The Battle for Ayo Province

The Khan of the Unicorn Clan stood in the saddle with ease as his great steed pounded away at the earth beneath him. He rode with his scouts, seeking to get an understanding of the bandits who “ruled” these lands. He saw nothing but huts and small stockades, men clutching makeshift weapons, and not a single good horse to be found. This used to be prime grazing land for the Unicorn herds. It would be so again.

The ronin Ronso blinked sleepily as he sat up in bed. The peasant girl groaned and he casually backhanded her. By the Pit of Fu Leng, his head was pounding! He didn’t remember drinking that much the previous night. As his feet hit the ground he realized it was shaking to the noise that reverberated in his skull. An earthquake? Here? He grabbed a shirt as he staggered outside. Dozens of other bandits were doing the same, and thus were treated to the majesty of thousands of Unicorn horsemen in full change as they descended upon the camp.

As Tetsuko trampled yet another pathetic worm, he looked around and saw nothing but petty bandits and thugs, screaming like women as they died. There was no challenge here.

It was over in minutes. The Unicorn steeds did most of the work. The bandit camp was a shambles. Only a few survivors were found. Ronzo himself, with two crushed legs, blubbered for release. He said that Shodokai ruled from a crumbling kyuden in Shisame province. Tetsuko leveled his steely gaze to the north.

August Personages of the Empire at Large

Emperor Toturi IV
Toturi IV shares many characteristics with his forbearers. He is a powerful, charismatic figure. A graduate of the Akodo Tactical school, he stood on the Carpenter’s Wall during the last great assault by the Shadowlands fifteen years ago. He assisted Mirumoto Yakuzi, the former Dragon Champion, and Hida Yasura, the former Crab Champion, in driving off the dreaded Kyoso no Oni. This is the conflict that cost him his eye. Since then he has taken a more administrative role, helping to negotiate the last problems between the Clans. When the plague struck, he sought to calm the peasants before mass panic set in and all order broke down. The Forbidden City at the center of Otosan Uchi closed its doors the winter of the plague’s second year. They are just now opening. It is known that the previous Emerald Champion succumbed to the plague. No word has been heard about Shinjo Tamaoko, the Emperor’s wife, or Toturi Dorai, the Emperor’s son.

Seppun Kuron
Kuron is the Imperial Herald. A young man just out of his teens, he has found himself, thanks to the Gaijin Plague, as the Senior Herald. Still, his family has served the Emperor's for generations, so there is no refusal. This position is considered by many to be almost as powerful as the Voice of the Emperor. To Kuron, however, it often means long travel through dangerous terrain. While it is true that he sees many things and has spoken to heroes and champions that most only see from a great distance, he would rather not face marauding bandits, possible infection with the Black Collar, and the scrutiny of the Scorpion that comes upon all who know as much as he.

Otomo Wampei
Wampei is the Voice of the Emperor. As such, he is at the highest levels of the court. His Honor is second only to that of the Emperor himself. His word is the Emperor’s word when the Emperor is unavailable, unable, or unwilling to speak it. Wampei is old, and not much loved by the representatives of the Clans that come to court. He is sly, but arrogant, and is well aware that he has the greatest protector in Rokugan. He is still a powerful figure in his own right, as the Emperor values his opinion. Those seeking to gain the Imperial Favor had best get on his good side, and quickly. He runs the Courts with a methodical mindset, seeking to ensure any one Clan does not have more power than the others. Or him. For this, he is particularly unloved by the Crane and the Scorpion. Many mutter that, thought the Collar claimed so many, it knew better than to try for Wampei.

Seppun Ryoske
Ryoske is a magistrate in service to the Empire, Hatamoto to the Emerald Champion. A powerfully built man of middle years, he carries himself well despite his leg injury. Born to the call of the shugenja and trained in the ways of the Kitsuki Investigators, few details escape his notice or prey from his pursuit. Generally a jovial man, he throws off his opponents with his ever present smiling eyes and grinning face. He travels with another magistrate, the beautiful young woman Twilight Moon, who serves as his trusted bodyguard and companion. He took her under his wing when she was still a child and has come to regard her as a daughter.

Warlord Omanu
Not much was known about Omanu before he claimed the second greatest city in the Empire as his own. Still, Ryoko Owari has, in its own way, thrived under his rule. He responds to any outbreak of the Black Collar by quarantining the section it occurs in and burning it, people and all, to the ground. This draconian measure has made certain elements feel safe enough to return to the city. Omanu is a brutal, cunning man. The City of Lies has become a hive of scum and villainy since he arrived. However, he pays no attention to social rank, only talent and willingness to work, advancing the lowest caste eta while spitting on the noblest samurai. Too mercenary by half, he insists that all those within Ryoko Owari have at least one fair shot to make their on Koku.

Masuko
Masuko appear at Omanu’s side two seasons ago. She does not speak aloud, but occasionally will whisper to Omanu. There are rumors that they are romantically involved, but often those spreading those rumors are found beheaded, with their limbs cut from their body. Masuko is a skilled duelist, and has been known to make use of Crane techniques.

Unaligned Provinces

The Rokugan of the first month of Spring, the beginning of the third year after the outbreak of the Gaijin Plague, as seen by the spies and scouts of the Great Clans.

Agasha: This province is in the throws of a peasant uprising. There is no leadership, just chaos and angry peasants who have forgotten their place.

Togashi: A strange sect of the tattooed men calling themselves kikage zume rule from a monastery here. They are devoted only to darkness and shadow. Their leader is called Hitomi Hatashi, and his dark, asymmetrical tattoos give him many abilities.

Shisame and Ayo: A bandit warlord by the name of Shodokai has made himself a small empire here, crushing the peasants of these provinces under an iron fist.

Otaku: Strange Gaijin Nomads from the east have crossed the mountains and taken up residence here. They seem leaderless, but their cavalry is quite dangerous.

Toturi: A ronin named Toturi Osen has proclaimed himself Daimyo of this province, claiming to be a direct decent of the great Toturi.

Goimo: The dark stories that come from Goimo speak of a Maho-tsuki, a Bloodspeaker, who has taken up residence here and practices his maho, or dark magics, on the peasants.

Mori: This province has become a pirates den as a group of Pirates lead by Ronzo the Foul is using the province to launch costal assaults.

Nodai: In this province a peasant uprising is being lead by a group of Ronin.

Hantei: No reports come from this province, ancestral lands of the previous line of Emperors.

Kitsu: A Maho-tsuki is terrifying the peasants who live in the province, raiding the Kitsu tombs for corpses to build an army.

Ide: The peasants rebelling here have managed to raid some of the Unicorn stables, adding some cavalry to their ranks.

Yogo: A descendent of the Yogo family named Yogo Bishamaro has been consorting with dark powers and taken over the magic school that rules this province.

Shinomen and Shastakar: The Naga rule these forested provinces, hostile to any outsiders since the beginning of the plague. The Qamar, their leader, has refused all offers of communication so far.

Ryoko Owari: The City of Lies has expanded to become its own city-state. The Warlord Omaru rules here, with the assassin Masuko. Omaru has said he will welcome any seeking to purchase the services he provides, but will crush all who seek to overthrow him.

