eyes a re such a trait, Kitsu fa mily territory is at the heart of Lion lands, p ro­
as a re elongated ca n i nes, bushy eyebrows, and thick tected by other Lion territory on a l l sides but north . "Soldiers will follow
T h ese a re the most ferti le of the Lion 's p rovinces, boast­ orders. Families will
red manes of hai r. Not all Kitsu i n h erit these physical
embrace them. Therefore,
traits, but with i n the fa m i l y, they a re regarded n ot onl y ing their most n u m e rous a n d p rosperous fa rms and
foster fello wsh ip!"
as marks of beau ty, but a l so as evidence of st rong ties o rcha rds, due in part to the blessings invoked by the
to the kitsu blood l i n e . Kitsu themselves. Terraced h i l ls, buckwheat fields, trick­
T he most i m po rta nt sign o f kitsu herita g e i s a n ling strea ms, and vast plains rol l along Kitsu p rovinces,
i n nate connection t o spirits and a ncestors . T he kitsu 's dotted occasiona l ly by humble shrines, small fa rming
a b i l ities pri marily revolve a round peering into the Spirit comm u n ities, and a n cient cru m b l i ng tombs. Outsiders
Rea lms, which a l l ows them to give physical form to trave l i n g h e re a re under i m m ediate suspicion, as the re
g hosts, channel a ncesto rs, and pe rfo rm other such is little that wou ld attract pilgri m s or non-Kits u .
feats. T he g reatest of the kitsu ca n physica l l y cross
into the Sp iri t Rea l m s to confer with the dead. Some
membe rs of the Kitsu fa m i l y whose connection to their
blood l i n e is st rong a lso i n h e ri t these a bi lities. A Kitsu CHAN G I N G BORDERS
M edi u m can ca l l u pon the dead, g rant them spectra l
form in the Realm of Morta l s, and even a l l ow th em Only a porti on of the Lion 's lands can be con­
to possess the m ed i u m 's body for a ti me. Th rou g h a side red "ancestra l . " M a ny of their southern
speci a l ce re m o n y, K itsu Rea lm Wa ndere rs (see Celes­ te rritories used to belong to other clans. To
tia/ Rea /ms page 8 5) ca n eve n enter the rea l m s below the southwest, Sco rpion a n cest ra l la nds n ow
and oth e r Spi r it Rea l m s for a ti me. T h ese traits a re why lie under Lion ba n n e rs. Y6jin no Sh iro (Castle
th e K itsu a re conside red th e " vo ices of th e dea d " ; th ey of Vig ila n ce) once ma rked the north ernmost
a l low th e a n cesto rs to spea k to th eir descendants , a Crane border a nd is part of the ancestra l lands
g ift ra re ly h e ld by oth e r sh ugenj a . of the Da idoji fa m ily; however, it is now M atsu
Th e K its u fa m i ly m e m be rs a re noto ri ou s ly insu la r, territory a nd has been for hund reds of yea rs.
eve n iso la ti ng th e m se lves from oth e r Li on fa mi li es . Th e Lion h a ve lost te rritories as wel l. Lion
Th ey fo rb id ou ts id e rs to study th e K itsu ways, and la nds once exten ded fa rther north , across the
th ey co n s ider revea l i n g th e secret tra d it io ns of th e D rowned M e rcha n t River. Those la nds we re
K itsu to be a k i n to bet raya l. Th is is t ru e even for th ose ceded to th e D ra gonfly M inor Cla n by Im pe­
wh o m a r ry i n to th e fa m i ly, a lth ou g h in d iv id u a ls wh om ria l decree to compe nsate for u n sa n ctioned
th e K itsu eve n tu a l ly j ud g e wo rthy m ay be a l lowed a agg ression . The Kinta n i (Golden Va ll ey), once
g l i m pse beh i nd th e cu rta in . Th e K itsu never revea l a Lion province bordering Ph oen ix lands,
th e sec rets of the s6da n -senzo to peo p le wh o ca n not was more recent ly taken by a n a m bitious
p rove they h ave i n h e r ited the k itsu blood l ine a bil ities, Doj i lord a nd has been held by the Doj i for
wh eth er they a re pa rt of th e K itsu fa m i ly o r not. No Lion a genera tion .
wo u ld ever d isg race th e h o n o ra ble K itsu by requesting Lion terr itory once extended a ll the way to
a place in th ei r sec ret ce re mo n ies, wh ile they k n ow th a t the wester n Rokuga n i border. Du ring the sec­
to be o ffe red a seat is a gestu re o f t rust a nd a g rea t ond centu ry, f o re ig ners invaded the terr itories
ho no r. Th is has led to the p re va i ling pe rceptio n tha t once held by th e Ki-Rin cla n , and the stew­
the K itsu a re sec ret ive a nd suspicious. a rds Shinjo had left behind were unable to
Birth i n to th e K itsu is no guara n tee tha t one wi ll hold them back. The Lion intervened bu t then
possess a ncest ra ab i l it ies. K itsu ma tchmake rs a re p r i­ refused to return the territories since the den­
l
ma rily conce rned with p rese rving th is a ncest ra l co n­ izens had proven unable to protect Rokugan 's
nectio n, bu t ma ny ch ild re n seem to lack the desi red borders. The Lion held these lands until the
capac ity, and t rue s6da n -se nzo g row ra rer w ith each Unicorn returned in the ninth century. To th is
gene ra tio n. K itsu family membe rs who lack th is poten­ day, some of the oldest castles and shrines
tial usua lly become bu reauc rats, courtie rs, sh rine keep­ in Unicorn lands display ancient Lion archi­
e rs, or scho la rs by t rai n i ng in other Lion schools. The tectu re and sens ibi lities. The reassignment of
K itsu fa m ily even main ta ins the K itsu Medic School (see those lands to the returned Unicorn has never
Shadow/a nds page 90) to help p lace many of its people sat we ll w ith the Lion.
as ba ttlefi e ld medics in Lion Cla n units.

,1
 C H A PT E R 1 : G L O R I O U S H I ST O R I E S

B l u e C h rysanth e m u m V i l l age keep was built to surround the sacred grounds. Today,
the Castle of the Swift Sword is the official estate of
KITSU RUMORS

========r Named for the unusual blue ch rysanthemums that grow the Akodo War Col lege (see page 23), the most
throughout it in autumn, Blue Ch rysanthemum Vil lage
"The local lord's child is
not his own. I saw the prestigious of the Akodo family 's schools, yet it is also
child's true ancestors is the most common destination of travelers permitted the ancestral seat of the Kitsu shugenja family and the
watching over the child, to wander Kitsu territo ry. The blue flowers, which are home of its daimy o.
and I believe they may
famous throughout the Empire and prized by ikebana The dual nature of the keep as both temple and cas­
artists, grow only in this territo ry. F olkta I es attn'b ute
have been the Hantei
tle reflects the harmonious relationship of the inhabitants
the flowers to two star-crossed lovers, a Kitsu and a
Emperors. "
within. The Kitsu family governs its lands from an Akodo
"I could have sworn the
Doji, whose marriage arrangement was severed by court, and students of the greatest war college in Lion
the Lion Clan Champion. Shamed by the couple's pro­
other day that I heard two
lands study warfare on consecrated temple grounds.
test suicide, the Lion Champion relinquished his titles
visitors call each other
"Shimizu, " but I cannot The keep's libraries contain not only records of battle,
be certain I heard them and became a monk, erecting a shrine to the Fortune but also star maps and genealogies for Kitsu shugenja.
correctly. What does that Benten in atonement. The monk mingled the lovers' The Lion's northernmost keep stands vigil over the
ashes together and scattered them in B l ue Ch rysan­
word even mean?"
lands of the Dragonfly Clan and the mountain pass lead­
"There are whispers of themum Vil lage; the locals believe it is from their ashes ing into the Dragon Clan lands beyond. As the castle
kitsu within the Shinomen that the first blue ch rysanthemums grew, a sign that the sits along a major trade road, merchant caravans are a
lovers had forgiven the foolish lord for his spite.
Forest. If this is a chance
to understand our common sight, as are diplomats seeking audience with
ancestry better, we should the Akodo and Kitsu. Overnight visitors whisper com­
arrange an expedition to Castle of t h e S w i ft Swo rd plaints of having felt ill at ease during their stay, as if
they sensed something was watching them within their
meet them. "
Standing watch over the Lion's northern border at the
foot of the Drowned Merchant River, the Castle of the rooms. Yet only samurai of other clans ever seem to
Swift Sword (Hayaken no Shiro) rises above the P lains experience this, and few visitors wou ld suggest anything
of B loodied Honor on a steep, curved foundation of were amiss directly to the Akodo's and Kitsu 's faces.
ancient stone. Within this foundation sits the Tomb of
the Five, where rumors say the sacred bones of T h e K i ts u To m bs
the Kitsu family 's founders rest in a While most of the Lion Clan's heroes are entombed
secret ancestral shrine. Before the
within the Hal l of Ancestors (see page 54) above
fourth centu ry, only a temple Shiro Matsu, the Kitsu family lay their dead to rest
stood there, but bandits within the ancestral tombs of their family, known simply
and other threats as the Kitsu Tombs. Although they are a Kitsu hold­
necessitated an ing, the tombs and the temple above them rest within
expansion into a Matsu territo ry. The holding's martial appearance has
milita ry outpost, led visitors to mistake it for a small castle within the
and eventually Kaeru Forest. The Kitsu daimyo owns an estate on the
an entire grounds, and several shugenja and other samurai live
in the temple's dormito ry. The first floor contains the
personal libra ry of the Kitsu daimy o, while the second
floor is a dojo training both shugenja and their y ojimbo.
The third and final floor of the temple is closest to the
Heavens-and thus, the honored dead-and is used as
a place for meditation and other rites.
The splendid temple sits atop layers of catacombs,
many of which date from before the Empire's found­
ing. Indeed, the foundations of the temple were once
sacred to the kitsu people, and they are currently
among that civilization's few remaining structures. It is
within the deepest tombs, away from p rying eyes,
that the sodan-senzo train to cross into Yomi,
the Realm of Blessed Ancestors, and Meido,
the Realm of Waiting, where the deceased
await judgment.
 CHA PT9. 1 : G L O R I O U S H I S TO R I E S

K I TS U G I N C H I YO, ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

M E D I U M - I N -T RA I N I N G Mystical Intuition: J ust a Child:

ADVERSARY CONFLICT RAN K: l.l 4 �3
rt,) Scholar; Mental � M a rti a l ; Physical

N ot yet having reached gempuku, G i nchiyo is none­ Holy Personage: Haunted:

thel ess one of the most powerfu l Kitsu Mediums rt,) Soci a l ; Interpersonal rt,) Soci a l ; Spiritua l
(soda n-senzo) i n generations. G i nchiyo wa nts only to
be a painter and storytel ler, but to leave one's a b i l ities
FAVORED WEAPONS

undeveloped is unth i n kable to the Kitsu. The fa m i l y Gear (equipped): Sanctified robes (Physica l 1 ,
believes t h e child's own wishes a re secondary t o the Su pern atu ra l 3, Ceremon i a l), assorted offeri ngs to
preservation of their dyi ng trad itions. If they knew that the a ncestors
some of the spi rits Ginchiyo has been com m u n i n g with
aren't honored a ncestors, but vengefu l ghosts, per­
A BI LITIES

h a ps they would th i n k oth erwise. D I S C I P L E OF S EC R ET L O R E

Choose fou r i nvocations (see p a g e 1 89 o f t h e core
, rulebook) and up to three ritua l s (see page 2 1 2 of the
� ' " """"' 1 2 core ru lebook). G i nch iyo can perform these i nvoca­

48 G LORY � �COMPOSURE 1 2 tions and rituals.

POS S E S S I O N
34 STATUS � � FOCUS 6 O n c e p e r game sessio n , G i nchiyo c a n become pos­
VIGILANCE 3
- sessed by an a ncestor spi rit. Apply any one appropri­
� + 1 , @-1 , rt,}-2 ate NPC template to G i n ch iyo's profi l e and adjust her
confl ict ran ks by + 1 . This effect persists u ntil the end
DEMEANOR DETACHED

MARTIAL O SCHOLAR 2 SOCIAL 3 TRADE O of the scene.

 CHAPTER

Defenders
of the
Empire
A young samurai prostrated herself before the gilded
altar. The candles guttered in an ice-cold breeze.
"I am Matsu Tsuko, " she explained, rising. "Da imyo
of the House of Matsu, Twice-Chosen, victor of the Bat­
tle of Fate Gorge. My father was Matsu Uniri, the late
lord of our family. Now, I have inherited his position . "
The air went still, as if awaiting Tsuko's entreaty.
"Honored ancestor,
I seek your counsel. I
would lead my family for­
ward, but my vassals dis-
regard me. They say a
child could never lead the Matsu, even one
endorsed by the Lion's Pride, even one who was
Topaz Champion. They undermine me, scheming
behind my back. I cannot tell which are true and which
are traitorous. " She knelt her head. "What should I do?"
"Take what i s yours, " a voice replied. "Hone your
em otions as you would a blade. Hold all Bushido vir­
tues in equal measure. If you m ust grasp power, snatch
it from the unworthy. If you must take a step, let it be a
step forward. And when all seems lost, and you draw
your final breath, let it be a cry that shakes the heavens!
Draw your blade, tilt your head back, and roar.
"Like a lion. "
 C H A PT E R 2: D E F E N D E RS OF T H E E M P I R E

it is h a rd l y as d a n g e rous or forbidd i n g as the border of

the S h a dowl ands. This may a ccount fo r the fact that
wh i l e the Cra b and Badger s h a re many s i m i l a rities, the
It is every sa m u ra i 's duty to p rotect the E m p i re a n d its l atte r boast a more jovi a l attitude.
i n h a b ita nts from th reats with i n a n d without. For the The Badger h ave a n u n easy a l l i a n�e with the Lion,
Badger, sta n d i n g betwee n Rokugan a n d the h o rdes whose scorn of Badger m a n n ers a n d customs is t h i n l y
of gaijin on horseback beyond the G reat Wa l l of the ve i l ed by the cou rtesy n ecessa ry t o trade w i t h th e m .
North mou nta ins, this d uty col ors every p a rt of their Wh i l e Badger wea pons may n ot h a v e t h e reputation
l i ves. They protect the few passa b l e m o u n ta i n tra i ls, (or beauty) of oth er re nowned b l ades, they a re very
acting as sentries a n d lookouts. From ch i l d h ood, Bad­ re l i a b l e in battle a n d i n expensive. Badger armor is
ger a re ta ught to be watchfu l a n d ready at all times to l i kewise p l a i n but practica l . M o reover, Badger fo rg es
warn the rest of the clan, a n d the E m p i re , of outsiders can p rod uce both in l a rge n u m be rs. This m a kes Bad­
in the m o u nta i n s . This warin ess, com b i n ed with the ger weapons a n d a rmor a ppea l i n g to the Lion, at least
i n h ospita b l e te rra i n of their home a n d the h a rdships it when e q u i p p i n g their vast a rm ies of a s h i g a r u . H owever,
bri n gs, n ecessitates the tou g h n ess for which the Bad­ it is the Badge r's more com p l i cated ite m s that the Lion
ger a re renowned . Visitors to the clan m i g ht expect to rea l ly prize, such as mech a n ical l i m bs with fu l l y a rticu­
fi n d h a rdwork i n g , serious bushi offeri n g l ittl e in the way l ated d i g its, designed to rep l a ce those l ost i n batt l e .
of hospita l ity or enterta i n m ent. This is where the Bad­ O n l y the design o f their traps do the Badger refu se t o
ger can s u rprise. s h a re . T h e s e devices g ive them a n element of secu­
An isolated clan, the Badger a re a lways eager for rity i n their m o u nta i n home but cou l d be devastati n g
news of the rest of Roku g a n , and once a visitor is deemed i f used t o destroy a castl e or c a m p with i n t h e E m p i re .
friend rather than foe, the h osti n g castle takes on a n a i r We l l-pla ced tra ps, ch ecked reg u l a rl y b y sappers,
o f celebration. There is feasting a n d d ri n k i n g , m u sic a n d a re n 't the only way the Badger protect the m o u nta i n
d a n c i n g , and many com petitive games, especi a l ly ones passes. T h e entire clan is organ ized with protection i n
involvi ng wrestling a n d feats of stre n gth . Visitors to the m i n d . M ost b u s h i work at patrol d uty reg u l a rl y through­
lands of the Badger a re few a n d fa r between, and the out th eir l ives, a n d the Badger built their fortresses i n
clan makes the most of each one. M ost of th ose travel ­ parti cu l a rly vul nera b l e a reas. E a c h m e m b e r o f t h e c l a n
ers retu rn home with ta les o f sa m u ra i twice as l a rge as is put t o a n a ppropriate u s e dependent on t h e i r i n d i ­
norma l bush i, children who ru n u p and down mounta i n s v i d u a l strengths. Many o f t h e Badger a re n atu ra l ly we l l
l i ke goats, and terri ble ta ble m a n ners. b u i l t a n d physica l l y strong, especi a l ly the i r warriors a n d
When left to themselves, which is most of the time g u a rds. The fastest sa m u ra i a re tra ined as scouts, who
d u e to their isol ated l ocati o n , the Badger a re i n d u stri­ travel the m o u nta ins s i lently i n sma l l g ro u ps and periodi­
ous and focused . Their bushi tra i n h a rd and work with ca l l y enter g a ij i n l a nds to watch for g rowi n g threats, such
peasa nts at the h a rsh task of m i n i n g to p rovide ore for as a massi n g coa l ition of Uj i k or oth er wou ld-be i nvad­
the e n g i n eers a n d smiths. Their a rtisa n s create weap­ ers. The rare Badger who a re sensitive to the ka m i tra i n
ons, a rmor, tools, tra ps, and i n n ovative contra pti ons as shugenj a , wh i l e those with i n q u isitive a n d creative
u n known to oth er c l a n s . C h i ld re n wrestle each oth e r m i nds become inventors and sm iths. All Badger sa m u ra i
when they're not b u s y w i t h chores, wh i l e o l d e r B a d g e r h ave i m portant roles t o p l a y i n t h e defense o f Roku g a n .
t e n d M u l be rry Va l l ey a n d i t s si l kworms, creati n g del­
icate s i l ken items fo r trad i n g . The ratio of sa m u ra i to T H E FOU NDI NG
peasa nts a m o n g the Badger is u n usua l ly b a l a n ced, a n d
t h e Badger sa m u ra i do n ot s h y away from h a rd l a bor I n t h e secon d century, a you n g Cra b n a m e d H ida

that other c l a n s m i g h t l eave to the l ower cl asses. Bad­ Domogu enj oyed sumai, or wrest l i n g , a bove all othe r

ger peasants who a re n 't m i n i n g invariably work i n a g ri­ p u rsu its. H e exce l led at the a rt a n d g a i ned g l o ry with i n

cu lture, speci a l izing i n i ntensive fa rm i n g of the c l a n 's h i s c l a n , a n d h i s victories m a d e h i m p ro u d . Try i n g to

rich vo l ca n i c so i l to feed the a l ways- h u n g ry p o p u l ace. curb h i s pride, h i s fa m i l y sent h i m on h i s musha shugyo,

The Badger have n ever fo rgotten their Cra b h e ri­ with i n stru ctions to travel as m u c h of Roku g a n as h e

tage a n d consider the Cra b distant re lations who share cou l d i n h i s yea r away. H e t o o k the n a m e l c h i r6 for h i s

a com m o n goa l . Wh i l e there is truth in this, Cra b a re warrior's p i l g ri m a g e t o deve l o p h i s ski l ls, a l ready seek­

l i ke l y to point out that wh i l e their bush i fi ght a g a i n st the ing h u m i l ity i n sel ecti n g such a com m o n c h i l d 's n a m e .

Shadowl ands d a i ly, the Badger a re ca l l ed u pon to fig h t Outside h i s c l a n , oth er sa m u ra i s a w h i m o n l y a s

once a m o n t h , or l ess. M o reover, w h i l e m u c h o f t h e r6n i n ; h e w a s pres u m ed crude a n d u n cu ltu red, a n d h i s

Badgers' mounta i n o u s territory is cold a n d u n forg i v i n g , reputation as a wrestler w a s u n kn own . l c h i r6 sou g h t

com petiti ons to prove h i mself. Sadly, h e fou n d that i n
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M P I R E

the rest of Rokugan, sumai was not as popular as other lchir6 was no mere villager-he was Hida and thus
arts, such as iaijutsu and ikebana, in which he held always ready to defend. Now also armed with the skills
much less proficiency. he had learned from the villagers, he organized mul­
Humbled, lchir6 focused on his task and traveled as tiple squads to slow the invaders and cleverly force
widely as he could. He reached what he thought was the them into narrow pathways where few could hold off
northwestern edge of Rokugan, in what was Lion terri­ many. The squads employed drums so they could all
tory, only to be told that there was a village within the communicate with each other, using rhythms so natural
rugged border. Intrigued to meet people who chose to sounding that the invaders could not determine their
live at the very edge of civilization, he made his way into origins or meaning.
the mountains. There he fell into a cunningly concealed The gaijin riders found themselves assailed with
pit trap in the pass, and villagers armed with nothing rocks from above, their pre-scouted passages newly
more than farming tools captured him. filled with iron spikes and progressively more treach­
The villagers weren't all peasants: there were erous and unstable. They soon realized that they
r6nin among them, and bandits, and a large-statured were being crowded into a sing le killing g round. As
woman whose features were gaijin though she spoke their horses slowed, the sounds of the drums became
Rokugani. Viewing lchir6 as a common outcast samu­ louder and louder. Panic began to set in. Those who
rai, they took him in and allowed him to learn their desperately tried to climb to freedom reached the
ways of defending their lands from outsiders. In turn, clifftops, but only to reappear flying through the air
he taught them sumai, and soon a thriving school grew a nd plummeting to their deaths.
in the mountains. The mountains began to shake as the drumbeats
It was not long before lchir6 was a valued mem­ echoed and rocks rolled down the sides toward the
ber in the village, which was fortunate when one day trapped horde. The gaijin scattered, but many were
the sounds of horns and hoofbeats were heard in the crushed beneath the boulders. lchir6 led his sumai
distance. Scouts reported a fo rce of mounted gaijin warriors into final battle, pulling the invaders from their
descending from a mountain pass, one so large it might horses in crushing attacks. Those gaijin who escaped
have been several tribes working together. If it wasn't would later tell of how the mountains, angry from the
stopped, the unprepared Rokugani samurai defenders pounding drums, awoke and slew their invading force.
to the south would be hard-pressed to repel the invaders lchir6 was hailed for his efforts and named the new
without suffering heavy losses and leaving the Empire village leader. The final path where they had routed
open fo r further attacks. Before that, though, the villag­ the gaijin, he announced, should be known as the Path
ers, even with their traps and other defenses, would be of Woe, as it had and would prove woe to any who
quickly slaughtered. They made ready to abandon their thought to invade Rokugan.
omes, but the newcomer had other plans. By the time Akodo scouts brought a Lion army
to defend their territory, the villagers had improved
on their defenses in case a second wave of invaders
would arrive. When the Emperor heard the tale, he ele­
vated the villagers to the status of Minor Clan. lchir6
was made their daimy6 and the new clan was entrusted
with defending Rokugan's border in those mountains.
The Lion considered this a slight but could not openly
disagree with the Emperor's decision. In the years that
followed, the new Badger Clan built fortresses and set
traps, and the Emperor was pleased with their prog­
ress. So began the vigil of the Badger.
 C H A P T E R 2: D E F E N D E R S OF T H E E M P I R E

LANDS O F THE BADGER

S U MAI AMO N G
The enti rety of Badger territory l ies with in the G reat
Wa l l of the North m o u ntains, to the west of Dragon
TH E BADGER
lands. The only known access to Badger lands from
S u m a i is a n u n a rmed marti a l a rt, a d u e l of two
the rest of Rokug a n is th ro u g h the Path of Woe, which
wrestlers requ i ri n g g reat ski l l a n d strength .
passes all the way thro u g h the mounta i n s and out of
Each wrestler tries to force the other out of
the Empire . S i n ce defe n d i n g the pass is the pu rpose
the wrest l i n g ri n g or onto the g rou nd. A l a rge
of the clan, a l m ost every Badger holding sits in a stra­
n u m ber of ru les govern h ow the wrestlers
tegic position a long that path, its people ready to
may achieve this, a n d these vary s l i g htly from
repel i nvaders.
c l a n to c l a n . The Badger fol low the same ru les
The terra i n with in the mounta ins is l a rgely cold a n d
as the Crab, while the Lion h ave developed
u nforgiving, b u t the B a d g e r u s e t h e i r ingenu ity t o work
their own ru les a n d have i ntroduced these to
with their l a n d . They m a ke the most of every patch
the I m pe ri a l Court.
of volca n i c soi l , every ore-rich vein i n the rock, every
Badger s a m u ra i enjoy m a n y competitions
hot spring and sunny va l l ey. Each b u i l d i n g a n d m i n e
of strength and battle prowess, a necessity
is ca refu lly plan ned t o m a k e defending a n a rea easier
since they a re ra rely a b l e to prove themselves
or m a ke the pass more d ifficult for enem ies to navi­
on the battlefi e l d . Sushi com pete i n s u m a i
gate. Sushi, wrestlers, a n d peasa nts work in the m ines,
m atches as part of their tra i n i n g , but s u m a i
b u i l d i n g their strength while fol l owi ng the d i rection of
is considered m o re than a m e re sport. T h e
shugenja sensitive to the ka m i of m eta l and stone, who
B a d g e r h o l d s u m a i matches before i m portant
let them know where best to seek ore a n d where they
ceremon ies to i m p ress l oca l ka m i a n d scare
m ight weaken the mountainside to turn certa i n routes
away those that m i g ht otherwise do the c l a n
into tra ps for approach i n g enemies .
h a r m . The m ost successfu l wrestlers a re con­
B a d g e r shugenja a re ra re, h owever, so any Badger
sidered favored by the kam i a n d treated with
who sh ows a b i l ity is encouraged to apprentice with a n
g reat respect. In parti c u l a r, the rei g n i n g Bad­
e l d e r shugenja a n d share t h e i r d uties as qu ickly as pos­
ger sumai champion is treated a s the Badger
sible. Often such shugenja h ave a n affi n ity for Earth or
Clan Champion's equa l , though the sumai
Fire, surrou nded as they a re by m o u nta ins and dormant
champion's powers a n d duties a re l i m ited to
volcanoes. Their d uties extend to warn i n g the clan of
the spiritu a l sphere .
upco m i n g earth quakes, la ndsl ides, a n d even the very
The Badger h o l d the G reat G ames i n
i nfrequent vol ca n i c eruptions. They can i nfl uence these
t h e Castle o f the Badger (Sh i ro l c h i ro) each
events, and ta les a re told of arm ies defeated by trem­
year, inviting representatives of every clan
ors encouraged by shu genj a . Badger shugenja share
i n the E m p i re . T h i s contest, at which s u m a i
their spi ritu a l d uties with the h i g h est-ra nking s u m a i
is the m a i n event, is u su a l ly poorly attended
wrestlers. These wrestlers l e a r n h o w t o conduct cere­
despite the days of reve l ry that fol l ow. T h i s
monies and rituals, though they do n ot share a shugen­
may simply be because the B a d g e r a re so
ja's ski l l s i n com m u n icati n g with the ka m i d i rectly. Such
remote, o r it may be because n o Badger
sumai masters often serve as priests when n o s h ugenj a ,
sumai champion h a s yet been defeated by a
priest, or monk is ava i la b l e .
contender from a n other clan .
B a d g e r shu genja a n d wrestlers both use d r u m s
during rituals, b u t the use o f drums with i n the clan a lso
serves other pu rposes. M essages can be sent from one
I f the clan i s ever overru n , d ru m mers know how to cre­
Badger fortress to another using these i n stru m ents,
ate rockfa l l s to destroy passes a n d tra p enem ies with in
and each patrol incl udes a d ru m m e r who ca n s i g n a l
the m o u nta i n s as a fi n a l , desperate defense.
a warn ing t h a t echoes through the mounta i n s . These
Lucki ly, the mounta i n s a re rich with u sefu l m i n era ls,
messages can convey a g reat deal of i nformation,
as the clan is otherwise poor i n resources. S m iths and
and most Badger s a m u ra i can i nterpret the messages
e n g i n eers use o re from the m i n es to create weapons
h idden in the rhyth ms. With i n the Castle of the Bad­
and tools for trade, a s wel l a s tra ps and other i nven­
ger a n d some of the l a rger homes, drums a re used to
tions to aid their c l a n 's cause. The Badger encourage
accompany dances a n d oth er enterta i n ments. All Bad­
i nvention, a n d ru m o r h a s it that Badger sm iths a n d
ger know there a re some places where it is n ot safe to
e n g i neers a re even atte m pting t o m a ke machines that
use a dru m , where loud noises m i g ht cause landsl ides.
can take to the a i r.
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

The Badger consider trade important, not least Castle of the Badge r
because of the information traders bring with them.
The home of the lchiro daimy o, the Castle of the Bad­
Given that some of the original villagers had gaijin
blood, it is unsurprising that the clan even trades with ger is an enormous fortress built high on the mountain­
some gaijin who have demonstrated peaceful ways. side, overlooking the widest and most open section
of the Path of Woe. Roughly in the center of Badger
This is kept a secret from the rest of Rokugan, though,
or at least circumspect. territory, it is the only castle the clan owns. The Great
As well as growing rough grains such as millet and Games are held annually within its vast courtyard and
buckwheat, the Badger cultivate a variety of native on the nearby mountainside. It has seldom-used guest
quarters for competitors to stay in, all equipped with
fungi and catch fish in mountain rivers. They grow
heated baths, and a grand dining hall where stunning
plum and mulberry trees in areas warmed by volcanic
activity and exposed to enough sun. From these, the silk hangings adorn the walls. All kinds of mountain
clan produces plum wine and silk, which they both use delicacies grace the Badger table, including mountain
themselves and trade. Badger Clan si4k is particularly goat, silkworm pupae, and giant mushrooms cut to
appear like fortresses themselves.
fine and delicate, and even the Crane are rumored
to purchase it raw-though no Crane would admit to This castle was built near fertile ground suitable for
using such an uncultured source. Painting the silk is farming, so that during an invasion, the peasant farm­
considered an appropriate task for elder Badger samu­ ers can retreat to safety. Even for the economical Bad­
rai, whose art hangs proudly in the halls of the Castle of ger, the gaijin hordes must be kept back at any cost;
the Badger and other homes, enrobes their shugenja, every life is worth saving if possible. To that end, the
or is sent to the Emperor as part of the rice tax. These Badger laid out a number of narrow paths and con­
artists' designs are inspired by the jagged beauty of structed several underground passages to the castle,
the mountains and volcanoes they call home and are all of which can be collapsed or blocked if necessary.
considered splendid curiosities in the Imperial Court. In the lowest levels of the castle are several forges
and workshops, where Badger engineers, inventors,
weaponsmiths, and blacksmiths design, produce, and
test all manner of items. The more dangerous experi­
LOCAT I O N S

To better protect both their own territory and t h e north­ ments are usually undertaken outside the castle, where
west route into Rokugan, the Badge(have built several strange black marks spread across the nearby rock face
fortresses overlooking particularly vulnerable sections give evidence of their work. Occasionally, a new trap or
of the Path of Woe. Breweries, mulberry groves, and experimental device might detonate within the castle
peasant farms nestle in more protected areas or within walls, but Badger architecture is sturdy enough that the
the shadow of a fortress. damage done is minimal.

TH E SILK TRADE
The Badger are quite protective of their silk
farm, only allowing accompanied visitors to
enter the valley or caves involved in silk pro­
duction. This is because the gaijin north of
the mountains are known to place great value
on silk. Once, a visiting "monk" enjoying
Badger hospitality was found trying to smug­
gle silkworms north out of Badger lands in his
traveling cloak. The imposter was a greedy
merchant who had been promised great
wealth by the Yobanjin if he could bring them
the secret of silk. Since then, the Badger have
guarded their valley jealously, wary of plots
from gaijin or even other Rokugani clans.
 C H A PT E R 2: D E F E N D E R S OF T H E E M P I R E

Badge r ' s Scowl

l cH I RO H I N ATA, S A PP E R BADGER WEAPONS

T h i s fierce-looki n g craggy volcano is actu a l ly a source ADVERSARY CON FLICT RANK: l.l 4 �2 Tiie Badger make a variety
of g reat joy for the Badger. The Scowl has long been of weapons, some of which
H i n ata 's d uties i nvolve checking traps a n d fixing or
dormant but supplies h ot springs and steam vents. The appear nowhere else in
rep l a c i n g them as n ecessa ry, so h e is someth i n g of a n Rokugan. These tend to
former provide the Badger with hot, therapeutic baths,
e n g i n eer as wel l as a wa rri or. H e a l so u n d e rtakes patrol serve a dual purpose, such
and the l atter serve as a heat sou rce for Fureheshu M i n e .
duty, as most Badger a re expected to do. His mood can as the lchiro sapper ax (see
c h a n g e rem a rka bly q u i ckly, so h e is g ruff and d efe n sive page 88), which is half
Fu re h e s h u M i n e hand ax and half hammer,
one m i n ute, and h e a rtily welcom i n g the n ext. A stu rd i l y
with a smooth wooden
The re inforced ed ifice of Fureheshu M i n e is i rreg u l a r b u i l t mature m a n , H i nata h a s dyed stri ps o f h i s g reyi n g handle that can be used to
a n d j a gged i n its constructi o n , such that t h e b u i l d i n g h a i r b l a c k a n d white-the colors o f the B a d g e r mon­ beat a drum. lchirii-made
l ooks l i ke p a rt o f the s u rro u n d i n g mounta i n s i d e . T h e a n d reg u l a rly rem oves h i s h e l met to revea l this. weapons usually bear the
lchiro pattern as their only
seco n d - l a rgest B a d g e r h o l d i n g , it is home to t h e F u re­

: ::.� ,,:� : :�
adornment and tend to be
hesh u d a i myo and i n times of need acts as a Badger for­ stronger and more durable
tress. Ch u n ks of rock u n derneath its protru d i n g towe rs than counterparts made
h ave been h a lf-broke n , so they can be easily d i s l odged elsewhere in the Empire.

