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4 Legend of the Five Rings RPG, 4th Edition Written by: Edited by: Proofreaders: RPG Rules Team: Art Director: Cover Design: Graphic Design: Layout: Artists: Shazvn Cannan, Robert Hobart, jim pinto, & Brian bon Robert Hobarl, Todd Ron-land Eoin Burke, Jim Chatham, Mason Crazcford, Daniel Dimen, Erykah Fasselt, Laura Harvey, Daniel Jacobscn, John Merholtz, Jen Oney-Hoovcn, Todd Stiles, Ralph Iropeano Dace, Mason Crazcford, Aaron Rubman Todd Rowland David Ardila David Ardila Edge Studio Christopher Appel, Steve Argyle, Gonzalo Ordonez Arias, Mathew S, Armstrong, Daren Bader, Drew Baker, Jason Behnke, 7bm BiondolUlo, Leonardo Borazio, Beet, Manuel Calderon, Mike Capprotti, Paul Carrick, Miguel Coimbra, Audry Corman, Ed Cox, Edwin David, Molly Denmark, Thomas Denmark, Randy Elliot, Steve Ellis, Jason Engle, Anthony Francisco, Carl Frank, Randy Gallegos, Joachim Gmoser, Anthony Grabski, Troy Graham, Andrezv Hepzcorth, Jeff Hwwiclman, Quintan Hoover, David Home, IFS, Paul Prof Herbert, Jonathan Hunt, Ltyn Hunter, Hugh Jamieson, Michael JCaluta, Michel Koch, Michael Komarck, Heather Kreiter, Amandine iMbarrc, Stephanie Lazv, April Lee, Monika Livingston, Eric Lofgren, Anson Maddocks, Slazvomir Maniak, Viomas Manning, Britt Martin, David Martin, Malcolm McClinton, Fbtrick McEvoy, Wer Mohrbacher, William O'Connor, Glen Osterberger, Jim Fbvelec, Ben Peck, Ramon Perez, Eric Polak, Mark Poole, Angga Satriohadi, Erich Schreiner, Oiris Seaman, Douglas Shuler, Steve Snyder, Ron Spencer, Beth Tivtl, Charles Urbach, Luis Vasquez, Diana Pick, Franz Pbhzt'inkel, Byron U'hckzvitz, Corene H'erhane, Mario JVibisono, Matt Wilson, Jarreau Wimberly, Wackzvitz & Daily Production Manner: Sekick Brand Un/\ger: Chief Executive Officer: Head Piaytester: David l epore Todd Rowland John Zinser Brian Bates Piaytester: Team 1 (Dave Smith, Patrick Chen, Aien Elmi, Jason kang, Ki Chang Kim, Roger Uang, Arthur Nguyen), Team 2 (Lucas Tzvyman, I ee Masheter, Amanda Martyn, Chad Kirby, Andrezv Flynn, Lauren Murray), Team 3 (Kit LaHaise, Catherine Pickett, Bret David Hezves, Francois Martineau), Team 4 (Becca Hobart, lodd Stites, Will Stampley, Kevin Blake, Lewis Fleak, Daniel Briscoe), Team 6 (Dace, Erykah Fassett, Iracy Pinkelton, Daniel Walters, Laura Harvey), Team 7 (Jason Shafer, Xathan Shafer, LEGEND OE THE FIVE RINGS AND ALL RELATED MARKS ARE AND AlDERAC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP Inc. All rights reserved. Matt Strout, Liza Strout, Joe White, Jerry 'Dingo' Moore, Eric Nezvlin), Team 8 (Robert Knight, Mathieu Brebouillet, Aaron Rubman, David Whitney, Richard IVhiiney, Stuai't Biggs, Edward Reynolds, Ryan Gosscns, Jean-PhUUpe Lanfond), Team 10 (Luke Martinez, Joseph Schuster, Andrew Snozt; Oiristopher Myers, Michael Neer, Paul Siebuhr, Ryan Flynn), Team 11 (Cory Mills, Caitlin Mills, Molly Poole, Darren Walters, Lynne Ahlgren, Jeremy Bullens, Albert Koenig), Jeam 12 (Don Eisele, Kate Adams, Matt Ussary, Janet Bosarth, Nate Hedrick, Mike Shimek, Chester Decker), Team 13 (Howard Hooven, Jen Oney-Hooven, David Farmer, Scott Smith, William Hart, Gentry Jnmblc, Kevin Witt), 'leam 14 (Stephanie Dane, Mikael Broduy Greg Kryzvusha, Bob Martin, Reginald Garth, Ryan Tteese, Elliot Smorodinsky, Randy Schneider), Team 15 (Mason