Ukyo: The peasant uprising here is vigorous, but leaderless.

Tsuruchi: The Wasp Clan, a minor clan, now seeks greatness as the Empire weakens from the plague. Their Daimyo is Tsuruchi Rekai.

Suzame: A ronin named Kakita Kishiri has turned his back on the Crane Clan and claimed this province as his own domain.

Kuni: A pocket of Shadowlands creatures has breached the wall and rampages here, lead by many formidable Orge Bushi.

Daidoji: A peasant uprising here is lead by a group of dissatisfied Ronin.

Nezumi: This former Shadowlands province has been cleared of the Taint. However, the Nezumi have claimed this province as their own. The ratlings are lead by Chieftan Mar’rik’a’mar-Snap!

Hiruma: Although also reclaimed from the taint, the dark Moto have taken Hiruma Castle. The twin undead sisters Moto Ayane and Moto Tenko lead this forward staging point for the Horde.

Ghizu: Also cleared from the taint, Ghizu has been infested with Goblins.

Former isles of the Mantis: Pirates sail from these isles, raiding the peasants that still live there and the coastlines of Rokugan.

Map of Rokugan, Year AT 102, First Month of Spring

The Battle for Mori Province

Yasukaza rode at the head of the shugenja cavalry. The banners and pinions of the Phoenix fluttered in the breeze as they crested the hill. Below, along the harbor, was the pirate town. A collection of shacks, shanties, and tents. Several boats floated in the harbor.

He saw the gathering force of ruffians outside the gates. “Ah, it seems we are expected,” he muttered.

Ronzo the Foul was an immensely fat man, dressed in black leathers and brown fur. He gripped a long, curved, Gaijin blade and glared at Yasukaza from a distance as the Phoenix approached. Then he disappeared back into the mass of pirates, thugs, and frightened peasants.

Yasukaza halted the troops, and began to order the cavalry to the flanks to strengthen their position. A roar from behind caused him to spin around. The pirate mass surged forward, not waiting for strategy or tactics. “Very well,” he thought grimly, griping his hammer, as he called upon the spirits of Earth for strength.

The pirates were vicious and aggressive. They slammed into the central mass of the Phoenix troops, and bushi holding the line were bowled over. Men were pinned to the ground screaming as a half dozen brigands stabbed downward repeatedly with their knives. A force of pirates sought to change the Shugenja before they could ready their magics, but the Shiba did the job they have done for centuries. Ronzo and his retainers broke through the Yojimbo briefly, but the shugenja summoned spirits of water to turn the ground before him to mud, stopping his attack as he floundered and roared in anger.

Aggressive, but undisciplined, poorly armored, and like children before the trained Phoenix forces. Yasukaza channeled the power of a dozen shugenja to cause the Earth itself to break open and swallow hundreds of pirates. The peasants assisting the brigands were cut down like wheat by the blades of the samurai and Yojimbo.

In the end the rabble broke and ran, and Ronzo lead them, moving surprisingly fast for his bulk. They fled to the ships on the harbor, which set sail for the sunset, leaving the province squarely in Phoenix hands.

Bounty: 10 Questions

Hey all. I will occationally place bounties up on the blogsite. These are worth 2 XP provided they are completed before the next gaming session. Here, I'd like to have you answer 10 questions about your character:

1. What are your character's parent's like? Do they approve of him? Do they get along?
2. Does your character have any siblings? What were they like? Where are they now?
3. Who was a childhood friend of your character? What made them a friend? Where are they now, generally?
4. Who was the relative your character was closest with? What are they like?
5. Who was a rival your character had in his training years? What made you rivals? What is the relationship like now?
6. Which sensei (teacher) was your character closest with? What did they teach him/her?
7. Is your character married? Engaged? Is it for love or politics?
8. What did you character do when the Black Collar ravaged the land for two years? How did he/she respond to the crisis?
9. How did you character establish the relationship he/she has with the Clan Bigwig you selected?
10. Honor or Glory?

You can either answer these in the comments, or, if you wish, email them to me privately.

Session Summary 1

This first session was a character completion session. Dave joined us and completed his Crab Bushi. Kevin finished up his Shoshuro Shinobi (placed as a Hiruma scout in the Crab Clan). After some basic mechanic discussion, and a review of the Virtue/Vice system, we started some preludes designed to spotlight some rules.

Kevin's character was charged with finding a Scorpion Clan courier who had been detained moving into Lion lands through Beiden pass. In theory, the courier had been sent with trade information from the Scorpion to the Phoenix. However, he also had a secret message for Isawa Murasame from Bayushi Ken'ichi. Kevin needed to find the courier, retrieve the message, swap it for another one, and then ensure the courier is caught so the faked message (one that implicates the Crane in some shady dealings against the Lion) is found instead. He performed his task admirably, and we all learned about skill checks, opposed skill rolls. cumulative skill rolls, and cooperative skill rolls.

Then the camera panned out and zoomed to the south, to the Crab lands and Kaiu province, where an assault by the Shadowlands on the Kaiu wall was starting its second day. A group of Shadowlands creatures had managed to break into the Crab's tunnels, and one oni had survived the traps to move north beyond the wall. Dave's Crab bushi was charged to lead a team of Ashigaru to find an destroy the creature before it could wreak any havoc. Finding it holed up in a warehouse, Dave lured it out by sending in an Ashigaru to set fire to the crates. Said ashigaru was quickly disembowled, but the remaining troops managed to wound the creature and then pin it to the ground, where Dave's character leapt upon its chest and smashed its head (cleaning deflecting the goop away from himself). We walked through the combat rounds, wound ranks, tides of battle, stance, and raises/free raises.

Finally, we pan over to Daidoji province, where the current Crane clan Champion, Kakkita Tanaka, was to engage in a duel with Daidoji Hoto over leadership. A tournament was being held, and Joy's character was entered in the Novice division along with some ronin and Doji Kikaze, his family's traditional rival. We went through sevearl rounds of the formal Iaijutsu combat system, where two samauri warriors lock in focus until a single strike decides the winner. In this case, it was Joy's duelist, who overcame a challenge by his rival to win the tournament.

Everyone was (individually) ordered by their lords to head to Ryoko Owari Rambo (Jounrney's End City), also known as the City of Lies, a sprawling metropolis of dubious character run by the Scorpion before the Collar, and now even worse as an independent city-state run by a warlord calling himself Omanu. Omanu has offered his unique resources to the Clans in exchange for some recognition, and as such many clans are sending representatives.

In addition, the Imperial Hearld, Seppun Kuron, has started spreading the reports of major conflicts across the Empire. The Clans are working to restore order, recover provinces lost to bandits and barbarism. Those have appeared and will continue to appear here.

The Battle for the Isle of Winds

The peasants had long forgotten the Celestial Order. The ragged skeletons of the magistrates still hung from the wharfs. They quarreled amongst themselves over petty slights, while the rice fields law fallow the and merchants docks were silent.

“C’mon, lets go for a glass of Sake. It’s colder than Fu Leng’s heart this morning!” said the ragged man holding the spear.
“But what about our post? The signal fires?” asked his fellow guard.
“No man could sail through this fog. Only a fool who would want to meet the rocks,” laughed the first. As they walked down the docks, the wavering shapes of ships began to fade in from the mist.