3 9 STATUS 5
a n d d ropped onto a n y attackers who m i g ht stru g g l e
u p the n a rrow paths towa rd t h e m i n e . The a rea a l s o FOCUS

7
conta i n s the Badger s u m a i tra i n i n g ri n g a n d a brewe ry •
that prod uces a fa mously strong p l u m w i n e . The m i n e @ + 2, �-2 VIGILANCE

itse lf has veins rich with i ron ores, a n d t h e work n eeded D E M EANOR GRUFF

to extract them from u ndern eath the earth is often an

a PT I IA', l MARTIAL 3 SCHOLAR 1 SOCIAL I TRADE I
i m porta nt p a rt of s u m a i and sa m u ra i tra i n i n g .
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
M u l be r ry Val l ey Engineer's Hands: U ncouth:
When a silk m e rchant decided to stay with the Badger � Trade; Mental, Physical � Soci a l ; Interpersonal,

rather than fa ce h i s debts at h o m e , n o one expected Mental

h i m to be a b l e to esta blish a s i l kworm fa rm in the cold
FAVORED WEAPONS
mou nta i n s . H owever, o n e s u n -warmed, vo l ca n i c va l l ey
turned out to be the perfect p l a ce to g row a ra re vari­ lchiro sapper axe: R a n g e 1 , D a m a g e 3, Dea d l i n ess
ety of m u l berry tree. G e n erati ons after the m e rcha nt's 5 , D u ra b l e
death, s i l k production has g rown to become an i m p o rt­ Gear (equipped): Badger a rmor (Physica l 2), basic
ant source of wealth for the Badger. C h i l d re n h e l p feed sapper tools ( M u ndane), sma l l drum
the s i l kworms i n their caves, bri n g i n g i n baskets of
l eaves from the va l l ey, a n d ta lented Badger sa m u ra i ABI LITIES

paint breathta k i n g m o u nta i n l a ndscapes o n t h e s i l k BADGER SAPPER

before it is so l d t o oth e r c l a n s .
H i n ata can spot Badger-made tra ps, a n d a utomatica l ly
poi nts them out to a n y c h a ra cter with whom he is trav­
Myste r i o u s S h r i n e e l i n g . As a M ovement a n d S u pport a cti o n , H i n ata can

This sma l l shrine in the m o u nta i n s n e a r Badger's Scowl disarm o r reset one tra p (without making a check) .

offers n o c l u e as to the ka m i that m i g ht i n h a bit it. Bad­ SOUR MOODS

ger patrols someti mes come across it seem i n g l y by H i n ata's d e m e a n o r is u su a l ly G ood-n atu red. H owever,
accident and s i l ently pay their respects before movi n g after H i n ata becomes Com p ro m ised or u n m asks, h i s
o n . O n l y t h e S u m a i C h a m p i o n ever goes there with d e m e a n o r becomes G ruff u nti l the e n d o f the scene. If
pu rpose, to sit i n conte m p l ation . Visits from outsiders h e h a s h a d a p a rticu l a rly bad day, h e may a lso sta rt a
a re exceed i n g l y rare, though occasion a l ly o n e a ppears scene G ruff to s i g n ify this fact.
u n d e r escort to offer their respectfu l p rayers. R u m o rs
a b o u n d as to its true nature . There a re ta les that a
l ost Ka m i 's g rave resides h e re , or that it is the location
where the fi rst s i l k-prod u c i n g butterfl ies were fou n d ,
or t h a t a n o n i is b u ried u n dern eath-o n e t h a t o n l y a
S u m a i C h a m p i o n cou l d d efeat s h o u l d it ever e me rg e .
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

F U R E H E S H U AYAG I N U , ADVENTU RE SEED:

S U MAI C HAM P I O N LAIR O F TH E BADGERS
ADVERSARY CONFLICT RANK: f.J 7 �4
Fureheshu Ayaginu has held the title of Sumai Champion � ■:r!ffl# The PCs encou nter an i nj u red
bush i w h i l e trave l i n g near the Empire's north­
of the Badger Clan for two years in a row. She is a woman
of great renown with in the clan, and her name is well­ ern border. H e was on his way to partici pate
known to sumai enth usiasts across Rokugan. As Sumai i n the Badger's G reat Games but can no lon­
Champion, she has spi ritual duties to perform; Ayaginu ger com pete and represent h i s clan. H e asks
spends as much time communing with the kam i as she a PC of the sa m e clan to com pete i n his place.

i@l,\-f4\!/.ie►
does training. She speaks l ittle by nature, and a number The PCs a re cha l lenged
of rumors su rround her: that she can hear the voices of the by a g ruff lc h i ro H i n ata as they approach
kami, that everyth ing she utters is prophecy, and that she the Castle of the Badger, but when they
is too pure to ever draw blood or take a life. None of the
revea l the pu rpose of the visit, he becomes
rumors are completely true, and very few Badger know friendly and welcomes them with enth usiasm .
of the most i mportant duty of the Sumai Champion in
He leads them to the castle, where it soon
protecting one of the most sacred locations in Rokugan. becomes apparent that very few contestants

:�:: �· ,1:: : : : :�
h ave turned up for the g a m es, a lthough the
Badger a lways i nvite every G reat a n d M inor
C l a n to take part. A l l the PCs a re encour­
aged to com pete, not only in sumai (the m a i n

39 STATUS 7
event), b u t i n g a m es o f rock th rowi ng, races
FOCUS across the treacherous mou nta i n side, and

5
• other contests of strength and prowess.
V I G I LANCE
� + l ,@ + l ,e)-2
D E M EANOR D ETAC H E D fiiieeEfiP If the PCs perform wel l , not only
do the Badger offer them gifts, but any u nat­
ARTISAN I MARTIAL 3 SCHOLA R J SOCIAL 2 TRADE 0 tached PCs a re i nvited to spend time with
A D VANTAGES !llSA l>VANTAGES
a m atch m a ker. The lchiro dai myo is keen to
m a ke a l l iances with other clans and bring
Strength of a Mountain: Softheartedness: n ew, worthy b l ood i nto his clan. The PCs may
� M a rti a l ; Physical @ Soci a l ; Mental a l so m a ke con nections with friendly gaijin
Wisdom of who a re attending the G reat G a m es. H ow the
Ancient Stones: PCs dea l with this situation determi nes their
� Sch o l a r; Spiritual future reception i n Badger l ands.

FAVOUEO WEAPONS

Grip of iron: Range 0, Damage 5 , Dead l i n ess 1

Gear (equipped): Badger-s i l k kimono (Physica l 1 ,
Spiritu a l 1 , Ceremonial)

ABILITIES

CRU S H I N G WATERFALL TH ROW

Wh i l e making a M a rtial Arts [ U n a rmed] check, Aya g i n u
may s p e n d �� a s fol l ows:
Earth *+: If either the ta rget's silhouette or vig­
i l a n ce is l ower than :-;� spent this way, the ta rget
suffe rs the I m mobil ized condition and receives
4 fatig ue.
Water iac� +: If either the ta rget's silhouette or vigi­
l a n ce is l ower than :-;� spent this way, the target is
th rown 2 ra nge bands in a d i rection of Ayag i n u 's
choice a n d receives 4 fatigue.
 C H A PT E R 2: D E F E N D E R S OF T H E E M P I R E

self-reliant a s the mountains themse lves can the Badger

BADGER CLA N ensure no invaders gain entrance to Rokugan through
P LAYER CHARACTERS the mounta inous terra i n they g u a rd.
Ring I n crease: + 1 Earth
Players who wish to b u i l d a Badger Clan character can
Skill I ncrease: + 1 M a rtia l Arts [ U n a rm. ed]
do so using the clan a n d fa m i ly provided in this chap­
Status: 2S
ter. At the G M 's discretio n , a Badger character cou ld
study at a G reat Clan schoo l , or a character from a
G reat Clan cou ld fa l l in with these stu bborn defenders TH E l c H I RO FAM I LY
of the Empire's n o rthwest border. The ru les for two of The lch i ro fa m i ly dom i n ates much of Badger l ife and
the most iconic schools of the Badger, the l c h i ro G ra p­ h as since the c l a n 's fou n d ing i n the early years of the
pler School a n d the l c h i ro l ronsm ith School , can be Empire. Most Rokuga n i who know of this M inor Clan
fou n d on pages 7 6 a n d 7 7 . simply assume the l chiro and the Badger a re one and
the same. Much l ike the Crab, from whom the Bad­
TH E BA DG E R M I N O R C LAN ger founder originated, the lch i ro a re dedicated and
d i rect i n their actions, and they ca re littl e for anythi n g
Wh ile most clans seem to spend a l l their time fighting
that sepa rates t h e m from their duty. When they are not
each other, the Badger steadfastly defend the northwest
watch i n g over the border or repe l l ing wou ld-be i nvad­
border of the Emerald Empire. The trivia l ities of courtly
ers, h owever, the l ch i ro a re just as dedicated to a ctivi­
l ife and interclan intrigue a re less than i m portant-and
ties such as wrestling and other competitive pastimes.
not even interesting. Only the Crab face a more con­
Many Rokuga n i are aware of the Badger's ski l ls i n forg­
sta nt threat. Sti l l , a lthough the Badger read i ly admit
ing weapons a n d armor, a nd while Badger products
that no gaij i n invader riva ls the terrors of the Shadow­
a re u n iversa l ly derided as lacking elegance, the c l a n
lands, this doesn't d i m i n ish the i m portance of their duty
n ever seems t o h ave a shortage o f buyers.
deep in the G reat Wa l l of the N orth mountains. Often
Ring I n crease: + 1 Earth or + 1 Fire
forgotten by most of the major powers of the Empire,
Skill I ncreases: + 1 Fitn ess, + 1 Tactics
the Badger conti nue their charged duty with l ittl e to no
Glory: 3S Starting Wealth: 3 koku
outside support. Only by bei n g as strong, resil ient, and

WHAT DOES YO U R WHAT DOES B U S H IDO

CHARACTER K N OW? M EA N TO YO U R CLA N ?
A l l Badger Clan characters h ave a g reater awareness of the The Badger a re one of the m ost isolated clans i n the E m p i re,
fol lowin g topics: a n d the i r sam u ra i a re as d i rect a n d h a rd as the mounta i n s
themse lves. S u m a i teaches t h e m t h a t strength comes from
@ You have a strong g rasp of the pol itics and cultures honest a p p l ication of m uscle a n d ski l l , n ot from honeyed
withi n the Badger territory along the E m p i re's n o rthwest words or b l i n d a cceptance. For this c l a n , to defend the border
border, as wel l as genera l i nformation concerni n g the is to protect the Empire, a n d there can be n o weakness i n this
Crab C l a n . a rea. When truth and honesty a re forgotten, there is l ittl e to
@ You know m uch a bout t h e many m o u ntai n passes i n this sepa rate sam u ra i from fore i g ners. For this reason , Righteous­
a rea, especia l ly the Path of Woe. n ess (Gi) holds a specia l p l a ce for the Badger.
The Badger ra rely leave their mounta ins, a n d while they a re
@ You have a strong fam i l i a rity with Uj i k and other g ai ­
l ively and e njoy games of a l l sorts, there is ra rely need for man­
j i n peoples who m i g ht attem pt to en ter the Empire
nered behavior withi n their l ands. Every time they visit another
through fo rce or stea lth . You may even have had first­
court, they see only deceit and u nderh anded ways of twisting
h and experiences with o n e or more of the m .
the truth for politica l gains. For a clan that prizes strength and
@ You m a y h ave s o m e knowledge o f a mysterious shrine i ron, those sam u ra i who rely on words instead of m uscle a re to
located i n Badger l ands a n d its true i mportance to be frowned upon at best. Thus, the Bushido tenet of Courtesy
the Empire. (Rei) is less i mportant to members of the Badger Clan.
See page 301 of the core rulebook fo r more i nformation on
h ow these can affect your honor a n d g lory.
 C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

ADVANCE TYPE
N EW CONTENT
INTRODUCED IN Martial Skills Ski. Grp.
Courtesy Skill
THIS BOOK
The following are new schools that PCs can select as
Techniques with bolded
names are new to this
part of character creation. ... Medicine Skill
Theology Skill
',,
::.0::
book and can be found z
Rank 1 Air I nvocations Tech . Grp.
starting on page 95. Agas h a Asce t i c S c h o o l �
[S h u ge nja, B u s h i ]
Technique
'
.., Clouds Parted by Steel
Combining the teachings of mystic and warrior, the G rasp of Earth Technique
samurai of the Agasha Ascetic School fill a valuable
Scholar Skills Ski. Grp.
role when the Dragon Clan goes to war. Their skills in
calling upon the kami to aid the clan are impressive Martial Arts [Melee] Skill
enough, but their martial abilities mean that they are N Meditation Skill
able to attack and defend in combat as well as any Skill
Survival
::.0::
z
bushi. This battlefield flexibility that makes them dan­
gerous and vital to the clan's small armies.
� Rank 1 -2 Kata � Tech . Grp.
Rings: +1 Air, + 1 Earth • Beseech Togashi's Vision A Technique
Starting Skills (choose five): + 1 Fitness, + 1 Martial • Vanish in the Shadows ){' Techn ique
Arts [Ranged], + 1 Martial Arts [ Melee], + 1 Meditation,
Trade Skills Ski. Grp.
+ 1 Sentiment, + 1 Tactics, + 1 Theology
Honor: 45 Fitness Skill
ASCETIC INVOCATIONS Techniques Available: Invocations (I), Kata (�), Rituals (A) M Martial Arts [Ranged] Skill
Starting Techniques:

'
Theology Skill
::.0::
The Agasha Ascetic School z
teaches its students invoca­
e I nvocations (choose two): Caress of Earth,
� Rank 1 -3 Earth I nvocations Tech. Grp.
Cloak of Night, Wall of Earth, Yari of Air
tions by Elemental names,

'
for they follow the Tao of • Employ Terrible Thunder ){' Technique
Shinsei and see the world
e Kata (choose one): Striking as Air, Grasp of the Air Dragon Technique
Striking as Earth
through the Jens of the five
elements, or rings. (See Martial Skills Ski. Grp.
Invocation Names and e Rituals: Cleansing Rite, Com mune with Spirits Command Skill
Traditions on page 1 90 in
the core rulebook/.
Stand as the Mountain (School Ability): After you ,,t Sentiment Skill
channel an invocation, increase your physical and super­ z Theology Skill
::.0::

natural resistances by an amount equal to the number <

0:: Ran k 1 -4 Kata � Tech. Grp.
of dice you reserved, to a maximum of your school rank.

'
Imbue Thunder A Technique
This effect persists until the start of your next turn.
Starting Outfit: Sanctified robes, traveling clothes, Rise, Air Technique
daish6 (katana and wakizashi), scroll satchel, journal, Scholar Skills Ski. Grp.
traveling pack. Skill
Fitness
II) Martial Arts [Melee] Skill
z Meditation Skill
::.0::

'
0:: Rank 1 -5 Air I nvocations I Tech. Grp.
Ever-Changing Waves Technique
Striking as Void � Technique
Soul of Deepest Stones (Mastery Ability):
,0
When you successfully make a check to
::.0::
z augment or mend a target, add a number
< of bonus successes equal to your ran ks
0::
in Fitness.
 ADVANCE TYPE

Martial Sk ills Sk i. Grp.

Command Sk ill
...
�
Courtesy Sk i ll
z Government Ski ll
Rank 1 Kata � Tech . Grp.
• Tactical Assessment � Technique
Righteous Example (l Technique
Social Ski l ls Ski. Grp.
Fitness Sk ill
N Martial Arts [Melee] Ski ll
z Tactics Sk i ll
� Rank 1 -2 Kata � Tech . G rp .
• Flowing Water Strike � Technique
• Preserve Strength Cl Technique A kod o So ld ie r Sch oo l [B u s h i ]
Ma rtial Sk ills Sk i. G rp.
Lion samura i a re renowned ac ross Rokuga n for th eir
Cu lture Sk ill prowess in wa r, and Akodo Sold ie rs a re no exceptio n .
(\') Medicine Sk i ll A lmost a ll a re p roducts of the Akod o Wa r Co l lege,
z Sm ith ing Sk ill where th ey spec ia lize in h av ing no spec ia liza tio n . Each
� can fi l a lmost a ny ro le in the c l a n 's o rder of battle,
Rank 1 -3 Kata � Tech . G rp.
wie ld ing a ny of Akodo 's vaun ted six weapons of th e
• To Smash the Heart C' Tech n iq ue samu ra i w ith eq ua l expe rtise. Such is th e ir t ra i n i ng th at
Ra lly in g Cry C' Tech n ique
..
th ey ca n a lso provide battlefie ld med ica l su pport a nd
Scho la r Sk i ll s Sk i. G rp. ta ctica l advice wh en needed .
Rings: + 1 Fi re , + 1 Wate r
Cou rte sy Ski ll
Sta rting S kills (choose five) : + 1 Co mma nd , + 1 F it­
� M a rtia l Arts [Ranged] Ski ll n ess, + 1 M a rti a l Arts [ M e lee] , + 1 M a rti a l Arts [ Ra n ged],
�
z
,,
Ta ctics Ski ll + 1 M a rti al Arts [ U n a rm ed ], + 1 M ed ici n e , + 1 T a cti cs
Honor: 50
Ra n k 1 -4 F i re Sh uji Tech . G rp .
Techniq u es Availa ble: Kata ( � ) , R itu als ( A ), S h uj i ( C')
• Pin th e Fa n � Tech n ique Sta rti ng Techn iques:
Disappearin g World Style � Tech n ique
9 Kata (choose o n e): Striking as Fi re, Stri k i n g as
Marti a l Ski l ls Ski. G rp.
Wa te r
Command Skill
• Kata (choose one): • C rescent M oon Style,
Ill G overnment S ki ll + Peltin g H a i l Styl e
�
z Sentiment Skill
Drilled Precision (School Ab ility): Whe n m a k i n g a n
Rank 1 -5 Kata � Tech . G rp.
Atta ck or M ovem e nt a ction check, you m a y remove a n
Moment of Glory C' Technique a m o u nt o f stri fe from you rself u p to you r school ra nk.
Striking as Void � Technique For e ach strife you remove this wa y, add one kept ■
set to it� to the ch e ck a n d receive 1 fatigue.
Strike Without Shadow (Mastery Ability):
,()
When you succeed at an Attack or Movement Starting Outfit: Ash igaru a rmo r, travel i n g clothes,
�
z action check, you may spend 1 Void point daish6 (katan a and wa kizashi), y u m i (bow) with q u iver
to add bonus su ccesses equal to you r ranks of a rrows, yari (spea r), noda ch i (g reat sword) or naga­
in Fitness.
maki (se e page 88) o r naga e yari (page 88), yoro i­
doshi (pag e 88), knife, battlefie l d medical pack
(pag e 90), travel i n g pack.
 ADVANCE TYPE

Trade Ski lls Ski. G rp .

Fitness Ski l l
.... Martial Arts [Melee] Ski l l
�
z Martial Arts [Ranged] Ski l l
<

",,
a:: Rank 1 Kata � Tech. G rp.
• Clouds Parted by Steel Technique
• Swift Scouting Technique
Martial Skills Ski. G rp.
Government Skil l
N Medicine Ski l l
�
z Skulduggery Ski l l
<
"
a:: Rank 1 -2 Kata � Tech. G rp.
• The Patient Viper Techn ique
• Employ Terrible Thunder )( Technique
Scholar Skills Ski. G rp. D aidoj i H a r r i e r School
Labor Ski l l [Bush i, S h i nobi]
M Martia l Arts [ M elee] Ski l l Rumors have long run o f Daidoji battlefield agents who
�
z Tactics Ski l l gather inte l l igence a n d disru pt enemy supply l i nes. Yet
<
a:: under the leadership of the most recent Daidoji dai my6,
Rank 1 -3 Air Shuji C' Tech. G rp.
the H a rrier corps has become fa r more effective at end-

"
�
• Imbue Outburst Technique ing confl icts before they beg i n . Through sa botage,
.., Vanish in the Shadows Techn ique assassination, and forgery-tactics many would find
Trade Skills Ski. G rp. dishonorable-a single harrier m ight negate tens, if not
h u n d reds, o f enemy wa rriors a n d ensure the Crane Clan
Martial Arts [Ranged] Ski l l
is wel l defended. Often the only sign a harrier is present
Medicine Skil l is the sou nd o f thunder a n d the smoke of a col lapsed
st
� Sentiment Ski l l bridge or fa llen fortification.
z

"
Rings: + 1 Air, + 1 Fire
� Rank 1-4 Kata � Tech . G rp .
Starting Skills (choose five): + 1 Culture, + 1 Fitness,
• Wreak Havoc Technique
+1 M a rtial Arts [ M elee], +1 M a rtia l Arts [Ranged], + 1
Beseech Bayushi's Medicine, + 1 Sentim ent, + 1 Skulduggery
Technique
Absolution � Honor: 40
Martial Ski lls Ski. G rp. Techniques Available: Kata ( � }, Rituals (�), Shuj i ((l)
Courtesy Ski l l Starting Tech niques:
II) Medicine Ski l l e Kata (choose one): Soa ri n g S l i ce,
�
z Surviva l Ski l l Stri king as Air
� Rank 1 -5 Fire Shuji � Tech. G rp. @ N i njutsu: • Sku l k

"
�
Pin t h e Fan Technique
Explosive Arrival (School Ability): After you perform
• S ilencing Stroke Technique a n Attack action agai nst a ta rget who is Dazed or
Spreading Chaos (Mastery Ability): After u n aware of your presence, that ta rget receives strife
you use you r school ability during a duel or eq u a l to your sch ool ra n k . If your ta rget is an enemy
,0 skirmish, you r target and each other char-
� acter friendly to them at range 0-3 suffers leader's cohort in a m ass battle, the enemy a rmy a lso
z the Dazed condition. After you use you r receives that m u c h panic.
� school ability in a mass battle, the leader Starting Outfit: Trave l i n g clothes, common clothes,
of the cohort you targeted suffers the
Dazed condition. d a ish6 (katan a and wakizashi}, any one weapon of ra r-
ity 6 or lower, kn ife, trave l i n g pack.
 ADVANCE TYPE
Social Ski l l s S k i . Grp.
Fitness S ki l l

Martial Arts [ M elee] Ski l l

z Ta ctics S ki l l
� Ran k 1 Kata � Tec h . Grp.

,,
• Beseech Hida ' s Might A Tech n i q u e

• Battle of No Escape Tech n i q u e

Martial S k i l l s Ski. Grp.

Com mand Ski l l

N Games Ski l l
::.::
z Senti ment Skill
<(
0:: Ran k 1 -2 Earth S h uj i (l Tec h . Grp.

• Great Anvil's Measure C' Technique

• Beseech Shiba ' s Calm A Technique [ B u s h i , C o u rt i e r]
Trade Ski l l s Ski. Grp.
Unlike all other clans, the Crab are continually at war.
Com mand S kil l
Even the Lion cannot claim the same. The Shadowlands
Performance S ki l l never sleeps, so neither can the stalwart samurai who
::.:: Tactics Ski l l are the primary defenders along the Wall. Hida Battle
z Leaders oversee this war, and must rely on tactics and
<(
Ran k 1 -3 Kata � Tech . Grp.
sheer grit to counter the overwhelming forces of Fu
0::

• The Patient Viper )( Tech n i q u e Leng. These are the most respected commanders of
• Beseech Akodo's the Crab Clan, as adept on a tactical board as they are
Tech nique
Judgment A on the field of battle.
Martial Ski l l s Ski. Grp. Rings: + 1 Earth, + 1 Void
Command S ki l l Starting Skills (choose five): + 1 Command, + 1 Fit­
ness, + 1 Games, + 1 Government, + 1 Martial Arts
Medicine S ki l l
[ Melee], + 1 Sentiment, + 1 Tactics
st
::.::
z S m ith i n g Ski l l Honor: 55
Techniques Available: Kata ( � ) . Rituals ( A L Shuji ( C1 )
<(
0:: Ran k 1 -4 Voi d S h uj i C' Tech. Grp.
• Stri king as Void Technique
Starting Techniques:
�
Steady the Hammer C' Tec h n i q u e e Kata: • Tactical Assessment
Social Ski l l s S k i . Grp. 8 Shuji (choose one): Fortress of N ecessity,
Fitness Ski l l Stonewall Tactics, Weight of Duty

Sentiment Ski l l
II')
Thunderous Courage (School Ability): Once per
::.::
z Tactics S ki l l scene after you perform a Support action, you may

,,
� Ran k 1 -5 Earth Sh0ji Cl Tec h . Grp. choose any number of characters within a number of
range bands equal to your ranks in Command. Each
Rouse the S o u l Technique
chosen character treats their composure as increased
The Immovable Hand of Peace C1 Tech nique by your school rank. This effect persists until the end
of the scene.
Unbreakable Resolve (Mastery Ability):
Comprom i sed characters affected by your During a mass battle, if you are a leader, your army
,0
::.::
z school abil ity can keep a n u m ber of d ice con- treats its discipline as increased by your school rank.
� tai n i n gwup to your ranks i n Command.
Starting Outfit: Lacquered armor, traveling clothes,
daisho (katana and wakizashi), any two weapons of rar­
ity 7 or lower, finger of jade, tessen or gunbai (see page
91 ), several scrol ls of battle tactics, traveling pack.
CHAPTER 2: D E F E N DERS O F THE E M PIRE

l c h i ro G ra p p l e r S c h o o l [ B u s h i ] ADVANCE TYPE

Sumai is a very serious sport in most of Rokugan, with Martial Skills Ski. Grp.
traditions and rituals that date back hundreds of years. Games Skil l
Few are as devoted to it as the Badger and Crab Clans,
however. Those who train exclusively as lchiro Grap­
...� Labor Ski l l
z Theology Skil l
piers apply their skil ls in all aspects of their lives, fend­
ing off gaijin invaders just as they stand firm against � Rank 1 Kata � Tech . Grp.
their opponents in wrestling matches. In battle, a skil led • Lord Hida's Grip � Technique
Grappler needs no weapons other than their tenacious
Open-Hand Style \i. Technique
grip and immovable body to ensure none of their foes
are able to pass. Social Skil ls Ski. Grp.
Rings: + 1 Earth, + 1 Water Fitness Skil l
Starting Skills (Choose five): + 1 Fitness, + 1 Games, Martial Arts [Unarmed] Skill
+ 1 Martial Arts [Unarmed], + 1 Meditation, + 1 Perfor­
N
�
z Medicine Skil l
mance, + 1 Survival, + 1 Tactics
Honor: 45
� Rank 1 -2 Earth Shuj i C/ Tech. Grp.
Techniques Available: Kata ( � ) . Rituals (�). Shuji (C') Beseech Hida's M ight � Technique
Starting Techniques: • Thicket's Embrace Style \i. Technique
• Kata: • Fierce Badger Style Scholar Skills Ski. Grp.
Et Shuji: (choose one): All in Jest, Honest Fitness Skil l
Assessment M Meditation Skil l
�
z Performance Skil l
Badger's Hold (School Ability): After you succeed

,,
at an Attack action check using the Martial Arts � Rank 1 -3 Kata \i. Tech. Grp.
[Unarmed] skill, if the target is Immobilized or Prone • Your Enemy's Arrows Technique
(see pages 272-273 of the core rulebook), they also
Shattering Tide Style \i. Technique
receive fatigue equal to your school rank.
Starting Outfit: Ashigaru armor, traveling clothes, Martial Ski l l s S k i . Grp.
daisho (katana and wakizashi), sumai garb, small Games Skill
drum, lchiro sapper ax (see page 88), ..,. Sentiment Skil l
traveling pack. �
z Theology Skil l
� Rank 1 -4 Water Shuji (/ Tech. Grp.

,,
• The Patient Viper )f- Technique
Steady the Hammer Technique
Soci a l Skil l s S k i . Grp.
Culture Skill
II) Fitness Skil l
�
Martia l Arts [Unarmed] Skil l
� Rank 1 -5 Kata \i. Tech. Grp.
• Victory Without a Sword (/ Tech n ique
Soul Sunder \i. Technique
Killing Grip (Mastery Ability): When you
,0
inflict a critical strike on a target, if the target
z is Immobilized or Prone, you may receive 3
!Ii'!

fatigue to increase the severity of the critical

strike by two times your ranks in Fitness.
 ADVANCE TYPE

Artisan S k i l l s Ski. G r p .

...
Fitness Skill

Martial Arts [Unar med] Ski l l

,,
�
z Surviva l Ski l l
0::: Ra n k 1 Water Shuji T ech . Grp.

,,
�
• Fierce Badger Style T echnique

Fortress of Necessity T echnique

Soci a l Ski l l s S ki . G rp.

Com m e rce Skill

N F itness Skill
�
z S m ith i n g Ski l l
� Ra n k 1 -2 Kata � T ech . G rp.

,,
�
• Shatte ri ng Tide Style T e ch n ique
G reat Anvi l ' s Measu re Tech n ique
Artisan S k i l l s S ki . G rp .

Cu ltu re Skill

M La bo r S ki l l
l c h i ro l ro n s m i t h S c h o o l
�
z i
Su rv va l Skil l [A rt i sa n , C o u rt i e r]
� Ra n k 1 -3 R itu a ls � T e ch . G rp.
Wh i l e th e Ka k ita a n d othe r sword sm ith sch oo ls pro­
• A Sa m u ra i 's Fate (l T e ch n iq u e d u ce wea pon s that a re u n pa ra l l e l ed works of art, th e
i
Thicket's Embrace Style � Tech n iq u e ha rd rea l ities of l ife in th e m ou nta n s m ea n s a d iffe r­
i i
r
M a rti a l Sk il ls Ski. G rp . ent path fo th e lch i r6 . There is l ttle ca ll fo r art n th is
schoo l , wh ich conce ntra tes on wea pons and a rm or a s
Co m mand Ski ll
tou g h a n d re l ia ble a s th e ru g ged h i lls th e Badge r ca l l
� G overn me nt Sk i ll hom e. lch ir6 lro n sm iths a re a lso fa m ou s for the speed

z
,,
i
S m th i ng Sk i l w ith wh ich they prod u ce weapon ry, someth in g th e Lion
� Ra n k 1 -4 Void Sh uj i Tech . G rp.
C la n re l ies u pon g reat ly to a rm its leg ions of ash iga ru .

,,
Rings: + 1 Wate r, + 1 Vo id
• St r iki ng as Void � Tech n ique
Starting Skills (choose five): + 1 Comm erce , +1 Cou r­
l
Your Enemy 's Arrows Tech n ique tesy, + 1 Fitness, + 1 La bor, +1 M a rtia Arts [Melee] , + 1
Artisa n Sk i l ls Sk i. G rp. Ma rtia l Arts [Una rm ed ], + 1 Sm ith ing
Honor: 40
Courtesy Sk i l 1
l Tech n iques Avai lable: Kata ( � ). R itua ls ( A L Shuj i ( C )
Lil F it ness Sk i ll Starting Techniques:
z
,,
Martial Arts [Melee] Sk i ll
e Shiiji (choose two): Coursing March Chant,
0::: Ra nk 1 -5 Wa ter Shuj i Tech . G rp. Courtier 's Reso lve, Hones t Assessment,

,,
• W reak Havoc )( Tech n ique St i rr ing the Embers

Rouse the Sou l Tech n ique Starting Patterns: lch i r6 Pa ttern . You can app ly this pat­
tern (see page 94) to any weapon or armor you craft.
,0 T e nacity of the Forge (Mastery Ab ility):
When you crea te a new set of a r mor, you may H ide of Iron (School Ab ility): Once per game session
z app ly two diffe re n t patte rns you k now to it when you make a check to c raf t, improve, or ma inta in a
� ( i nstead of one). weapon or se t of armor, you may rece ive an amount of
fat igue up to your school rank to re ro ll that many dice.
Start ing Outfit: T rave l ing clothes, common clothes,
wakizash i (short sword), any one weapon of rarity 6 or
lowe r, s m ithing hammer, lchir6 sapper axe (see page
88), t rave l ing pack.
CHAPTER 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F TH E E M PI RE

I d e Messe n ge r S c h o o l [C o u rt i e r] ADVANCE TYPE

Ide M essengers ca l l u pon the powerfu l steeds of the Socia l Skills Ski. G rp.
U n icorn Clan to a l low them to traverse the Emerald Composition Skill
Empire (a nd often beyond) with i nformation usefu l to Fitness Skill
their cla n . They do more than sim ply ca rry m essages,
� Su rviva l Ski l l
however. They ca refu l ly interpret these messages so as z
to ensure that information can convey m u ltiple layers of
<0:: Rank 1 Earth Shuji (/ Tech. G rp.
meaning for both orig inator a n d recipient. The g race • Beseech Shinjo's
Empathy Tech nique
and subtlety these diplomats display is legenda ry, as s:!:t
the Messengers use their travels to gather information <> Swift Scouting )( Technique
usefu l for the U n icorn i n both courts and battlefields.
Rings: + 1 Earth , +1 Void
Trade Skills Ski. Grp.

Starting Skills (choose five): +1 Cou rtesy, +1 Fitness, Martia l Arts [Melee] Ski l l
+1 Govern ment, +1 M a rtial Arts [Ranged], +1 Perfor­ N Performance Ski l l
�

,,,,
mance, + 1 Senti ment, + 1 S u rviva l z Sentiment Ski l l
Honor: 50 <
Techniques Available: Kata ( � ). Rituals (�). Shuji (C1)
0:: R a n k 1 -2 Water Shuji Tech . Grp.

Starting Techniques: .. Call the Wild Technique

Beseech Doji's Wisdom Techn ique
@ Shiiji: • Lady S h i njo's Speed
s:!:t
Artisan Ski lls Ski. G rp.
@ Shiiji (choose one): Courtier's Resolve, Honest
Cou rtesy Ski l l
Assessment
M Performance Ski l l
Sympathetic Bearing (School Abi lity): After you m a ke �
z Surviva l Ski l l
a check for I n itiative (or enter the scene, for a n a rrative

,,
� R a n k 1 -3 Rituals s:!:t Tech. Grp.
scene), you may choose a n other character in the scene.

,,
That cha racter rem oves strife equal to you r school ra nk, • Regal Bearing Technique
and you reduce the TN of your n ext Soci a l ski l l check
Rallying Cry Tech nique
ta rgeti n g that cha racter by 2.
Starting Outfit: Trave l i n g clothes, wakizash i (short Scholar Skills Ski. G rp.
sword), y u m i (bow) a n d qu iver of a rrows, satchel of Command Ski l l
m essages, ca l l i g ra phy set, kn ife , U n icorn warhorse '<t Composition Skill
�

,,,,
(see page 327 of the core ru leboo
z Martial Arts [Ranged] Ski l l
travel i n g pack. <
0:: R a n k 1 -4 Void Shuji Tech. Grp.
• Rouse the Soul Technique
• Vanish in the Shadows )( Techn ique
Social Skills Ski. G rp.
Cultu re Ski l l
LO Fitness Ski l l
�

,,,,
z Survival Ski l l
� Rank 1 -5 A i r Shuji Tech. Grp.
Buoyant Arrival Technique
Striking as Void � Technique

...
The Herd Flourishes Together (Mastery
Ability): When you make a Social ski l l check,

-.0
* ��:
you may spend �� as fol l ows:
Choose another character's social
objective that you know. You may transfer
�
z any n u m ber of momentum points you have
accrued to the completion of their objective.
� After that character completes their objec-
tive, you gain the S upport of [That Charac-
ter's Group] advantage (see age 1 1 0 of the
core ru lebook) if you do not have it a l ready.
 C H A P T E R 2: D E F E N D E R S OF T H E E M P I R E

l sawa Te n sa i S c h o o l [S h u ge nja] ADVANCE TYPE

TENSAI I NVOCATIONS

The shugenja of the lsawa Tensai School practice an Scholar Skil ls Ski. G rp.
Following the same tradi­
even more el ite and specia l ized path than other lsawa Courtesy Ski l l tions as the lsawa Elemen­
schools. lsawa Tensai concentrate on a single element Meditation Ski l l talist School, the lsawa
with which they have a natura l affinity. This a l l ows them Tensai School teaches its
Survival Ski l l students invocations by
to focus their energies upon that element and develop
Elemental names. (See
a unique link to the kam i who em body it, letting them • Rank 1 -2 I nspi red Tech. G rp.
Element I nvocations I Invocation Names and
wield powers few can match.
+ Sting of Warrior's Pride (/
Traditions on page 1 90 in
Rings: +2 any one ri n g Technique the core rulebook).

Starting Skills (choose three): + 1 Cou rtesy, + 1 Martial Divination Technique

Arts [Unarmed], +1 M editation, +1 Senti m ent, +1 Sur­ Social Skills Ski. G rp.
viva l , + 1 Theology
Honor: 50
Culture Ski l l
Techniques Available: I nvocations ( W. ) , Rituals ( A ) , Martial Arts [Unarmed] Ski l l
S h u j i (<l) Theology Ski l l
Starting Techniques: • Ran k 1 -3 I nspi red Tech . G rp.
Invocations (choose one): Any one ra n k 1
Element I nvocations
e
+ Beseech Shiba's Calm Techn ique
invocation of your inspired element
Rituals (choose two): Cleansing Rite,
• Open-Hand Style Technique
@
Com m u n e with the Spirits, Threshold Barrier Martial Ski l l s Ski. G rp.

@ Shuji (choose two): Ancestry U nearthed, Bor­ Performance Ski l l

rowed Courage, Truth Burns through Lies, Sentiment Ski l l
Shal low Waters Theology Ski l l
Elemental Inspiration (School Ability): Ch oose one: • Rank 1 -4 Inspired Tech . G rp.
Air, Earth, Water, or Fire. This is your inspired element.
Element I nvocations I
Incite True Nature
*
When making a check to activate an invocation of your (/ Techn ique
inspired element, add a n u mber of ro l led ■ set to • Battle in the Mind � Technique
resu lts eq u a l to your school ra nk.
Scholar Skills Ski. G rp.
When making a check to activate an invocation of you r
inspired element, you trigger spiritual backlash (see page Fitness Ski l l
1 90 of the core rulebook) only if you keep four or more Meditation Ski l l
dice containing Ci) symbols (instead of th ree or more). Surviva l Ski l l
When making a check to a ctivate an invocation not
• Rank 1 -5 Inspired Tech . G rp .
of you r inspired element, you trigger spiritu a l backlash Element I nvocations I
if you keep two or more dice conta i n i n g 0 symbols
A Samurai's Fate C' Technique
(instead of th ree or more).
Starting Outfit: Sanctified robes, travel i n g clothes, Pillar of Ca l m C' Technique
wakizashi (sho rt sword), scro l l satchel, trave l i n g pack. Social Skills Ski. G rp.
Government Ski l l
Sentiment Ski l l
Theology Ski l l
• Ra nk 1 -5 I nspired Tech. G rp.
Element I nvocations
Rouse the Soul C1 Technique
• Striking as Void � Technique

Attuned Invocation (Mastery Ability): Once

per scene, when making a check to activate
an i nvocation of you r inspired element, you
may spend 1 Void point. If you do, you may
keep any n u mber of your rol led d ice (instead
of a n um ber up to your ring val u e).
 ADVANCE TYPE
Ski. G rp.
Com mand Ski l l
Culture Ski l l
Surviva l Ski l l
R a n k 1 Kata � Tech. G rp.
• Lightn ing Raid Cl Technique
• Beseech Shinjo's
Empathy � Technique

Trade Ski l l s S k i . G rp.