Crawford, Allen Cantrell, Julien UdUtte, Krislof Fbrker, April Hamilton, Mark Butler, Luis Fernando de Ibsconcetos), Team 17 (Tom Lezvis, Jamie Kipp, Gavin CfHeam, Shawn MacLean, John Taylor) Special Thanks: Shawn thanked everyone in the Foreword, but thanks again anyway! Brian \wuld like to thank: My best friends, who've stayed by my side and fueled my love of UR and gaming for over ten years. Love you, guys. ® My family, who've always believed that I could do everytfung I want. * l> The Fourth Edition team, writers and playtesters. Ui've created something to be proud of. <9 Angela, who listens to me complain about esoteric gaming issues. Rob WOULD like to thank: ® My wife Rebecca, who always believed I would get to write for UR someday. My first L5R gaming group - Jamie, Allen, Keith, Jason, and Tim - especially our GM Jaime, zvho introduced me to L5R way back in 1997. <© The players, writers, and GMs of Heroes of Rokugan, for ten years of glorious samurai drama. * 9 Shazvn Carman and the rest of AEG, for giving tne the chance to work on this project. © Johti Wick, for creating such an amazing zvorld and game for all of us to play in. JIM WOULD LIKE TO THANK you -the reader -for taking the time to read this part of the book. Todd would uke to thank My zvife Kathy, who still sits patiently as I talk about magical samurai. ® Mike Webb and the Mungbeasts who ran the first L5R RPG game I ever played in back in 1st Edition. ® Everyone on this credits page, you all went above and beyond. Edge Studio wouid uke to thank: lb ihyoi-san, for her help writing the Kanji. www.l5r.oom a. s s
Table of Oontcnts Introduction Welcome to Rokugan 7 Ue' home to the Emerald Empire S IVIiat is a Rote-Playing Ganet . . . .S But Why is it Called 'Role-Playing ' ? 9 WkyUseDicet 9 What is Rokugan? 9 Why Bay Legend of the Eh-e Rings? 9 llltat is in Tins Book 10 V'e Time Saered Substanees 41 Tl,c lenets of Bushido 42 The Concept of Face (On) 44 Shame and Disgrace 44 Seppuku <5 FbUHcs 46 Economics 4i Crime and Punishment 48 Dueling 49 Blood Feuds % liar in Rokugan 52 Annies and ladies 53 Sieges .. . 53 The Great Clans of Rokugan 55 The Oab Clan 56 The Crane Clan 58 The Dragon Clan 60 The Lion Clan 62 The Mantis Clan 64 Tlie Plwenix Clan 66 Tlie Scorpion Clan 68 Tlie Unicorn Clan 70 <4} Book of Air The Emerald Empire 13 Tlie Birth of the Universe 13 The Fall of the Kami 14 Pre-History of the Empire 14 Tlie History of an Empire 15 Vie Geography of Rokugan 24 Social Classes and the Celestial Order 26 Rituals of Life 29 Day-to-Day Etiquette 31 Visiting 32 Gift-Giving 33 Time and the Seasons 34 Food 35 Hair 15 Clothing 35 DzL'ellings 36 Thml...: 38 Men andlibnien 38 Religion and Pliilosophy 39 Kharma and the Celestial Wheel . . 39 Vie Spirit Realms 40 Book of Earth General Mechanics 75 Basic Mechanics: Th e Roll & Keep System 75 Target Xumbers ~ 6 Rings & Traits 76 Skills ' " 9 Raises 79 Types of Rolls ?5 Skill Rolls, Expanded 80 Vie Combat Round 81 Definition of Terms 81 Sequence of Events 81 Attack & Defense 82 I'Untnds 82 Stances 84 Actions *5 Maneuvers 85 laijutsu Dueling 8 ~ Grappling 88 Conditional Effects 89 Fear 90 Honor, Glory, & Status 90 Honor 90 dory. v. to ,;>C iVv. > *JS Status 5S / Book of Fire Character Creation 99 Cliaractcr Creation Quick Summary 99 Character Creation, Expanded 100 The Game of licenty Questions . . 