By the time the alarm bells were ringing, the shores were full of Mantis soldiers. Yoritomo Toyotomi looked around at the ragged men running pell-mell to meet them, holding spears, slings, staffs, and farming equipment. “There is no leadership here. No one worth challenging,” he rumbled as he raised his kama.

The peasants did not know what was happening. Even though most of the Mantis were still disembarking from their craft, they cut into the irregular ranks of their enemy. Ashigaru screamed and died at each other’s hands, impaled on spears or just beaten to death by the bare hands of a dozen others. Toyotomi leapt into the fray, his Kama trailing a haze of blood that seemed to turn the mist about him crimson.

With a few bellowed orders from atop a dock post, the Mantis troops demonstrated their experience by flanking the faltering peasant force.

It was over in less than half a hour. The peasant rebels had no chance. Those who were not fleeing to the hills were either food for the worms or swearing loyalty on their knees.
“A good battle,” said Yakuni, unstringing his bow.
“A good beginning,” agree Toyotomi, who looked through the thinning fog to the horizon, and the outline of Yoritomo island.

The Battle for Agasha Province

Murimoto Yama buckled his mempo into place, the snarling face of a dragon replacing his own. He looked down upon the damaged outpost that housed the Ronin and their peasant rebels. The forces of the Dragon stole down the mountainside, moving quietly into formation. The time of unenlightened barbarism in this province was over. The Dragon had come.

Yama sent his cavalry in a wide circle of the outpost. The foolish peasants massed up to follow the force, exposing the rear of their line. He crossed his blades over his head and roared “For Yokuni!” as his troops swarmed forward, the sunrise cresting the mountains behind them.

As the Ronin, clad in dirty robes and scavenged armor, kicked and screamed at the peasants to bring them around, Yama shook his head. There were no honorable opponents here.

With the cavalry leading in a wedge, the Dragon troops cleaved through the peasant lines, breaking them into two groups. As they struggled, suddenly separated from leaders, the Dragon seamlessly split from one force to two.

The rebels were outnumbered, outtrained, and outequiped. They stood no chance, and the might of the Dragon military rolled over them like a wave of emerald. The Ronin used the peasants as shields, but that bought them perhaps 5 more minutes of life.

It was over before the sun had cleared the Dragon’s Teeth peaks. A new day was dawning in Agasha.

The Battle for Togashi Province

Togashi Yodin started from the trance he had been walking in during the past several miles. This area of the mountains was dark. Too dark. Shadows clung like spider webs, were draped like silk from the rocks and the trees. The men murmured in alarm. Suddenly, a figure peeled itself from the shadow, revealing a muscled man covered with tattoos. Even the normally stoic Yodin felt a shock of fear as he saw the featureless face of smooth flesh. And yet, a voice still whispered “Join us…”

Suddenly, men were stepping from the shadows all around the Dragon troops. The sky darkened. Hundreds of peasants with pale, empty faces, and dozens of dark tattooed men. Yodin raged to see his brethren corrupted so, caught that rage, formed it into an arrow, and launched it with clear purpose at his foes. With a roar, his men followed.

Though Yodin could sense the sightless gaze of the Kikage Zume upon him, he could not see through the haze of shadows that infested the battlefield like a thick fog.

With the obscuring shadows came a dimming of sound. Orders became jumbled. Yodin called upon the Tattoo of the Sun not once, but twice, but each time this brilliant burst of light could only push back the shadow a small way.

The men with the dark tattoos fought brutally, but in utter silence. Their mastery of Shinsei’s path was impressive. With a two quick blows they could disarm a bushi, and a third would break his neck. All in silence.

But Yodin’s men were Dragon men, used to the strange and the unknown. They fought back, trying to restore rank and order even in the unnatural twilight that had fallen at midday. Some of the kikage zume could fade into shadows just before the final strike, but the lost Ashigaru could not, and their grayish blood stained the ground.

Yodin called his men to form up in a wedge, looking to fight their way out of the center, but half of the figures in the gloom turned out to be enemies. As he blocked the kick of another monk, Yodin knew that his brother Yama would be laughing at him.

The enemy struck again, disrupting the least trained of the Dragon troops. Yodin glimpsed the faceless monk who had spoken to him weaving threads of night from his fingers that drifted through the air, freezing all they touched.

Though confused, the Dragon still outnumbered their enemy. And they could recover their balance, while the kikage could not generate more numbers. As a tattooed monk faded in front of him, Yodin focused and called upon the Dragon tattoo. A rolling cloud of fire burst from his mouth, burning even the darkness to ash. But the lost Ashigaru seemed remarkably resilient.

The Dragon men faltered, lost in the darkness, fighting an alien enemy. Yodin grabbed the Dragon standard and leaped up to a rocky outcropping. “FOR THE DRAGON” he roared, and his voice cut through the silence that had choked the battlefield as it was magnified by a thousand other throats.

The darkness was fading. The fire of the Dragon was burning it away, and the kikage seemed suddenly unsure.

The faceless monk found himself caught by the steel of the Dragon’s finest samurai. Though he could dance past the blades of a single warrior, a dozen pinned him against a cliff. As his head was taken from his shoulders, his body melted to shadow and the unnatural darkness lifted. Heartened, the men cut through the remaining enemies. Yodin, tired, cold, hoarse, and cut by the spears of the Ashigaru, returned to his meditative trance.