Fitness Ski l l
N Martial Arts [Melee] Ski l l
::.0::
z Sentiment Ski l l

,,,,
<(
0:: R a n k 1 -2 Fire Shuji Cl Tech. G rp.
• Call the Wild Techn ique

Matsu Beastm aste r S c h o o l [ B u s h i ] Lord Akodo's Roar Technique

Martial Ski l l s S k i . G rp.
A l l M atsu bushi a re ferocious warriors, but Beastmasters
Courtesy S ki l l
a re doubly d an gerous, for they a lways have devoted
a n i m a l com p a n ions fighting at their sides. This school Medicine Ski l l
teaches h ow to strengthen what cou ld be an existing ::.0:: Performance Sk i l l
bond between human a n d beast. Their combined roa r
z
Rank 1 -3 Kata � Tech . G rp.
as they charge i nto battle is often enough t o send
Beseech Akodo's
lesser samura i ru n n i n g before steel or fan g h ave even Judgment � Technique
reached them.
Rings: +1 Fire, +1 Water • Swift Scouting )( Technique
Starting Skills (choose five): + 1 Fitness, + 1 M a rtial Arts Scholar Skills Ski. G rp.
[Melee], + 1 Medicine, + 1 Med itation, + 1 Performance, Command Ski l l
BONDED ANIMALS
+ 1 Sentiment, + 1 S u rviva l
Honor: 45
st Martial Arts [Unarmed] Skill

,,
A pair of large dogs (see ::.0::
page 326 of the core Techniques Available: Kata ( '� ), Ritua ls (�), ShOj i ((l) z Surviva l Ski l l
Starting Tech niques:
<(
rulebook) is the most 0:: Rank 1 -4 Water Shuji Tech. G rp.
To Smash the Heart
common bonded choice
Kata: Wa rrior's Resolve C'
of bonded animals of Techn ique
@
• Vanish in the Shadows
@ Shuji (choose two): Coursing March Chant,
the Matsu Beastmaster. )( Techn ique

Righteous Example, Sensati o n a l Distraction Martial Ski l ls Ski. G rp.

However, at the GM's
discretion, your char­
Cu lture Skill
Starting Advantage: An i m a l Bond (see page 1 1 1 of
acter could have a dif­
ferent bonded animal, LO Surviva l Ski l l
i n which case you may the core ru lebook)
select one animal with One with the Pride (School Ability): I n crease each z Theology Ski l l

,,
U 6 or lower, such as of you r bonded a n i m a ls' endura nce, composure, 0:: R a n k 1 -5 Kata � Tech . G rp.
a hunting cat.
a n d ran ks i n M a rtial ski l l gro u p by a n a m o u nt equ a l Sear the Wound Technique
t o y o u r school ra n k (its ski l l ran ks sti l l ca n n ot exceed
• Wreak Havoc
If you choose an animal
with fl 3 or lower, 5) . If a bonded a n i m a l is a m i n ion, it becomes a n )( Technique

With the Soul of a Lion (Mastery Ability):

you may have a pair of
adversa ry instea d .
Starting Outfit: Ash igaru a rmor, trave l i n g clothes,
such animals as your
-0
After youde erform an Attack action, each of
bonded animals instead your bon ed animals may perform an Attack
da ish6 (kata n a and wakizashi}, zanbato or nagae ya ri ::.0::
(and your school and
z action against the same target, if able. If you r
mastery abilities apply (see page 88) or nagamaki (see page 88), yoroi­ <( attack action did not succeed, reduce the
0::
to each one individual­
doshi (see page 88), 1 -2 bonded a n i m a ls (see the TN of each of you r bonded animals' Attack
Bonded Animals n ote, l eft), trave l i n g pack.
ly, as does the Animal action check by 2.
Bond advantage).
 C H A PT E R 2: D E F E N D E RS OF T H E E M P I R E

ADVANCE TYPE Yogo Pen i te n t O r d e r [ B u s h i , M o n k]

Martial Skills Ski. G rp. Stories say that when the Yago curse comes to pass
Labor Skill i n a betrayal too pai nfu l to bear, the betrayer may be
.... Skulduggery Ski l l offered a place in the Pen itent Order. In monasteries
� scattered across Scorpion lands, these m o n ks tra i n
z Theology Skill
t h e i r ski l l s t o a razor's edge. Ye t u n l i ke many other
� Ran k 1 Kata \ Tech . G rp. m o n ks, who look inwa rd for E n l i g hte n m ent, those
• Sku l k Jr Technique belon g i n g to the Yogo Pen itent O rder seek rede m p­
• Swift Scouting Jr Tech n ique tion through service.
Anyone who m a kes the pilgrimage to one of these
Scholar Skills Ski. G rp.
h idden monasteries may plead their case to the O rder. If
Command Skill the Order agrees this cause serves the good of Rokugan,
Martial Arts [Unarmed] S ki l l by its own cryptic measure, it dispatches a deadly agent
� who serves that person's cause-even u nto death .
Rings: + 1 Air, + 1 Void
Meditation Ski l l
z
� Rank 1 -2 Air Kih6 ? Tech. G rp. Starting Skills (choose four): +1 Fitness, +1 M a rtial
• Beseech Bayushi's Arts [Melee]. +1 M a rtia l Arts [Unarmed]. +1 M ed ita­
Absolution A Technique
tion, +1 Surviva l , +1 Theology
• The Patient Viper Jr Technique Honor: 40
Artisan Skills Ski. G rp. Techniques Available: Kata ( \ ) , Kiho (�). Ritu a l s ( � )
Starting Techniques:
Fitness Ski l l
M Martial Arts [Melee] Skill e Kata (choose one): • I ron Forest Style,
� • Veiled Menace Style
z Skulduggery Ski l l
e Kiho (choose one): Air Fist, The G reat Silence

,,
� Rank 1 -3 Kata \ Tech . G rp.
• Entice with Falsehoods Technique 0 Rituals: Divinati o n , Threshold B a rrier
Stil l the Elements ? Technique Starting Disadvantage: Dark Secret (see page 1 32 of
Scholar Skills Ski. G rp. the core ru lebook) or a n other disadva ntage su itable to
Martial Arts [Unarmed] Skill you r past betraya l
Oath of Sacrifice (School Ability): Once per scene,
'<t Meditation Skill
� after you defend agai nst damage o r suffer a critical
z Survival Skill strike, you may unleash you r cu rrent kiho. I m medi­
<{
0:: Rank 1 -4 Kata \ Tech. Grp. ately end its enha ncement effect, then resolve its bu rst

,,
• Vanish in the Shadows Jr Technique effect as if you had a n u m ber of bon u s successes equal
to your school ran k p l u s the a m ount of fatig u e you
Moment of Glory Technique
received or the severity of the critica l strike you suf­
Martial Skills Ski. G rp. fered . If the bu rst effect has one or m o re ta rgets, y ou
Courtesy Skill may choose appropriate ta rgets i n ran g e .
If y o u h ave u s e d th is a b i l ity a l ready this scene, y
may spend 1 Void point to use it a g a i n this scen9'
Ill Cu ltu re Skill
�
z
<{
Theology Skill (you can do this any n u m ber of times, pro­
0:: Rank 1 -5 Void Kih6 ? Tech. G rp. vided you have Void poi nts to spend).
• Silencing Stroke Jr Tech n ique Starting Outfit: Common clothes
(staff) or ya ri (spea r), 3 shuriken (th
Striking as Void \ Techn ique
i n g sta rs), kn ife, trave l i n g pack.
Empty Soul Ki (Mastery Ability): When
,0
� you defend against damage, if all your Void
z Points are spent, treat your physical and
supernatural resistances as being equal to
� you r Void ring.
,......--------------,-------=------,--,-----,---,---------------,-,,---------- �- - -- ----

C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

new Advat1t�e3 at1d T RA D I T I O N A L A D H E R E NT ( EARTH)

Day in, day out, t h e shrine keeper swept the floor, lit

Vi3advat1t�e3 the candles, burned the incense, honored the h istory

of the shrine. Day in, day out, visitors came to pray
and seek guidance. Day in, day out, the shrine keeper
On the battlefield, a samurai must manage their tended to their needs and sought nothing for himself.
strengths and weaknesses in order to succeed. To pres­ Day in, day out, all was as it was and had been.
ent vulnerability to a foe is to invite defeat, but to con­ Day in, day out, the shrine keeper went to bed
trol it may bait that same enemy into overextending. In satisfied with a job well done.
much the same manner, awareness of one's own power
can be the line between confidence and hubris. Thus, Types: Mental
self-awareness and understanding are essential traits Effects: The following apply to a character with the Tra­
to samurai everywhere, and especially to the tacticians ditional Adherent distinction:
and generals of the Lion Clan. Courtiers may view the
life of a bushi as straightforward compared to the com­ @ You have a mastery of tradition and routine,
plexity of court, but the flow of battle can be no less and are able to perform ceremonies and social
confusing without this crucial awareness. functions exactly as you were taught without
variation, even under trying circumstances.

S PECI FIC DISTI N CTIO N S @ When you make a check to maintain the tradi­
tions of the past (such as a Performance [Earth]
These distinctions follow the same format as those in check to recite a poem in a sty le long-since
Chapter 2 of the core rulebook. out of fashion in the courts, or a Composition
[Earth] check to examine a historical account for
G U I D I N G A N C E STO R (Vom) inconsistencies), y ou may reroll up to two dice.
That n ight, the dreams came again. Kitsu Masaru
tossed and turned as if in the grip of a tempest, and
h is husband could not wake him for some time. When
S PECI FIC PASSIO NS
Masaru 's eyes opened, he appeared troubled, yet These passions follow the same format a s those in
there was someth ing of serenity about him as well. Chapter 2 of the core rulebook.
"It was a warning, " Masaru said at last. "Just as they
did before the Battle of Rushing Rivers, the Unicom
hope to pass our guard in the n ight. None of the scouts
we sent to find them ever returned in life. Now one has
returned from death to make sure we do not fail again. "

Types: Spiritual
Effects: The following apply to a character with the
Guiding Ancestor distinction:

@ You are watched over by a benevolent ances­

tor spirit, or sorei, who has high hopes for
you and y our deeds. The spirit cannot
communicate directly but may send cryptic
omens in dreams and strange phenomena
to help you achieve a great destiny.
@ When you make a check to interpret
omens or to intuit a course of action (such
as a Theology [Void] check to understand
your dreams or a Tactics [Void] check to
guess the plans of an unknown enemy gen•
era I), you may reroll up to two dice.
 ('

C HAPTE R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F TH E E M PI RE

A N C E STRY ( EA RT H ) 0 After performing a check to improve your reputa­

tion or gain fame as a great samurai (such as a Per­
" . . . Son o f Matsu Hoshiko, who was the daugh ter of formance [Fire] check to impress a court with your
Matsu Jira, who inherited the title from Matsu Kaoru, new melody, or a Tactics [Fire] check to execute a
his aunt, and not from his direct forebears. And so we daring raid on the enemy), you remove 3 strife.
continue tracing the line from Matsu Kaoru, who was
the daughter of-"
"How can you remember all of this ?" the young girl S PECI FIC ADVERSITIES
asked in wonderment.
These adversities follow the same format as those in
The tutor looked at her and sm iled, and answered
simply, "How can I not?"
Chapter 2 of the core rulebook.

Types: Mental B LO O D F E U D (WAT E R)

Effects: The following apply to a character with the
Ancestry passion: "Thank you for welcoming me within your house,
Sh iba-sama. It is a generous host who allows in a weary
0 The recollection of lineages comes easily to you. guest without so much as inquiring of their name! " The
You know your own family history as far back as Unicorn sam urai bowed deeply.
it has been recorded, and can swiftly recall the "It is no trouble, " responded the Phoenix lord. "/
lineages of notable figures in Rokugan's history. welcome all under my roof unless they have done me
With a few contextual cues, you can deduce the or mine wrong, and no one has done such a thing since
ancestry of those you meet and remember the the passing of Mato Batjargal. "
great deeds of their forebears. Mato Jochi found his stay with the Phoenix
0 After performing a check to recall or determine the considerably more fraught after that exchange, and
family history of another character (such as a Gov­ he soon decided to continue his travels, despite
ernment [Earth] check to remember a past daimyo his weariness.
of a family, or a Command [Earth] check to remind Types: Interpersonal, Social
a subordinate of the expectations their ancestors Effects: The following apply to a character with the
would have of them), you remove 3 strife. Blood Feud adversity:

0 Your bloodline is locked in a deadly struggle

with another family or group, which makes mem­
G LO R I O U S D E E DS ( F I R E )
bers of that group hostile when they learn your
"Even should a sam urai evade death o n the battlefield affiliation. They may bar you from their courts
and survive to see their great-grandchildren come of and homes, refuse to meet with you, or even
age, one day they will pass. Such is the way of mortals. challenge you to duels over slights in which you
But the stories that people tell of that samura i-those had no personal involvement. Confer with the
may live forever. " The lkoma h istorian gave h is sibling GM to select a campaign-appropriate fa mily or
a shrewd look. group when choosing this disadvantage. Note
"But you did not come to listen to the lectures I have that the family lines that participate in a given
for students, I suspect. You want to be the subject of feud are much smaller than a full Great Clan
my next lecture. Tell me of your accomplishments, and I family-this adversity represents a feud with
will make sure they are recorded in the family histories. " a group such as the descendants of a specific
With that prompting, the eager bushi launched into Kakita lord, rather than the entire Kakita fa mily.
a story about their efforts in the recent conflict, and
0 When performing a check to interact with the
they were not silent until /ate into the night.
chosen group or family that relies on their
Types: Martial, Social goodwill toward members of your family (such
Effects: The following apply to a character with the as a Courtesy [Water] check to seek hospitality
Glorious Deeds passion: on the road while traveling on family business,
or a Performance [Water] check to impress
Et You find risking your life to be a simple matter, as them with a song attributed to you under your
long as there is a witness to remember your brav­ family name), you must choose and reroll two
ery. No threat or challenge deters you if you might dice containing O or {:I. After resolving the
be remembered for it, making even the most check, if you failed, you gain 1 Void point.
daunting tasks easy ones for which to prepare.
 C HAPTE R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M P I R E

ALTERNATE SCAR DISADVANTAGES

When a character suffers a sufficiently g rave critica l strike, they M I N O R A N D MAJ O R SCAR
receive a Scar d i sadvantage, as described on page 270 of the
core rulebook. However, the Scar disadva ntages that a ppea r D I SA DVANTAG E S
u n der Adversities in the core ru lebook (starting on page 1 1 6)
I f the Scar i s assigned by a " Perma nent I njury" critica l strike,
a re not meant to be the only possible permanent i nj uries char­
it should be an adversity that is rather n arrow in its i mpact or
acters can receive. When a character receives a Scar d isad­
one that comes i nto effect somewhat infrequently. Its narrative
vantage, GMs and players can col l a borate to create new Scar
i m pa cts should be noticeable in the cha racter's l ife, but m ight
disadva ntages using the guide l i nes here .
h ave a relatively smal l i m pact on the i r activities. Genera l ly, a
m i nor Scar disadvantage reflects a permanent effect upon a
SCAR E F F E CTS BY R I N G part of the body or sense or, occasionally, complete loss of a
body part that has redundancies with in the body, such as one
Each ring governs a certa i n g roup of senses, a ctivities, and
or more fi ngers or a n eye.
approaches, so each Scar's na rrative a n d mecha n ical effects
If the Scar is assigned by a Maiming Blow critical strike, it is
should perta in to the ring which it is connected. This not only
more impactful . It can be an adversity with a wider-ranging set
determ i nes its mechanical effect, but can a l so help to deter­
of effects, or it can be a narrower one that is likely to come into
mine what part(s) of the body it affects. Each ring has certa i n
effect frequently. Its narrative impacts should be noticeable in the
associations with different senses, body parts, and m odes of
character's day-to-day l ife, and might require them to adapt some
acting in the worl d .
of their behaviors to compensate. Generally, a major Scar disad­
AI R: Air often governs del icate, sensitive activities. Thus,
vantage reflects debilitation or total loss of a body part or sense.
Sca rs that affect the Air ring might m a ke it h a rder for a charac­
ter to move with perfect precision, detect buried n u ances, or
express certai n subtleties.
Sample Air l ocations include the wrist, jaw, and ear. SAM PLE S K I LLS A F F E CT E D
EARTH: Earth often pertains to stability and exhausting activ­
Each Scar disadvantage should have two sa mple ski l l checks
ities. Thus, Scars that affect Earth m ight make it more laborious
that it affects. Wh ile it does not need to affect these ski l l s
for a character to maintain their stamina (mentally, physically, or
u n d e r a l l circu mstances, and c a n certa inly affect other ski l l s a t
emotional ly), or u ndertake activities that require perfect balance
t h e G M 's d iscretion, th is serves as a helpfu l jumping-off point
or sustained effort.
for knowin g when to apply it.
Sample Earth locations include the knee, shoulder, and toes.
For example, a Scar disadvantage associated with a wrist
WAT E R: Water often helps a character act flexibly, with
injury is most l i kely to affect checks for Composition and Martial
the whole pictu re in m i n d . Thus, Scars that affect Water m ight
Arts [Melee] skil ls. A knee injury cou ld affect checks for Fitness
make it more difficult for a character to move fluidly or over
and Seafaring. An ear i njury cou ld affect checks for Sentiment
distance, keep track of m u ltiple th ings at once, or recover
and Survival . A nose i njury cou ld affect checks for Medicine and
from exhaustion (menta l , physica l , or emotional).
Surviva l . And a neck injury cou ld affect Fitness and Meditation.
Sample Water locations include the e lbow, h ips, a n d calf.
F I R E : Fire often manages swift, decisive bu rsts of activity.
Thus, Scars that affect Fire might make it more work for a char­
acter to qu ickly shift from inactivity to activity, m a i ntai n bu rsts PUTT I N G I T ALL TOG ETH E R
of energy, or overwhe l m problems i m mediately.
Once the G M and p layer have determined the Ring and a
Sample Fire l ocations include the ankle, n ose, and hands.
logica l location for the i nju ry, the sca le, and the sa mple ski l l s
Vom: Void often dea l s with matters of perspective, i ntro­
affected , they c a n construct t h e n e w S c a r and g ive it a relevant
spection, and understanding of one's role in the u n iverse.
narrative effect. Remember that you wi l l sti l l need to create a
Thus, Scars that affect Void m ight i m pede a character's efforts
suitable narrative effect (based on the logical chal lenges the
to understand themselves or the cosmos a round them .
i nj u ry cou l d create) and the specific cases i n which the ski l l s
Sample Void locations i n clude the neck, sku l l , a n d bra i n .
a re affected ( a s they s h o u l d n ot b e affected in a l l cases). The
GM should a lso feel free to adjust any of these to create an
effect that su its the i nj u ry the character has suffered, and the
specific ways it may affect the m .
ANXIETIES

B E LLIGE RENT ( EARTH)

"Matsu-san, n o ! We are guests here. " The courtier
looked on in horror as Matsu Chiyoko gripped her " . . . And that is how I defeated the bandits who plagued

blade as if to draw it. Gentle River Village. " lkoma Daisuke looked around

"They should have remembered their duties as the court, expecting an impressed audience within the

hosts, then, instead of insulting me, " Chiyoko retorted, teahouse. Instead, they seemed impatient, even bored.

before returning her attention to the Crane sam urai in "You m ust do better than defeating ronin and

front of her. "I challenge you, for your insult! If you would peasants to be counted a warrior among the Crab, "

belittle my courage, I dare you to prove your own. " sneered a burly Hida sitting across the room from him.
"Bandits! Speak to me when you have felled monsters. "
Types: Interpersonal
Effects: The following apply to a character with the Types: Interpersonal
Belligerent anxiety: Effects: The following apply to a character with the
Braggart anxiety:
@ You find it nearly impossible to keep your
cool when provoked, and may even look for @ You can't resist an opportunity to share your

an excuse to fight with people you consider great deeds with others, and you grow dis­

deserving of a good thrashing. Delicate social tressed when your audience isn't impressed by

situations can easily spiral out of control when your accomplishments.

you suspect the other party of giving offense. @ After performing a check to share your past

S After performing a check to respond to provo­ deeds with others without emphasizing your

cation without resorting to violence or threats own accomplishments or trying to impress your

(such as a Performance [ Earth] check to calmly audience with your story (such as a Courtesy

sing a song that was originally composed to [Water] check to allow a superior to take credit

paint your lineage in an unflattering light or a for your deeds or a Performance [Water] check

Meditation [Earth] check to stay in formation when recounting a tale in which you played a

when you spot a rival across the battlefield), part), you receive 3 strife. If this is the first time

you receive 3 strife. If this is the first time this this has occurred this scene, gain 1 Void point.

has occurred this scene, gain 1 Void point.

 A variety of unique heritages arise from having a
bloodline derived-at least in part-from the Lion. This
is true even for non-Lion characters, who may bear Lion
blood because of the marriages of members of that
clan into their family lineage. Some heritages are also
appropriate to the great warriors and generals of all
clans, even if they are most common within the Lion.
Table 2-1 : New Samurai Heritages represents
ese backgrounds when players create a new sarnu,­
'N:: who has ancestral connections to the Lion Clan
or t mous masters of the battlefield. This table can
be used i stead of Table 2-1 : Samurai Heritages on
page 96 of thEl core rulebook and should be employed
in the same manner.

TAB L E 2 - 1 : N E W SAM U RA I H E RI TAG E S

ROLL RESULT MODIFIERS OTHER EFFECTS

Born on the Battlefield: One of y our ancestors

was born amid war and bloodshed, even if not Decrease
You gain the Guiding Ancestor (Void) distinction
1 literally on the front lines. The omens of your birth your glory
(see page 82).
reflect an affinity for that ancestor, as such omens by 3 .
have done for others in your family line.

Increase
Roll a ten-sided die to determine a skill you
your glory
Strategic Mastermind: You are descended learned by studying your ancestor's deeds (1 -2:
by 5 and
2 from a warrior known for their cunning and Tactics, 3-4: Command, 5-6: Government, 7-8:
decrease
wartime acumen. Culture, 9: Commerce, 1 0: Theology); gain + 1
your honor
rank i n that skill.
by 5 .
 C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

TABLE 2 - 1 : N EW SAM U RAI H E RITAG E S (CONTI N U E D)

ROLL RESULT MODIFIERS OTHER EFFECTS

Rol l a ten-sided die a n d add the fol lowi ng fam i ly

Victory against the Crane: I n you r fa m i l y, one
h e i rloom to you r sta rtin g items ( 1 -3 : a weapon,
of your a ncestors h e l d a decisive victory over
4-6: a game set of your choice, 7-8: some other
the Cra n e . It may h ave been a battle, a g a m e I ncrease
item rel evant to your a ncestor's victory, 9: a horse
3 of shogi, a d u e l , or a ny n u m ber of other things. you r g l o ry
or other a n i m a l , 1 0: t h e deed t o a sma l l piece of
The c i rcumstances a re i rrel evant; the Cra n e were by 3 .
l a n d on the border of Cra n e territory) . In addition
h u m bled, a n d your a n cestor brought honor to
to its other p roperties, this item is a battlefield
your c l a n .
h e i rloom (see page 90).

Rol l a ten-sided die to determ i n e a ski l l you

Victory against Invaders: The L i o n C l a n 's fore-
I n c rease learned to honor your a n cestor ( 1 -2 : Command,
m ost duty is to protect the Empire from outside
your honor 3-4: Government, 5-6: Tactics, 7-8: S u rviva l ,
th reats, and one of your kin acquitted themselves
by 3. 9 : Theology, 1 0: Med itation); g a i n + 1 ra n k i n
h o norably i n this endeavor long ago.
that ski l l .

Shamed by Defeat: Among you r kin is one who

fa iled the c l a n . Whether they were beaten i n bat- Decrease Choose one of the sta rt i n g ski l l s for you r school
5 tie or a d u e l , h u m i l iated in court, or someth i n g your g lory in which your character has no ran ks; g a i n + 1
e l se, t h e n eed t o redeem you r l i n e bu rns with i n by 3 . ra n k i n that ski l l .
you a n d d rives you t o excel .

Choose a weapon a n d a d d i t t o your sta rting

Blade o f 1 0,000 Battles: You h ave been I ncrease outfit. At the G M 's d iscretio n , certa i n weapons
entrusted with a storied weapon with a n a n cient
6 your g l o ry may be i n appropriate choices a n d ca n n ot be
h i story a n d l ineage, a n d you m u st p rove you rself
by 3 . selected. I n addition t o being a weapon, this
worthy to conti n u e its legacy.
item is a battlefield h e i rloom (see page 90).

Lost Heirloom: An a n cestor of yours was once

Choose a weapon to be the lost h e i rloom, which
entrusted with a peerless wea pon, but thro u g h I ncrease
is now h e l d by some indivi d u a l o r g ro u p h os-
thei r o w n fa i l u re, t h e y l ost i t . It may h ave been you r honor
tile to y o u o r your c l a n . A t the G M 's d iscretion,
taken by a n other clan a s a trophy i n batt l e after by 5 a n d
7 certa i n weapons may be i n a pp ropriate choices
your a ncestor's defeat, stolen by bandits or shi- decrease
a n d can n ot be selected. I n addition to bei n g a
nobi, or even dishono rably sold to cover gam- you r g l o ry
weapon, t h i s item is a battlefield heirloom (see
b l i n g debts. Whatever its fate, it has fa l l e n to you by 3 .
page 90).
to recover it.

I n c rease
Selfless Sentinel: Your a ncestor was not well- your honor
known or h i g h ly favored, but they served with by 5 a n d G a i n the Tra d iti o n a l Adh e rent (Earth) distinction
8
honor, if not g l o ry, and protected Lion lands from decrease (see page 82) .
attack for a l l their l ife. your g l o ry
by 3 .

I ncrease
Mighty Conqueror: One of your a ncestors once Choose one: double your sta rti n g koku, add one
your g l o ry
seized a va l u a b l e p rize for the Lion Clan i n a past item of ra rity 6 or l ower t o y o u r sta rtin g items
by 3 a n d
9 war, such as a v i l lage, castle, or va l u a b l e h ostage. that is a battlefield h e i rloom (see page 90) in
decrease
The benefits of this prize sti l l come to those of addition to its other properties, or g a i n the G lori-
your honor
their descent. ous Deeds passion (see page 83).
by 3.

Right Hand of the Emperor: The crown i n g g lory

of you r l i n e is the victory one of your a ncestors
won in the n a m e of a past Emperor. They may
have crushed a n enemy of the E m p i re, won g reat
I ncrease G a i n the Support of [One G ro u p] distincti o n . The
pol itica l favor, or even been a c lose a ssociate or
10 your status g ro u p chosen m u st be the Sepp u n , Otomo, or
friend of the Em peror i n times past. As such, the
by 3. Miya fam i ly, or the Imperial Legions.
I m perial fam i l ies have more respect for you than
for most c l a n sam u ra i-an d they expect you to
ach ieve accomp l ishments as g lorious as those of
your a ncestor.
 C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

Weapott3 PO LEARMS
Through the centuries of Rokugan's existence, the
Fighting for the Empire and for honor demands arma­ polearm and the bow have competed for supremacy
ments, and the Lion call upon smiths from their lands as the defining weapon of warfare. While the sword has
and beyond to fill this need. While most of the clan's ever been a symbol of warrior nobility in Rokugan, the
bushi wield katana, some of which have been passed spear is no less influential upon history.
down through generations, others employ different
weapons. This especially holds true for the vast legions MAGARI YARI
of ashigaru and conscripted peasants who make up the
bulk of most Lion armies. Favored by the Matsu family, the magari yari is a heavy­
tipped, triple-headed spear. Because of its unwieldy
head, using it in battle requires particular training.
AXES After performing an Attack action check with a
While axes are not a common weapon of war in magari yari, a character suffers the Disoriented condi­
Rokugan, the Badger Clan makes great use of these tion unless they choose to receive 3 fatigue.
versatile arms in their constant campaign to protect the
border of Rokugan. NAGAE YARI

Many ashigaru favor the nagae yari, or straight-headed

l c H I RO S A P P E R Ax
spear. Featuring a flat steel blade at the end of a very
Crafted by the relentlessly pragmatic Badger Clan, the long hardwood pole, it is ideal for repulsing attacks
lchiro sapper ax doubles as both a hammer and an against fixed positions.
ax. Resembling a regular hand ax but with a knobbed Before performing an Attack action check using a
pommel and a smoothly polished or lacquered handle, nagae yari, a character may choose to suffer the Immo­
this weapon can be flipped in one hand to brandish bilized condition. If they do and succeed on the check,
either the blunt hammerhead or the sharp ax-head. they add 2 bonus successes
Like its creators, the lchiro sapper ax is notoriously
hardy and difficult to break, making it a great asset NAGAMAK I
both in and out of battle.
An lchiro sapper ax counts as an ax when wielded Favored b y infantry, the nagamaki is a single-edged
with its standard 1 -hand profile, and as a blunt weapon blade with a significantly lengthened hilt. While the
when wielded with its blunt profile. blade varies in length, the hilt of this weapon is known
for being almost as long as its blade. Designed with
a two-handed grip in mind, the nagamaki is normally
swung in long, sweeping motions to slice the foe.

TAB L E 2-2: W E A P O N S

NAME SKILL RNG DMG DLS GRIPS QUALITI ES RARITY PRICE

1 -hand :-
lchiro Sapper Ax [Melee] 3 4 1 -hand (Blunt): Dam- Durable 2 3 koku
age +2, Deadliness -3

Magari Yari Cumbersome, Razor-

[Melee] 2 2-hand: - 6 20 koku
Edged, Wargear
7 4

Nagae Yari [ Melee] 2 5 2 2-hand: - Wargear 2 1 koku

1 -hand: Cumbersome
Nagamaki Razor-Edged,
[ Melee] 1 -2 3 2-hand: Damage +2, 30 koku
Wargear
5 4
Deadliness +2

1 -hand: - Concealable, Razor-

Yoroi-Doshi [Melee] 0 2 1 0 koku
2-hand: Deadliness +3 Edged, Wargear
4 5
 /

C H APTE R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

HAN D WEAPO N S
YAJ I RI (S PE CIALIZE D
ARROWH EADS)
Wh ile the h u m ble knife may seem a petty weapon on
the battlefield, it was n o mistake that Akodo named it
alongside the long sword, spea r, and bow as the Six
As varied and unique as the artisans who
Weapons of the Sa m u ra i . Kn ives a re extraord inarily
craft them, yajiri a re o rnate steel arrowheads.
versatile as tools and weapons a l i ke, usefu l in almost
These artisans favor the traditional inverted
any situation a soldier m ight face and easy to carry and
heart shape for its ability to pierce armor and
conceal compared with most other a rms.
hide. Many yajiri crafters engrave sacred or
accusatory patterns into their arrowheads,
a long with ornate mon or personal sigils­ YO RO I - D OS H I
either their own or those of the intended Designed specifica l ly for stabbing through a rmor at
wi elders. Others split the arrowhead points close quarters, the yoroi-doshi is an especially th ick
into two- or three-headed tips or add addi­ tanto blade worn at the belt. The hefty steel head of
tional flourishes to make wielders' shots this blade is razor-sharp and i ntended to pierce thick
especially deadly. While many favor steel hide or a rmor in a single motion. Most samurai and
yaj i ri, others craft a rrowheads of copper, i ron, soldiers wear the yoroi-doshi on their favored side so
jade, or even obsidian. they can d raw it i n the ir off hand in the heat of battle.
When used with a bow, these a rrows mod­ When performing a n Attack action check with a
ify the weapon's profi l e as fol l ows: *
yoroi-dosh i, a character may spend as fol l ows:
�-: Your ta rget treats their physical resistance as 2
e Steel-Tip Yajiri: Razor-Edged qual ity
lower. This effect persists until the end of your n ext turn.
(1 koku each, Rarity 3)
e Jade Inlay Yajiri: Sacred qual ity
(1 koku each, Rarity 8)
@ Obsidian Splinter Yajiri: +4 deadliness,
Forbidden, Razor-Edged and Unholy
qualities
( 1 0 koku each, Rarity 9)
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

BATT L E F I E LD H E I RLOOM

Handed down from gen eration to generation, a battle­

Soldiers in wartime must equip themselves both for field heirloom is a relic from a famous battle-one that
the battlefield and for respite afterward. To success­ a revered an cestor fought in many years ago, if not cen­
fully navigate the chaos of war, warriors must bring the turies. This prized possession can be almost anything
right tools. small, such as a fragment of a cracked mempo (face­
plate), a broken arrowhead, or the tassel of a gunbai.
Once per game session, a character with a battle­
A N I MA L H E LM
field heirloom may reflect on the item as a Support
Favored by samurai and warriors who wish to flaunt action. If they do, they increase their composure (and
their prowess in battle, the animal helm is a visible their army's discipline, during a mass battle) by 2 until
display of a samurai's ferocity. This helmet is crafted the end of the scene.
to closely resemble the head of a dangerous animal, As battlefield heirlooms a re u nique, they ca nnot be
a roaring lion's head being the obvious favorite of the pu rchased as normal, and a re usually handed down from
Lion. While such headgear offers little additional pro­ ancestors or found by soldiers who fought at particularly
tection, it does bolster the courage of warriors who see momentous battles in Rokugan's history. The GM is the
their leader proudly wearing one, as they know that final arbiter of what qualifies as a battlefield heirloom.
even if the leader falls, the fighting spirit of the animal
continues on. BATT L E F I E LD M E D I CA L PAC K
When a character who wears an animal helm while
leading an army or cohort in a mass battle is removed Specifically outfitted with needle and thread for stitch­
via the Cut Off the Head strategic objective, reduce ing wounds, as well as tinctures to clean the wounds
the panic the cohort receives by half (rounding up) . and numb pain, the suture kit is carried by many units
(Cost: 1 koku. Rarity: S. Item Qualities: Wargear.) on the battlefield to assist their fellow soldiers. This
small, clothbound kit is about the size of a pocket book
and contains everything one might need to sew up a
B LAST I N G POWD E R (1 C HARG E )
minor wound or staunch bleeding long enough to seek
A rare substance known only t o the learned, blast­ assistance from a medic.
ing powder is a chemical concoction created from a Once per scene as a Support action, a character
number of common ingredients in extremely specific with a battlefield medical pack may remove the Bleed­
proportions. Discovered centuries ago, it has been ing condition from another character at range 0-1.
heavily researched and developed by the Agasha fam­ (Cost: 2 bu. Rarity: 3.)
ily. Blasting powder's only legitimate uses are for fire­
works, flares, and other such devices, and it is viewed B R I LLIANT FLARE
as something sacred-a dangerous power best left to
priests and others who can use it for its proper ends, Flares are essentially fireworks designed for use i n bat­
such as the invocation of the Kami. However, the Kuni tlefield signaling. Pioneered in Rokugan by the Kaiu
and Kaiu families have also taken a great interest in family, flares come in numerous colors and are avail­
this substance, hoping to create devices to slay Shad­ able to most commanders who seek them out.
owlands creatures resistant to traditional arms, and As a Support action, a character may make a TN
over time, knowledge of its composition has slipped 3 Martial Arts (Ranged) check to fire a flare. The
to other organizations in Rokugan. Thus far it has flare is generally visible to all characters at range 0-6.
never been used against human targets, or so says the (Cost: 1 koku. Rarity: 6. Wargear.)
official record.
A single charge of blasting powder can be used to
make dozens of fireworks or flares, but it must be han­
dled ca refully. If a charge of blasting powder is ignited
by a stray spark, the charge explodes and each charac­
ter at range 0-2 suffers 10 physical damage, items at
range 0--2 gain the Damaged quality, and each char­
acter at range 0--4 suffers the Disoriented condition.
(Cost: 20 koku. Rarity: 9. Ceremonial, Forbidden to
non-shugenja.)

'10
 C HAPT E R 2 : D E FE N D E RS O F TH E E M PIRE

G U N BAI the t ide of battle. A soldie r's a rmor is designed with a

fitted clasp a t the back of the cu i rass for a sash imono
The gunba i, a leader or commander 's war fan, is a sta­ pole to s lot into. Each sashimono is p la inly deco ra ted
ple of samura i officers for communicating orders to and dyed with easily d isce r n ib le colo rs so tha t co m­
their troops at a distance. Each gunba is unique, as a re manders can recognize the i r soldie rs at a g la nce. (Cost:
i
the gestures the off icers use to communicate o rde rs 6 bu . Rarity: 2. Item Qualit ies: Wa rgea r.)
to the ir troops. W ith a f l ick of the wrist, an officer may
order the ir troops to fa ll back or to cha rge into the fray.
SMOKI NG PI PE
Often g i lded w ith meta l, a gunba is used to convey
i
urgent tactical sh ifts and defens ive moves. (Cost: 3 Crafted fro m reeds or ca rved fro m f i ne wood, the
koku . Rarity: 4. Qualit ies: Ceremonia l, Wa rgea r.) smoking p ipe is a staple for many soldie rs, who fi l
l
A gunbai ca n be w ie lded as a one-handed Martia i
t w ith tobacco, op iu m, or other substa nces to ca lm
l
Arts [Melee ] weapon w ith the fo l lowing prof i le: Range themse lves both befo re and a fter ba tt le. The be nefits
1 , Damage 2, Dead l iness 2. a re pu re ly psycho logical bu t well u nde rstood th rough­
During a skirm ish , a cha racter w ith a gunba i read­ ou t the cla n a r m ies. U n f ortuna te ly, the re le n t less ho r­
i
ied can perform shuj ta rgeting cha racters who can see rors of comba t have pushed many ash iga ru a nd eve n
i
them at ra nge 0-6 (as opposed to the usua aud itory bush to a nea rly inca pac ita t i ng addict io n to the ca l m­
l
range restriction of range 0-4) . ing e ffects of opium .
Du r ing a mass battle, for each of an army 's leaders (Cost: 1 bu . Ra r ity: 2 .)
eq u ipped w ith a g u nba i, th e army increases its disci­
p l ine by 2 . TETS U B I S H I

A type of ca ltrop we lded together i n th e sh a pe of

M E M PO
sha rp-sp ined sta rs the size of a fist or la rg e r, te tsubishi
i
Ma ny sam ura wea r a mem p6 , or m ask, to cover their a re a type of iron makibishi desig n ed to be scatte red
face on the battlefield . They use a mem p6 pa rtia l ly for on th e ba tt lef ie ld in fro n t of fort ificatio ns as a de fense .
both protection a n d intim idation . A mem p6 is crafted They ma y a lso be used to de lay pu rsue rs. Wh i le th e ir
from iron or leath er, covered w ith lacq u er or clay, a nd sha rp edges may pie rce th e so les of u nsu spect in g
i
pa inted to resem bl e a face. Wh i le som e mem p6 may sa m u ra 's boots, th ese m ass -prod u ced wea po n s a re
h ave h u m a n featu res, m ost sh owcase jagged on i teeth , espec ia l ly e ffect ive at pen e t rati n g th e h ooves of horses
a feroc ious m outh , and a fri g hten in g exp ression . (Cost: u sed by cava lry a nd m o u n ted in fa n t ry.
5 koku . Ra r ity : 4 . Item Qu a l it ies: Ce remon ia l, Wa rgea r. ) As an Attack a n d S u p port acti on , a ch a ra cte r m a y
scatte r a h andfu l of te ts u b ish i ta rg etin g a pa tc h of
SA I H AI g ro u n d a t ra n g e 0-2 . Th e te rra i n at ra n g e 0- 1 fro m th e
po i nt of i m pa ct g a i ns th e Da n ge ro u s a n d E n s n a ri n g
U sed for nonverba lly com m u n icating o rde rs to tr oops, i i
te rra n qu a lity (C ost: 5 b u per han dfu l. Ra r ty: 4) .
th e sa iha i, or wa r baton, doubles as a status symbo l for
com m a nd i n g office rs . This item is a la cq ue red wooden
U M A-j l RU S H I
rod w ith a tassel made of bright ly co lored ri bbons or
h o rsehai r at its h ead. It is hung by a sm a l l loop from the Rese m b l i n g a so ld i e r 's sash i m o n o ba n n e r, th e m a ssive ,
waist. The sa ihai ma kes it ea sy to sig n a l troop m ovem ents h e ra l dic uma - jirush i ba n n er sets a d a i m y6 or gen e ra l
from m id- ra nge. Trad itional ly, comm a n d e rs b randish their a pa rt a s they rid e i n to battle. Wh i l e so m e u m a -j i ru sh i
sa ihai to signa l cha rging and offensive m a n eu ve rs, as m a y s i m p ly be l a rg e r, m o re ornate sash i m o n o , some
complex signals a re d ifficu lt to convey at a dista n ce . d a i m y6 contra ct a rtisa n s to c reate e l a bo rate, th ree- di­
D u ri n g a m a s s battle, i f a n a rmy 's com m a n d e r ca r­ mensio n a l s h a p es or eve n entreat s h u g enja to add
ries a sa i h a i , i n c rease the a rmy 's d isci p l i n e by 2. (Co st: e l e m enta l flo u ri shes (such as a perpetu a l , slow-b u rn i n g
4 b u . Ra rity : 3 . I tem Qua l ities: Ce remon i a l , Wa rg ea r.) fla m e or a consta nt g u st o f wind) to m a ke t h e i r b a n n e r
sta n d o u t .
SASH I M O N O Wh e n m a k i n g a Com m a n d c h e c k , a l e a d e r i n a m a ss
battle who displ ays a person a l u m a - j i r u s h i adds one
C l a n mon a n d a r m o r a re essenti a l fo r soldiers t o te l l kept ■ set to ��- Should the bea rer of a n u m a - j i ru s h i
friend from foe i n the h eat of battle, but sash imono­ be k i l l ed via the Cut O ff the Head o r C h a l lenge acti o n ,
sma l l , sq u a re b a n n e rs atta ched by poles to so l d i e rs' t h e i r a rmy receives 4 additi o n a l p a n i c . (Cost: 3 koku.
armo r-help com m a n d e rs a n d tacticians better d iscern Ra rity : 7. Q u a l ities: Resp l e ndent, Wa rgea r. )
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

e Quirk: Wh i l e carried i n a pouch or wra pped

cloth , a claw struggles as if trying to esca pe.

0 Sealed Invocation: Each Claw of the Kitsu

The fol lowi ng blessed treas u res perta i n to Roku g a n 's has the Va por of N i ghtm a res i nvocation with in
g lorious h i story of warfa re, a n d as ca n be i m a g i ned, it, which the wielder may perform once per
many a re tied to the Lion Clan. Many a re nemuranai, or session using the Courtesy ski l l instead of The­
awakened items (see page 307 of the core ru l ebook) . ol ogy.
All a re ra re a n d h a rd to acq u i re; G M s may wish to
requ i re cha racters to engage in long q uests to l ocate
or prove themselves worthy of such items. TH E FIVE A KODO DAGGERS
The legendary Five Akodo Daggers were forged by
BAN N ER O F AMATERAS U Cra n e a rtisans and g ifted to the Lion Clan as a peace
After H a ntei won the Tournament of the Kam i a n d offerin g . Although the peace was short-l ived, Akodo's
w a s na med the fi rst Em peror of the Emera l d Empire, five ch i l d ren kept them, a n d the daggers a re priceless
h e comma nded his s i b l i n g s to go forth a n d u n ite the treasu res to this day. Forged with a si lvery hue, they
peoples of Rokug a n under one ru l e . Akodo crafted a g l i nt with a stra nge i ridescence. Each is engraved with
g reat u ma-j i rushi that seemed to ca ptu re the rays of the Lion Clan mon and a subtle l i keness of the Lion
h i s divine mother, Amaterasu, with i n it, hera l d i n g h i s carved i nto the handle.
a rriva l l i ke t h e r i s i n g o f t h e morn i n g s u n . S o m e believed One dagger is reta i n ed by the Lion Clan Champion,
the banner was a lso a rem i nder of the match between wh i l e the others a re gifted to fam i ly o r other members
Akodo a n d H a ntei , a n d h ow the refl ection of the sun of the G reat Clans as a sign of favor. When the Lion
on H a ntei's blade sti l l ed Akodo's own sword . Champion dies, the daggers m u st always be returned,
Under this banner, Akodo's g rowin g Lion Clan as per traditi o n .
marched to battle, pacifyin g and u n ifying peoples wher­ Awakened Item: T h e Akodo Daggers a re nemuranai
ever he went. The Lion Clan a l so used it d u ri n g the Wa r weapons. As such, these kn ives have +2 dead l i n ess as
against Fu Leng, but since then, the banner has become wel l as the Dura b l e a n d Sacred item q u a l ities.
a sacred rel i c and has ra rely been used in battle.
Awakened Item: The Banner of Amaterasu is a n e m u ­ 0 Quirk: The Akodo Daggers g row u n comfort­
ra n a i . A s such, it has the D u ra b l e a n d Sacred item q u a l ­ a bly hot if the blades of two or more of them
ities. A cha racter w i e l d i n g this ba n n e r a d d s a kept ■ come i nto contact with each other.
set to an �. result when m a k i n g Com mand checks. 0 Sealed Invocation: Each dagger has the Biting
Steel i nvocation sea l ed with i n it, which the
0 Quirk: Wh i l e the banner is exposed to direct wielder may perform once per session using
sunl ight, a l l friendly forces hear battlefield orders
the M a rtial Arts [ M e l ee] ski l l instead of Theol­
in the voice of their first martial instructor.
ogy.
0 Sealed Invocation: The banner has the Cou r­
age of Seven Th u nders i nvocation with i n
it, w h i c h t h e wielder m a y perform o n c e per LEADERS H I P SCRO LLS
session using the Com m a n d ski l l i n stead of
Akodo wrote severa l copies of h i s masterwork, Leader­
Theology.
ship, a n d some of those orig i n a l scro l l s sti l l survive to
this day. Each is a priceless rel i c deeply venerated by
the Lion C l a n a n d only retrieved from heavily g u a rded
THE CLAWS O F TH E KITS U a l coves i n the Akodo Wa r College with the special per­
The Claws of the Kitsu a re both venerated rel i cs a n d m ission of its headmaster. Other copies a re thought to
rem i n ders o f Akodo's h orri b l e mistake i n s l a y i n g a l most exist e lsewhere, a n d period ical ly, one is d iscovered fa r
the enti rety of the kitsu race. These claws have g rown undern eath the ru ins of an a n cient castle or resting by
s h a rper and h a rder over the centuries and give off a a tree near a forgotten battlefi e l d .
soft golden g low under moonl i ght. Few rem a i n , as
some e n e m i es of the Lion seek to e l i m i n ate the l a st $ Effects: E a c h scro l l has t h e Durable a n d Sacred
vestiges of the kitsu from Rokug a n . item q u a l ities. As a support actio n , a character
Awakened Item: E a c h C l a w o f t h e Kitsu is a n e m u ra n a i may spend one Void point and read from the
a n d so h a s the D u ra b l e a n d Sacred item q u a l ities. scro l l . If they do, they may use the Tactics ski l l
i n stead o f t h e ski l l they would norm a l ly use
when making Soci a l ski l l checks. Th is effect
persists until the end of the scene.
 (

C H A P T E R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M P I R E

B U RN I N G WAT E R PATTE RN
Wh i l e the secret of b l asti n g powder is o n e of the g reat­
Not a l l items are created equ a l ly. Depending on the smith est in the E m p i re , there a re even more secretive artisans
or artisa n and the materials used i n its creation, weapons, who d a re experi ment with its form u l a . O n e a l teration
armor, and even cloth ing can vary greatly, not just in style, uses ra re r i n g redients that sti l l react when wet, a l l ow i n g
but in performance. The patterns used i n item creation dishonora b l e sabote u rs to use b l a st i n g powder i n t h e
are usually carefu l ly guarded secrets, ones that a master ra i n or a g a i n st stru ctu res t h a t a re u n derwater (making
wou ld entrust only to the worth iest of their apprentices. d estructive items even m o re d iffi c u l t to detect) .
There a re two m ethods for g a i n i n g a n item with one B l asti n g powder fas h ioned u s i n g the b u r n i n g water

of these patterns. The first is for a character to a ppren­ pattern has its damage red uced by 1 . B l asti n g powder
tice themse lves to a master to learn the means of craft­ fashioned u s i n g the burning water pattern can be u sed
ing a n ew item with the desired pattern ; this requ i res when wet or even u n d e rwater.
the PC to win the master's trust with i n the story of the XP Cost: 6 Rarity Modifier: +4
game and then to spend the XP to learn the pattern .
The oth er m ethod is to req u isition, purchase, or fi nd a n C O N C EALM E NT PATTE RN
existi ng item with t h e pattern . T h e price is t h e same, but
Wh i l e m ost sa m u ra i wear their co lors proud ly, there
the ra rity is altered by the pattern's listed ra rity mod ifier.
a re those who see the va l u e in a rmor camouflaged to
their enviro n ment. The Badger C l a n , used to fi g h t i n g
AKODO PATTE RN l a rg e n u m be rs i n c l ose q u a rters, often use such a rm o r
The Akodo a re known for their rega l beari n g and sta­ t o their advantage, as d o m a n y members o f the Cra b
tus throughout Roku ga n . A weapon or piece of armor C l a n , w h o fa ce foes u p o n whom honor is wasted.
crafted by the Akodo fa m i ly bears the cha racteristic fa m­ Armor produced with the concea l m ent pattern
ily mark and looping i n l ay. As a result of its association g a i n s the Wa rgear q u a l ity, and l oses the Ceremon i a l
with the rega l fa m i ly, any equi pment made by a n Akodo a n d Resp lendent q u a l ities; i t ca n n ot g a i n those q u a l i ­
el icits a n i m p l icit trust i n a nyone who trusts that fa m i ly. ties. Red u ce its supernatura l resista nce b y 1 (to a m i n i ­
The Akodo pattern can be appl ied to a weapon or m u m o f 0) . Wh i l e a c h a ra cter wea ri n g it is i n Obscu ri n g
set of armor. A character carrying or wearing one or more terra i n , they i n crease the TN o f Attack action c hecks
items made in the Akodo pattern i ncreases the disci p l i n e target i n g them by an additi o n a l 1 (to a tota l of +2).
o f any a rmy o f w h i c h they are the commander b y 5 . XP Cost: 6 Rarity Modifier: +4
XP Cost: 6 Rarity Modifier: +4
CHAPTE R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F TH E E M PIRE

D EADLY FAN G S PATTE RN Like the Badger a n d the mounta i n s that su rround
them, this s i l k is h a rdy a n d tou g h , even when crafted
L i o n arm ies often i n c l u d e a s h i g a ru forces, their vet­ i nto elegant robes fit for the fi nest co u rts. It i n sti l l s in
e ra n s a rm ed with especi a l ly deadly polearms forg ed its wea rers the q u iet stren gth of rock that has e n d u red
to h o l d fast a g a i nst atta ckers. Few enem ies can avoid fo r cou ntl ess years.
beco m i n g i m pa l ed on the need l e l ike poi nts when Wh e n a cha racter wea ri n g a rmor made with moun­
these polearms a re fi rmly p l a nted. ta i n s i l k su cceeds at a check to resist a critical stri ke,
A polea rm made i n the deadly fangs pattern gains the they add one bonus su ccess. Armor with physica l resis­
Cum bersome q u a l ity and increases its deadl i ness by 1 . ta n ce 2 or l ower made u s i n g mounta i n s i l k l oses the
If a n entire cohort is eq u i pped with polea rms with Cum bersom e q u a l ity (if it has it) and g a i n s the Dura­
the deadly fa ngs pattern, its leader red u ces the TN of b l e q u a l ity. Arm or with physica l resista n ce 3 or h i g h e r
the Rei nforce action by 1 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ) . made u s i n g mounta i n s i l k g a i n s the D u ra b l e q u a l ity
XP Cost: 7 Rarity Modifier: +4 a n d red u ces its physi cal resi sta nce by 1 .
XP Cost: 6 Rarity Modifier: +3
FEARSOM E S NARL PATTE RN
Less a fo rm a l pattern a n d m o re a set of m otifs, the fear­
SCR EAM I NG F I R E PATTE RN
some s n a rl patte rn appears on m a n y Roku g a n i sa m u ra i Wh i l e b l asti n g powder is frig hten i n g enough, some
a r m a m ents. Wh ethe r it takes the form o f a swoop i n g variant m ixtu res include a l chemical items from g a ij i n
cra n e , a roa ri n g l i o n , or a m e n a c i n g cra b , it conveys a l a n d s designed t o e m i t terri b l e sh rieks a n d thunderclaps
s i m p l e m essa g e to a l l e n e m i es. when used . Even vetera n so ldiers become a l a rmed a n d
The fea rsom e s n a rl pattern can be a p p l ied to a pro n e t o fl ee w h e n the a i r itself assau lts th eir senses.
weapon or set of armor. It l oses the Concea l a b l e q u a l ­ B l asting powder fa shioned u s i n g the screa m i n g
ity ( i f it h a s it) a n d g a i n s t h e Wa rgear q u a l ity. fi re pattern has i t s d a m a g e red u ced b y 2 . W h e n i t
XP Cost: 3 Rarity Modifier: + 1 causes a n a rmy t o receive 1 or m o re panic d u ri n g a
Mass Battle, that a rmy receives that a m o u n t of panic
l cH I RO PATTE RN p l u s 3 i n stea d . Add iti o n a l ly, the a rea it affects becomes
I m ba l a nced (Al l Elements) for 1 week.
In wa rti me, the need to produce weapons a n d a rmor
XP Cost: 6 Rarity Modifier: +4
cheaply on a mass sca le is a pri m e concern fo r the G reat
Clans, especia l ly when d ispatch i n g thousands of ashi­
garu for com bat. The Badger h ave g a i n ed ren own for
TO RIYAMA's E N D U RANCE PATTE RN
their special forg i n g tech n i q u es that a l l ow them to pro­ When a fire broke out in Toshi Ranbo's a rchive, sch ol­
d u ce such items en masse for peasant soldiers (th ough i n a rs fea red that centuries of knowledge wou ld be lost,
s o m e circles, s u c h pra ctices a re m et with equal disdain). but were surprised to discover that many of the earliest
N a m ed for the lchiro sm ith who perfected the tech­ tomes, scro l ls, or othe r l itera ry a rtifacts were undam­
n ique, the lchiro pattern has become syn onymous with aged w h i l e later vo l u mes had b u rned or been i rrepa­
i n expensive, d u rable, and q u ickly crafted equi pment. ra bly damaged by smoke. That the vol u m es rem a i ned
Weapons o r a rm o r produced with the l c h i ro pattern i ntact was due i n part to the scientific advancements of
h a lve their price (ro u n d i n g u p) and l ose the Ceremon i a l the a ncient wartime scholar Toriya m a . Wh en Toriya ma
a n d Resplendent item q u a l ities if they wou l d oth e rwise was assigned to Toshi Ran bo's l i bra ry i n the city's ea rly
h ave o n e or both q u a l ities. Such ite m s can never g a i n days, h e fea red that the city m i g ht be sacked and the
either q u a l ity. l c h i ro pattern wea pons a n d a r m o r a re l ibra ry put to the fl ame, for wars a l ready raged around
a l so prod uced in h a lf the time (ro u n d i n g u p) it wou l d that reg i o n . As such, h e developed new, more enduring
othe rwise take t o make them . i n ks a n d painstakingly resea rched chemicals that cou ld
XP Cost: 4 Rarity Modifier: -1 slow the burning of a scro l l (without ru i n i n g the con­
(to a m i n i m u m o f 1 ) tents) . After the fire i n the l i bra ry centuries l ater, Toriya­
m a 's m ethods were red iscovered and propagated , and
MOU NTA I N S I LK PATTE RN a re sti l l taught to scribes a n d a rchivists today.
Pa rch ment a n d scro l l s that a re made with To riya­
M ost beings who know of the Badger th i n k o n l y of their
m a 's e n d u ra n ce pattern g a i n the D u ra b l e item q u a l ity,
expertise i n sumai. M o re cultured i n d ivid u a l s a lso know
but o n l y a g a i n st the effects of fi re a n d water.
of the c l a n 's expe rtise i n s i l k, and eagerly seek out the
XP Cost: 3 Rarity Modifier: +3
raw materi a l so it can be used i n their own creati ons.
The fol l owi n g a re n ew tech niques that sa m u ra i from
the Lion a n d oth er clans can use to lead a rm ies a n d
e n g a g e i n battle on beha lf o f t h e i r clan a n d t h e Empire.

CLOSE COM BAT KATA

The Badger C l a n teaches its students a n u m ber of
tech n iques to improve their gra p p l i n g a b i l ities, enco u r­ Activation: When you m a ke a M a rtia l Arts [ U n a rmed] or
Fitness check, you may spend :,;, in the fol l owing ways:
aging them to use terra i n to the utmost advantage to
wea r down their foes. Some of these tech niques h ave *: If you are in Entangling or Obscuring terrain, reduce the
even become fa mous across the Emera l d Empire, and TN of the next attack check you make by 1 (to a minimum
a re ta ught by g rapplers beyond the stony passes of of 1 ). This effect persists until the end of your next turn .
Badger La nds. l,t, �-: If you a re in Enta n g l i n g or Obscu ring terra i n , you
The fol lowi ng kata a re performed with weap­ may ignore its negative effects. This effect persists u ntil
ons that use the M a rtia l Arts [ M e lee] or M a rtial Arts the end of your n ext turn .
[ U n a rmed] ski l l .
S h atte r i n g T i d e Sty l e Ran k 3
F i e rce Badger Sty l e Ran k 2 It is rare that a samura i can pick the site of a battle, and
The Fierce Badger Style relies on controlling an enemy's battles can occur in locations where no a ctua l fighting
position on the sumai mat and battlefield alike. It lets is needed for harm to come to all parties. Where the
the combatant hold their opponent in check until environment is as hazardous as sharp steel or heavy
they co/lapse, or, if desired, hurl them outside the fists, learning ways to incorporate such terrain into
designated a rea-or off a nearby cliff. attacks makes each strike a// the more effective.

Activation: When you m a ke a M a rtial Arts [ U n a rm ed] Activation: When you m a ke a M a rtia l Arts [ U n a rmed]
check ta rgeti ng a n a cha racter at ra nge 0, you may check, you may spend ::C, i n the fol l owing ways:
spend :,;, in the fol lowi ng ways: �-: If you succeed, and both you and your ta rget a re
*+: If the ta rget is I m mobil ized, they receive 1 strife in Confi n i n g or Dangerous terra i n , treat the damage
per l,t, spent this way. and dead l i n ess of the weapon you used as 1 h i g h e r for
�,+: If the ta rget's silhouette a n d vigila nce both a re each kept Q result on your check.
lower than or eq u a l to *
spent this way, the ta rget is �- �-: If both you and your ta rget a re i n Confi n­
i n g or Dangerous terra i n , your ta rget suffers the
thrown 2 ra nge bands i n a d i rection of your choice a n d
suffers 3 fatigue. Dazed condition.

T h i c ket's E m b race Sty l e Ran k 3

A warrior must a /ways remember that there are two

opponents they m ust face in combat: their foe, and
their en vironment. It might be easy to chop away thick
vegetation covering the terrain, but a true m aster uses
the territory to their advantage. By becoming one with
the environment, the warrior can concentrate more on
their foe and thus end a fight much faster.
CHAPTER 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M PIRE

New Opportunities
RITUA LS
*+: If y ou succeed and designate a fortification (or a
Warfare is not a thing apart from society in Rokugan,
battle zone with a fortification in it), while y our army
and has its own rules that warriors are expected to
occupies that fortification, increase that fortification's
uphold and customs warriors are expected to partic­
difficulty level by 1 per * spent this way.
ipate in. Rituals of battle might be used to prepare a
l-£, *+: Each time y our army suffers panic from battle
sumai d6j6 or purify a place of combat or cleanse it
fatigue during this scene, it suffers 1 less per �. spent
after blood has been shed there. By maintaining cer­
this way (to a minimum of 1 ).
tain traditions in war, samurai endeavor to remain true
to themselves amidst even the chaos of battle. The rit­
uals in this section pertain to warfare or how to live a
Beseech Bayu s h i 's Abso l u t i o n Ran k 4
proper life on the battlefield. Bayushi never denied the ugly truth of war, nor did the
Kami of the Scorpion Clan shy away from it. Instead,
Beseech Akodo's J u d g m e n t Ran k 3 the self-proclaimed villain of the Emperor faced it with
clear eyes and hidden emotions. When faced with an
In Leadership, Akodo wrote of the importance of
impossible task or the need to set their heart aside to
terrain in battle, and of knowing how best to use
carry out their lord's orders, many samurai across all
terrain not only to one's advantage, but to m otivate
the clans appeal to Bayushi and his unending loyalty,
one 's troops. The terrain will guide the actions of the
working to focus their entire being on their goal.
troops as much as the words of the commander, or
so Akodo holds, and so a prudent general seeks the Activation: Once per game session as a downtime
terrain that will maintain order in their own soldiers activity, y ou may make a TN 3 Sentiment (Air) check
while disrupting that of their enemies. targeting y ourself.
Effects: If y ou succeed, the next time y ou would
Activation: Once per game session as a Support
receive strife or fatigue, reduce the amount you receive
action, y ou may make a TN 3 Tactics (Void) check
by y our focus. This effect persists until the end of the
targeting one terrain feature on the battlefield (or one
next scene.
battle zone, if using the rules for battle zones).
Effect: If you succeed, increase your army's discipline
by y our glory rank plus y our ranks in Command as long
New Opportunities
as y our army has at least one cohort occupying the �.: If y ou succeed, the next time y ou would forfeit honor,
chosen terrain feature (or in that battle zone, if using reduce the amount y ou forfeit by half (rounded up).
the rules for battle zones). This effect persists until y our
army has no cohort occupying that feature (or zone), or Beseech Doj i 's W i s d o m Ran k 2
until the end of the scene.
Doji believed that war was a necessary evil, and hoped
that each time Rokugan went to war, it might emerge
more enlightened, so that future wars might prove
unnecessary. As such, she took seriously the task of
recording the wars she witnessed, for without a history
to study, her descendants could never learn from these
mistakes and aspire to transcend a!! such mortal strife.

Activation: Once per game session as a downtime

activity, y ou may make a TN 3 Composition check to
transcribe a historical event y ou witnessed to paper.
The event must have transpired within the recent past,
before it has become well-known across the Empire.
Effects: You write from the heart to create a record of
the event that rings a genuine account and omits no
details of significance. Readers with vigilance lower
than y our honor rank trust the events to be true, or at
least recorded in good faith.
 C H A P T E R 2: D E F E N D E R S OF T H E E M P I R E

New Opportunities New Opportunities

Fire �-: If you su cceed, each character who is awa rded �-: If you succeed, the a re n a g a i n s the H a l l owed (Fire)
one or more g l o ry as a result of their i nvolvement in terra i n q u a l ity until the end of the sce n e .
th i s event receives that m u ch g l o ry plus you r ra n ks in �>+ : If you succeed, i n crease the E n d u ra nce a n d C o m ­
Cu lture i n stea d . posu re of e a c h chara cter fi ghting a d u e l i n the a re n a b y
Fire 1'C,: If y o u succeed, choose one G reat Clan or oth er 1 per it> s p e n t this way.
major org a n izati o n . The fi rst time a chara cter of that �,+ : Reduce the TN of ch ecks to remove the B l eed i n g
org a n ization reads the text each scene, that c h a ra cter a n d Dyi n g conditions from cha racte rs with i n the a rena
g a i n s 2 strife . by 1 per it> spent this way (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ) .
Earth *= If you succeed, the text gains the
D u ra b l e q u a l ity. B e s e e c h S h i ba's C a l m Ran k 3
Earth �-+ : If you succeed, when referencing the text
as part of a check concern i n g the recorded h i storical Shiba was a warrior, but he did not love war-despite
event, red u ce the TN of the check by your ra n ks i n his vast m ight, he sought peace over conflict and
G overn ment (to a m i n i m u m o f 1 ) . compromise over bloodshed. Yet war was inescapable
Air �,+: If you succeed, you may o m it one d eta i l of in his lifetime, and so he sought /sawa 's spiritual

sign ificance per * spent this way without creati n g con­ expertise to learn methods for purifying battlefields

tradictions or obvious g a ps i n the text. after times of bloodshed profaned the land. As the

Air * *= If you succeed, choose one cha racte r. If that War with Fu Leng dragged on, /sawa saw the wisdom

cha racter is awarded one or m o re g l o ry as a result of in sharing this knowledge, and the rites he ta ught

their i nvolvement i n this event, they receive double or Shiba for stilling the unsettled spirits of the land after

half (yo u r choice) that a m o u n t (ro u nded u p) i n stea d . the shedding of blood a re used in Rokugan even

Water �-: If y o u succeed, red uce the TN o f a n y check centuries later.

to copy the text by 2 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ) . Activation: Once per g a m e session after p a rticipati n g
Water 1'C,: If you succeed, choose one G reat C l a n or i n a M a ss Battle or as a downti m e a ctivity, y o u m a y
oth er major org a n izati o n . The fi rst time a chara cter of m a ke a TN 3 Theology (Void) check ta rg eting a n a rea
that org a n ization reads the text each scene, that char­ upon which a mass battle was fought earl i e r that day.
acter rem oves 2 strife . Effects: If you succeed, rem ove the Defi led terra i n
Void it> it>: The text becomes i n h a b ited b y a perma­ q u a l ity from t h e a rea .
nent bless i n g . It gains the Sacred item q u a l ity (see
page 241 of the core ru lebook). New Opportunities

Beseec h H i d a ' s M i g h t Ran k 2 �-: If the a rea g a i n ed the Dangerous, Enta n g l i n g , or

Obscu ri n g terra i n q u a l ity d u ri n g the battle thro u g h
Contests of strength were a favorite of the Kam i Hida, su pernatu ra l means, rem ove o n e or m o re o f th ose ter­
and even today, spiritualists in Rokugan call upon h is ra i n q u a l ities of your choice.
blessing when sanctifying an area for ritualized battle. it> �-: Remove the I m ba l a nced terra i n q u a l ity from
Whether the arena is a circle for sumai or a parting the a rea .
of the battle lines for a field duel, it is important that it> it>: U n t i l the e n d of the g a m e session , non-Ta i nted
it be properly respected as a place for champions to beings red u ce the TN of Theology checks they m a ke i n
take up a rms. t h i s a rea by 1 (to a m i n i m u m o f 1 ) , a n d Ta i nted beings

Activation: Once per g a m e session as a downtime i n crease the T N of all checks they m a ke i n this a rea

a ctivity or Su pport a cti o n , you may m a ke a TN 2 Med­

by 1 .

itation (Fire) check ta rgeti n g a n a rea encompassi n g 3 1'C,+ : Reduce the TN of a n y Fitness o r M ed itation checks
that chara cters i n your a rmy need to m a ke at the end of
ra nge bands a round you rself.
Effects: If you succeed , th is a rea becom es a n arena. a scene by 1 per it> spent this way, to a m i n i m u m of 1 .

When a chara cter m akes a Martial Arts ch eck in the

arena d u ring the event and does not gain strife from Bese e c h S h i njo's E m pathy Ran k 2

Shinjo 's innate connection to the wilds of the world

the check, that cha racter red u ces the TN of their next

is carried on by many of her descendants. On their

check by 1 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ). This effect persists u nti l

long journey across the wider world and back to

the end of the n ext scene.

Rokugan, Shinjo 's heirs have kept her wisdom a live

C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

and flourishing as they raise and train animals from New Opportunities
hounds and hunting hawks to mighty Utaku steeds.
�-: If you succeed and you a re the commander of an
Their techniques have even been adopted by some
a rmy, you may choose a leader in your army to perform
stablemasters of other Great Clans after their return
the action instead.
to Rokugan.
*= While you perform the prepa red action, reduce the
Activation: Once per session as a downtime activity or TN by y our ranks in Tactics.
Support action, you may make a Survival (Water) check
targeting a friendly animal at range 0-1 . The TN is equal I m bue Th u n de r Ran k 4
to the U conflict rank of the animal. If this is an animal
you are bonded with (see page 1 1 1 of the core rulebook), Fireworks are the sacred domain of specifically trained
reduce the TN of the check by 2 (to a minimum of 1 ). priests and spiritual artisans, and many among the
Effects: If you succeed, your ta rget removes 3 fatigue, Agasha and Asahina specialize in creating beautiful
plus 1 additional fatigue per bonus success on the check. alchemical displays for festivals and other cultural
events. These same techniques could, of course, be
New Opportunities used to create blasting powder, but meddling in the
domain of priests for purposes of waging war would
�-: You and the target each remove 1 strife per surely constitute some form of blasphemy.
bonus success.
Activation: To perform this ritual, you must first assem­
�-: If you succeed, your ta rget removes additional
ble the proper ingredients (charred wood, salt of earth,
fatigue equal to your ranks in Medicine.
pollen that burns) in the proper proportions. One full
�-: Remove the Bleeding condition from the ta rget.
* *= Remove the Lightly Wounded condition from the
set of materials costs 1 0 koku and has a rarity of 6,
and is consumed by the process. Once per session
target, or reduce the Severely Wounded condition to
as a downtime activity, you may make a TN 4 Medi­
the Lightly Wounded condition.
* *= If you succeed, remove the Dying condition from
cine check to properly mix the ing redients to create
blasting powder.
the ta rget.
* �.+: Choose one additional friendly animal of the
same U conflict rank or lower in ran_ge as a target per
Effects: If you succeed, you create ten brilliant fla res
(see 90), plus ten per two bonus successes, or one
blasting powder charge (see page 90), plus one per
* spent this way.
two bonus successes.
B e s e e c h Togas h i 's V i s i o n Ran k 3
New Opportunities
Togashi always saw the bigger picture, especially in the
War with Fu Leng. When he stood as Hantei's cham­
�- *= When used in a skirmish, the charge inflicts the
Dazed condition on all characters at range 0-4.
pion, set to face Fu Leng in a duel, Togashi named his
Air * *= When used in a skirmish, increase the cha rge's
weapon as no iess than the entire Empire. And though
range band by 1 .
Fu Leng was eventually defeated at the Day of Thun­
Earth * *+: When used, the charge inflicts 2 addi­
der, some say that Togashi's duel with his fallen brother
tional damage (or attrition) per �- �- spent this way.
rages to this day, each celestial power subtly moving
Fire * *+: When used, the charge inflicts 2 additional
pieces back and forth across a board no others can per­
strife (or panic) per �- �- spent this way.
ceive. Strategists across the Great Clans often appeal to
Water �- *= When used in a skirmish, the cha rge inflicts
Togashi's enigmatic wisdom, even if they cannot claim to
the Bleeding condition on all cha racters at range 0-2.
understand designs of such vast and cosmic complexity.

Activation: Once per game session as a downtime

Void * �,: When used, the charge frightens away all
kami in the radius of effect (or across the entire bat­
activity or as a Scheme and Support action during a tlefield, in a mass battle). The affected area becomes
Mass Battle, you may make a TN 3 Meditation (Void) Imbalanced (All Elements) terrain. This effect persists
check ta rgeting a character you can perceive (or a for 1 day.
leader or commander of an enemy a rmy in the scene).
Effects: If y ou succeed, y ou assess another character's
strategy. Once before the end of the next scene, after
that cha racter performs an action, y ou may reveal that
you were prepa red for this and immediately perform
one action.
 C H A P T E R 2: D E F E N D E RS OF T H E E M P I R E

S H UJ I
Air *: Add 1 kept ■ set to i,£� to the fi rst Scheme
action check you m a ke d u ri n g the next mass battle
" I write not to embell ish Akodo's words, but to under­ you r a rmy fig hts.
score his wisdom. M i n e is a h u m b l e torch l it from that
bonfire, but as a torch can be ca rried more easily i n a C l o u d s Pa rte d by Ste e l Ran k 2
warrior's hand in the field, rem inding a l l who see it of the
Warriors often claim a certain kinship with one another
bonfi re, I hope that my words a re su itable reminders . "
and speak of how no one can hide their true nature in
- l koma Ya n a g i 's commentary on Leadership, i n c l uded
a life-or-death battle; thus, they say, bitter foes might
a l ongside oth er sch o l a rs' rem a rks i n versions of the
know each other as well as sworn com rades, or even
text read by students of the Akodo Wa r College
better. While the truth of the matter is perhaps more
complicated, a skilled observer can indisputably learn
AIR S H UJ I a great deal about someone by crossing swords with
"Wa r may be a n a rt of decepti o n , but truth ri ngs clear them enough times, seeing how they react to fear,
i n the clash of blades. This is the virtue Akodo evokes frustration, success, and relief as a battle rages on.