Daily Life in Rokugan

Clothing
Peasants' clothes are made of cotton or hemp, while samurai
usually wear silk; other than that, the basic Rokugani
wardrobe varies little. Men wear a fundoshi, a loincloth which
wraps around the stomach and up between the legs, under the
kimono; women's kimono are longer, and usually worn with a
wrap-round underskirt. The cut and width of the sleeves, as
well as the length of the garment, determine the exact style -
this varies from peasant's garb, which is quite snug and often
barely covers the undergarments, to samurai court kimono,
which often trail a foot or more on the floor. Kimono have no
pockets - instead, personal belongings are tucked into the wide
sleeves, or behind the front flap of the garment. Bushi carry a
special cord for fastening up the sleeves of their kimono to
keep them out of the way before going into battle - a skilled
swordsman can do this in seconds. The left side of the kimono
is wrapped over the right - NEVER the other way around.
That's how the dead are dressed. The kimono is secured with
an obi, a band of fabric which is wrapped two or more times
around the waist. Men's obi are narrow and secured with a
simple knot, while women's are wider, often as elaborately
decorated as the kimono itself, and is tied up to form a flat
bundle (or, on formal outfits, a large, elaborate bow) at the
back.
While peasants usually stop with the kimono, and perhaps
cotton leggings or trousers if the weather is cold, samurai
often wear two layered kimono, and a variety of outer
garments as well. Male samurai usually wear a kamishimo,
which is a combination of hakama (wide trousers, similar to a
divided skirt) and a kataginu, a sleeveless, sideless vest which
exaggerates the shoulders. Alternatively, a haori (a short coat)
or a hitatare (a kataginu without the stiffened shoulders, but
with sleeves and a decorative string across the chest) can be
worn with the hakama. The hakama are impractical when
riding, so a samurai going out on horseback usually wears
kobakama, a more close-fitting type of trousers. Many Unicorn
wear these all the time. The daimon, finally, is a huge kimono
with very wide sleeves, decorated with oversized versions of
the wearer's mon in several places, including on the hem of
the sleeves.
In more formal circumstances, high-ranking samurai wear a
kariginu, a long overcoat with a high, round collar and huge
sleeves, which is either worn out or tucked into the hakama.
Those who really wish to impress onlookers with their style
also wear nagabakama, similar to ordinary hakama but with
legs so long that they trail on the floor, making them
extremely difficult to walk in. Needless to say, it is all but
impossible to move quickly in such clothes, at least not without
looking ridiculous; some courtiers claim that the styles were
introduced for that very purpose, to limit outbreaks of
violence in court. Eboshi (cloth caps) or hats are common
accessories for samurai. Peasants often wear simple rice hats
to keep the sun off their faces, or a hachimaki (headband).
Women of high rank wear at least two layers of kimono, and
often an unbelted outer kimono which is worn loose, like a
jacket. This outer garment may be pulled up over the head to
serve as a sunshade or umbrella. Court dress is an even more
elaborate version of the same thing - during some periods,
fashion has demanded that a lady wear no less than twelve
layers of kimono! The neckline of a woman's kimono may be
altered into a high, elaborate collar, or lowered to show a hint
of shoulder or cleavage if the lady wishes to be daring. (Of
course, the outfits of certain Scorpion ladies do more than
hint...) The sleeves are typically larger than a man's.
Onnamusha wear men's clothing while in the field, and often
at other times as well, but there are those (mostly among the
Crane and Phoenix) who wear more traditional outfits on
formal occasions.
The mon of the wearer's clan and family is incorporated into
the design of most clothes, either as a repeated pattern or
embroidered on the back, chest or sleeve.
Footwear for travelers and the lower classes is waraji, straw
sandals. Samurai often wear zori (thonged sandals) instead.
Tabi (split-toed socks) are worn under the sandals. Geta, high
wooden clogs, are worn in bad weather to keep one's feet out
of the mud. At such times, one may also use a paper umbrella
or straw raincoat to keep the rain off.
The Rokugani generally do not wear Western-style jewelry,
such as rings and bracelets. (The Unicorn do, sometimes, but
it hasn't really caught on.) Instead, they wear netsuke;
elaborately carved toggles which are slipped into the obi to
hold up the cord for the inro, a small lacquered box used to
hold objects too small to be tucked into the sleeves. Samurai
women use combs or pins to hold up their elaborate hairstyles.
Peasants usually wear drab colors, since they can't afford
bright dyes. For samurai, formal wear is almost always in clan
colors. Otherwise, young people wear brightly colored clothing
with elaborate patterns, while older people's clothes have
darker, more subdued colors. White is the color of death, and
red the color of birth; during the marriage ceremony, the
bride wears white clothes, which are gradually removed to
reveal a red outfit underneath. This symbolizes her death to
her own family and rebirth into her husband's.
Clothes are made in both winter and summer weights, and
everyone switches from summer to winter wear on the same
calendar date.

Hairstyles and Makeup
Male samurai wear their hair long, and bound up in various
styles. Though the classic style, in which the top of the head is
shaved and the rest of the hair oiled into a queue which is
folded forward over the crown, is popular, there are a
number of other hairstyles. The simplest version is tying the
hair into a knot or ponytail at the back of the head.
Alternatively, the hair is wrapped with a ribbon so that it
sticks out and up, like a brush; with this style, the crown may
or may not be shaved. Many helmets have an opening on the
back of the head through which the hair can be pulled.
Many Crane dye their hair white, in remembrance of the first
Daidoji, while some Lion dye theirs golden. The Dragon
frequently shave their heads entirely, monk-style, and
sometimes decorate their bald pates with tattoos.
Samurai women (and geisha) wear their hair VERY long,
either tied into a foxtail or piled up in elaborate braids and
loops, secured by combs and pins. For a woman, having her
hair cut off is a great mark of shame. Many ladies (and all
geisha) also wear a great deal of makeup, primarily face
powder and rouge. Pale skin is prized, and even peasant
women never expose their faces to the sun if they can help it.
Onnamusha usually braid their hair while in the field, or use a
sleevelike cloth tube with drawstrings at the ends to hold it in
place.

Food
Rice is the absolute staple of the Rokugani diet; it's a rare meal
that doesn't contain rice in some form. In addition, there are
many different kinds of noodles, beans, sweet potatoes, water
chestnuts, seaweed, pickles (vegetables are almost never eaten
fresh), fruit, eggs, fish and shellfish. Because the taxes are
paid in rice, the lower classes frequently eat millet or other
grains instead. The Rokugani equivalents of "fast food", often
eaten on the road, are onigiri (rice balls) and dango (millet
dumplings).
Only the Unicorn eat red meat regularly; the Fivefold Path,
with its ban on killing for food, was not yet universally
popular in Rokugan when they left, and most modern-day
Unicorn still follow the "unclean" ways of their ancestors in
this regard. Samurai of all clans still love to hunt, however,
and fowl makes a pleasant addition to the menu. Some even
hunt boars or deer, though they don't necessarily eat the prey
themselves.
Sake comes in dozens of different varieties, and can be served
warm or cold depending on type. It is drunk from small,
broad cups; in a formal setting, a servant or dining companion
pours the drinks. Only a barbarian would drink sake directly
from the bottle. There are also several kinds of brandy,
shochu (like sake, but much stronger) and uishi, a gaijin
beverage brewed by the Unicorn.
An average meal consists of a bowl of rice, soup, some
seaweed or pickled vegetables, and fish. There are no banquet
halls as such; food is served in whatever room suits the
purpose. Each diner has his own tiny table, and instead of one
large plate or bowl there is a small one for each dish. Soup is
drunk from the bowl. It's considered VERY bad luck to put
your chopsticks in your rice bowl so that they stand up - that's
how it's done when you offer rice to the spirits of the dead.
When passing food to someone else, you should pick it up
with your chopsticks and put it in his bowl, instead of holding
it out for him to take with his chopsticks; that’s how the bones
of the dead are handled after cremation.

The August Personages of the Lion Clan

Matsu Genai - Clan Champion
Genai is currently the oldest Clan champion and one of the only Great Family daiymos to survive the Collar. He is known for being short-tempered, militaristic, aggressive, and somewhat arrogant. However, his tactical mind has had years to refine itself, and he possess a strategic genius based on experience that is unmatched in the empire today. He also has a strict, almost fanatical devotion to "The Empire" and the cause of honor. He also has a reputation for not tolerating any weakness.


Matsu Tesomi
Tesomi is Genai's daughter. A proud member of the Matsu berserker school, she is a firebrand on and off the battlefield. Her father has very high expectations and she works very hard to meet them. She has been known to lead the unit of Matsu Deathseekers onto the field of battle personally. It is a poorly held secret that there is some sort of bad blood between her and the Dragon Champion, Yokuni. Tesomi is an attractive woman, but it is the sharp, dangerous beauty of her clan's namesake.