Activation: When you m a ke a check to perform a

when h e writes of a righteous genera l i n the Measu re
of Win d . "
Stri ke a ction (see page 264 of the core ru le book) or a n
- l koma Ya n a g i 's commentary o n Leadership
Assa u l t a ction (see page 2 7 8 o f t h e core ru l e book), you
may spend * as fo l l ows:
B o r rowed C o u rage Ran k 1 Air *+: If you r ta rget's v i g i l a n ce is l ower th a n your ra n ks
A skilled leader's task is to guide their forces to victory, in Senti ment p l u s * spent this way, ch oose o n e of the

and sometimes, this means misleading them away from advantage/d isadva nta g e types: i nterperso n a l , menta l ,

defeat. When an army is demoralized, when the odds or physi ca l . If your targ et h a s o n e or more advantages

are harsh, when the foe truly is stronger-these are the or d i sadva ntages of that type, you learn what they a re .

times a leader may need to spin a tale of the enemy's

weakness, of coming allies, or of a secret plan to guar­ Entice w i t h Fa l s e h o o d s Ran k 4
antee success. The line between fa lsehood and truth
In general, there is no victory to be had if the enemy can
may be dim or bright; regardless, sometimes warriors
easily see through a strategy. To deceive the enemy,
need hope to struggle on, even if that hope is forlorn.
however, a commander m ust sometimes deceive their
Activation: As a downtime a ctivity, you may m a ke a subordinates and allies, only revealing the true plan at
TN 4 Performance (Air) check ta rgeti n g an a rmy or the moment to strike. A leader who believes they have
a n u m ber of cha racters who can h e a r you u p to your seen through their own commander's strategy might
ra n ks i n Sentiment. Yo u may sta ke u p to 3 honor to attempt to anticipate this plan. This is simpler when
reduce the TN by that a m o u n t (to a m i n i m u m of 1) to there is terrain to conceal your a ctions from vigilant
e m b e l l ish the truth . observation, and risky if your venture fa ils and disrupts
Effects: If you succeed, you spread a powerfu l ru mor of the strategy of your superiors.

Activation: Once per scene d u r i n g a mass battle as a

you r foe's weakness, of a l l ies certa i n to a rrive, or of some
other h idden advantage that should ensure victo ry. The
Sch eme action ta rg eti n g the com m a n d e r of the enemy
Tactics (Air) check. The T N
first time your ta rget receives panic or strife d u ri n g the
a rmy, you may m a ke a
next scene, they reduce the a m o u nt they receive by
is eq u a l to the targ et's v i g i l a nce. If y o u a re n ot you r
you r ra n ks in Performance, to a m i n i m u m of 0.
a rmy's c o m m a n d e r, you m u st sta ke 5 h o n o r a n d 5 g l o ry
Wheth er you succeed or fa i l , if you r side l oses the
on your su ccess. If you r cohort is in Obscu ring terra i n ,
battle, you l ose you r sta ked honor (as your boasts
reduce the TN b y 2 .
Effects: If y o u succee d , you i m m ediate ly change you r
proved fa lse). Additio n a l l y, there m i g h t be n a rrative
soci a l ra m ifi cati ons should i n divid u a l s rem e m ber the
a rmy's c u rrent strate g i c g o a l t o a n ew goa l o f you r
l i es you to l d .
choice. A n y m o m entum poi nts y o u r a r m y h a d a ccrued
towa rd the previous goal a re a pp l i e d to this new goa l .
N e w Opportunities
If you fa i l a n d you a re n ot t h e com mander, you r com­

Air :t�: If you fa i l , n obody rem e m bers exactly what you m a n d e r's scorn fa l l s u pon you for ove rstepping your

said, so there a re no n a rrative soci a l conseq u e n ces for position . You lose your sta ked honor a n d g l o ry.

your fa bricati o n .

99
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M P I R E

New Opportun ities Obscu ring, or Recessed . D u r i n g a mass battle, ene­

Air*: You rtarg et rem a i n s u naware ofyou r m a c h i n ations.

mies attacking a cohort in the fortifi cation a re treated

Air *= Gain 1 momentum point towa rd you r a rmy's cur­

as b e i n g in te rra i n with the added q u a l ities.

re nt strateg i c objective .
Air :-;�+ : A l l chara cte rs in the scene with v i g i l a nce
G reat A n v i l ' s Measu re Ran k 2

l ower than or e q u a l to :-;� spent this way a re u n aware of A proud leader often draws a ttention to themselves in
you r m a c h i nations. battle, and a leader both proud and skilled does so
to draw th eir en emy into attacking th em-especia lly
EARTH S H UJ I when the en emy would rather attack elsewhere. When
the leader's troops a re properly readied, and especia lly
" Life rises from the ea rth . To h o l d e a rth i s to h o l d
wh en they a re in a h ighly defensible location, such an
the means t o g row rice, a n d barley, a n d m i l l et. When
attack aga inst th em is doomed to fail.
Akodo writes that the Measure of E a rth is u n de rsta nd­
i n g the g ro u n d on which a g e n e ra l sta nds, h e means Activation: When you m a ke a check to perform a G u a rd
a l so that the g e n e ra l m u st u n d e rsta n d the va l u e of the a ction in a skirmish (see page 264 of the core ru l ebook)
land, for from it a rises l ife itse lf. " or a Rei nforce a ction in a mass battle (see page 279 of
- l ko m a Ya n a g i 's com m entary on Leadership the core ru lebook), you may spend * as fol l ows:
Earth :-;�+ (Guard): Ch oose any n u m be r of cha racters in
Fortress of Necessity Ran k 1 the scene with focus lower than or eq u a l to your ra n ks
in Perform a n ce p l u s 2 per * spent this way. Each cho­
Wh ile some genera ls fa vor a barren ba ttlefield where sen cha ra cter m u st receive strife e q u a l to your ra n ks in
steel can face steel, many others look for places wh ere Performance to perform a n Attack or Scheme action
their forces can draw on cover. These locations offer ta rg eting any cha racte r oth er than you . This effect per­
troops a place to regroup, resupply, or take defensive sists u nt i l the end of your n ext tu rn .
a ction, but not all battlefields are so a ccommodating. Earth *+ (Reinforce): Choose any n u m ber of leaders i n
In such cases, the com m ander has their a rmy make the e n e m y a r m y with focus l ower than or eq u a l t o you r
their own fortifications. ra n ks i n Performance plus 2 per * spent t h i s way. The

Activation: As a downti m e a ctivity o r a S u p po rt action enemy a rmy receives panic equa l to you r ra n ks i n Per­

d u r i n g a mass battle, using adequate s u pp l i es and a formance each time any of those leaders performs a n

TN 3 Command (Earth)
suita b l e a re a , you may m a ke a Attack or S c h e m e action targeti ng any cohort other t h a n

check ta rg eti n g a position you can reac h . yours. Th is effect persists until the end o f y o u r next turn .

Effects: If y o u succeed, y o u erect a d efen sive struc­

ture of trenches or short ba rricades in the a rea . In a Steady t h e H am m e r Ran k 4

Even under fierce attack, the clever genera l sees

mass battle, th is stru ctu re is treated as a fortification

opportunities to outwit th eir opponent. When a

with d ifficu lty va l u e e q u a l to your ra n ks i n Labor p l u s

sta unch counterattack is not possible, th e genera l

y o u r bonus successes, wh i ch red u ces attrition suf­

lures the enemy_ into a position where they become

fered by the cohort occ u py i n g it by 2. In a ski rmish,

vulnera ble to attacks from the genera l 's a llied forces.

this structu re is treated as Obscu ring terra i n by anyone

Such an act not only achieves victory, but a lso displays

attacking those inside from outside. This structu re is

to all the genera l 's superior tactical skills.

tempora ry, a n d degrades comp l etely if l eft to the e l e­
m ents for m o re t h a n a few days. It can be m a i nta i n ed
with a TN 2 Labor (Earth) check as a downti m e a ctiv­ Activation: As an Attack a n d S u pport a ction d u ri n g
ity, which m i g ht need to be made more freq uently in a mass battle, y o u may m a ke a TN 5 Tactics (Earth)
h a rsh weathe r conditions such as ra i n or snow. check ta rg eting one enemy leader's cohort that per­
formed an Attack a cti on check targeting your cohort
New Opportunities this rou n d . If that enemy cohort is in Confi n i n g , Enta n ­
g l i n g , o r Recessed terra i n , reduce the TN t o 2 .
Earth *= When you perform the Reinforce a ction i n Effects: I f y o u succeed, d ecrease t h e TN o f the next
t h i s fortification d u r i n g a mass battle, treat t h e T N a s Attack action check made by a friendly leader that tar­
red u ced by 1 (to a m i n i m u m o f 1 ) . g ets that cohort by 1 p l u s your bonus successes (to a
Earth * *+: Add one of the fol l owi n g terra i n q u a l ities m i n i m u m of 1 ) . If that check succeeds, add additional
per :-;� * spent this way to the a rea exte n d i n g from bonus successes eq u a l to your ra n ks i n Com m a n d . This
ra nge 1 -3 a ro u n d the b u i l d i n g : Dangerous, Enta n g l i n g , effect persists u nti l the end of the rou n d .
 C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

New Opportunities R ighteous Exam p l e Ran k 1

Earth *+: This effect applies to one additional Attack A leader's power exists only in the minds of their
action check made by a friendly cohort before the end followers, yet none can deny the power of an army. In
of the round per * spent this way. Rokugani warfare, leaders and even commanders often
take the field themselves at the start of battle, showing
FIRE S H UJ I that they shoulder a portion of the risk a longside
their warriors. This helps spur their forces on to great
"The soul of fire of which Akodo writes is the war­
victories no warrior alone could a ch ieve.
rior's spirit. The Measure of Fire warns us to choke this
flame if it is unrighteous, for Akodo knew all too well Activation: As an Attack and Support action during a
the risks of letting this fire burn unchecked. The Kitsu mass battle, you may make a TN 3 Martial Arts (Fire)
family's history reminds us that we may never again let check targeting an enemy leader's cohort.
our pride burn without righteousness and scorch the Effects: If you succeed, the enemy army suffers attri­
innocent." tion and panic equal to 1 plus your bonus successes.
- lkoma Yanagi's commentary on Leadership If you succeed, other leaders in y our army reduce
the TN of their Attack action checks by 1 . This effect
Cal l t h e W i l d Ran k 3 persists until the end of your next turn.
If you fail, reduce the TN of Attack and Scheme
While an animal or spiritual companion can be a source action checks targeting your cohort by 1 . This effect
of comfort and camaraderie for Rokugani, there are persists until the end of your next turn.
times when the untamed beast is needed. Even the
bravest of bushi might falter when a great cat bares its New Opportunities
claws and makes ready to leap, or a growling wolf pads
out of the darkness with blood on its fangs. Fire �, *= If you are both the commander and a leader,
your army gains 1 momentum point toward its current
Activation: As a Support action, you may make a Sur­
strategic objective.
vival (Fire) check targeting one friendly animal or man­
ifest kami at range 0-2. The TN of the check is equal to
the animal or kami's f.l conflict rank.
Sti n g of War r i o r's P r i d e Ran k 2
Effects: If you succeed, increase the damage and Courage and shame sometimes exist as two sides of
deadliness of the animal or kami's weapon profiles by the same coin in Rokugani society. To face death with
1 , plus 1 for every two bonus successes beyond the courage is the measure of a samurai, and one who
first. This effect persists until the end of the scene. deaves sincerely to the Code of Bushido is unlikely to
break even in the face of death. Still, not all samurai can
New Opportunities attain such lofty stoicism. When ph ilosophy alone is
not enough to bolster a samurai against fearful
*+: You may target one additional friendly animal or
odds,. the spur of shame can keep a sword a rm
manifest kami per �' spent this way.
firm and feet planted in rank.
�>+: The target animal or kami removes 1 fatigue per
'., spent this way.
*= The animal gains the Enraged condition, then
removes all strife.

•
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M P I R E

Activation: As a downtime activity, you may make a TN

4 Performance (Fire) check targeting an army or one WATER S H UJ I
character who can hear you. You may stake up to 3 glory "When Akodo writes that water has neither form nor
to reduce the TN by that amount (to a minimum of 1) . shape, he does not mean that it is chaotic. Water is
Effects: If you succeed, you spur your target to greater in its own way ordered, each drop following dutifully
courage in the face of death. T he first time your target behind the ones that lead it. T his is what Akodo means
is dealt attrition or damage during the next scene, they when he speaks of flow-not a state of disorder, but a
reduce the amount by your ranks in Performance, to a state in which commands are unnecessary, for the nat­
minimum of 0. ural path aligns with the path to victory."
Whether you succeed or fail, if you are observed - lkoma Yanagi's commentary on Leadership
acting in a cowardly manner by your target during the
scene, you lose any glory you staked on this technique. C o u rs i n g March C h a n t Ran k 1

To S m as h t h e H eart Ran k 4 Marching is as old as a rm ies, and some methods have

changed little across the thousand years of Rokugan '.5
Like a case of fireworks, a battle is a volatile thing. h istory a s an Empire. A n army marching o n extra
A single spark in the right place can blast apart all rations, with a rousing chant or m usicians to keep its
semblance of order within even an experienced pace, will fare far better in the long run than one that
army. A moment of hesitation by a com mander, the marches in silence on empty stomachs.
death of a trusted leader-these can ignite countless
sparks at once, sending an army'.5 cohorts spiraling in Activation: As a downtime activity, you may make a
all directions. TN 4 Performance (Water) check targeting an army or
targeting a number of characters traveling with you up
Activation: Once per scene, after a character in the to your ranks in Command. You may expend an addi­
scene (or enemy leader, in a mass battle) becomes tional day's rations (army rations for an army, individual
Compromised or is killed, you may immediately make rations for an individual) to reduce the TN by 2 (to a
a TN 4 Tactics (Fire) check targeting that character. minimum of 1) .
Effects: If you succeed in an intrigue, skirmish, or duel, Effects: If you succeed, you and your targets can march
each character in the scene allied with your target who twice the distance they normally could in that time.
has lower status than your target receives strife equal
to your bonus successes plus your ranks in Sentiment. New Opportunities:
If you succeed in a mass battle, the enemy army
receives panic equal to your bonus successes plus your Water �-: If your target is an army, it removes attrition
ranks in Sentiment. up to your ranks in Medicine.
Water �-: If your target is an army, it removes panic up
to your ranks in Culture.
Water �.+: One individual target per �- spent this way
removes fatigue up to your ranks in Medicine.
Water �-+ : One individual target per * spent this way
removes strife up to your ranks in Culture.
Water * *+: Choose one mundane terrain quality
that would normally affect the targets on the march per
* * spent this way. Each target ignores that terrain
quality during the march.

Prese rve Stre n gt h Ran k 2

A genera l who wins a battle but loses a war is a

failure, and the fewer casualties that become fatalities,
the better their army will fare over the course of a
campaign. Thus, wise genera ls always find skilled
healers, cha rging them with keeping their forces in
fighting shape and preserving throughout the course
of the war the core of experienced warriors necessary
winning battles.
 C H A PT E R 2: D E F E N D E RS OF T H E E M P I R E

Activation: Once per sce n e as a Support acti on or as

a downti me a ctivity, you may d i rect triage by m a k i n g
VOID S H UJ I
a TN 3 Medicine (Water) check targeti n g a friendly "When Akodo writes that there is no explaining the Mea­
a rmy or a n u m ber of cha racters at ra nge 0-3 u p to your sure of Heaven (or perhaps Emptiness, or Void, as Akodo
ra n ks i n Com m a n d . uses the terms interchangeably at times), a pa rt of me won­
Effects: If y o u succeed d u ri n g a m ass battle, you r ders if his hand had sim ply cramped with the brush ea r­
target rem oves 5 casua lties, p l u s 1 for every two lier in the even ing, or if he had tired of students with their
bonus su ccesses. unending chorus of 'why, why, why?' But perhaps in blas­
If you succeed d u ring a skirmish, each of you r ta rgets phemous thought, a kernel of truth exists. In emptiness is
red uces the TN of their next Medicine check by 2, plus the a bsence even of desire. In his silence, Akodo forces us
1 for every two bonus su ccesses (to a minimum of 1 ). to ask the question of ourselves. I desire the a nswer from
Akodo, that I need not achieve it for myself. And to desire
New Opportunities knowledge is to desire, but a samurai's thought should not

Water )£, )£, (Mass Battle): If you succeed, ch oose a

rest on desire. What we desire to know is irrelevant. We
must focus on what we do know, and how it can be appl ied
fri e n d ly leader in the target a rmy. Remove one of the
for the betterment of our lord . That is emptiness."
fo l l owing conditions from that chara cter: B l e ed i n g ,
- l koma Ya n a g i 's com m entary on Leadership

**
B u r n i n g , Dyi n g .
Water (Skirmish): If y o u succeed, e a c h o f you r
targ ets m a y i m mediately m ove 1 ra n g e band, o r 2
Batt l e of N o Escape Ran k 2

ra nge bands towa rd a chara cter who is suffering the There are no conditions of battle simpler or more
B l eed i n g , B u r n i n g , or Dyi n g con d ition . motivating than "win or die. " A warrior surrounded,
with no hope of surrender, is far more likely to be willing
Yo u r E n e m y ' s A r rows Ran k 4 to fight to the death, clinging to the feeble chance of
suNival presented: seize victory or pay the ultimate
A skilled commander sees the enemy's troops as if they
price. An outnumbered or outmatched commander
were under their command, then issues orders to their
might intentiona lly place their troops such that retreat is
own army such that the enemy will fall into place for
difficult or impossible, keeping them fighting to the last
their destruction. By erasing the distinction between
despite the terrible odds against them.
the foe's assets and one's own in their mind, a general
can see the battlefield as a whole, and maneuver the Activation : Once per sce n e as a Support a cti o n , you
pieces to the endgame of their choosing. may m a ke a TN 5 Command (Void) check ta rget­

Activation: Once per scene as a Scheme action ta r­

ing your cohort or a n u m ber of cha racters who can
hear you u p to your ra n ks i n M ed itati o n . Reduce the
geting a n other chara cter who can perceive you or you r
Tactics (Water) check. T h e T N
TN of this check to 2 if all ta rgets a re i n Confi n i n g or
cohort, y o u m a y m a ke a
Enta n g l i n g terra i n .
Effects: If y o u su cceed d u ri n g a m a s s battl e, your army
is e q u a l t o t h e ta rget's focus. You m a y sta ke u p t o 3
glory on your su ccess to reduce the TN by that a m o u nt.
Effects: If you succeed, the next time you r ta rget
does not suffe r mora l e co l l a pse if its panic exceeds
its d i sci p l i n e , and conti n ues to fu n ction norm a l ly. This
a ccrues momentum poi nts towa rd an obj ective, add
effect persists fo r one rou n d , p l u s one rou nd for every
those momentum poi nts to your obj ective i n stea d .
three bonus su ccesses.
If y o u fa i l , y o u l o s e the g l o ry y o u sta ked u p o n
If you succeed d u r i n g a n i ntri g u e , d u e l , or skirmish,
y o u r success.
each target i g n ores the effects of the Com prom ised
conditi o n . This effect persists for one rou n d , p l u s one
New Opportunities
rou n d for every two bonus su ccesses.

Water )£,: You r ta rget rem a i n s u n awa re of you r machi­

nations. If you fa i l e d , reg a i n your sta ked g l o ry.
New Opportunities
Water )£,: G a i n 1 momentum point towa rd your
Void *+ (I ntrigue, Duel, or Skirmish): Ch oose one

* �'
cu rrent goa l .
Water *+: A l l cha racte rs i n t h e scene with v i g i l a nce
add itio n a l ta rget per )£, spent this way.
Void (Intrigue, Duel, or Skirmish): If you suc­
l ower than or equal to )£, spent this way a re u n aware of
ceed , each targ et a l so i g n o res the effects of the I n ca­
your machi nations.
pacitated condition for one rou n d , plus one rou n d for
every two bonus su ccesses.

10,
 M o m e n t of G l o ry Ran k 3 V i ctory W i t h o u t a Sword Ran k 6

Sometimes, an a rmy's suNiva l falls to a single individual. To win without conflict, to conquer without destroying,
When defending a bridge, a narrow pass, or a castle to unite with prowess rather than merely subjugating­
gate, a single warrior might find themselves facing this is the ideal Akodo is said to have reached by the
the brunt of an entire a rmy's attack. Many tales tell of end of h is long and violent life. Though he never put it
heroic sam urai holding back the full wrath of the enemy to words h imself, several of his students from his later
for some time in such a circumstance, sometimes years did. His lessons were simple. Any battle should
even driving the foe back before succumbing to their be as swiftly won as possible, and the greatest general
wounds. While these occurrences have been few and would be the one who never needed to fight, their
fa r between, and many are shrouded in myth, they have superiority clear to all who could see it. To fight at all
nonetheless left an indelible mark on h istory, and the was its own sort of failure, a lesson he had /earned all
names of these samura i have been enshrined forever too well across ceaseless campaigns to un ite Rokugan
as Lesser Fortunes of war, courage, and self-sacrifice. for h is Emperor. Of course, up to the end, Akodo found

Activation : Once per scene as an a M ovement a n d

it n ecessary to fight, so perhaps this ideal was beyond
even the Kam i of the Lion Clan, a dream image of a
Su pport a ction d u ri n g a m ass battle, y o u may m a ke
a TN 4 Meditation (Void) check. Red u ce the T N
world barely visible through one tired eye.

o f this c h e c k to 2 if your cohort is i n Confi n i n g or Activation: As an Atta ck, M ovement, Scheme, a n d

Obscu ring terra i n . Support action d u r i n g a mass battle, y o u may make
Effects: If y o u su cceed, whenever your cohort is ta r­ a TN 6 Tactics (Void) check targ eti n g the enemy
g eted with an Attack a ction check, red u ce a n y attri­ com m a n der. Reduce the TN of this check to 4 if a l l
tion it i nfl i cts o n you r army to 0, and receive that m u ch cohorts o f t h e enemy a rmy a re i n Dangerous, Entan­
fati g u e you rself i nstead. If fatig u e you receive this way g l i n g , o r Obscu ring terra i n . This tech n i q u e can only be
causes you to suffe r a critica l stri ke, the severity is 1 6 . attem pted once per army per sce n e .
This effect persists u n t i l the sta rt of your n ext turn . Effects: If y o u succeed, the enemy com mander i m m e­
d i ate ly resi sts with a TN 5 Command check (Void 3),
New Opportunities a d d i n g 1 to the TN fo r every 1 0 stren gth your a rmy has

Void *+: If you su cceed , w h i l e this effect persists,

i n excess of the enemy a rmy's strength. If the enemy

reduce any fatig u e you receive by 1 per * spent this

com m a n d e r su cceeds, their army suffers n o ill effects.
If the enemy com mander fa i ls, the enemy a rmy suffers
way (to a m i n i m u m of 0).
Void ::&, ::&,: If you su cceed, if you suffe r a criti cal strike
1 0 pa n i c for each point of their shortfa l l . If the enemy
army co l l a pses this way, its fo rces su rrender. I n dividual
this way, it is n ot appl ied u nti l the end of the scene, at leaders may ch oose whether they wish to withdraw or
which point you rece ive any critical strike resu lts you h o l d the line as their troops su rrender.

*=
d eferred this way.
Void
If you fa i l , reduce the TN of Attack action checks tar­
If you su cceed a n d you s u rvive, d o u b l e any geting the cohorts of leaders in you r a rmy by 2 (to a min­
g l o ry you a re awarded fro m your a ctio n . i m u m of 1 ). This effect persists until the end of the scene.
 C H A P T E R 2: D E F E N D E R S OF T H E E M P I R E

@ (Mass Battle) Any nea rby cohort (such as those

N I NJ UTS U in the same zone, if using the ru les for zones
HONOR AND
BLASTING POWDER
"Akodo writes of deception in wa r, of deceiving his on page 1 1 8) is caught by the blast, and that
subord i nates to win the day, yet whenever some appar­ a rmy receives S attrition and 5 panic, plus 1 per Blasting powder is
usually viewed as intrin­
ent contradiction a rises in his text, it never seems to bonus success.
sically dishonorable, and
occur to any of my fel low scholars that Akodo m i g ht @ (Mass Battle) If you placed the blasti n g powder some samurai would
have lied. A genera l faces deception on a l l sides, spies i nside of a fortification (see the Fortifications never deign to use it
among their ra n ks, and ploys on the battlefield. I, for as a weapon of war.
sidebar on page 276 of the core ru lebook),
However, honor does
one, th i n k Akodo wished to teach his descenda nts that. red uce its difficu lty value by 1 , plus 1 per not generally extend to
A pity m ost of them m issed the lesson . " bonus success. the minions of Fu Leng,
- Bayushi Kiriko's commentary o n Leadersh ip, for they have none to
@ (Mass Battle) One cohort leader affected by the
incl uded in a l m ost every edition presented spare for the foes they
expl osion suffers the I m mobilized and Lightly slaughter. If the targets
to students i n Scorpion Clan dojo
Wounded conditions. are Tainted creatures, or
the blasting powder is
E m p loy Te rri b l e Th u n d e r Ran k 2 @ (Other Scene) Each character at ra nge 0-2 of being used in the Shad­
the ta rget position suffers 1 0 physica l damage owlands, at the GM's
For some sam urai, there is something they prize plus 1 per bonus success, suffers the Dazed discretion, the honor
above honor: victory. For them, honor is meaningless condition, and receives 5 strife. forfeit needed to use
if their lord is dead or their family lost. Any method blasting powder may be
@ (Other Scene) Items at ra nge 0-2 of the ta rget reduced or eliminated.
that achieves victory is worthy, even if the Emperor
position g a i n the Damaged item q u a l ity.
themselves has outlawed it.

Activation: As a Movement a n d Su pport a ction, you

@ (Other Scene) Any structu re (such as a bridge,

may m a ke a TN 4 Skulduggery check and expend 1

house, or wall) at ra nge 0-1 of the ta rget posi­
tion gains the Damaged q u a l ity.
charge of bl asti n g powder (see page 90) to place it
in you r envi ronment at a ta rget position at ra nge 0-1 of
you . You m ust forfeit honor equal to equal to h a lf your New Opportunities
honor ra n k (rounded u p) to use this tech nique.
Effects: If you succeed, you set the blasting powder to ::;, : Any item or structu re damaged by this effect gains
explode at the end of the n ext rou n d . Some or a l l of the Destroyed q u a l ity instead .
the fol lowi ng occu r based on the scene type: �' *: The a rea at ra nge 0-2 of the position of the
explosion gains the Dangerous and Obscu ri n g ter­
ra i n q u a l ities, a n d fla m ma b l e objects in the a rea a re
set ablaze.
::;, +: The blasti n g powder does not detonate for one
additional rou n d per �' spent this way.

S w i ft S c o u t i n g Ran k 1
The line between a shinobi and a scout is mostly one of
their current assignment. Yet, while traditional scouting
can take days or weeks, sufficiently experienced
survivalists who have lived in the wilds can undertake
scouting missions m uch more quickly than typical
observers. Shinobi m ust often spend long periods
of time traveling Rokugan, hiding in the wilderness,
or spying on targets on the road. As a result, many
are intimately familiar with the sorts of environments
found in those types of locations and can quickly
C H A PT E R 2 : D E F E N D E R S O F T H E E M P I R E

sweep a n a rea to identify the points o f interest inside Effects: If y o u succeed, a l l ta rgets become h idden a n d
it. Especia/ly skiffed shinobi are likely to leave traps a re n ot n oticed b y cha racters with vigi l a nce lower than
behind for enemy scouts or forces in the area. or equal to your Ea rth Ring p l u s your bonus successes.
These h idden cha racters ca n n ot be the target of Attack
Activation: As a downti me activity, o r once per scen e
actions. This effect persists until the end of your next
as a M ovement a n d Support actio n , y o u may make
turn, or u ntil any ta rget you have h idden performs an
a TN 3 Survival (Water) check to scout the terra i n
Attack or M ovement actio n .
a round y o u . If y o u activate t h i s tech n i q u e i n a n u rban
envi ronment or on the ocea n , use Sku lduggery or Sea­
N e w Opportunities
fa rin g instead, respectively.
Effects: If you succeed, you discover a l l terra i n q u a l i ­ Earth �,+: This effect persists for one additional round
ties o f t h e a rea a round y o u (severa l m i l es i n a l l d i rec­ per �. spent this way.
tion d u ring downti me, or the entire a rea in which the Earth �.+: Reduce the TN of the fi rst Attack action
scene is occu rri ng), as wel l as any fortifications in the check one of you r ta rgets m a kes a g a inst a n other char­
a rea. Cha racters with vig i l a n ce l ower than your Air Ring a cter in the terra in in which you r forces a re h idden by 1
p l u s you r bonus successes d o not detect you d u ri n g per * spent this way.
this t i m e .
Van i s h i n t h e S h ad ows Ran k 3
N e w Opportunities
Shaking a pursuing cohort of soldiers is far more
Water �. * (Downtime or Mass Battle): If you suc­ difficult than simply hiding and requires intimate
ceed, you may choose one part of the a rea (a s i n g l e knowledge of the terrain and a wi/lingness to exploit
battle z o n e , if using the ru les f o r battle zones) a n d a d d this for every advantage.
one of t h e fol lowin g terra i n q u a l ities to t h a t a re a : Con­
fi n i n g , Dangerous, Enta n g l i n g , Obscu ri n g . Activation: As a downti me activity or once per scene
Water �. * (Other Scene): If y o u succeed, y o u may as a M ovement and Su pport actio n , you may make a
choose a position i n the a rea you scouted. U p to three TN 5 Survival (Air) check ta rgeti ng your cohort (in a
ra nge bands su rrou n d i n g that position g a i n one of m ass battle) or yourself a n d a n u m ber of cha racters up
the fol l owing terra i n q u a l ities: Confi n i n g , Dangerous, to your ra n ks i n Com mand (in a ny other scene) who
Enta n g l i n g , Obscu ri n g . a re with i n Confi n i n g , Enta n g l i n g , or Obscu ri n g terra i n .
Water * + : You discover t h e location a n d composi­ If y o u activate t h i s tech n i q u e i n a n u rban environment
tion of any enemy forces i n the a rea led by cha racters or on the oce a n , use Skulduggery or Seafaring instead,
with Air Ring l ower than your v i g i l a nce p l u s �. spent respectively.
this way. Effects: If you succeed, a l l ta rgets become h idden and
Water �. �' �,: D u ri n g your n ext turn, if you perform a re n ot n oticed by chara cters with v i g i l a nce l ower than
an action targeting an enemy cohort, i g nore any fortifi­ or equal to you r Air Ring p l u s your bonus successes.
cation it is occu py i n g . You may resolve effects as if you These h idden cha racters ca n n ot be the target of Attack
were inside that fortificati o n . a ctions and cannot perform Attack actions. This effect
persists u ntil the end of your n ext turn, or u ntil any tar­
get performs an Attack acti o n .
T h e Pat i e n t V i p e r Ran k 2

Sometimes, the best way to approach a target is to New Opportunities

stand stiff. Shinobi often lie in wait for hours or even
days, patiently maintaining their position to ensure that Air *+ (Mass Battle): If you succeed, if an enemy a rmy
they strike we/I when their foe arrives. has one or more cohorts with i n the terra i n , it receives 1
panic per * spent this way.
Activation: As a d ownti m e activity, you may make a Air *+ (Other Scene): If you succeed, each character
TN 4 Fitness (Earth) check targeting you r cohort (if you did not ta rget who is with i n the terra i n receives 1
you a re cu rrently the leader of a cohort) or you rself a n d strife per * spent this way.
a n u m ber o f other cha racters u p t o your ra n ks i n Com­ Air �. �. *= If you fa i l ed , i ncrease the TN of Attack
mand (in any other scene) who a re with i n Dangerous, action checks ta rgeti ng each of your targets by 2. This
Enta n g l i n g , o r Obscu rin g terra i n . effect persists u nti l any of your ta rgets performs a n
Attack action or l eaves t h e terra i n .

ill/
 C HAPTE R 2 : D E F E N D E RS O F T H E E M P I RE

Wreak H avoc Ran k 4 @ Remove the Confi n i n g and Enta n g l i n g ter­

ra i n q u a l ity from a fortification the ta rget
While Leaders h i p counsels against the needless
cohort occu pies, but add the Dangerous and
destruction of th e enemy'.s asse ts-for these can Obscu ri n g terra i n qua lities to that a rea as it
become one'.s own assets if se ized- sometimes fire
catches a b l aze.
provides an a ven u e tha t subtler means cou ld not.
Baggage tra ins, forti fications, or e ven the ten ts of e Remove one cohort a bi lity from the ta rget
the wounded- for dis h o n o rable com mande r s, a ny of
cohort. This a b i l ity is resto red when the army
th ese can make tempting ta rgets for the flam e . resuppl ies (such as when m a king a m ainte­
n a n ce check, as described on page 1 1 5) .
Activation: Once per game session as an Attack and
M ovement action duri ng a mass battle, you may make Additiona l l y, if you succeed, the ta rget leader m u st
a Skulduggery (Fire) check ta rgeting one enemy lead­ resist with a TN 5 Command check (Air 6, Water 3) o r
e r 's cohort. T he T N is equal to the vig i l a n ce of that thei r army su ffers p a n i c equal to y o u r ra n ks i n P e rfo r­
cohort's leade r. You may expend 1 cha rge of blasting m a n ce plus thei r shortfa l l .
powder and fo rfeit honor equ a l to h a lf you r honor ra n k
( rou nded u p) to redu ce t h e T N by 2 (to a min i m u m o f 1 ). N e w Opportun ities
Effects: If you succeed, you a ch i eve one of t
Fire �,: If you succeed, the ta rget cohor 's leader s u f­
the fol l ow i n g :
fers a cri tica l stri ke with severity eq u a l to equal to 6
@ Red u ce th e d iffi cu lty va l u e o f a fortifi cation the p l u s you r bonus successes.
t
ta rg et is occu py in g by 4 p l u s you r bonus suc­ Fire �'> �,: The ta rget coh o r 's leader suffers th e
i
cesses. If this redu ces th e d iffi culty va l u e to 0 Dazed con d it on.
or lowe r, the fo rt ificati on is dest royed; any a r my Fi re �H : If you su cceed , you may expend a n u m be r
w ith a cohort occupy i n g it receives attr ition of add itio n a l cha rges of b lasti ng powder up to
eq u a l to you r bo n u s su ccesses, and any l eade r spe nt this way to add two bonus successes
�
or co m m a nde r i nside su ffers a cr itica l stri ke expended this wa y.
seve r ity eq ua l to 6 p l u s you r bon us su ccesses .
 C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

'tXpa ttded »ta33 WHAT A B O U T

�ttre 1<r.de3 STAN D I N G A RM I E S?

Wh i l e C l a n C h a m p i o n s a n d powerfu l d a i my6
This section expa nds on the ru l e for arm ies and mass often have a core of sam u ra i and some u n its
battles presented in the core ru lebook, giving G M s of a s h i g a ru who h ave dedicated themse lves
new opti ons for using mass battles i n their campaigns. to fu l l-ti m e preparation for war, keepi n g m a n y
reta i n e rs battle-ready i n this m a n n e r is expen ­
MARS HALI N G AN ARMY s i v e , a n d t h a t cost can beco m e d iffic u lt t o
j u stify i n t i m e s o f peace. The Lion C l a n i n par­
Readyi n g a n army for battle is a comp lex p rocess that
ticu l a r strug g l es with this, for its task is to be
beg ins long before the troops a rrive on the battlefi e l d .
ready to make war in the Emperor's n a m e , yet
If pl ayers w i s h t o create their o w n a rmy, gatheri n g a l l i es
in times of peace massive a rm ies can become
to the cause and deploying resou rces to asse m b l e a
a crush i n g d ra i n upon Lion lands. The Lion
fighting fo rce, they should use the ru les for m a rsh a l i n g
Clan addresses this i n part by sen d i n g many
a n a rmy i n t h i s section . T h e n a rrative p rocess o f fu l ly
of its soldiers to serve i n the Emera l d Leg ions,
asse m b l i n g an army can be the s u bject of n u merous
w h i ch a re fu nded by the I m pe ri a l Court's man­
sessions on its own, a s the PCs u n d e rtake d i p l omatic
date, rel ievi n g some eco n o m i c press u re from
m issions to gather support from oth er l o rds, skirmish
the Lion C l a n but keepi n g its warriors a ctive
a g a i nst enemies who oppose their plans, a n d ro le­
even i n times of relative sere n ity i n Rokug a n .
play the log istics of org a n izing and tra i n i n g a fighting
W h e n war does b reak o u t i n Roku g a n , the
force . H owever, a chara cter can beg i n the process and
fi rst steps a re a l m ost a lways the gatheri n g of
assemble a base l i n e fi ghting force with a s i n g l e check.
resou rces, the secu ri n g of a l l i an ces, and the
o rg a n ization of l o g i stics to ra l l y, tra i n , a n d
TH E MARS H A L I N G C H E C K supply arm ies.

To ra ise a n army, a chara cter m u st h ave a ccess t o their

holdings a n d reta i n ers (or com m u n ity, for com mon ers),
and m u st m a ke a TN 3 Command check as a down­
TAB L E 3 - 1 : D E T E RM I N I N G
time a ctivity. If the chara cter su cceeds, they form an
A RMY S T R E N GT H
a rmy that consists of their reta iners. The a rmy's maxi­
mum stren gth is set by the chara cter's status (see Table STATUS MAXI M U M STRENGTH
3-1 : Determining Army Strength), a lthough a chara c­
ter can a lways choose to fo rm a s m a l l e r army (to a m i n ­ 1 00 1 50
i m u m o f 5 ) if they desire, as s m a l l e r arm ies a re easier
to m a i n ta i n . 90-99 1 20
T h e a rmy's disc i p l i n e is set b y t h e chara cter's bonus
su ccesses a n d their honor (see Table 3-2: Determin­
80-89 1 00
ing Army Discipline) .
70-79 80
A character can spend * from the check to m a rs h a l
t h e i r a rmy i n a n u m ber of ways described i n Table 3-3 : 60-69 65
Spending Opportunity while Marshaling an Army
(see page 1 1 1 ). 50-59 60
The check to m a rshal a n a rmy not only gathers the
troops to the field, but a lso the support staff req u i red 40-49 55
and the suppl ies needed (food , gear, travel equipment)
to keep them fi ghting for one month . At the start of
30-39 35
each subsequent month, a character must m a ke a n other
24-29 20
check to keep their a rmy fu n ctional and l oya l (see
Maintaining an Army on Campaign on page 1 1 5). 20-24 15
General ly, a m a rsh a l i n g check can only be attem pted
once per month for a given set of holdi ngs, though the 0-1 9 5
GM may a lter that restriction as the n a rrative d i ctates.

109
 C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

TAB L E 3 - 2 : D E T E RM I N I N G
M O N EY AND POWER
ARMY D I SC I PLI N E
Status grants a decent approximation of a
BONUS
character's available wealth-sometimes. SUCCESSES DISCIPLINE
However, even daimyo can find their coffers
drained after a drought year, and merchants 6 0 + ranks i n Government
4 or more
can grow startlingly wealthy. If a character's + glory rank
wealth is uncharacteristic of their status, the
40 + ranks in Government
GM should treat their status as being one that 3
+ glory rank
reflects their accessible wealth for the check
to marshal an army. For example, a wealthy 2 25 + ranks in Government
foreign ship captain (status 0) with a hold full
of goods to entice allies might treat their sta­ 1 15 + ranks in Government
tus as 30, while a destitute Great Clan samurai
(status 30) whose estate is in ruins and whose 0 10 + ranks in Government
vassals have been dismissed might treat their
status as 10. on its own, it uses the Base Army Stats; otherwise,
Additionally, at the GM's discretion, a apply its Modifiers to the army it is joining. If the force
character who is appealing to a group of lists a rule, it applies to the entire army if it is oper­
peers (or even their superiors) rather than ating independently, or to one cohort if it has joined
their subordinates might use Performance or another army.
Courtesy for their marshaling check instead.

A l l i e d Fo rces
TEMPORARY STATUS A character might be able to persuade another lord to
S U PPLE M E NTA L FO RC E S
commit resources to their cause. This should generally
MODIFIERS

The following examples A character can expand their army once i t has been mar­ require an Intrigue or a number of significant roleplay­
show how the wealth a shaled in a number of ways, described in this section. ing scenes, and a character might have to make signif­
character has access to icant offers to that lord, such as agreeing in advance to
could translate into treat­
Rai s i n g Ad d it i o n a l Forces certain concessions of territory taken in battle, making
pacts for favorable marriages, or promising to defeat
ing their status as higher
I f a character gains access t o substantial new resources
for a marshaling check:
the other lord's enemies in addition to one's own. If this
A large storehouse or a new source of potential soldiers, the GM might effort is successful, an allied lord can offer an amount
allow them to make a new marshaling check, treating of support based on their status (see Table 3-5 : Allied
of food: + 1 0

A town's yearly their status as increased by an appropriate amount Forces), which are added to the character's army. If an
taxes: + 20 for the check. For instance, if a character captures a allied force is operating as an army on its own, it uses
rich city on campaign, they might be able to use the the Base Army Stats; otherwise, apply its Modifiers
A ship with luxury
goods: + 30 resources from that city to attempt to build an even to the army it is joining. If the force lists one or more
bigger army for their next target. If the new check's rules, each rule applies to the entire army if it is oper­
result would not create a preferable army, the character
A small city's yearly
taxes: + 40 ating independently, or to one cohort if it has joined
can choose to simply maintain their prior army. another army.
A large city's
reserves: + 50
M e rcenary Fo rces Part i n g of Ways
The GM always has the
final say of whether and A character might get the chance to hire mercenaries If a force splits from an army, divide the casualties
how such a bonus applies. while on campaign, should they encounter such indi­ and panic as evenly as possible between the splitting
viduals. Mercena ries must be paid a fixed a m ount each forces, with the larger forces receiving the additional
month when a character makes the check to maintain casualties or panic if it cannot be divided evenly. If any
their army. See Table 3-4: Mercenary Forces for var­ force cannot function with the number of casualties or
ious types of mercenaries a character might be able panic it receives, it disperses and its members split up.
to hire. If a mercenary force is operating as an army

no
 /

C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

TAB L E 3-3: S P E N D I N G O P PO RTU N I TY WH I L E MARS H A L I N G AN A RMY

RESULT EFFECT

Reduce the TN of your first army maintenance check (see page 115) by 1 per :£, spent
Any :£,+
this way.

In addition to the army, you are given use of a fortification near your lands for the war effort.
Earth :-t>
This fortification counts as an outpost (reduce attrition suffered by 2, difficulty value 6) .

Earth :-t> :£, Increase the army's discipline by 5.

In addition to the army, you raise 100 koku per :-t> spent this way. You must forfeit 10
honor to spend this money on anything but equipment upgrades (see page 114), mer-
Water :£>+
cenary forces (see page 110), or other expenses that the GM deems to benefit the army
or the cause.

T he army gains one of the following equipment upgrades (see page 114): Baggage
Water �::: �::
Train, Battlefield Medical Supplies.

For the first mass battle in which the army participates, reduce the T N of each of its lead-
Fire �:::
ers first Assault actions by 1 (to a minimum of 1) .

Fire �:: �:: Increase the army's strength by 5.

T he army assembles without attracting the attention of any local powers not currently at
Air �:::
war with you.

Air �::: �:: One cohort gains one of the following doctrines (see page 112): Out of Nowhere, Sappers.

:-t,
T he army assembles at a place of your choosing (that a large numbers of soldiers could
Void pla u sibly reach) in up to one month in the future rather than assembling immediately at
your current location.

Void !:&:: �:: Increase the army's strength and discipline by 3.

TA B L E 3-4: M E RC E NARY FO RC E S

BASE ARMY KOKU PER

NAME STATS MODIFIERS RULES MONTH

Ashigaru Strength 20, Strength + 10, Rank Formation

200 koku
Veterans Discipline 40 Discipline +5 (see page 280 of the core rulebook)

Foreign Strength 25, Strength + 15, Elite Training: Infa ntry (see
400 koku
Sellswords Discipline 25 Discipline -10 page 280 of the core rulebook)

Mantis Strength 30, Strength +20, Strike as the Storm

475 koku
Privateers Discipline 30 Discipline -5 (see page 1 1 4)

Ujik Strength 3S, Strength +2S T hunderous Charge

500 koku
Outriders Discipline 30 Discipline -5 (see page 114)

Strength 20, Strength + 10, Out of Nowhere

Bandits 100 koku
Discipline 20 Discipline -15 (see page 113)
..

m
C H A P T E R 3 : A C TS O F WA R

TA B L E 3 - 5 : A L L I E D FO RC E S

STATUS BASE ARMY STATS MODIFIERS RULES

El ite Tra i n i n g (one per cohort): Cava l ry, Siege

Strength
Strength 1 50, Speci a l i sts, I nfantry, Archers, and Mystics (see
1 00 + 1 35, Disci-
Disci pline 80 page 280 of the core ru lebook), Siege Defend-
pline +20
ers (see page 1 1 4)

E l ite Tra i n i n g (one per cohort): Cava l ry, Siege

Strength +95,
Strength 1 20, Speci a l ists, I nfant ry, Archers, and Mystics (see
90-99 Disci p l i n e
Discipline 7 5 page 280 of the core ru lebook), Siege Defend-
+15
ers (see page 1 1 4)

Clan Doctrine (see page 1 1 3), El ite Tra i n i n g

Strength + 75,
Strength 1 00, ( o n e per cohort): Caval ry, S i e g e Specialists,
80-89 Discip l i n e
Discip l i n e 70 I nfant ry, Archers, a n d Mystics (see page 280 of
+10
the core ru lebook)

Clan Doctrin e (see page 1 1 3), El ite Training

Strength 80, Strength +55, (one per cohort): Cava l ry, Siege Specialists,
70-79
Disci p l i n e 65 Disci p l i n e +5 I nfantry, and Archers (see page 280 of the
core ru lebook)

Clan Doctrin e (see page 1 1 3), E lite Tra in ing

Strength 65, Strength +35,
60-69 (one per cohort): Caval ry, I nfantry, a n d Archers
Discipline 60 Discipline +0
(see p. 280 of the core rulebook)

Strength 60, Strength +30, Clan Doctrine (see page 1 1 3), Rank Formation
50-59
Discipline 50 Discipline +0 (see p. 280 of the core ru lebook)

Strength 55, Strength +25, Rank Formation (see page 280 of the
40-49
Disci p l i n e 40 Discip l i n e +0 core rulebook)

Strength 35, Strength + 1 5, Conscripted (see page 280 of the

30-39
Discipline 20 Discipline -5 core ru lebook)

Strength 20, Strength + 1 0, Conscripted (see page 280 of the

24-29
Discipline 1 5 Discip l i n e -5 core ru lebook)

Strength 1 5, Stre ngth +5, Conscripted (see page 28(} of the

20-24
Discip l i n e 1 5 Discipline -5 core rulebook)

0-1 9 - - -
"' .. ,,

once. If a doctri ne applies to one cohort, it can be

O UTFITTIN G AND TRAI N I N G applied to m u ltiple cohorts by su cceed ing at the train­
Armies can be improved th rough two means described ing check m u ltiple times.
in this section: DOCTRINES and EQUIPMENT UPGRADES.
Battle-Tested

Soldiers who have faced the enemy before as a unit

DOCT R I N E S

Doctrines a re army and cohort ru les that cha racters can are generally more reliable, as each soldier knows how
add to their army. As a downti m e activity, a character their comrades will behave under the stress of battle.
may m a ke the l isted TRAI NING CHECK to attem pt to tra in Training Check: TN 4 Com mand (Ea rth) check
their a rmy in a n ew doctrine for which it meets the n a r­ Narrative Requirements: The a rmy m u st have sur­
rative requ i rements. Each doctrine specifies whether it vived one mass battle.
applies to one cohort or to the entire a rmy. If a doctri ne Applies to: Entire a rmy
applies to the entire a rmy, it can only ever be applied Effect: I ncrease the a rmy's discipline by +5.

nz..
 C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

C l a n Doct r i n e s O u t of N o w h e re

Each Great Clan has its own preferred strategies and Stealth tactics a re viewed by some as dishonorable,
tactics, and the samura i of each clan a re trained to best but Akodo wrote with g reat regard for the power of
support their commanders' methods of warfare. infiltrators and spies.
Training Check: N o n e Training Check: TN 4 Sku l d u g g e ry (Ai r) check
Narrative Requirements: The a rmy m u st consist pri­ Narrative Requirements: The a rmy m u st h ave a ccess
m a rily of the forces of a s i n g l e G reat C l a n . to a forest or oth er l a rge piece of Obscu ri n g terra i n i n
Applies to: Entire a rmy which t o tra i n .
Effect: The enti re a rmy g a i n s one of the fol l owi n g Applies t o : O n e cohort
based on its c l a n . Effect: When this cohort's leader performs an Assa u l t
Crab: When this army wou ld receive panic, i t receives a cti o n , if the ta rget cohort is i n Confi n i n g or Obscuring,
that amount of panic minus 2 instead (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ). the leader may spend �' as fo l l ows:
Crane: After a leader in this a rmy m a kes a successfu l �,+: The enemy a rmy receives pa n i c eq u a l to the lead­
check to perform a Chal lenge a ction, if the challenging er's ra n ks i n Skuldugg ery p l u s * spent this way.
leader wins the clash, the enemy receives pa nic equal
to that cha racter's g l o ry ra nk. If the challenging leader Sappers
loses, their a rmy receives panic equal to their glory ra nk.
Dragon: When perfo r m i n g the Ra l l y a ctio n , if a leader Capturing a fortification through direct attack i s a
i n this a rmy succeeds, add a n u m be r of bonus suc­ bloody, bruta l prospect m ost commanders prefer to
cesses eq u a l to that leade r's ra n ks i n M ed itati o n . a void. Capturing a fortification with a small force by

Lion: W h e n t h i s a r m y wou l d rem ove 1 or more casu­ using subterfuge is a far more appealing option.

a lties or panic, it may rem ove a n amount equal to the Training Check: TN 3 La bor (Ai r) check
status ra n k of its com mander i nstead. Narrative Requirements: The a rmy m u st have a ccess
Phoenix: After a leader i n this a rmy performs an to a fortifi cation in which to tra i n .
Assa u lt acti o n , if they succeed, the enemy a rmy suf­ Applies t o : O n e cohort
fers attrition e q u a l to that leader's ra n ks in Theology Effect: When this cohort's leader gen erates momen
instead of Com m a n d . poi nts toward a strategic o bjective to seize a fo

Scorpion: Reduce the TN of t h e fi rst S c h e m e action (such as the Ca ptu re a Position objective aga·
check each leader i n this a rmy m a kes each m ass battle fication), they generate 2 addition a l mome
by 1 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ) . If this a rmy's com mander is toward that objective.

a l so a leader, reduce the TN of the fi rst Scheme a cti on

check the com mander m a kes by 2 i n stead (to a m i n i ­
mum of 1 ).
Unicorn: When perform i n g the Ra l l y a cti o n , a leader i n
TN 1 Survival check i n stead of
t h i s army may m a ke a
a Com m a n d check.

Fe rvo r

A belief in ones own righteousness is a terrifyingly

effective motivator, and con vincing one's soldiers that
the will of the Heavens guides their ca use makes them
fa r more motivated to stand against harsh odds-but
a/so more likely to come to believe that they should be
interpreting this will for themselves.
Training Check: TN 6 Theology (Fire) check
Narrative Requirements: N o n e
Applies to: Entire a rmy
Effect: I n crease the army's d i sci p l i n e by + 1 0 . I n crease
the TN of monthly checks to m a i nta i n the army by 2.
C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

S i ege Defe n d e rs upg rade specifies whether it applies to one cohort or

to the enti re army. If a n e q u ipment u pgrade applies to
Defending a fortification against attackers is preferable
one cohort, it can be applied to mu ltiple cohorts by
to facing them in the open, but specialist troops will
acq u i ri ng it multiple ti mes.
still perform better than those without experience in
defending an entrenched position .
Baggage Tra i n
Training Check: TN 3 Labor (Earth) check
Na rrative Req u i rements: The a rmy m ust have access Supply logistics are crucial to keeping a n army i n ser­
to a fortification i n which to tra i n . vice for long periods of time, and without a baggage
Applies to: O n e cohort train, an a rmy cannot operate far from its garrison .
Effect: Wh i l e this coh o rt occupies a fortification, treat Rarity/Cost: Ra rity 6 / 2,000 koku
its d ifficulty l evel as 2 h i g her. Applies to: Entire a rmy
Effect: Red u ce the TN of monthly checks to m a i nta in
Str i ke as t h e Sto rm this a rmy by 2 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ) .

While m ost Rokugani warfare i s based a ro u n d land tac­

Batt l e fi e l d Med i cal S u p p l i e s
tics, attacks by water a re not unheard of, and Mantis
sailors are rightly respected as some of the m ost skilled Giving soldiers the means t o staunch minor injuries can
at unexpected flank attacks and ambushes. help keep an army in the field, curbing infection and
Tra i n i n g Check: TN 4 Seafa ri n g (Water) check the spread of disease. For the rules of a single charac­
Narrative Req u i rements: The a rmy m ust have access ter using this item, see page 90.
to at least one wars h i p , or severa l sma l ler vessels, Rarity/Cost: Ra rity 3 / 50 koku
capable of carrying the cohort with this a b i l ity. Applies to: One cohort
Applies to: One cohort Effect: When a chara cter leading this cohort removes
Effect: When the leader of this cohort performs the 1 or more casua lties from the army, they remove that
Assault action a s part of their i n itial l a n d i n g , they may amount of casua lties plus 1 i n stea d .
spend :;, a s fol l ows:
*:
:;, :;>+ : One add itiona l enemy leader per :;, *
The ta rget cohort's leader suffers the Dazed condition .
spent
this way suffers the Dazed conditi o n . If u s i n g the rules
N agae Var i

Needle-pointed spears arranged i n a hedge are an

for Battle Zones, this can only affect leaders whose imposing sight for anyone, even heavy cavalry. For the
cohorts a re i n the same zone as the target. rules of a single character using this item, see page 88.
Rarity/Cost: Ra rity 6 / 1 ,000 koku
T h u n d e ro u s C h a rge

Among the Great Clans, only the Unicom Clan trains

heavy cavalry units in significant numbers. However,
SEIZIN G RES O U RCES
since their return to Rokugan, the other Great Clans
Resources can be seized in battle. Sometimes,
have begun to experiment with their own cava l ry units.
the enemy's e q u i pment upgrades or food
Training Check: TN 5 Fitness (Fire) check
stocks can be taken after a victorious battle,
Na rrative Requ i rements: The a rmy m u st h ave a ccess
a n d this is genera l l y viewed as a n accepta ble
to enough q u a l ity steeds ( U n i com warhorses or equ iv­
tactic. Other times, ruthless com manders will
a l ent) to equ i p a cohort with this a b i l ity.
order their troops to take supplies from the
Applies to: One cohort
peasants l iving nearby. Wh i l e th is tactic is
Effect: The first time the leader of this cohort performs
dishonorable, it h a s ha ppened many times i n
a n Assa u lt action during each mass battle, if the enemy
Rokug a n 's h istory, for m a ny warlords believed
cohort i s i n Open terra i n and the leader succeeds, they
that their ends justified such means.
i nfl ict additional attrition a n d panic to the enemy a rmy
When resou rces a re seized, their va l u e
equa l to their ra n ks i n S u rviva l .
s h o u l d be added t o the a rmy's w a r coffers o r
a rmy equipment, depen d i n g on t h e nature of
EQU I PM E NT U PG RA D E S the items. The G M is the fin a l a rbiter of how
much captured resources a re worth .
Equipment u p g rades c a n b e added t o a n a rmy as wel l ,
b y p u rchasing or requ isiti o n i n g them . Each equipment

"""
 C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WAR

TAB L E 3-6: A RMY MAI NTE NANCE C H E C K R E S U LTS

CH ECK
RESULT EFFECT

Success with
one or more Remove casualties and panic from the army equal to your ranks in Government, plus 2
bonus sue- per bonus success.
cesses

Success Remove casualties and panic from the army equal to your ranks in Government.

Failure with The army receives panic equal to your shortfall. If the army 's panic exceeds its discipl ine
this way, reduce the army 's panic until it is equal to its discipline. However, the army
1 -3 shortfall
refuses to fight for the next month.

Failure with The army receives panic equal to two times your shortfall. If the army's panic exceeds its
discipl ine this way, it breaks apart into multiple chunks. These new armies and warbands
4-6 shortfall
spread across the countryside, pursuing their own agendas or even turning to bandit ry.

Failure with The army revolts, and attempts to overthrow its commander and their leaders. Chaos
7 + shortfa l l ensues, and the commander must fight for their life, negotiate, o r flee t o survive!

Applies to: One cohort

Effect: When an enemy leader performs an Attack MAI NTA I N I N G AN ARMY
action check against this cohort, they treat all terrain as ON CAM PA I G N
Dangerous terrain (see page 267 of the core rulebook).
The core rulebook explains how to use an army in a
mass battle, and this section offers expanded guidance
on managing an army across a longer period of time,
Tets u b i s h i
Designed to ruin the feet and hooves o f enemy troops such as a mil itary campaign or a long-term assignment.
and horses, tetsubishi are iron caltrops make the prospect
of attacking a unit extremely unpleasant. For the rules of a R E MOVI N G CASUALT I E S A N D PAN I C
single character using this item, see page 91.
Armies receive casualties and panic much like charac­
Rarity/Cost: Rarity 4, 1 00 koku
ters receive fatigue and strife. Character abilities can
Applies to: One cohort
also remove casualties and panic. Additionally, armies
Effect: As a Movement and Support action, the leader
recover via an Army Maintenance check.
of this cohort may deploy tetsubishi. Until the end of
the next round, after the leader of a cohort (or army)
with the caval ry or heavy caval ry rule performs an ARMY MAI N T E NA N C E C H E C K
Attack action check targeting this cohort, that leader's Once rallied, a n army must b e regularly maintained. At
army receives 3 casualties and 3 panic. the start of each month, the commander must make a
Command check to keep their army in order, distrib­
U pg raded A r m o r ute supplies, and reorganize in the wake of losses. The
TN of this check is equal to the 1 Os digit of the army 's
While investing i n one's soldiers' armor is expensive,
strength (or 1 0, if the army 's strength is higher than
keeping troops alive for longer allows them to gain
99), as larger formations are harder to keep organized
vital experience on the battlefield, making the army
and equipped. Depending on the result, the army may
stronger as its members become more skillful.
remove casualties and panic, receive additional panic,
Rarity/Cost: Rarity 7, 3,000 koku
or even rebel upon its commander. See Table 3-6:
Applies to: Entire army
Army Maintenance Check Results for details.
Effect: If the army's commander succeeds at the check
At this time, a commander must also pay any mer­
to maintain the army, they add 2 bonus successes.
cenaries they have hired. Unpaid mercenaries might
leave, or even take their forces and turn on the army if
they believe they can take valuable hostages.
C H A P T E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

H ARS H CO NDITIO N S
A n u m ber of factors can negatively i mpact the @ If the army is short on food, increase the TN
commander's Army M a i nten a n ce check. See by 1 .
below for some exa m p l es:
e If the army i s short on water, i ncrease the
TN by 3 .
e If the a rmy is i n h osti l e lands without a path
of resupply, i ncrease the TN by 1 . @ I f i t i s exceptio n a l l y h ot, i ncrease the TN
by 1 .
e If it is winter a n d the a rmy is n ot g a rrisoned
i n a shelter, increase the TN by 2. e If the a rmy i s p l a gu ed by i nsects a n d other
verm i n , i ncrease the TN by 1 .
e If the a rmy h a s been on the m a rch for two
weeks of the last m onth (or more), i ncrease e If the a rmy is p l a g ued by disease, i ncrease
the TN by 1 . the TN by 3.

I N CENTIVES
O n the other h a n d , a n u m ber of fa ctors can pos­ e If the a rmy has been victorious i n a mass
itively i mpact the commander's m a i nten a n ce battle with i n the last month, decrease the
check. See below for some exa m ples: TN by 4 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ).

e If food is p l entifu l , decrease the TN by 3 (to

e If the comm a n der's status ran k is 6 o r h i g h e r,
a m i n i m u m of 1 ).
decrease the TN by 2 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ).
e If the troops a re fighting a defensive confl ict
e If the com mander h a s p u b l icly p romoted
in their own h o m e l a n d , decrease the TN by
one or m o re j iza m u ra i or ashigaru for a va l­
6 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ).
orous a ct i n the last month, d ecrease the TN
by 2 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ). e If the com mander has the backing or mandate
of a character with status rank 7 or h igher,
e If the troops have access to entertainment
decrease the TN by 3 (to a minimum of 1 ).
provided by the com m a nder (such as sma l l
luxuries l i ke tea o r sake, bards a n d other @ If the commander or their backer has made
enterta iners, o r the opportun ity to partici­ a considera b l e sacrifice of perso n a l wea lth
pate i n activities such as h u nting or contests), (forfeiti n g 5 or more status), decrease the
decrease the TN by 3 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ) . T N by 1 for every 5 status forfeited this way.

D I S P E RS I N G A N ARMY After an a rmy has served its pu rpose, most com­

m a nders seek to dismantle it, l etti ng its various mem­
At the end of a successfu l ca m p a i g n , a warlord's vas­ bers return to their previous l ives and red ucing the
sa ls and a l l ies genera l ly expect recompense for their stra i n u pon their estates. To get a n a rmy to disperse
efforts. Wh i l e i n Roku g a n m ost sa m u ra i do not expect properly, its com mander m ust make a TN 4 Command
to be paid in spoils, they do expect compensation­ (Air) check and pay any mercenaries their fi n a l dues. If
titles, positions, status, and most of a l l , lands captured the com mander succeeds (and any paid troops a re sat­
a re considered to be the p roper rewa rd for sheddi n g isfied), the forces return to their homes or prior occu­
b lood on one's lord's beha lf. Soldiers o f t h e l i n e , on the pations without i ncident. If the com mander fa i l s (or fa i l s
other h a n d , such as ashigaru a n d conscri pts, genera l ly t o p a y any u n pa i d mercena ries), t h e troops g o on to
p refer to be paid in cu rrency (or v i l l a g e tax exemptio n , cause problems for the local a rea or the com mander.
for m a n y commoners) for t h e i r labor u n l ess they h a p­
pen to be among the exceptio n a l few el evated to the
sam u ra i class t h a n ks to their heroism o r deeds.
 C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

TAB L E 3 - 7 : RANSOM A M O U NTS

H OSTAGES
In the purest ideals of to which many Rokugani aspire, STATUS KOKU PCS SURRENDERING

a samurai is expected to be willing to fight to the bit­ N/A (decorum would always If the PCs are defeated
ter end, but an idealized samurai is also expected to 1 00 demand seeing such an individual in a mass battle and
offer mercy to worthy adversaries who stand defiant safely back to their home) offered a chance to
to the end. As such, if a small group is surrounded by surrender, their players

the enemy, or if the outcome of a mass battle is clear 90-99 1 0,000 koku always make the

(such as if an army has been routed or suffered morale

decision on whether or

80-89 1 ,000 koku

not they actually do.
collapse) and the enemy leaders cannot escape, the If a player wants to let
G M should consider whether any NPCs in that group
70-79 500 koku
the dice decide, they

surrender. If some of the NPCs are not inclined to sur­

can ask the GM to have

render due to their pride or convictions, the victorious

an NPC make the TN
60-69 250 koku 3 Courtesy (Air) check
side may attempt to get them to accept their hospital­ to convince them to
ity. A representative of the winning side must make a 50-59 1 00 koku surrender.
TN 3 Cou rtesy (Air) check; if the character succeeds,
the target agrees to the terms and becomes their 40-49 50 koku
"guest" (hostage). After all, once a battle is decided,
further bloodshed is pointless. If the character fails, the 30-39 1 0 koku
target attempts to fight on, which can be resolved with
20-29 1 koku
narration by the G M, or perhaps a duel if the winners
are gracious. Taking a character hostage against their 1 0- 1 9 5 bu
will by subduing them is a minor violation of Courtesy
(Rei), and requires forfeiting honor as normal. 00-09 2 bu
C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

After a battle or campaign, it is customary to return

any hostages taken in battle to their families. Gener­
ally, a hostage is returned either in exchange for a hos­
tage of equal status rank taken by the other side, or The Mass Battle rules included in the core rulebook are
for a number of koku described in Table 3-7: Ransom meant to center the action on the PCs and keep the
Amounts (see page 1 1 7). If a character returns a hos­ combat flowing quickly. As such, they abstract certain
tage without any demands (or frees them), this is consid­ details, such as distance and travel time. However, for
ered a sacrifice in the name of Righteousness (Gi), and campaigns where Mass Battles will be a frequent event,
the character should generally be awarded honor equal having more detail can add to the flavor of the narra­
to the hostage's status rank (and glory equal to the hos­ tive and give players interesting new options based on
tage's status rank if they do so publicly). After a character the more tactical decisions they can make.
frees someone of higher status rank this way, they also Battle zones are an optional rule that G Ms can add
gain the Ally [Name of Character Freed] advantage (see to their Mass Battles to more closely track the posi­
page 1 0 1 of the core rulebook). tion of cohorts, fortifications, terrain, and commanders
A samurai is expected to care for any "guests" in within the field.
their custody as they would any esteemed guest. When
a samurai takes a prisoner on the battlefield, they must MAPPI N G THE AREA
stake honor and glory equal to that individual's status
rank. If their hostage comes to harm, they lose the Before the start of the Mass Battle, the G M should
staked honor (and glory, if their failure becomes known) map out the area. To do so, the first place the key geo­
in addition to any forfeits of honor and g lory they must graphic features such as:
make if they themselves treat the hostage with any­
@ Fortifications such as castles, fortresses, and
thing less than the expected decorum. Refusing to
barricades
return a hostage in exchange for an equivalent hos­
tage, fair price, or suitable favor to be repaid later after @ Mountains and hills
hostilities have ceased is also considered a breach of @ Hollows and valleys
Courtesy (Rei) of a scale of the G M's discretion.
@ Roads
Of course, the G M should modify any of these
amounts based on the importance of the individual @ Towns and portions of cities
to those who hold the purse-strings within their clan @ Fields and other open areas
or faction, as well as applying appropriate modifi­
cations based on negotiations undertaken by the @ Lakes, rivers, mountains, forests, and other
various parties. natural barriers
@ Key choke points such as passes, bridges,
and tunnels
0 Impassible areas
DESI G N ATI N G TA B L E 3 - 8 : ASS I G N I N G T E R RA I N
CONCEALED
BATTLE ZONES
BATTLE ZO N ES QUA L I T I E S BY F E AT U R E

FEATURE TERRAIN QUALITIES

At the GM's discretion,
After drawing out the map, the GM should divide certain areas might
the map into battle zones. Each battle zone is an be partially or fully
abstracted area in which the battle can be fought, Cliff Elevated, Dangerous concealed, leaving one
defined by the key geographic features it contains.
or both commanders
uncertai n what lies
Generally, each battle zone should be drawn to have
Hill Elevated within. The terrain
one of the above key geographic features as its defin­ qualities, cohom, forti­
ing aspect, and potentially contain other features that Hollow Recessed
fications, and other ele­
alter it in various ways. ments with these areas
The GM then outlines each zone, making clear where
should be revealed only
Valley Confining, Recessed when a cohort moves
each zone overlaps with any neighboring zones, and leav­ into the area .
ing gaps for areas where passage is normally impossible. Road Open
If two zones have overlapping edges, they are con­
sidered ADJACENT zones. Cohorts can move between Town Confining, Obscuring

adjacent zones and can sometimes affect other cohorts

Field Open
in adjacent zones, as described later in this section.
Finally, the GM should note the features within each
River Entangling, Recessed
zone and any terrain qualities that affect cohorts within
those zones. See Table 3-8: Assigning Terrain Quali­ Swamp Entangling
ties by Feature for ideas.
Forest Entangling, Obscuring

U SI N G BATTLE ZO N ES Bridge Confining

Before commanders make their checks for Initiative,
the GM should show some or all of this map to the Tunnel Confining, Obscuring
players and establish the position of each leader and
commander in the areas visible to the players. Chasm Confining, Recessed
 C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

BATTLE ZONES:
MAPPING THE AREA

The GM divides the map

into zones based on key
geographic features. In
this example, the Lion
Encampment (Zone I )
has pickets surrounding
it, creating a rtificial
barriers. Meanwhile,
the Lower Plains
(Zone 4) and Upper
Plains (Zone 7) are
divided by the Hilltop
(Zone 5). While Zones 4,
5, and 7 are not divided
by any clear physical
barrier, holding the
Hilltop makes passage
between the other
two zones much more
difficult, as the only
other route requires
traveling through the
Rice Paddies (Zone 6) or
Mine Paths (Zone 3). The
GM should also note any
fully impassible zones,
such as the Mountains.

BATTLE ZONES:
ASSIGNING TERRAIN
QUALITIES

Next, the GM assigns

terrain qualities to the
zones. In this example,
the Lower and Upper
Plains and Hilltop have
the Open terrain quality,
while the Rice Paddies
and East Pass have the
Entangling quality. The
Mine Paths have the
Dangerous and Elevated
qualities. The Mountains
are impassable for the
purposes of the mass
battle, and the camps
have no terrain qualities.

12-0
 (

C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

ZO N E R E ST R I CT I O N S If you made the Com mand check a n d succeeded ,

you may then move you r cohort one additiona l time to
When ru n n i n g a M ass Battle with zones, u s e t h e sta n­ an adjacent zone, p l u s one add ition a l time for every
dard ru les for M a ss Battles on 27 4 of the core ru lebook th ree bon us successes.
with the fol lowi ng amendments:

0 Cohort leaders ca n n ot ta rget other cohort lead­ ARMY A N D C O H O RT R U L E S

ers who a re not i n the same zone . WH I LE U S I N G BATT L E ZO N E S

@ Once d u r i n g e a c h cohort leader's t u r n , before Some a rmy a n d cohort a b i l ities a lter h ow they behave
or after they perform an action, that leader may when using the battle zones ru les. These include:
move their coho rt to a n adjacent zone . Cavalry: This cohort does n ot suffer panic when leav­
i n g a battle zone with an enemy cohort.
Archers: Wh i l e i n Elevated terra i n , this cohort can per­
@ After a cohort leaves a zone, if t h a t z o n e was
occu pied by a n enemy cohort, the withdrawi ng
form Assa u lt actions ta rgeti n g cohorts in an a djacent
cohort's a rmy suffers 5 panic.
zone, increasing the TN of the check by 1 . H owever,
@ Cohort leaders may use the fol lowi n g w h i l e perfo rm i n g an Assa ult a ction ta rgeti n g a cohort
n e w action: in an adjacent zone, this cohort ca n n ot fu lfi l l the fol l ow­
i n g strategic objectives: Ca ptu re a Position, Cut Off the
Head, Seize Victory. It can sti l l contribute momentum
March
poi nts to these objectives, but can not be the action to
Activation: A s a M ovement action, y o u may reposition complete them .
you r cohort. You may make a TN 3 Command check Mystics: Wh i l e in E levated terra i n , this cohort can
to move fu rther. perform Ra l ly actions ta rgeting cohorts i n a n adjacent
Effects: You move your cohort to an adjacent zone. zone, i n creasing the TN of the check by 1 .