Kitsu Barako
The Kitsu family suffered more than most when the Black Collar was at its peak. Their family gift, an ease of speaking with Ancestors and the spirits of the departed, became a curse, and millions of Rokugani poured across the veil. Of those who were not claimed by the collar, most went mad from the cacaphony of voices. Barako is one of the few remaining, though whether she is mad or not is a subject for some debate. Her power alone is enough reason for Genai to keep her around, although the rumor that she is Tesomi's mother may be another.

Ikoma Tokatsu
The Lion Clan's lead diplomat and negotiator, Tokatsu is often tasked with softening the harsh rhetoric of his Champion, which is no easy task. While Genai has expansion in mind, Tokatsu is a moderate voice, seeking to advance his cause through negotiation rather than force. An excellent Shogi player, Tokatsu has minimal tactical ability and only the most basic combat training. Still, in these times after the Collar, he is willing to do what he must in order to help his Clan rebuild.


Akodo Hideaki
A young proud man ready to restore his clan to greatness, Hideaki is the Akodo family daimyo. He is short for men his age but he makes up for that in cunning and intelligence. While a competent warrior, his greatness lies on the field and has much promise to surpass the great Akodo Kage. It is said when he does lose that he harbors a grudge and vows to repay it with interest. He and Genai have a history of not seeing eye to eye, and though he would never show it publicly, there are whispers he now regrets letting the leadership of the Lion move from the Akodo family to the Matsu family.

Akodo Shichiro
A Lion Bushi, though hardly more than a boy just ready to complete his Gempukku. Son of the previous Akodo family daimyo, he lost both of his parents to the initial outbreak of the Black Collar. When Hideaki took over the fragmented Akodo leadership and passed on the duties of Champion to the Matsu family, he took Shichiro under his wing and completed his initial training. Full of eagerness and pride to prove himself to his Clan. He has answered his Lord's call and is ready to lay his young life down for the Empire.

Culture of Rokugan

Behavior
The society of Rokugan is a very polite one, and very firmly
divided into three strata; your equals, your superiors, and
your inferiors. Equals should be treated politely, but not overly
so, unless of course you're trying to win their favor. To be
addressed as an equal by someone who is in fact your superior
is a high honor - and even then, you should continue to
address him in a respectful manner, at least in public. Even if
your lord or superior officer is also your best buddy, treating
him as an equal in front of others will cause him to lose face,
and yourself to be branded an ill-mannered lout.
Bowing is the standard gesture of greeting and farewell. The
inferior bows deeper and longer than the superior. The most
formal form of bowing, most often used at court or when
summoned into your lord's presence, is kneeling and pressing
one's forehead to the ground. A samurai may also prostrate
himself in this manner while making a formal apology, to
show his deep shame and respect for the one he has offended.
Showing strong emotions in public is frowned upon, as is
making any form of loud noise; the walls are thin, so even if
you're in your own home, you're bound to disturb someone.
Besides, emotional displays run contrary to the stoic ideals of
bushidô. Young people and non-bushi have a little more
leeway in this, but not much.
There are three forms of polite address commonly used in
Rokugan. An equal, or an inferior to whom one wishes to be
polite, is addressed as (family name)-san, or (full name)-san if
there are many people of the same family present. For a
superior, the pattern is the same, except that the suffix is -
sama. Finally, one's lord may also be addressed as "tono"
("lord"), or with the suffix -dono after his family name (that
suffix can also be used for anyone else of high station or
worthy of respect).
When having an audience with an important person, there will
be guards present; this doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of
trust, simply normal caution and the preservation of face.
Only close family members and hatamoto have the privilege of
seeing their lord whenever they want to. And unless your
daimyô trusts you utterly, talking to him in private is OUT. If
the treacherous advisor whom you're trying to overthrow is
standing right by his shoulder whenever you talk to him, you'll
just have to learn to work around that.
The Rokugani are very group-oriented; individualism has no
place in this society. Belonging to a social group, whether it's a
clan, a family, a squad, a village or just a gang of rônin
banding together, is necessary for the individual's well-being
as well as for survival. A person who is thrust out of the social
order will be pitied; one who voluntarily forsakes society, or
flaunts social conventions, is likely to inspire both curiosity and
revulsion. Note that becoming rônin, or shaving one's head
and joining a monastery, doesn't necessarily constitute
"dropping out".
Gift-giving is an integral part of society. It's important to make
sure that the gift is appropriate to the receiver; giving a gift
which clearly has no thought behind it is an insult. So is giving
away something which is beyond the receiver's means of
returning, since this places him in your debt. A gift must be
offered three times, and politely refused the first two, to give
the giver a chance to show his sincerity.
Honesty is not always a virtue in Rokugan; while bushidô
teaches complete sincerity, a samurai is expected to lie to
protect his family, his lord or his honor. Thus, the greatest
gift a Rokugani can have is the ability to appear absolutely
honest even when lying through his teeth.
Bushidô is NOT the same as Western chivalry. Treating your
enemy honorably is not necessarily the same thing as giving
him a "sporting chance". Most samurai recognize sabotage,
stealth and treachery as integral parts of strategy; after all, if
you can cut off your enemy's supplies, attack him unawares,
or disrupt his communications, you will have come that much
closer to gaining victory for your lord. On the other hand,
very few samurai boast of such tactics. That's why the
Scorpions are so reviled; not only do they more or less openly
admit to winning by treachery, but they use similar tactics even
in the more genteel "battlefield" of the courts.

Seppuku
Samurai commit seppuku for a number of reasons. Whatever
the cause, it is important to remember that seppuku is an
honorable death. No matter what the dishonor or inner
conflict that drove someone to commit seppuku, it is
considered to have been resolved by his death. Any further
reprisals against his family or insults to his honor would be
dishonorable.
The most common reason for seppuku is to purge oneself of
dishonor. In such instances, the samurai has lost so much face
or is so ashamed of himself that death is the only way to
remove the stain. One might also choose death to resolve a
conflict of loyalties, or to avoid capture or a shameful death. A
samurai who has been sentenced to death, but whose crimes
are not so heinous that they merit an ordinary execution, is
also allowed to commit seppuku.
Committing seppuku to follow one's lord in death is called
junshi. This custom is frowned upon in modern-day Rokugan,
as it is a waste of loyal retainers. Funshi is the act of
committing seppuku to reproach another - for example,
stating publicly that another has acted dishonorably, and then
dying as the strongest possible testimony. Kanshi, finally, is
one of a very few ways in which a samurai can legitimately
protest his lord's actions. If he feels that his lord is behaving
in a shameful or otherwise harmful way, he can write a letter
detailing his grievances, and then kill himself. This is
considered the highest form of loyalty.
Samurai women commit jigai, which is performed almost
exactly like seppuku except that one uses a tanto or other
small knife, which is thrust into the throat. Onnamusha (female bushi),
however, perform the same ritual as a man would.
In all but the most extreme circumstances, the person
committing seppuku will have a second, a kaishaku. Choosing
someone to be your kaishaku is a great honor, and implies the
highest respect and trust; after all, it depends on the kaishaku
if you will die cleanly and honorably, or suffer and perhaps
dishonor yourself by showing it. Needless to say, a kaishaku
who fails in his duty is seriously dishonored.
In a formal setting, seppuku takes place in a plain room or
outside, in front of white curtains. Witnesses are always
present. The person committing seppuku wears white
clothing, and kneels on a cushion. Before the cushion there is
a small table, on which the wakizashi is placed, along with the
materials for writing a death poem, and a piece of cloth or
sheet of paper with which to wrap the lower part of the
wakizashi blade for a better grip. The kaishaku stands behind
and to the left of the cushion, with his katana drawn. Water is
ladled up from a bucket and poured over both sides of the
blade, purifying it and allowing a cleaner cut.
Theoretically, the person committing seppuku is supposed to
make two horizontal and one vertical cut in his stomach, the
whole forming an "H" shape, before the kaishaku cuts off his
head; in practice, the kaishaku will often strike when he seems
on the point of screaming or falling over. A quick strike is
preferable to such a dishonor.

Etiquette of Arms
The wearing of a samurai's two swords has been the subject of
a number of learned treatises throughout Rokugan's history,
and with good reason. The quality of a samurai's swords, and
the way he carries them, is one of the most important clues to
his status and personality.
First, it is important to understand that while every member
of the samurai caste has a right to wear the dai-shô, very few
except for bushi do so. Women generally do not wear swords
at all; male courtiers and shugenja, with few exceptions, wear
only the wakizashi. Wearing the full dai-shô means
announcing to the world that one is a skilled swordsman, and
does not need protection in battle or proxies in duels; this is a
statement that few non-bushi wish to make.
Secondly, not every bushi's dai-shô is a revered and glorious
object passed down through generations of ancestors. In fact,
it is far more likely to have been mass-produced by his lord's
armorers. This does not mean that the bushi will treat his
weapons any less carefully or respectfully, of course... after all,
the sword is the soul of the samurai. But most bushi will buy
themselves a new sword if they can afford one, and return the
old one to the armory. Higher-quality swords are also common
as prices in tournaments, or gifts from a lord to a
distinguished retainer. Once a samurai has acquired such a
fine sword, he is certain to wear it proudly and pass it on to
his heir... and eventually, that sword will become "the honored
blade of my ancestors."
It is perfectly legitimate for a samurai to own several swords,
and the choice of which one to use speaks volumes to the
perceptive courtiers of Rokugan. A bushi who comes to visit
wearing the sword he always carries into battle is saying "I am
surrounded by enemies here" while wearing a blade received
as a gift indicates a wish to honor the giver. Of course, this all
assumes that the bushi in question is known to own several
swords.
The way the sword is carried or set down also gives social
clues. Low-ranking bushi usually thrust their swords almost
vertically through their obi, so as not to bump into someone.
Those of higher rank allow their swords to stick out behind
them and to the side, clearing a larger "personal space" and
indicating that this is someone who expects others to step
aside for him. When entering someone else's home, guests
who are of lower rank than the host leave their weapons by
the door, unless given specific permission to bring them. (It is
important to note that permission to bring your sword into
someone else's home certainly does not mean permission to
use them. If you must spill blood, do it outside.)
When offering a sword to someone else, the edge should
always be turned toward you, even if the sword is sheathed.
When sitting, swords should be set down to the right, with the
hilts pointing away from the host. If they are placed to the
left, they are easier to draw, indicating hostility and suspicion,
while pointing the hilts toward the host might be interpreted
as lack of respect (if you thought he was any good with a
sword, would you place yours where he could get at them?).
Oh, and it should be pointed out that ALL Rokugani are
right-handed. There isn't a single left-handed bushi in the
whole Empire. Especially not in the Scorpion Clan.
The sword should be pulled out of the obi with the right
hand, using the index finger to hold down the guard. Using
your left hand, with the thumb on the edge of the guard,
shows mistrust, or the intention to draw the sword.
When traveling, samurai put cover sleeves on the hilts of their
swords to protect them. The sleeve also prevents an easy draw.
Removing it, or leaving it off altogether, is a sign of
aggression.
There are also very strict protocols for how a sword should be
sharpened, polished, and displayed. Touching another's sword
without permission is a dire insult, and may be cause for a
duel.
Other weapons are not surrounded by the same mystique and
elaborate traditions as the dai-shô, but some things are
universal. First of all, while the dai-shô is also a symbol of
rank, other weapons and armor are tools of war. In peace
time, they should be kept on display in the home, or packed
away. While traveling, unless one is marching to battle, armor
is kept in specially made armor chests and weapons are
protected by sheaths and dust sleeves. A samurai who went
about his daily business clad in armor or carrying a naginata
or tetsubo might find himself in trouble very quickly - the
commoners would fear such an obviously violent person, while
local guards and magistrates would take a great deal of
interest in him… not to mention the insult he would offer to
his hosts or the lord of the province by implying that they are
not capable of keeping the peace.

Names
The first thing to remember about Rokugani names is that the
family name always comes first. The same goes for the
”possessor” element in bynames of the ”X of Y” variety; so, for
example, the farmer Ryuichi from the village of Kinkawa
would be known to outsiders as Kinkawa no Ryuichi.
Only the upper classes, samurai and Imperial nobles, have
family names. The lower classes have bynames, as mentioned
above. These may be based on the place where they live, their
occupation, or on personal characteristics.
While the Great Houses of Rokugan take their names after
their founders, the names of vassal families are often based on
their place of origin, resulting in names such as Kiyama
(yellow mountain) or Kawaguchi (mouth of the river).
Small children are given yômyô, or child’s names, six days
after birth. Girls’ names are usually related to flowers or other
natural features, or to traditional ”womanly virtues”, and are
most often kept for life. Common suffixes are -ko (little), -
hime (princess, can also be used as formal address) and -mi
(beauty). Boys, on the other hand, are expected to change
their names after passing their gempukku ceremony. Little
boys’ names usually contain the suffixes -waka (young) or -
maru, which denotes affection.
Adult names for men come in two types. The first is the
zokumyô, or order name, which simply denotes place in the
birth order - Ichirô, literally ”first man” is the eldest son.
Other particles are often added to the zokumyô, yielding
names like Daigorô (”big fifth man”) or Matasaburô (”again
third man”, the third son of a third son). The -rô suffix may
be dropped, as in Kenichi.
Zokumyô are given to all men when they come of age, but lest
the Emerald Empire be swamped with Hida Ichirôs and Isawa
Saburôs, men of the upper classes rarely use them as ”public”
names, or indeed at all. Instead, they have so-called nanori,
formal or ”true” names. These are derived from some lucky
or desirable trait (like Tadashi, ”honest” or ”righteous”) or a
title, such as Mataemon (the -emon suffix derives from a word
for ”guard”).

The August Personages of the Scorpion Clan

Bayushi Ken'ichi - Clan Champion
The Scorpion champion seems to have been born for his position. Ken'ichi is a very handsome man in his mid twenties who does not wear a mask as per Scorpion tradition (a favorite saying of his is "Why hide what everyone knows?") and it has become somewhat of a 'trendy' fashion statement of other Scorpion in his court. Ken'ichi's attitude is very friendly and outgoing and has a knack for making friends fast. He has an intense drive to succeed, and there are those who speak of him (usually only once) as having found the perfect mask in using no mask at all. His only failing, if it may be called that, is a known fascination with Gaijin artifacts and culture.