BATTLE ZONES:
ASSIGNING FEATURES

Finally, the GM notes

the features within each
zone, including forti­
fications. The features
should be locations that
can affect the outcome
ofthe battle in some
way-choke points
(such as the Central
Hilltop and Fortified
Gate), strategically
important targets (such
as the Lion Supply
Train), and especially
defensible locations
(such as the Diamond
Mines and Mountain
Vale). Any location that
provides an especially
significant defensive
benefit should be
represented with a for­
tification (see page 276
of the core rulebook).
 C H A PT E R 3: ACTS OF WA R

1<�t1t1i� l11ifitarj ­ WARTIME CO N SIDERATIO N S

Wa rs va ry considerably, depending o n i n itial conditions

'11e"1ea Ca"1pa�t13 a n d other factors. Some, such as a n invasion by a for­

eign culture from beyond Roku g a n 's- borders, m i g ht be
Wa r is woven into the fabric of Rokugani society, a war for surviva l . Others a re confl icts over territory,
and p a rticu l a rly i nto the Code of Bushido. G iven the such as the Lion a n d Cra n e 's consta nt battle over the
E m p i re 's long h istory of m i l ita ry confl ict to draw upon, city of Tosh i Ra n bo and the rich Osa ri Plains. Many
ru n n i n g a ca mpaign themed a round or set during a confl icts in Roku g a n a re matters of honor, fought to
Roku gani war ca n be h i g h ly engag i n g . War-focused avenge a past insult or even a previous wa r. Some wars
campaigns can be g reat fu n for GMs and players a l ike, even sta rt over matters of p h i losophy, with different
fu l l of rich dra m a a n d cha l l enges. However, as with any interpretations of i m porta nt Roku g a n i cu ltu ra l tenets
campaign theme or major plot, it is i mporta nt to t h i n k leading to violence. And of course, wh i l e m ost wars
through t h e i m p l ications o f wa r i n Rokugan to ensure a re u ltimately fought between sa m u ra i , major peasant
that the campaign is as cohesive and engaging as pos­ u prisings can be effectively wa rs i n scope.
sible for a l l i nvolved. The fol lowi n g sections h i g h l ight Despite this variation, there a re certa i n com m o n
key factors of a wa rti m e ca m pai g n and how the G M elements t o consider n o m atter w h a t type o f wa r a G M
can in corporate them to their g roup's best advantage. p l a n s t o i ncorporate i nto t h e i r ca m pa i g n . Some a re
purely g a me-world considerations about how Rokug a n
goes a b o u t wag i n g war, wh i l e others h ave t o do with
how p layers at the g a m i n g ta ble i ntera ct with war a n d
battle as a topic.
 TH E CAUSE O F WAR
War does not simply happen, nor does it happen lightly.
I N CLUDI N G WARS
Skirmishes and small-scale conflicts sometimes seem to In the real world, war is horrific and terrible,
occur on the spur of the moment, such as when a lord both for the people fighting and the civilians
takes issue with the presence of samurai from another who a re drawn into it. By contrast, Legend of
clan within their lands. However, even these outbreaks the Five Rings Roleplaying typically features a
of violence are informed by existing tensions and other romanticized version of war, with heroes who
political factors. True war, with mustered ranks of ashi­ are proud to have trained to become soldiers
garu and a call to gather bushi under a unified banner, since birth. Groups who want to include wars
is both rarer and more deliberately planned. in their campaigns should do so after getting
A declaration of war always has a reason behind it, full buy-in from their players (including the
ranging from a need to claim resources or territo ry, to GM) a nd after considering what level of real­
a failure in the courts, to a long-standing grudge hav­ ism they want to include.
ing reached its boiling point. The reason that provokes Some play ers may be uncomfortable with
the first troop movements and strategic steps may detailed descriptions of violence and gore, or
be known only to the lord who begins operations, or they may be sensitive to descriptions of activ­
it may be obvious to all involved. In either case, the ities that typically take place in medical tents
leader initiating milita ry action usually has a reason for after the battle. Outbreaks of disease and
engaging in battle that they can use as ammunition in famine are also by-products of warfare, and
the courts-although this reason may or may not have their inclusion can be upsetting. Although
anything to do with their actual motivation for conflict. many play ers may have enjoyed lives of
For example, if a clan knows that a province's iron peace, groups should be considerate of the
mines are running d ry, they might act to seize a neigh­ fact that they might have real-world refugees
bor's mines. The clan would have planned this before or combat veterans at their table. Discuss
the original mine was played out. The attacking clan what level of description everyone is comfort­
probably would conceal its true strategic objective (the able with before play.
neighboring iron mine) and would pore over histories As always, G Ms should discuss the type
to justify "reclaiming" a village or two near the mines of content they plan to include in their cam­
they wish to possess. paigns with the players before introducing
that content into the game. Neither players
C O N D I T I O N S F O R VI CTO RY nor G Ms should include content that will
diminish the amount of fun they or others at
Just as wars do not begin haphazardly, they do not end
the table will have while playing.
without reason. The flames of violence, once ignited, do
not gutter out easily. A war's end is determined by the
justifications and objectives used to start it. A war dedi­
strategic objectives and the PCs' own goals. Some
cated to settling a grievance may end with the death of
player groups might be interested in leading mass bat­
a specific enemy lord or general, while reclaiming terri­
tles across enemy territo ry but have no interest in infil­
to ry requires both pushing back enemy forces and for­
trating a castle to take out the leaders of an opposing
tifying the territo ry to prevent future incursions. During
force, while the reverse might be true of others.
longer wars, objectives may shift or be added due to
emerging circumstances, and the onset of winter may
interrupt outright hostilities, providing a chance for the TH E C H A I N OF COMMAN D
brokering of peace in the courts. In a war, commanders expect complete obedience from
In a Legend of the Five Rings Roleplaying Game their troops, and they make specific deployment plans
war-themed campaign, the GM should consider what that they expect to be followed. This provides ready
factors may bring that war to an end. Having a plan sources of conflict for PCs who like to go off on their
for the war's conclusion helps the G M set the length of own, which may lead to harsh consequences for break­
their campaign. If the game's sto ry starts during a time ing orders. Naturally, players may find strict obedience
of peace, having victo ry conditions in mind helps the to their PCs' commanding officers a limit on their cre­
GM know when to return the game to its previous style. ativity. However, war's chaos and limited communica­
In addition, the GM should consider how PCs tions give players leeway to take more independent
might engage with the war based on the combatants'
 C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

action with their PCs. The PCs may need to be ci rcum­ TH E C O U RTS A N D TH E BATTLE F I E LD
spect about details to avoid consequences.
A G M can take any number of approaches to let PCs A bushi spends most of their life preparing for war, and
retain agency in a war-focused campaign. Depending a Legend of the Five Rings campaign focusing on war
on the group's character composition, independent puts them in their element. However, players of less
operations may be enti rely appropriate, such as if the martial characters, especially courtiers, might worry
characters hail from a third-party faction that is not (or about their ability to contribute to the group's success
not yet) di rectly involved in the conflict. Similarly, a or about getting a turn in the narrative spotlight. G Ms
party of shi nobi should be expected to operate with should keep in mind that centering on a war does not
a certa in freedom of action. Alternatively, the PCs' mean a campaign must focus entirely on mass battles
commander might be a jun ior officer or inexperienced and ski rmishes, or even primarily on conflict scenes.
enough to not notice lapses in how subordinates follow There are many ways for courtiers, artisans, and others
orders. The officer might even be self-aware enough to to contribute to the group's efforts during wartime. Ele­
acknowledge the PCs' depth of experience and give ments such as parleys, neutral factions, troop morale
them commensurate loose rei n . issues, councils of war, and more can bring these social
Finally, some players enjoy the subterfuge of characters to the forefront. Similarly, the upheaval of
accomplishing personal goals alongside official ones, battle might unsettle local kami or other supern �
or won't mind the strict discipline expected of their elements, giving shugenJa and monks time to shine.
characters in an army. In all cases, communication with G Ms who make full use of these opportun ities for
the players about their expectations and interests is alternate approaches to war-focused campaigns should
vital to an engaging game. ensure they stay aware of how players allocate the i r
XP. A bushi who concentrates entirely o n Martial skills
might dominate ski rmishes but have little opportun ity
to engage elsewhere, just as a courtier who focuses
enti rely on Social skills has the reverse problem. If play­
ers are willing to take turns in the spotlight, this can
work well. Alternatively, the G M can advise players to
invest their XP in less archetypal skills, allowing a bushi
to participate in negotiations or a courtier to face down
the angered ghosts of vanquished soldiers.
C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

g a m e . Even if the PCs change things i n u n expected

O P PORTU N ITIES FOR G LORY ways, this preparation g ives the GM a sta rting point
PCs h a ve many avenues for d i sti n g u i s h i n g themselves from which they can adj u st.
d u ri n g war. Su ccess on the battl efi e l d is an obvious Alth o u g h a wa r-themed ca m p a i g n does not need
one, a n d cha racters who tri u m p h over d iffi cult foes or to end with the war it focuses on, it is a good idea
co m m a n d a n a rmy's su ccessfu l e n g a g e m ent a re l i kely to consider the g roup's n ext steps after the war ends.
to earn glory awa rds fo r their victory. These rewa rds a re Cha racters who were brought together to serve in
especia l ly l i kely for bushi c h a ra cters. H owever, these war might need a new reason to conti n u e worki ng
a re not the only ways PCs can p rove their m ettle a n d with each oth e r i n pea ceti m e , a n d the i r n i nj o and g i ri
worth d u ri n g a war. m i g h t need to change with new c i rcumstances. G M s
Cou rtiers m i g ht earn g l o ry for negotiati n g the s u r­ c a n h a n d l e s u c h matters as they come up, or they can
render of an enemy a rmy, fo r secu ring the re lease of d i scuss the characters' next steps between sessions or
hosta ges taken by the enemy (or con cessions for hos­ d u ri n g a h i atus after the wa r's com pleti o n . Of course,
tages taken by t h e i r own side) , or for oth e rwise d efus­ if the PCs were i n stru m enta l i n their side's victory, it
ing the d a n g e r of war fo r their a l l ies. Courtiers who trick m i g h t m a ke sense to j u st end on a h i g h n ote and sta rt
the enemy into m a k i n g m i sta kes or use ru mors at cou rt a new ca m p a i g n !
to provoke an enemy general i nto u nwise m a n e u vers
m i ght even win accolades without fighting d i rectly. I NTEGRATI N G WAR I NTO
S h i n ob i cha ra cte rs tend to be more infa m o u s than
fa mous, but even (or especia l ly!) if n o one can p rove
AN O N G OI N G CAM PAIG N
that they assass i n ated an enemy leader or sa botaged Campaigns that do not focus pri m a rily on war can sti l l
a hosti l e camp, their lord wi l l surely rewa rd them for i n corporate t h e d ra m a a n d confl i ct a wartime n a rrative
their c u n n i n g . S h i nobi m i g h t a l so fi n d themselves sup­ provides. H owever, G M s who veer i nto such territory
porting oth er types of cha racte rs covertly, prepa ring m id-ca m p a i g n should be aware of how this can change
the way for a n atta ck by bush i o r retri evi n g secret doc­ the tone at the i r ta b l e . They should be sure to review
u m e nts from secu re locations a n d d e l iveri n g them to The Chain of Command (pa g e 1 24) a n d The Courts
cou rtiers who can deduce vita l i nform ation from th e m . and the Battlefield (page 1 25), as m i l ita ry confl i ct
Artisan cha racters a re critical for supplyi n g t h e wa r is l i kely to change cha racters' duties a n d the pa rty
effort. E n g i n eers a n d swordsmiths m i g h t support bat­ dyn a m i c in terms of n a rrative spotl ight.
tlefi e l d operations d i rectly, w h i l e pai nters, poets, a n d Wh i l e a war ca n be a n i nteresti n g resu lt of existi ng
oth e r creators o f m o re ephemeral works can su pport n a rrative a rcs, or a n e n g a g i n g way to create a n u n ex­
a cou rtier with gifts a n d stories to use as leverage i n pected com p l icati o n , G M s s h o u l d ensure that the out­
their n egotiations. bre a k of war fits with pl ayers' expectations. Suddenly
S h u g enja a n d m o n ks a re ra re ly at home with war a lteri n g the cou rse of a campaign can feel d isru ptive
a n d violence, but they can neverth e l ess be vital to and unfu n . As such, the GM should b a l a n ce the new
their c l a n 's success. They may be needed to pacify e l e m ents of war with the ca m p a i g n 's existi ng themes
the u n q u i et dead, l e a rn secrets not even s h i n o b i can so that players can conti n u e to engage with som eth i n g
u n cover, or m a inta i n mora l e a m o n g troops tro u b l ed by fa m i l i a r. For exa m p l e , the onset o f i ntercl a n confl ict c a n
the losses of com rades a n d fri ends. Whatever sort of m e a n fa m i l i a r N PCs become a l l ies, e n e m i es, or a ny­
chara cter a p l ayer has, the G M shou l d rem e m be r to th i n g in betwee n , but existi n g re l ation s h i ps should sti l l
i n c l u d e ways for them to prove their worth . i nfl uence h o w they i nteract with t h e PCs.
The h i story b u i l t u p before a war ca n a l so infl u ­

RU N N I N G A WAR­ e n c e how cha racters respond when t h e y m u st battle

longtime fri ends o r req u est aid from b itter riva ls. Sim­
THEMED CAM PAIG N i l a rly, once the war is over a n d the norm a l flow of the
If a ca m p a i g n beg i n s with the outbreak of war or c a m p a i g n resumes, pl ayers a n d N PCs a l i ke m i g h t fi nd
during a n extended confl ict, then war can i nfo rm play it d ifficult to trust those who were trying to k i l l them
on every leve l . GMs ru n n i n g such c a m p a i g n s shou ld j u st a season before-a confl i ct that can d rive g reat
closely consider all aspects cove red u n d e r Wartime sa m u ra i d ra m a .
Considerations, on page 1 23 , but especia l ly the sub­
sections The Cause of War a n d Conditions for Vic­
tory. Knowi n g how the war begins a n d is l ikely to end
a l lows the GM to plan a com p l ete n a rrative a rc for the

1U
 (

C H A P T E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

Many sa m u ra i , a n d a l l of the a s h i g a ru , wield more

basic wea pons in battle. The i co n i c weapons of a
Roku g a n i army a re spea rs a n d som e types of polearms,
Preparation is the key to a su ccessfu l m i l ita ry deploy­ beca use they a re su ited to massed ra n ks of troops.
ment. Fa i l u re to prepare, even in sma l l respects, can Beyo nd their extra reach and their a b i l ity to present a
lead to a n a rmy's defeat a n d even destru ction. Prepa­ threat in tight fo rmations, spears a n d certa i n polearms
ration fa l l s under two broad categories. Fi rst, troops a re i n expensive to m a ke q u ickly a n d i n l a rg e n u m ­
m u st be eq u i pped with the items most d i rectly n eces­ bers, a n d t h e y a re re latively l o w m a i nte n a n ce . F u rther,
sary fo r com bat, ra n g i n g fro m weapons and a rmor to troops with l i m ited tra i n i n g can be d ri l l ed to effec­
the com m u n i cation e q u i p m ent leaders need to exe r­ tiveness with spea rs in a short period of t i m e . More
cise effective com m a n d a n d contro l . Second, a rm ies speci a l ized weapons, such as bows, longer spea rs,
req u i re the log istica l necessities that a l low troops to a n d oversized swords fo r fighting cava l ry, can a l so be
rem a i n on the m a rch and in the fi eld-such as food, o bta ined, though they req u i re more tra i n i n g to use and
water, m a i ntenance supplies fo r wea pons a n d a rmor, more resources to m a n ufa cture .
a n d medical suppl ies for dea l i n g with i nj u ries. M a ny clans h ave even more speci a l ized weapons
fo r p a rti c u l a r circumstances. Cra b warriors wield a vari­

EQU I P PI N G FOR BATTLE ety of heavy weapons, such as h a m m e rs a n d c l u bs, to

cra ck open the chitinous cara pa ces of the Shadow­
To fi ght effectively, a rm i es m ust have adequate e q u i p­ l a nds monstrosities they fa ce. They a l so favor wea pons
ment a n d suppl ies from the fo l l owi ng key categories. i n l a i d with jade, a sacred su bsta n ce i n i m ical to Ta i nted
beings. Likewise, troops expected to fi ght a board
WEAPO N S s h i ps, or to engage in oth er cl ose-q u a rters combat,
e m p l oy compact weapons. These a re often ada pted
I n Roku g a n , most sa m u ra i a l ready own t h e p a i red
from more m u n d a n e tools, such as the kama, a sma l l
blades of a daisho: the longer kata n a and the shorter
sickle used b y fa rmers, a n d t h e tonfa, a c l u b derived
wakiza s h i . These a re deadly wea pons, but they a re usu­
from the h a n d l e of a m i l lsto n e .
a l ly seconda ry wea pons on the battlefield, where bows
and polearms offe r extra rea c h . Furth er, m a n y sa m u ra i
a re hesitant t o wield a n cestra l wea pons i n t h e chaos of
open battle, where they can become broken or l ost.
Most sa m u ra i sti l l car ry their daisho, shou ld the oppor­
tun ity for s i n g l e combat with a n other leader a rise. For
hon or, fo r their clan, or simply to save the l ives of their
troops, sa m u ra i w i l l put aside oth e r wea pons to cross
blades when c h a l l enged in the m i dst of battle.
C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

ARMOR For the fi rst ro le, most Roku g a n i ponies a re u n s u it­

a b l e ; they lack the statu re a n d strength to be good
J u st a s they typica l ly o w n a d a i s h o , most sa m u ra i a l so cava l ry m o u nts, and they l a ck the temperament to be
possess armor. H owever, wh i l e d a i sh o a re g e n e ra l ly ridden i nto h a r m 's way. They a re , h oweve r, we l l su ited
reserved fo r s i n g l e com bat, a rmor is viewed in a more as i nfa nt ry m o u nts (and as beasts of b u rden if oth e r
uti l ita ri a n way. Many sa m u ra i wea r even ve ry va l u a b l e a n i m a l s a re n 't ava i l a b l e to fi l l t h a t ro le). P r i o r t o t h e
armor, with a le ngthy h i sto ry o f fa m i ly own e rsh i p , i n the Ki-Ri n 's return to the E m p i re as the U n icorn C l a n , cav­
m i d st of heavy melee. A warrior m u st wear their armor a l ry essenti a l ly did n ot exist in Roku g a n . The U n i corn
reg u l a rly to ma inta i n their a b i l ity to fig h t i n it. M o re­ brought with them severa l breeds of horses, i n c l u d i n g
over, a n cestra l armor is bel ieved to provide sa m u ra i fast, powerfu l , a n d m u c h l a rger a n i m a l s ideal for u s e
with their a n cestors' protection a n d g u idance. M o re as cava l ry m o u nts. The descenda nts o f s o m e o f these
pra g m atica l l y, a sa m u ra i can be recogn ized by the h o rses beca m e the basis for cava l ry forces a m o n g a l l of
a rm o r they wea r, e n h a n c i n g their g l o ry a n d reputation the othe r c l a n s . The pu rest and most robust blood l i nes,
i n battl e . such as the fa m o u s Utaku steeds, a re a n excepti o n ;
H owever, few o f the a s h i g a ru who m a ke u p the b u l k the U n icorn stu bbornly reserve these for themselves.
o f Roku g a n i arm ies o w n a rmor. Even s o m e sa m u ra i On the ra re occasions they do offe r these m a g n ificent
need their l o rd t o p rovide it, especi a l l y i f they h ave not a n i m a l s to those outside their cla n-as gifts, for exa m­
i n h e rited a ny. Oth e r sa m u ra i simply deem most a rmor pl e-they a re n o rm a l l y gelded, so they cannot breed .
too c u m bersome i n the swirl of m e l e e combat, espe­ For the last ro le, that of beasts of b u rden, Rokug a n i
cia l ly the heaviest of arm ors, such as 6-yoroi. S a m u ra i e m p l oy a vari ety o f a n i m a l s, i n c l u d i n g don keys, m u l es,
e m p l oyed i n scouti n g , skirm i s h i n g , a n d a rchery ro les oxe n , and water buffa l o , a n i m a l s su ited to l a bor that
favor l i g ht a rm o r, as they va l u e m o b i l ity over protec­ favors stren gth and sta m i n a over speed .
tion, a n d m o u nted sa m u ra i req u i re a rm o r su ited for use
o n h o rseback.
FORTI F I CATI O N S
Accord i n g ly, clan armorers p rod uce a va riety of
l i g ht- a n d m e d i u m-weight armor desi g n ed to be q u ick Roku g a n i a rm i es m a ke l i be ra l u s e o f defen sive devi ces
a n d easy to m a ke with read i ly ava i l a b l e m ateri a l s , as in battle. M ost common a re l a rg e , freesta n d i n g shields,
we l l as to be s i m p l e to m a i nta i n . Such armor may i n cor­ usu a l ly made of l i g ht wood or wicker, that provide con­
porate wood, b a m boo, a n d stiffened, l a m i n ated l ayers cea l m ent a n d l i m ited cover a g a i n st enemy a rche ry. An
of l i n e n or oth e r cloth . Wh i l e l i g hter armor does not a rmy i nvested i n a longer fi ght often deploys support
provide the same degree of p rotection as m o re e l a bo­ troops to b u i l d earthworks a n d p a l isades from stone,
rate and sophisti cated h eavy armor, it may offer a bet­ eart h , wood , a n d oth e r materi a ls fou n d on-site. B u i l d­
ter b a l a n ce of defense and e n c u m bra n ce for its wea rer. ing these req u i res appropri ate tools, l i ke axes, picks,
shovels, and h a m m ers-as we l l as l a borers who m u st

MOUNTS be protected from enemy a rche ry a n d spoi l i n g ra ids.

Occasio n a l ly, arm ies b u i l d even more e l a borate
M o u nts play th ree pri m a ry ro les in Roku g a n i m i l ita ry fi eld fortifications, i n c l u d i n g wa l l s and towers, a l so
fo rces. These a re : often constru cted from local materi a l s . H oweve r, these
fortifications may i n stead be partly or entirely pre­
e Car ry i n g t h e i r riders d i rectly onto t h e battle­
fa bri cated , then tra nsported i n m a n a g e a b l e sections
fi e l d , so these sa m u ra i can engage i n battle
a n d assembled wherever needed . The shiro-chi­
w h i l e mou nted, as cava l ry.
essent i a l l y a s m a l l wooden castl e-m ay be carried
e Car ry i n g th e i r riders to the edge of battle, and deployed in this m a n n e r. Such e l a borate works
where the riders dismount to fi ght. This use a re o n l y used d u ri n g l a rge campaigns and sieges of
of m o u nted i nfa nt ry often a l so i n c l udes com­ enemy fo rtifications.
m a n d e rs a n d their staff, who n eed m o u nted
m o b i l ity to observe and d i rect the flow
of battle.

e Car ry i n g troops o n support m i ssions, l i ke scout­

i n g or fo ra g i n g ahead of the a rmy, or p u l l i n g
wagons fu l l o f suppl i es a n d i nj u red soldiers.
 (

C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

S PE C I A L I T E M S A N D EQU I PM E NT FOOD A N D WAT E R

Armies employ a variety of specialized equipment Soldiers expend a great deal of energy marching to
chosen to match the expected terrain, seasonal condi­ and then fig hti ng in battles. Accordingly, they require
tions, and tactics used by the enemy. adequate supplies of food and potable water to sus­
tain them as they exert themselves. Much of Rokugan
C o m m an d a n d C o n t r o l is bountiful with plant and an imal life, so some of these
needs can be met by forag in g for food, water, and tim­
Commanding a n army i n battle requires communica­ ber for fuel and constru ctio n . However, this takes time
tion more robust than the commander's voice. War and runs risks. Pa rties of foragers who roam a head of
fans, horns, drums, flags, and banners-and more the army can alert the enemy a bout their own a rmy's
exotic devices such as signaling mirrors, firework-like intentions and positions. Further, although pill aging
colored rockets, smoke pots, smoke arrows, and carrier farms and villages isn't uncommon for an army, it is
pigeons-are all tools that a skilled commander may considered a last resort, since ownership of these same
use to wield their army like a surgical instrument rather fa rms and villages is often a key objective of conflicts
than an armed mob. in the first place.
As a result, most armies carry the bulk of their food
S i ege We ap o n s and water with them. Each soldier carries at least a
day's worth of food, while the rest is transported in a
Rokugani military doctrine avoids protracted sieges.
baggage train, located near the rear of the army's col­
Commanders instead prefer direct assault of forti­
umn of march, where it can be protected.
fications. Ladders and battering rams are useful on
The food an army travels with must be relatively
the assault, while more challenging fortifications may
easy to transport and store and resistant to spoilage.
require more elaborate siege weapons, such as cata­
Rice, oats, and millet are the bulk of what soldiers eat,
pults, stone throwers, and siege towers. No clan has
livened up with dried vegetables and salted fish. Each
more experience with siege engines than the Crab,
soldier requires a minimum of about a quarter kan
who must use them against monstrous Shadowlands
(roughly two pounds) of food per day.
creatures attacking the Kaiu Wall.

Oth e r E q u i p m e n t

Sometimes, the needs o f a campaign require even

more specialized equipment, often dictated by ter­
rain or weather. Armies need boats, barges, and pon­
toon bridges to cross rivers and other bodies of water,
and they need ropes and climbing gear for traversing
mountainous terrain. A late fall campaign may catch
the enemy by surprise, but could require cold-weather
gear and heavier tents, while extremely rare instances
of winter battles require sledges and other equipment
for crossing snow.

SUSTAI N I NG T H E ARMY
More armies are defeated by logistics than by battle
casualties. Armies require food and water for soldiers,
fodder for animals, materials and support for equip­
ment maintenance and repair, and medical support
for injured personnel. Denial of any of these things to
an enemy can bring a victory without combat. Conse­
quently, a skilled commander always knows where thei[
supply train is and assigns reliable troops to keep
supply train safe.
C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

Further, a soldier on the march typically requires at M E D I CAL S U PPORT

least two sho (around three and a half quarts) of water
per day, and more in hot weather. Because water is The most effective means of treating and healing inju­
heavy and cumbersome to transport, armies draw sig­ ries is through the elemental invocations of shugenja.
nificant portions of their requirements from streams, However, shugenja are rare and conducting invocations
lakes, and rivers along their line of march. When possi­ is too demanding for armies to rely solely on this type
ble, they boil this water to ensure it doesn't make per­ of treatment. Healing by shugenja is normally reserved
sonnel good strategist will look at the map, estimate for important and high-ranking individuals. The vast
how far an army can move in a day, and lay ambushes majority of soldiers must expect to receive more mun­
or place scouts at streams and other bodies of water. dane treatment for their wounds.
The management and distribution of food and To that end, Rokugani armies have medics: individ­
water is the purview of quartermasters, who are some­ uals skilled in medical procedures to treat wounds and
times samurai, but may also be heimin. Quartermas­ care for the injured and ill. In battle, soldiers too injured
ters and their subordinates normally accompany the to continue fighting must make their way to the army's
baggage train, engaging in combat only to protect the rear for treatment; unfortunately, those too badly
vital commodities they supervise. wounded to do so usually must wait until the battle
has ended to receive aid. Armies have made attempts
to employ commoners as litter bearers to evacuate the
C O N S U MA B L E S U PP L I E S
wounded during battle, but with only some success;
In addition t o food and water, armies consume large the danger and confusion of battle makes most such
volumes of material supplies. Foremost among these efforts impractical.
is fuel. Wood, coke, or charcoal is used for cooking, Medics and their assisting staff treat the wounded
watch fires, and portable forges for repairs. In addition by administering opium-based painkillers; cleaning,
to candles, lanterns fueled with oil made from animal stitching, and bandaging wounds; and when this is not
fats provide illumination. sufficient, amputating injured limbs. Soldiers too badly
Timber, which requires foraging, is needed for pal­ injured to return to duty are evacuated to the nearest
isades and on-site construction. Artisans, who accom­ friendly village or town. This spares the army the effect
pany the quartermaster, need the raw materials of their on morale when soldiers see their comrades suffering
trades, which include making candles, rope, and wicker from grievous wounds and missing limbs-or dying of
as well as repairing barrels and wagons. Artisans may infections-when there is little they can do to help.
also supplement stocks of expendable weapons and
ammunition by crafting spears and arrows. M O B I L I TY S U PPORT
Additionally, armies require a wide array of mis­
cellaneous goods to replace unrepairable, worn-out, Moving an army across the countryside may entail sig­
and lost items. These include articles of clothing, both nificant challenges, as it may need to cross rivers or
under- and outerwear; socks, sandals, and other foot­ traverse rugged and difficult terrain. For assistance,
wear; headgear; and packs, satchels, and cases of an army sometimes conscripts local commoners as
different types. laborers-under the supervision of engineers or sap­
pers (specialists in field fortifications or demolitions)­
to construct roads through forests, clear trails in the
MAI N T E N A N C E
mountains, run ferries across rivers, or build bridges.
Soldiers are expected t o carry out routine maintenance Depending on the nature and objectives of a cam­
on their own weapons, basic armor, and equipment paign, these contingents can be very large, with con­
to ensure they are ready for battle; harsh punishment siderable baggage and supply trains of their own.
awaits those who let their gear fall into disrepair. How­
ever, some types of damage and wear exceed soldiers'
ability to fix. This is particularly true of more complex
weapons, such as swords, and more sophisticated
types of armor. An army's artisans repair such items
using specialized tools, and when repair is not possible,
the quartermaster stores might have replacements.
 C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WAR

U SI N G THE
The courts of Rokugan l i ke to rewa rd rema rka ble I m pe­
AS HIGARU TITLE
ria l citizens with prestigious titles refl ecti ng their g lori­ The Ash i g a ru title is n ot l i kely to be earned
ous deeds and honora b l e souls. The various positions by many G reat Clan s a m u ra i . H owever, there
with i n a Rokugani army req u i re titles as we l l . The fol­ a re a few types of cha racters for whom it is
lowi ng new titles fol l ow the ru les described on page extremely usefu l :
305 of the core ru lebook.
@ Peasants a n d other cha racters i n a Rise
AS H IGARU from the Dust ca m p a i g n (see page 306
of the core ru lebook).
Though sa m u ra i represent the pinnacle of m a rtial
prowess in Rokug a n , even the mig htiest among them @ Ron i n , g a ij i n , and others made using
can be fel l ed by a wa l l of yari or a cloud of a rrows. the ru les from Path of Waves.
Ash igaru, sold iers from the peasant class, m a ke u p the @ Disgraced sam u ra i , o r sa m u ra i trave l i n g
front line of G reat Clan a rm ies, surro u n d i n g s a m u ra i i n disgu ise as commoners.
w h o stray too fa r from their own l i nes or turn i n g the
tide i n wars of attritio n .
F o r s o m e , ashigaru is a temporary title g ra nted i n A Thousand Stinging Cuts (Title Ability): When you
times o f necessity. F o r others it is a death sentence. provide assista nce (see page 26 of the core ru lebook)
But for many peasant soldiers, serving as a n ashigaru on the Marti a l Arts [Melee] Attack action check of
is a career, an honor, and a way to better their status a nother cha racter at ra nge 0-2, the character you a re
in l ife by enteri n g the lowest ru n g of the buke class. assistin g treats th eir ta rget's physical resistance as 1
Some of the G reat Clans, i n c l u d i n g the Lion, offer bet­ l ower for each assisting character with th is abi lity.
ter tra i n i n g and equi pment to their foot soldiers than
other clans do, as wel l as more recog n ition . An ashi­
AS H I GARU
garu who serves with distinction can g a i n a sma l l s h a re

ADVANCE TYPE
of the g l o ry of battle, a n d even be ca l l ed up to perma­
nently serve as a g u a rd or scout. It is not u n common
for ashigaru fa m i l ies to serve a d a i myo across m u ltiple M a rt i a l Ski l l s S k i . G rp .
generations, having found pride a n d pu rpose i n their Courtesy Ski l l
service.
Assigned by: Any samura i officer. Yo u must survive at
Com m a n d Ski l l

least one mass battle to receive this title . S u rviva l Ski l l

Glory Award: + 5 (to a maxi m u m of 29) ... Ra n k 1 -2 Kata � Tech. G rp .
Status Award: + 3 (to a maxi m u m of 1 9) ... Thicket's Embrace Style � Tech n iq u e
XP to Completion: 20
... S l i p pery M a n euvers C' Techn i q u e
 DEATH SEEKER
Some ca l l them Deathseekers beca use these
sa m u ra i appear to charge headlong towa rd the i r
deaths, heedless o f any danger. Others believe that
the m a ntle of Deathseeker is a p u n ishment for those
who have fa iled their lords. On the contra ry, the
Deathseeker tradition is a type of wa rrior's pilgrimage
undertaken vol u nta rily by Lion Clan sam u ra i who have
suffered fa i l u re or disgra ce a n d who wish to redeem
themselves through a ction. Those who wa l k this path
ELEMENTAL G UARD
of atonement take on the b u rden of g reatest risk so Although a l l shugenja know the spi ritu a l risks of i nvok­
that othe r sa m u ra i m i g ht be spared, but they try to sur­ i n g the elementa l kami on the battlefield, there a re
vive as long as possible to conti n u e serving their clans. some th reats that a re so g rave, such as those posed by
KIRIFU, THE FIRST
The Deathseeker tradition is controversial even the Shadowlands, that the Council of Elementa l Mas­
DEATHSEEKER with i n the Lion C l a n , and not a l l lords wi l l a l low their ters sanction the formation of shugenja u n its in battle.
sa m u ra i to take Kirifu 's oath, as it is ca l led. Those who D u ri n g these times, the Elementa l G u a rds of Air, Earth,
For more information on do become Deathseekers forsa ke their p revious station Fire, a n d Water a re called upon to protect the Empire.
the Deatltseeker tradition,
a n d rel i n q u ish their titles a n d belongings, including Each G u a rd special izes i n a particu l a r element, joining
see page 52.
daisho. They paint their faces g hostly wh ite to inspire their voices togeth er i n prayer to ca l l forth h u rricanes,
fea r in their enem ies. earthquakes, wildfi res, and tsu n a m i .
Assigned by: Disgraced Lion Clan sam u rai may take this Assigned by: An Elementa l Master.
title u pon themselves, pending approva l from the G M . Glory Award: + 1 0
Status Award: -25 (to a m i n i m u m o f 20) Status Award: + 1 0
XP to Completion: 8 XP to Completion: 20
I mmediate Effects: You g ive u p any positions you hold Wrath of the Elements (Title Ability): Choose one:
a n d you r worldly possessions, save one weapon a n d a Air, E a rth, Fire, o r Water. This is your elemental spe­
set of ceremon ial robes, a re returned to your fam i ly. cialty. Once per scene after making a Martial ski l l
Kirifu's Oath (Title Ability): As a Support action, you check that uses t h e ri n g o f y o u r elementa l specialty,
may suffer the E n raged condition (see page 272 of the you may inflict a n amount of strife or panic equal to
core ru lebook). you r ra nks i n the ri n g associated with you r elementa l
Wh i l e you a re E n raged, you can perform Attack specia lty against a ta rget at ra nge 0-3 or a cohort i n
actions even wh i l e I n ca pacitated . t h e scene.

D E ATH S E E K E R E LE M E NTAL G UARD

ADVANCE TYPE ADVANCE TYPE

M a rtial Ski l l s Ski. G rp . Martial Ski l l s S k i . G rp .
Courtesy Skill Command Ski l l
Labor Skil l G overnment Ski l l
..J ..J
I- Theology Ski l l I- Medicine Ski l l
� �
• R a n k 1 -3 Kata � Tech . G rp . • Beseech Shiba's Calm s!ft Technique
<l
,, �
.., A Sam u ra i 's Fate Techn i q u e .., Tactica l Assessment Technique
• Moment of Glory Techn i q u e • Warrior's Resolve � Technique
 C H A PT E R 3: ACTS OF WA R

Assigned by: A c l a n or fa m i ly d a i my6 with a status of

ELEMENTA L LEG IO N NAIRE 60 or higher, often fol l owing a g reat m i l ita ry achieve­
Although the shugenja of the Elemental G u a rds can ment by the cha racter.
ca l l forth the very fury of nature, their com p l ex i nvo­ Glory Award : + 1 0
cations l eave them v u l n era ble to attack. In battle, the Status Award: +25 (to a m axi m u m .of 85)
Elemental Leg ions of Air, E a rth, Fire, and Water a re XP to Completion: 50
sworn to protect their correspon d i n g Elementa l G u a rd . Superior Command (Title Ability): While you a re the
Assigned by: A dai myo o f t h e Shiba fa m i ly or the com m a nder of a n a rmy during a mass battle, your a rmy's
Phoenix Clan Champion, with perm ission from a mem­ discipline value is increased by your ran ks in Command.
ber of the Elementa l Cou n ci l . Additiona l ly, when making a n I n itiative check during a
Glory Award: + 1 0 mass battle, i ncrease the result by your ra n ks in Tactics.
Status Award: + 1 0
XP to Completion: 24 G E N E RA L
Strength of the Elements (Title Ability): Ch oose one:
Air, Earth, Fire, or Water. This is your elemental spe­ ADVANCE TYPE
cialty. Once per scene after making a M a rtial ski l l
Socia l Ski l l s S k i . Grp.
check that uses the ri n g of you r elementa l specialty,
you and a n u m ber of ta rgets at ra nge 0-3 (or other Marti a l Skills Ski. G rp.
cohort leaders i n the scene) u p to your ran ks i n Com­ Govern ment Ski l l
w
mand may rem ove strife equal to your ra n ks i n the ri ng
S u rviva l Skil l
associated with your elementa l specialty. j::
• Rank 1 -2 Kata � Tech. G rp.