Shosuro Natsumi
Quite possibly the only thing keeping Natsumi from being described as the most beautiful woman in Rokugan is the fact that her father was a Gaijin trader and she inherited a fair amount of Gaijin looks. More full figured, and taller, than most Rokugani women with a paler complexion and 'strange' (to other Rokugani) facial features. Natsumi is a force at court, able to melt the most surly samurai with a smile. But if the smile is insufficient, she is more than capable of using the katana she openly carries.

Yogo Nibori
One of the few Scorpion shugenja, and fewer still shugenja outside of the Phoenix lands to ride into battle, Nibori is the general of the Scorpion armies. Fiercely loyal to his nephew Ken'ichi, Nibori sees that the Scorpion war machine is ready to move at his nephew's whims and carry out whatever needs to be done. A tall six feet with a well muscled build, he is rarely seen without his mask carved of darkwood and inlayed with red enameled metal to look like a kabuki theatre oni's face and red enameled armor. Shunning court, Nibori instead spends his time in the study of tactics.

Bayushi Inari
Jushin. The Honorable Scorpion. No masks and no secrets, just honor. Inari is Ken’ichi’s youngest brother and somewhat of the family’s black sheep due to his insistence to follow the path of honor so few scorpion do. He is a talented investigator and an up and coming general, so much so that Nibori is personally training him. He seems to have an affinity for shugenja and utilizes them proficiently in his tactics.






Shosuro Tatsuachi
There is no one named Shosuro Tatsuachi in all of the Empire. You must be mistaken. Move along.

House Rule: Stunting

Overview
One of the best things to come out of Exalted is the idea of stunts. "Wait, I can get an actual in-game benefit for roleplaying something? Sweet!" Stunts liven up a session, get everyone more involved, and help enhance both the imaginative imagery and the interactive improv that are (in my opinion) essential to the roleplaying expereince. As such, I'm implementing the following Stunt system for L5R.

Building a Stunt
As in Exalted, a player can Stunt when they take the time to describe an action in greater detail. This can be done in combat, in court, in a duel, a test of skill. There's many applications. Skill and combat stunts usually come from describing the situation. Social stunts usually come from actually composing and speaking an argument, threat, solicitation, etc. Some quick rules:

1. Only PCs can stunt. I may get flowery in my descriptions, but the NPCs will not get any bonus.
2. You can't stunt the trivial. You can't stunt a action that is so easy it doesn't need a die roll, or one with a minimal TN like 5 or 10.
3. Stunts come from the tension of conflict. If there is no conflict, there's probably no need to stunt. Conflict doesn't have to be direct opposition: working against a clock, or attempting a task which has bested you multiple times are instances of conflict.
4. Repitition has diminishing returns. There's only so many ways you can rip out my spleen.

Stunt Levels
There are three basic levels of stunts. As in Exalted, a Level 1 stunt is a departure from "I hit him with my sword." There is some work at visualizing the action, a sense of flare or a connection to a virture of Bushido. In Court, talking at all generally will let you a Level 1 student. Level 2 stunts are more impressive, including elements of the enviroment such as falling cherry blossoms, the glint of the sun off one's blade, a cloud of dust, the walls of the palace, etc. Or they involve some character element: inner rage, focused vengance, etc. Level 3 stunts are the ones that make everyone at the table go "wow!" If there is some doubt as to whether it was a Level 3 stunt, its not a Level 3 stunt.

Stunt Effects
So what does a stunt do for you in L5R? It depends on the level of the stunt and where you are using it.

A Level 1 stunt will give you a +3 bonus to the die roll, the equivelent of an emphasis.

A Level 2 stunt can:

1. Give you another rolled die before the roll resolves. OR
2. In combat, if the roll you are stunting succeeds, your character gets a surge of energy and Chi that can overcome some of the minor complications of his wounds. Heal 1d10/2 wounds.

A Level 3 stunt can:

1. Give you another kept die before the roll resolves. OR
2. Be a potential sliver of perfection. If the roll you are stunting succeeds, your character tastes a tiny fragment of enlightment and regains a Void Point. This does not count against your normal meditative total for the day.

Iaijutsu

The August Personages of the Crab Clan

Hida Husaki - Clan Champion
Husaki is in many ways the traditional Crab champion. He is huge, for one. His mind is focused in a single goal: defending the Empire from the Shadowlands threat. However, he also possess one of the keenest tactical minds in the Empire. The Crab, whose usual battlefield tactics revolve around the application of overwhelming force combined with a pragmatic tricky, have recently won some spectacular battles against the Dark Moto who lead the Shadowlands forces. Husaki does remain terse and occasionally dour, when not on the occasional drinking and gambling binge, and has not yet appear at any major court function.

Kaiu Konsimu
A young, hot-headed warrior who excelled naturally on the front lines. Outfitted in a set of coveted armor won in a Hida province tournament, and armed with his dead father's katana, his handsome and subtly aggressive figure draws attention both on the field and in a Court. His skill with a blade is renowned in the lower crab lands, where his reputation for starting and winning duels has prompted a number of communities to dub him "The Kaiu Crane".

Yasuki Tsushira
An attractive young woman widely thought in the Clan to be the most promising Crab Shugenja in 10 generations. Her unusually (For Crab) bookish bearing hides an outstanding tactical mind gleaned from intensive study of historical battles as well as an awesome mastery of offensive magics. Typically dressed in the flowing blue formal kimono and traditional trappings of the shugenja school, she would seem otherwise unremarkable save for an inexplicable sense of power around her.

Yasuki Momaru
Momaru is fond of saying that there are many battlefields, and a Crab should be master of all of them. While he has not neglected his martial training, he has taken it upon himself to ensure the Crab have dominance in other battlefields: in the market, in the court, in the back-alleys. He has a reputation for the same ruthless pragmatism in those arenas as the Crab demonstrate in their battles against the Shadowlands.

The August Personages of the Crane Clan

Kakita Tanaka – Clan Champion
Tanaka is a powerful, handsome man, radiating an aura of fearless authority. He is strong and his eyes seem to hold back a raging inferno of intensity. Polite, and very likeable, he is a generous host. He doesn’t have the gift of strategy, but he is an accomplished duelist, some say a match for the great Ide Morimoto. He is quick to anger if his honor is questioned, and is not hesitant to issue a challenge. He has a reputation as a ladies man.

Daidoji Hoto

Daidoji Hoto, the Daidoji family Daimyo, is a very handsome man, and as such has little trouble attracting the attentions of beautiful women. He stands slightly taller then the average rokugani citizen, with long white hair down to his mid-back. Piercing green eyes, rare for a rokugani citizen, grace his handsome face. Daidoji Hoto is almost as personable as Tanaka. Although Hoto does seem to be a little more Crab-oriented when it comes to speaking in court. Before the Plague, Hoto worked as a Crane Magistrate, patrolling the provinces and attending to his duties.

Doji Akahito
Akahito is an unattractive man, even by other clan’s standards. He also is known to loathe the court, never having mastered the art of the conversation and appearance. He has spent most of his time planning strategies, for use if the Crane should ever be attacked. He has studied the techniques of many other clans. Akahito keeps to himself, even among the other members of his clan.

Doji O-Ushi

Her father is Doji Akahito, a Crane clan General. She is still studying to become a clan shugenja, though she has a reputation for being timid. She does not have a desire to help her father in battle; in fact, she is frightened of large battles. She wishes to help her clan in different ways. She hopes to become a magistrate and help in investigations. Eventually she knows she will come to grips with her fear.

Asahina Reiyoko
A very beautiful woman, Reiyoko is very committed to doing the best she can for her clan. The boring life of court doesn’t suit her very well, and she much prefers delving into the mysterious places of Rokugan. She was allowed to train in the Scorpion Shugenja school in an exchange program that let Shoshuro Natsumi attend the Kakita school.

The August Personages of the Phoenix Clan

Isawa Murasame – Clan Champion
The Phoenix clan suffered greatly from the ravages of the Gaijin Pluage, loosing all of the Elemental Masters. When the call went out for new leadership, Murasame took that mantle unflinchingly. Before the plague, Murasame used his shugenja skills in his weaponcraft, but after the plague hit he turned his mind to forging some sort of treatment. In the recent months, word has leaked out that he has indeed developed a something along those lines. Although frail of body, Murasame is a consummate (if often unorthodox) diplomat and one of the most honored men the empire.

Isawa Razen
A water shugenja, Razen is passionate about analysis and research. A student of knowledge and a keen observationist of people. He spends many hours watching the comings and goings of people in the markets near the monastery where he studied. Very thorough and detailed; he notes trends and statistics, and his reading tends to focus on the intellectual, the strategic, and the systematic. His research has paid off on the battlefield.

Isawa Anzai
A young brash Isawa, interested in knowledge and power. Anzai has always been superior to her piers and looking for respect and admiration from her superiors. She is always the first to try new spells and to do so in a manner that is shows off her talents with little forethought to the situations that might arise because of it. This sometimes gets her in trouble, but the kami must be watching over her, as she always manages to find a way out of trouble.

Isawa Yasukaza
Yasukaza is the only surviving pupil of Murasame. One of the few people who knew him before his discovery of the treatment of the Gaijin Plague. He has taken up Murasame's position as weaponsmith and his craftsmanship is known throughout the Phoenix lands.

Shiba Radae
An untypical Phoenix. At a young age Radae interpreted the Shiba mantra of protection as being a strong offense. After his training he quickly became bored with the disciplined restraint of his fellow Shiba choosing to travel Rokugan looking for action while focusing his mind and body for whatever battles or challenges his travels would deal him.

Shiba Azuna
Shiba Azuma is one of the elite Tatsujin Yojimbo. It has been a few years since the dye in his hair has grown out and been cut short, but still he follows his fateful duty to guard the Elemental Masters as the Tatsujin Yojimbo have done for centuries. Isawa Murasame has just recently requested his aide in his travels as the Champion now feels that Rokugan has become a more dangerous place.

August Personages of the Dragon

Mirumoto Yama
Mirumoto Yakuzi, former champion of the Dragon Clan, had three sons. His eldest, Yama, has proven to be a gifted military tactician, and now is the general of the Dragon armies. Once thought to be the one who would replace his father (now deceased) as the Clan’s champion, Yama has been far too obsessed with military matters to get too heavily involved in other aspects of clan business. Yama is also a practitioner of the Mirumoto dueling technique.

Mirumoto Yokuni – Clan Champion
Mirumoto Yokuni, the second oldest son of Yakuzi, is the current Clan Champion. A gifted swordmaster and duelist, Yokuni strives to bring the Dragon clan into the modern era, attempting to show the empire that the Dragon Clan can be valuable members of the empire, and set a good example for all Clans. A measure of a man is not only in his ability to fight duels, or wage war…but to control the powers of the mind and spirit, these are also as important. The mystic insights of the Dragon serve Yokuni well, as he often succeeds where others thought failure was inevitable.

Togashi Yodin
Togashi Yodin (formally Mirumoto Yodin), who has dedicated his life to uncovering lost knowledge that will help bring his Clan and the Empire to enlightenment. After becoming one of the ize zume, Yodin took the name of Clan founder Togashi. Yodin, sometimes referred to as The Seeker (a nickname given to him by Yakuni), is an accomplished martial artist. Seeking to perfect his mind as well as his body, he often seeks out strange and hidden locations to test his skills.

Kitsuki Higoshi
The shrewd and charasmatic Kitsuki Higoshi (often called the Inquisitor) has made his reputation on being a clever investigator. He uses, as many in the Kitsuki family do, a method called deduction in order to investigate crimes in the Dragon lands. Although he did attend Shugenja school, he has devoted most of his time since graduation studying deductive reasoning and investigation techniques. He has learned to use his Shugenja powers in aiding him in his investigations, using both logic and intuition together to great effect. His incorporation of intuition has upset some in his family, who are more purists in terms of the family method.
Higoshi's recent string of solved cases (including the famous case of the stolen ceremonial katana that belonged to the Dragon Bushi schoolmaster, Hitomi Tetsuo) finally caught the attention of clan champion, Mirumoto Yokuni. Yokuni has promoted Higoshi to the position of Lord High Magistrate of the Dragon Lands in charge of all investigations conducted by the Dragon. Higoshi still insists on conducting important investigations himself. Yokuni also uses Higoshi on diplomatic missions, as he always makes a positive impression on those with whom he interacts (which also helps in gathering information for his investigations). In his spare time, he often discusses military strategy and psychology with General Yama.

Togashi Yoshida

Togashi Yoshida is the son of the Togashi family daimyo, Togashi Satsu, himself a descendant of the original clan founder. He is also the cousin of the Dragon clan champion, Mirumoto Yokuni. Although a member of the monastic order, the ize zume, Yoshida is a skilled martial artist and swordsman. Before attending the ize zume school, he did train with the sword extensively with Yokuni and at times Grandmaster Hitomi Tetsuo. He has never stopped practicing. His often uses his monk skills to augment his prowess with a blade. He does use the Mirumoto style of two-sword fighting. Yoshida is a thoughtful, even-tempered, charismatic man, and not without a sense of humor. Many notice the similarities between he and his cousin Yokuni. Though he and Yama don't see eye-to-eye on several issues, they have a respectful relationship. Yoshida and Yodin get along quite well, both coming from the same monastic order and having a similar worldview. Yoshida finds that his ideas often carry more weight with Yama when sent indirectly through Yodin.

Kitsuki Sato

Kitsuki Sato is a student of the Kitsuki method of investigation. As such, he is highly gifted at deductive logic and evidence examination. He is the former teacher and a distant relative of Kitsuki Higoshi, and recommended Higoshi to Yokuni. Though still relatively active and in good health at age 50, he did suffer a leg injury during a horse-riding accident when he was a child that left him with a limp in his right leg which affects his ability to move around. Though he can walk, he is not terribly mobile and often uses a cane to help him keep his balance.