E L E M E NTA L L E G I O N N A I R E "" Ra n k 1 -3 Ritua l s A Technique

• Ran k 1 -4 Shuj i <l Techn i q u e
ADVANCE TYPE
M a rtial Ski l ls Ski. Grp. LIO N 'S PRIDE WARRIOR
Com m a n d Ski l l
Descended from a g roup of bandits who broke away
Medicine Ski l l from their gangs and followed Lady M atsu after she
w
S m ithi n g Ski l l reformed, the Lion's Pride is among the most renowned
j:: Matsu samu ra i . Membe rship must be offered by the
• Rank 1 -3 Kata � Tech. G rp .
matria rchs of the u n it, and only the most el ite M atsu

,,
• Great Anvil's Measure C' Tech nique samu ra i a re permitted to join.
• Moment of Glory Techn i q u e The Lion's Pride a re fu nction a l ly a sma l l fam i ly u nto
themselves. In a com m u n a l keep located at Bishomen
Seide, they l ive together, tra i n together, and share the
GEN ERAL l essons of their founder. They choose which battles they
The pinnacle of m i l ita ry com m a n d , a general serves as fight, and on whose side; not even daimy6 can compel
the masterm ind beh ind all aspects of their a rmy, seeing them, so their presence i n an a rmy is considered a sign
the w i l l of their daimyo done throug h i ntricate p l a n n i n g of the genera l 's rectitude. I n battle they fight as one, an
and masterfu l stratagems. But there is more t o a gener­ unstoppable force of the M atsu fam i ly's best and bright­
a l 's duties. A general m u st lead by exa m ple; the expec­ est. Their martial deeds fi l l the l koma histories, and they
tations they have of their troops m ust be m i rrored i n a re famous throughout Rokugan for their victories.
their own actions. T h e i r voice m u st electrify t h e sou ls of Assigned by: An existing member of the Lion's Pride.
those under their com m a n d , inspiring them to charge Glory Award: + 1 0
enthusiastica l ly to what may be their deaths. Their Status Award: +20 (to a maxi m u m of 59)
combat mastery m ust be without flaw. Their decorum XP to Completion: 24
and personal honor m ust be beyon d reproac h . Fury of Matsu (Title Ability): Once per scene, when
T h o u g h i t is a high honor t o be g i v e n com m a n d , you dea l damage to a ta rg et o r dea l attrition to an
it c a n a lso be burdensome. Leadersh ip is often a enemy leader's cohort, i ncrease the damage or attri­
wea ry, isolati ng task. On their shoulders rest the tion by an a m ount equa l to the d ifference between
wi l l of their lord a n d the secu rity of their homeland. your honor ra n k and the ta rget's honor rank.

1,,
C H A P T E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

L I O N ' S P R I D E WAR R I O R
PO ET O F WAR
ADVANCE TYPE In battle, a force's morale can be of greater impor­
tance than their armament. A troop in high spirits
Martial Skills Ski. Grp. works more cohesively as a group, resists the terror
Command Skill of battle, and attacks with the strength and ferocity
Sentiment Skill of a much larger force. Generals value the ability of
w bards to put fire into the veins of their warriors, and
Survival Skill
...I

will often bring criers, heralds, and signalers with their

I-
j::
• Rank 1 -3 Kata � Tech. Grp. army into battle-individuals called "poets of war"
• A Samurai 's Fate Cl Technique in the famous third century poem of the same name

• Battle of No Escape Cl Technique

by Akodo Shunryu. T he most brave and dedicated
bards in the Empire, they demonstrate as much feroc­
ity on the battlefield as any warrior, and have drunk
MASTER SA BOTE UR deep the military histories of Rokugan, absorbing
centuries of combat lore into their very being. During
Akodo wrote that destroying fortifications mostly
battle, they charge forth with the samurai, screaming
serves the satisfaction of generals who have had to
legends of their accomplished ancestors across the
besiege them, for earthworks should, when possible,
field, steeling the souls of the warriors around them.
be captured intact. However, the Kami of warfare knew
Assigned by: A general or other officer with status SO
the value of disabling key defenses to make fortresses
or higher.
indefensible, and wrote extensively of the use of sap­
Glory Award: + 1 0 (to a maximum of 55)
pers. To this day in Rokugan, sappers remain a critical
XP to Completion: 20
part of most battles near fortifications, for an extended
The Hand of Our Ancestors (Title Ability): After you
siege can easily ruin an entire campaign. Each gen­
perform a successful Rally action, the targeted cohort
eration of saboteurs trains the next, and only once a
deals 1 additional attrition when its leader performs a
trainee has proven themselves in front of a number of
successful Attack action check. This effect persists for
their mentors are they accepted as a peer.
one round.
Assigned by: Three other master saboteurs, who
are usually members of a general's command staff
or found leading specialized clandestine units. P O E T O F WAR
Status Award: None
XP to Completion: 40 ADVANCE TYPE
Ender of Works (Title Ability): When a fortification's dif­ Social Skills Ski. Grp.
ficulty value would be reduced during a mass battle, the
Composition Skill
value is lowered by that amount plus your ranks in Labor
instead. If there is a cohort occupying it, that cohort's Culture Skill
w

,,
army suffers panic equal to your ranks in Skulduggery. Sentiment Skill
...I
I-
j::
• Rank 1 -2 Fire Shuj i
"' Borrowed Courage
MASTE R SABOTE U R
Cl
.., Coursin g March Chant
ADVANCE TYP E

Trade Skills Ski . Grp.

Government Skill

Martial Arts [Unarmed] Skill

w
Medicine Skill
...I

j::
• Rank 1-2 Ninjutsu .If' Tech. Grp .
• Imbue Thunder A Technique

• Wreak Havoc � Technique

 C H A P T E R 3: ACTS OF WA R

QUARTERMASTER REN OWNED WARRIOR

It is no secret that a wel l-su pplied a rmy wi l l defeat a n M ost s a m u ra i w h o serve on t h e battlefield a re not
i l l -equi pped one n ea rly every time . An a r m y c a n l ose driven by a desire for m o neta ry reco m pense, but this
before a single sword is d rawn, defeated by logisti­ does not mean that they a re not m otivated by rewa rds.
cal delays resulting i n h u n g e r or i nadequate she lte r. Recog n ition by one's d a i myo or com mander is h i g h ly
It is the heavy responsibil ity of the quartermaster to sought-after, and a choice word of praise from an indi­
ensure that their fe l l ow soldiers have access to food, vid u a l of sufficient influence can spread qu ickly th rough
water, wea pons, armor, a n d a nyth i n g else req u i red a province or even across the entire E m p i re.
by terra i n , weather, or circu m sta nces of wa r. The Assigned by: A daimyo o r a rmy com mander with
quartermaster m u st have an organ ized, efficient status 60 or higher after you h ave been part of
mind a n d steely determ i n ation to acq u i re everyth i n g a mass battle i n which you r cohort was the one
needed for t h e i r a rmy. This is especia l ly t r u e when to complete at least one strategic objective.
the a rmy travels through enemy territory or con­ Glory Award: +5
ducts a prolonged siege. Though a q u a rtermaster Status Award: +5 (to a m axi m u m of 40)
may not share in the i m med iate, bl oody g l o ry of the XP to Completion: 1 6
soldiers at the front, every general knows who else Behold the Legend (Title Ability): Once per scene,
they owe credit to at the end of a successfu l battle. after you m a ke a successfu l M a rtial Arts check that
Assigned by: Clan or castle d a i myo, a rmy genera l , or inflicts fatigue or a critica l strike on the ta rget, you may
other officer of sufficient ra nk. have each friendly chara cter at ra nge 0-3 of you or the
Status Award : +5 (to a maxi m u m of 35) ta rget rem ove a n a m ount of strife equal to the TN of
XP to Completion: 24 the check.
Procurement and Supply (Title Ability): When
you make a check as a downti m e activity to pro­ R E N OWN E D WAR R I O R
vision an army, you may spend * as fol l ows:
��+: If you succeed, your a rmy i ncreases its disci p l i n e ADVANCE TYPE
and strength e a c h b y 1 per �� spent t h i s way. This effect
persists until the end of the n ext m a ss battle scene. M a rti a l S k i l l s Ski. G rp .
Com m a n d Ski l l
QUARTE RMASTE R C ulture Skil l
..I
Performance Ski l l
ADVANCE TYPE
I-
j:::
• Ran k 1 -2 Kata '!II. Tech. G rp .
Trade Ski l l s S k i . G rp .
• Heartpiercin g Strike '!II. Techn i q u e
Courtesy Ski l l
� Righteous Example (/ Tech n i q u e
Government Ski l l
..I
I- Tactics Ski l l
j:::
• Ran k 1 -2 Air Shuji ,✓ Tech . Grp.
• Ran k 1 -2 Water Shuji ,✓ Tech . G rp.
• Fortress of Necessity C" Technique
 C H A P T E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

QUOTES FROM
AKODO'S LEADERSHIP
S PIRIT CALLER S U MAI MASTER
Many in Rokugan venerate their ancestors and call Many samurai, especially of the Badger and Crab
"I borrow my name from upon their wisdom through prayer or by studying Clans, practice sumai, a test of physical and mental
writings left by the departed. A blessed few have the strength. Sumai can become an important part of a
my ancestors. I must re­

ability to reach through the veil of the Spirit Realms samurai's life, not only as a way to demonstrate their
turn it to them unharmed.
I borrow my honor from
my descendants. In sham­ and make direct contact with their ancestors. Best prowess to their fellow samurai, but also as a connec­
ing myself. I shame them exemplified by those of the Kitsu family bloodline, tion to the very spirit of their clan. True masters of the
as well. "
these gifted individuals can speak to a shiryo (blessed art are some of the finest duelists in the Empire. Their
ancestor spirit) or, through extensive training, allow skills can fell opponents in matches and enemies on
the soul of the departed to enter their body and battlefields alike.
speak through them. While bonded in this way, they Assigned by: An existing sumai master, once you have
can perceive the memories of this venerated ancestor, proven your ability to them.
and in turn, the spirit may look again into the Mortal Glory Award : + 1 0 (to a maximum of 50)
Realm and impart words of wisdom to those in need. Status Award: + 1 0 (to a minimum of 35)
Through the Spirit Caller, an entire family's knowledge XP to Completion: 30
and skills from time immemorial can be accessed, and Unsurpassed Soul (Title Ability): When you make a Mar­
secrets thought long lost can again be brought to light. tial Arts [Unarmed] check targeting another character, if
Assigned by: An instructor of a Kitsu school or other your Void ring is higher than or equal to your target's Void
appropriate spiritual leader. ring, reduce the TN by 2 (to a minimum of 1 ).
Status Award : + 1 5 (to a maximum of 40)
XP to Completion: 38 S U MAI MAST E R
Eyes of the Ancestors (Title Ability): Once per game
session as a Support action, you may spend 1 Void ADVANCE TYPE
point to summon the spirit of an ancestor to partially
possess you until the end of the scene. Choose a ring Social Skills Ski. Grp.
and a skill from that ancestor's profile; while possessed, Culture Skill
you count as an Otherworldly being and use your Martial Arts [Unarmed] Skill
ancestor's ring value and skill rank in place of your own,
Theology Skill
as well as your ancestor's honor value. Your ancestor
I-

can use any non-unique human NPC profile (or a kit­ • Rank 1 -2 Kata '!II. Tech. Grp.
su's or other supernatural being's profile, if your char­ • Beseech Hida's Might A Technique
acter has such an ancestor). The higher of this NPC's • Fierce Badger Style Technique
\a.
U conflict rank and ♦ conflict rank cannot exceed
your school rank plus your ranks in Meditation. While
you are possessed, the ancestor spirit may divulge per­ SWORD-SAINT
tinent information at the G M's discretion. Afterward,
The kensei, or sword-saint, is a living master of the
your character will have only a hazy memory of any­
sword whose preternatural skills are hailed through­
thing they experienced while possessed.
out the Empire. While kenshinzen duelists epitomize
the highest level of iaido, the sword-saint embodies
S P I RIT CALL E R the purest form of kenjutsu, or swordsmanship more
broadly. To witness a single strike of a kensei is to expe­
ADVANCE TYPE rience a moment of spiritual clarity -their bond with
Scholar Skills Ski. Grp. their blade is considered sacred. A true sword-saint
might come along once per generation, and past prec­
Courtesy Skill
edent maintains that only one person may bear the title
Meditation Skill at a given time. Students of the Heart of the Katana
Performance Skill dojo in Lion lands devote their lives to the sword with
the hope of one day being anointed as a sword-saint.

,,A
"' Rank 1 -2 Rituals Tech. Grp.
I-

Assigned by: A clan champion or the Emperor. Alter­

• Ancestry Unearthed Technique
nately, the title can be assigned by an existing sword­
• Preserve Strength C' Technique saint who is slain by the character in an honorable duel
to the death.
 I'

C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

Glory Award: +20 (to a maxi m u m of 1 00)

XP to Completion: 24 WAR CO L LEGE G RADUATE
I nvincible Blade (Title Ability): When you perform a n The Lion Clan contains many of the finest tacticians in the
Attack or Support action check that uses a sword , you Emerald Empire. But even among this formidable pool
may spend �' as fol l ows: of m i l itary m inds, there a re the el ite: the graduates of
Void �,+: Reduce the severity of the next critical strike the Akodo Wa r College. The oldest m i l itary institution in
you wou l d suffer (before your Fitness check to resist) by Rokugan, the Akodo Wa r College has a cu rricu l u m based
your ra nks in Med itation plus 1 per * spent this way. on the philosophies of Akodo, refined over one thou­
This effect persists until the sta rt of you r n ext turn . sand yea rs to near perfection. The academy is especi a l ly
Any �' �,: I n crease the base damage and dea d l i n ess renowned for its instruction concern ing mass wa rfare and
of you r weapon by 3 . This effect persists until the leading a rm ies. Students endure rigid structure and g ru­
end of the scene. If you activate this �' m u lti p l e times eling training dri l l s yea r-round, honing their bodies and
during a scene, the effect is c u m u l ative (add togeth er m inds with studies of battle, siegecraft, and Bushido. By
all increases you h ave appl ied this scene with this �,). the end of their training, the graduates of the Akodo Wa r
Col l ege a re im peccable leaders and i mmacu late war­
SWO R D -SAI N T riors, paragons bred for one pu rpose: victory.
Assigned by: An instructor at the Akodo Wa r College.
ADVANCE TYPE Glory Award: + 5 (to a maxi m u m of 60)
Status Award: + 1 0 (to a maxim u m of 40)
XP to Completion: 36
Martial Arts [Melee) Ski l l
Med itation Ski l l Learned from History (Title Ability): During a mass
S m ith i n g Ski l l battle, when you accrue 1 or more momentum points
w
toward the Draw Them In or Seize Victory strategic
Tactics Ski l l
objective, you accrue that many momentum points plus
• Rank 1 -5 Close
j::: Tech. G rp. 1 instead. Additional ly, if your action completes that
Com bat Kata � strategic objective, the enemy a rmy receives additional
,.. Sou l Sunder � Technique

,,
casua lties and panic equa l to your ra nks in Tactics.
• Victory Without
a Sword Technique
WAR C O L L E G E G RA D UAT E

ADVANCE TYPE
Martial Ski l l s Ski. G rp .
Com m a n d Ski l l
Cu ltu re Ski l l
w
Government Ski l l

,,
�
j::: • Rank 1 -3 Kata Tech . G rp.
• Rank 1 -3 Shuj i Tech n i q u e
• Beseech Akodo's
Judgement
Techn i q u e
�
C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

ipet1di� Opportt(t1i1Y
honor, g l o ry, or merely surviva l , samura i at war m u st
m a ke use of every weapon in their arsen a l .
G M s ru n n i n g wa r-focused games m a y u s e Table

it1 111tte3 of War 3-9: Spending Opportunity in Mass Battles to g ive

pl ayers additional means of spending ::C, in their games,
or as inspiration for new options of their devis i n g . The
The unprepared ra re ly survive war, and only those with
ta ble focuses on the rules for Mass Battles found on
the drive to seize a n advantage when it presents itself
page 274 of the core ru l ebook, but s i m i l a r resu lts cou ld
th rive a m i d wa r's chaos and danger. Whether d riven by
be used i n other types of confl ict scenes.

TAB L E 3-9: S P E N D I N G O PPO RT U N I TY I N MASS BATTL E S

COST OPPORTUNITY

Choose an a l l ied leader othe r than yourself. Reduce the TN of that leader's n ext check
Air l&>+
for a Scheme action by 1 per ::C, spent this way. This persists until the end of the scene.

Choose a leader i n a fortificati o n . That leader's cohort loses the benefits of the fortifica­
tion u ntil the beg i n n i n g of your n ext turn.

Earth *+ Remove 1 panic from your a rmy per ::C, spent this way.

Choose an a l l ied leader other than yourself. That leader's cohort cann ot be ta rgeted by
Attack a ctions u nt i l the begin n i n g of you r n ext turn.

F i re ::Ca The enemy a rmy suffers 1 panic per * spent this way.

When performi n g an Attack action a g a i n st the cohort of an enemy leader with v i g i l ance
F i re l:CH lower than o r equ a l to ::C, spent this way, after its effects a re resolved, infl i ct a critical
strike with severity equa l to the d ea d l i n ess of one of your weapons o n that leader.

C hoose a n a l lied leader othe r than you rself. Red u ce the TN of that leader's n ext check
for a M ovement a ction by 1 per l&, spent th i s way.

Choose an enemy leader. That leader's cohort cann ot perform M ovement actions until
the beg i n n i n g of you r n ext turn.

You r a rmy and each enemy a rmy s uffer 2 attrition per ::C, spent this way.

When you perform a S u pport a ction, after its effects a re resolved, you may immediately
perform a C h a llenge a ction targetin g an enemy cohort's leader.

I ncrease the a rmy's stre n gth a n d d i scip l i n e by 3. This persists u ntil the end of the scene.
 C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

QUOTES FROM
TAB L E 3- 1 0: S P E N D I N G O P PO RTU N I TY I N CONTEST E D T E R R I TO RY AKODO'S LEADERSHIP

COST OPPORTUNITY "There is no greater

strength, no greater
You d i scern subtle signs of i n com i n g tro u b l e a n d can take steps to avoid it. The n ext resource, than those who
time you enter a confl ict scene this session, you may add a kept d i e showi n g �� to share your bloodline.
you r I n itiative check. A family's abilities can
be harnessed in war to
You create a clever disguise o r ruse to get the j u m p on potenti a l foes. The n ext time tremendous effect-and
Air �=� �� you enter a confl ict scen e this game session, after I n itiative has been determ i ned, should be. "
or �� �� :-;� choose one character i n the sce n e . On that character's n ext check, they m u st rero l l a l l
resu lts conta i n i n g O sym bols.

N ot even the chaos of war o r the strangeness of fore i g n lands can faze you . Reduce
Earth * the TN of the n ext check you m a ke to dea l with a n unfa m i l i a r situation or opponent
by 1 .

You h o l d fa st to the thought of h o m e wh i l e i n distant l oca les a n d dangerous situa­

Earth ��
tions. You may rem ove 1 strife for each condition you a re cu rrently sufferi n g .

A clever theory fi l l s i n t h e gaps i n y o u r knowledge. You m a y i m mediately attem pt a

Sch o l a r ski l l check of your choice to l e a rn about your cu rrent situation or an N PC who
is present, l owerin g the TN by 1 (to a m i n i m u m of 1 ).

As you i ncite your a l l ies to g reat fervor, a ny n u m ber of them may rem ove 1 strife for
Fire ��+ each �� you spend. For each chara cter affected, you receive 1 strife as you let your
passion overtake you.

Your charm wins over even enem ies. For each �� �� spent, one h osti l e cha racter with i n
t h e scen e becomes friendl ier towa rd you . What exactly that means depends on con­
text-it may defuse an i m m i n e nt confl ict, o r e n co u rage your foes to try to take you
a l ive, but it won't stop b loodshed a ltogether once blades h ave been d rawn.

With c u n n i n g , you flow smooth ly from o n e conc l usion to the n ext. You l e a rn of one
key featu re, fortificatio n , o r terrai n q u a l ity p resent i n the surro u n d i n g a rea, a n d
whether or n ot e n e m i e s h ave passed thro u g h recently.

I n a l l th i n gs, one can fin d ba l ance, even in a d u e l of words or b l ades. You a n d a h os­
Void �H tile chara cter of the G M 's choice in the same scen e each recover 2 strife for each *
spent i n this way.

You fi n d sere n ity a m i d adversity. You discover a n e utra l meetin g p lace, p rotective
l e g a l precedent, o r s i m i l a r safe haven a p p licable to your situati o n .
C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

DEFI N I N G H O N OR
Honor, or Meiyo, may be the most important tenet of
Samurai are defined by their honor; Bushido literally Bushido, but it is also the most nebulous and difficult
means "way of the warrior." A samurai's honor refuses to define. One cannot assess through exterior exam­
to let them be anything less than courageous on ination the honor of a samurai, for it is something
the battlefield and refined in times of peace. Honor possessed solely as part of their innermost self. Some
devotes a samurai to a purpose, a lord, and an ideal samurai are mistakenly driven to lash out in vengeance
that they serve and protect even unto death. It is a to "defend their honor," shedding blood over per­
quest for perfection in all things physical and spiritual. ceived slights against their heritage or character. These
The honor of a samurai has etched out a place for them samurai are not actually preserving their honor, but
in history, one that elevates them from the designation rather attempting to save their reputation. The honor­
of warrior to the status of legend. able samurai knows personally the quality of their own
The Empire of Rokugan depends upon this legend character and does not need to defend it against the
to flourish. Dangers loom on every horizon, with for­ barbs and jeers of lesser people. The wise samurai is
eign threats from the north and from the eastern sea, able to distinguish between the public perception of
and the hellish nightmares of the Shadowlands crawl­ honor, and honor according to the code of Bushido,
ing up from the south. Clan division or a peasant upris­ which is an internal possession.
ing could tear the Empire apart in the blink of an eye.
Honor gives samurai the strength to defend the Empire
from outside threats and preserve peace through
courtly negotiation. Perhaps most importantly, it is
honor that maintains samurai's nobility in the eyes of
the peasant classes, honor that prevents samurai from
descending into despotism, and honor that preserves
the state of the Celestial Order. Honor is the soul of
the Empire, and without it, Rokugan would descend
into chaos.
 C H A PT E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

Honor's constant nature is its defining factor; when

present in an individual, it bleeds over into all aspects TH E B U RDEN O F DIS H O N OR
of their life and into every other tenet of Bushido. Honor is personally important to most samurai, but
Other tenets can be performed for gains in reputa­ there is also a societal element to honor. If others
tion, or ceased when others aren't watching, but honor believe a samurai is no longer an individual of integ­
always serves as a samurai's moral code, driving them rity, their reputation may also be at risk by association,
to follow all other tenets as perfectly as possible at and so they may avoid that person. In the worst cases,
all times. A samurai remains righteous when no one a samurai might even be rejected by their lord, and
would be the wiser, and courageous even when no one forced to leave their service. Such a samurai may even
is looking, because of their honorable character. They end up as a ronin, unable to rise back to their station
do so regardless of whether they might receive praise without the permission, and thereby forgiven ss, of
or reward, but simply because it is the right thing to do. their former lord.
This personal integrity compels a samurai to continue From their former peers, a publicly dishonored
to do what is right even when it would cause society samurai finds little solace or pity, and certainly no trust.
to judge them unfairly, or when it would force them to Worse, such circumstances may force a samurai to take
defy a lord who has fallen into corruption. on dangerous or disreputable jobs, further diminish­
ing their social standing. While a samurai could cleave
H O N O RA B L E L I F E to the belief that honor is intrinsically valuable during
such a trial, surely their belief in the Code of Bushido
When the Kami Akodo ordered that Bushido in
would be tested.
Rokugan should be codified, it became both the stan­
What's more, a samurai's retainers and fanfl are
dard for conduct and the goal for all samurai and those
put at risk if they are disgraced publicly. This means
who would hold themselves to a samurai's code. To be
that if a samurai's reputation is soiled, they may have to
a samurai comes with a burden: that of upholding per­
make sacrifices to protect those who rely upon them,
sonal integrity at all times, no matter what situation or
even if their reputation was ruined unfairly. A samurai
demands they face.
who wishes to regain their lost esteem might need to
Despite their noble station, samurai are still mor­
undertake a substantial deed to make amends with
tals. With mortality comes fallibility and the pressures
their lord, or find a alifferent patron whose trust they
of society. A life devoted to honor faces demands to
can earn through their actions. Failing to do so jeop­
act in ways samurai could consider personally dis­
ardizes not just the individual, but also many others in
honorable. Honor is a personal appraisal, but some
their life.
might not agree with that assessment. Survival itself
But such redemption is not achievable by all. Some
could force a person into actions a samurai would see
publicly disgraced samurai instead take the vows of
as dishonorable. Maintaining honor when faced with
a monk, leaving behind the Code of Bushido to find
dishonorable orders from a daimy o, wartime clashes in
purpose in a different sort of life. Some clans offer a
which dishonorable tactics would win a bloodless bat­
path for disgraced individuals: the Lion Clan's Death­
tle, court intrigues that call for poisoned lies to crush
seekers, for instance, fight in the most dangerous bat­
a foe-all these and more test samurai who desire an
tles to show their dedication to their clan. Such paths
honorable existence, yet must balance this desire with
can spare their family and retainers the worst conse­
Duty and other demands of Rokugani life. To act hon­
quences. Others content themselves with a simpler,
orably sometimes may mean ignoring or casting aside
humbler life among the commoners of Rokugan. And
other aspects of Bushido, so samurai must judge which
some, who have truly discarded their honor, go on to
holds sway. For the Lion, honor is paramount, but this
prey upon those weaker than themselves, as brigands
is not the case in all clans or samurai.
or rogue warlords.
For a samurai, failing to uphold their honor is a fail­
Honor, then, is not just personal. A samurai's actions
ure to live up to the legacy bestowed upon them by
reflect on their family and clan, so they must take
the Kami. They have fallen short of their own expec­
responsibility for their actions beyond simple individual
tations, as well as those of their forebears, and some
honor. Even if they believe their actions are not per­
believe this blemishes forever their immortal spirit. It
sonally dishonorable, if their deeds stain their family or
is this burden that drives a samurai to take immediate
clan with dishonor, then great sacrifices may be nec­
action to rectify incorrect deeds. If the error cannot be
essary to atone. Thus, the honor of the family or clan
undone, then the samurai must seek to make tremen­
stays intact-a small price to pay for such an essential
dous sacrifice, perhaps even of their own life, to see
aspect of existence in Rokugan.
their honor restored in the eyes of their ancestors.

1H
 C H A P T E R 3 : ACTS O F WA R

QUOTES FROM
AKODO'S LEADERSHIP
TRI F LI N G BREACH ES
AND SMALL SACRI FICES
new Ve"1ea t1or13 at1d
"One army may be stron­
ger than another, but
none are stronger
The legend of the Five Rings core ru l ebook conta i n s
guideli nes for g a i n i n g honor for vi rtuous deeds, as wel l
� 1e"1pfate3
than hunger. " as guidelines for forfeiti n g honor i n order t o act dis­ Game masters can a lways ca l l on the wide assortment
g racefu l ly. However, m i n o r a cts can affect a cha racter's of N PCs from the legend of the Five Rings core ru le­
honor as wel l . A s a m u ra i strives to adhere to Bush ido book when creating adventu res, but stories of wa rs and
in all aspects of their l ife, a n d many s m a l l positive or history demand more for the va l i a nt N PCs featu red in
n egative demonstrations eventua l ly add up. them. M a ny of these cha racters a re l i kely to be of the
What fol l ows a re optional additions to Table 7-1 : Lion Clan, perhaps leading arm ies, recording m a rtial
Honor and Glory Forfeits/Awards, on page 300 of the deeds, or tra i n i n g n ew m i l itary leaders for futu re wars to
core ru l ebook, and to the exa m p l es re lated to honor defend Rokugan. Some m ight be from the Badger Clan,
on page 303 of the core ru l ebook. entrusted with guarding the Empire's northern passes.
This section p rovides G M s with a n ew demeanor
T R I F L I N G B R E AC H E S a n d new N PC tem p l ates for fash ioning new charac­
ters using the N PC profi les from the core ru lebook
When a chara cter wishes t o com mit a breach o f honor and other supplements as their basis. These tools ta ke
that is judged to be l ess serious than a m i n o r breach, N PCs without an assigned clan a n d m a ke them into
they m u st fi rst forfeit 1 honor. Lion or Badger samura i , or other cha racters who might
Exa m p l es of trifl i n g breaches of honor: be fou n d i n a l i brary or wa r college.

@ Tel l in g a half-truth to m a ke a story

m o re interestin g . N EW DEMEAN OR:
ED Ca rrying o u t y o u r lord 's orders i n a less exped i­ H O N ORA B LE
ent m a n n e r for perso n a l conven ience. The fol l owing new demeanor is designed to reflect a
e Privately, but verbal ly, cu rsi n g the a ctions of a perso na l ity often found in Lion Clan mem bers and in
h i g h e r-status s a m u ra i . other sa m u ra i who va l u e the tenet of Meiyo-Honor­
a bove a l l others. Such cha racters do not hesitate to
overcome their fea r and act correctly regardless of the
S MALL SAC R I F I C E S consequences. Honorable works in the same manner as
the other demeanors on page 3 1 0 of the core ru lebook.
When a chara cter m a kes a sacrifice i n the n a m e of
Social Skill Check TN Modifiers: Fire +2, Earth -2
Common Way of Unmasking: Honor's Cha l l enge
honor, but it is judged to be l ess sign ificant than a
m inor sacrifice, they a re awa rded 1 honor.
The N PC holds to very h i g h sta ndards of behavior and
Exa mples of s m a l l sacrifices of honor:
expects others a round them to do the same. When
@ A l l owing a verba l insult di rected at you (one they observe breaches of integ rity, they a re quick to
that causes you to forfeit 1 g l o ry or more to judge what should be the correct action and insist that
ignore) to pass without reprisa l . it be fol l owed .

e Refusing t o u se i nformation overheard from

beh ind a closed door as testimony.
e Aid i n g a friend who has been p u b l icly dis­
g raced but you know to be i n n ocent.

1'1'2-
 C H A PT E R 3 : A C T S O F WA R

[Social; lnterpersonan, Whispers of Cruelty (Void) [Socia l;

N EW N PC TEM P LATES Interpersonal; Infamy)
The fol l owing new N PC tem p l ates a l l ow G M s to turn Tech niques (ad d 0-2): Kata ( 'lli, ) , Shuj i ( C1 )
generic N PC sa m u ra i profi les i nto ones the PCs m i g ht Demeanor (replace 1 ): Ambitious, Assertive, G ruff
more com monly encou nter in Lion l a nds, on battle­
fields, or in institutions where h istorica l records a re I N ST R U CTO R
studied or preserved. Each tem pl ate works the sa me
Apply this tem p late to someone who is passing their
way as the tem p lates i n the core ru lebook on page 3 1 1 .
ski l l s on to someone else.
Confl ict Rank: Combat + 1 , I ntrig ue + 1
BADG E R C LA N SAM U RA I
Ring: + 1 Air
This template can be u sed with any clan s a m u ra i profi l e . Skills: + 1 M a rtia l and Sch o l a r ski l l s
Confl ict R a n k : Combat + 1 Adva ntages (add/replace 0-2): Keen Hearing (Ai r)
R i n g : + 1 Void [ M a rti a l ; Physica n , Seasoned (Void) [Soci a l ; lnterper­
Skills: + 1 M a rtial a n d Trade ski l l s sonan, Subtle Observer (Ai r) [Soci a l ; lnterpersonaD
Adva ntages (add/replace 0-2): Bishamon's Blessing Disadvantages (add/replace 0-2): Calcified Thinking
(Water) [ M a rtia l ; Physical, SpirituaD, Flexi b i l ity (Water) (Ea rth) [Soci a l ; Mentan, I m patience (Ea rth) [Socia l ; MentaD
[ M a rtia l ; PhysicaD, Keen B a l a n ce (Earth) [ M a rtia l ; Men­ Techniques (add 0-2) : Kata ( 'lli. ) , Rituals ( A )
ta l , Physica l) Demeanor (replace 1 ): Assertive, G ruff
Disadvantages (add/replace 0-2): Disd a i n for Cour­
tesy (Ai r) [Soci a l ; Flaw, MentaD, Overly Suspicious (Fi re) L I O N C LA N SAMU RAI
[Socia l ; lnterpersonaD, Whispers of Poverty (Water)
This tem p l ate can be used with any clan sa m u ra i profi l e .
[Soci a l ; Interpersonal, Infamy]
Conflict Rank: Combat +2, I ntrigue + 1
Techniq ues (add 0-2): Kata ( 'lli. ), Rituals ( A )
R i n g : + 1 Earth
Demeanor (replace 1 ): G ruff, Sh rewd
Skills: + 1 M a rti a l and Soci a l ski l l s
Adva ntages (add/replace 0-2): Pa ragon o f Honor
H I STO RIAN
(Void) [Soci a l ; Menta n , Seasoned (Void) [Soci a l ;
This templ ate can be used with any clan sa m u ra i profi l e Menta l, lnterperson a n , Wa r College G ra d uate (Water)
or subjects o f Roku g a n . [ M a rtia l ; Physican
Confl ict Rank: I ntrigue +2 Disadva ntages (add/replace 0-2): Eager for Bat­
Ring: + 1 Water tle ( M a rti a l ; Menta D , M a i med Visage (Ai r) [Soci a l ;
Skills: +2 Scholar ski l l s Physical, Interpersonal, Scar], Overconfidence (Earth)
Adva ntages (add/replace 0-2): Famously Rel i a b l e [ M a rtia l ; Physican
(Earth) [Socia l ; lnterpersonan, Fukurokuj i n 's B less­ Techniques (add 0-2) : Kata ( 'lli. ) , Shuj i ( C')
ing (Fire) [Sch o l a r; MentaD, Precise M e mory (Earth) Demeanor (replace 1 ): Assertive, H onorable, G ruff
[Scholar; MentaD
Disadvantages (add/replace 0-2): Bish a m o n 's Cu rse M E RC ENARY
(Water) [M artia l ; Physica n , B l u ntness (Ai r) [Soci a l ; lnter­
This tem p late can be used with any bandit, ron i n , or
persona n , Lives in the Past (Ea rth) [Soci a l ; MentaD
ashigaru profi le, or for someone sel l i n g their services.
Tech niques (add 0-2): Rituals (A}, Shuj i ( (/)
Conflict Rank: I ntrigue +2
Demeanor (replace 1 ) : Assertive, Detached
Ring: + 1 Air
Skills: +1 Socia l a n d Trade ski l l s
I M P E RIAL L E G I O N NA I R E
Adva ntages (add/replace 0-2): Better Quick than
This tem p late c a n b e used with a n y c l a n s a m u ra i profi le Dead (Fire) [ M a rtia l ; Physica n , Famously Successfu l
as wel l as the tra i n ed ashigaru and skil lfu l ron i n profi les. (Fire) [Soci a l ; lnterpersona D , Wily N eg otiator (Water)
Confl ict Rank: Combat +2 [Soci a l ; lnterpersonaD
Ring: + 1 Earth Disadvantages (add/replace 0-2): Disd a i n for Duty
Skills: + 1 M a rtial and Trade ski l l s a n d Loya lty (Earth) [Socia l ; Flaw, lnterpersonan, G reedy
Adva ntages (add/replace 0-2): I ndomitable W i l l (Water) [Soci a l ; Menta D , I nsolent Cur (Ai r) [Soci a l ; Inter­
(Earth) [Soci a l ; MentaD, Seasoned (Void) [Soci a l ; lnter­ personal, MentaD
personan, Traditional Adherent (Earth) [Soci a l ; MentaD Techniques (add 0-2): S h uj i ( C')
Disadvantages (add/replace 0-2): Hidebound (Earth) Demeanor (replace 1 ): Ambitious, S h rewd
t llflililllilill
201351N