100 Example of Character Creation. . . .103 fmproving Your Character 104 Vie Great Clans 105 The Crab Clan 105 Vie Crane Clan 109 The Dragon Clan 112 The Lion Clan 116 Vie Mantis Clan 120 Vie Plwenix Clan 123 Vie Scorpion Clan 126 Vie Unicorn Clan 129 Skills 133 Emphases 133 Mastery Abilities 133 SkitUst 133 High Skills 135 Bugei Skills 139 Merchant Skills 143 Low Skills 144 Advantages & Disadvantages 145 Subtypes 146 Advantages 146 Disadvantages 156 Magic & Spells 163 Spell Casting Rolls & Spell Target Numbers 163 Actions & Casting Time 163 Affinities & Deficiencies 164 Spell Descriptions 164 Universal Spells 164 Air Spells 167 Earth Spells 173 Fin Spells 180 mter Spells 1S7 Vbid Spells 193 Equipment 198 Armor 198 lliapons 198 Bows 199 Chain Ueapons 200 Heavy llcapons 200 Knives 201 Xiniutsu Ueapons 201 Fblcanns 202 Spears . 7. M.:i.., Staves 20} Swords 204 War Fans 205 Miscellaneous Equipment 205 othing & Accesso ries 207
Book of Water Advanced Mechanics 211 The Spider Oan 211 The Minor Clans 215 The Badger Clan 2Z5 The Bat Clan 216 The Boar Oan 217 Vie Dwgonfly Oan 218 The Falcon Clan 218 The Fox Oan 229 The Hare Oan 220 The Monkey Clan 222 The Oriole Oan 222 The Ox Oan 22J The Snake Clan 23* The Sparrow Oan 2M The Tortoise Oan 225 The Imperial Families 22/ The Miya Family 227 Tlie Otomo Family 227 The Seppun Family 227 Tlie Brotherhood oj Shinsei 2J2 Monk Schools 231 The Four Temples Monk 231 The Order of Heroes Monk. . . 232 The Shrine of the Seven Thunders Monk 232 Tlie Temple of Kaimetsu-uo Monk 232 The Temple of Osano-liv Monk 233 The Temples of the Thousand Fortunes Monk . . 233 Ronin 233 Clan Ronin 234 True Ronin, Option 1 234 True Ronin, Option 2 234 Optional Systems 236 the Mass Battle System 236 Heroic Opportunities 238 Ancestors 242 Crab Ancestors 242 Crane Ancestors 242 Dragon Ancestors 242 Lion Ancestors 242 Mantis Ancestors 243 Phoenix Ancestors 243 Scorpion Ancestors 243 SpiderlShadoidands Ancestors 2H Unicorn Ancestors 244 Alternate Means of Rank Progression 245 Advanced Schools 245 Alternate mhs 26 Great Clan Advanced Schools .. . .247 Great Clan Alternate Paths 252 Miscellaneous Alternate Paths. . . 256 Basic Crafting Rules 255 Kata ..... 259 Kiho 261 Utilising Kiho 2d2 Air Kiho 262 EarStKiho 263 FinKiho 264 mterKiho 2d5 MidKilw 265 Maho. . 247 Learning Maho 267 Using Maho 267 Maho Spells 268 Tlie Shadoidands Taint 23 Living zcith the Taint 276 Gaining the Taint - Active Infection 276 Protection From the Taint 277 Effects of the Taint 277 Levels of Taint Infection 2/ 7 Calling on the Potcer of Jigoku. . . .279 Shadozdands Fbii'crs and Mutations 279 Book of Void the Game Master ' s Oiapter Running an L5R Campaign 255 Playing a Samurai 285 Types of Campaigns 286 Magistrates 286 Imperial Legionnaires 256 The Shadozdands Campaign.... 256 Arbiters/Regents (Shikken) 257 Imperial Cartographers/Scouts . . . 287 Otokodate(Band of Brothers) ... 255 The Restricted Campaign 255 Tlie Rank 0 Campaign 259 Tzi'o-Player Games 259 Tlie Sun and Moon: Balancing Characters and Campaigns 292 Adventures and Structure 292 Writing Your Ozz'n Adventure 29i Types of Adventures 293 Starting the Adventure 297 Adventure Structure: Act Tcuo ... 297 Plot Constraints 295 Rewards for Success: Experience Points 300 Building Stories: The 36 miter Plots 301 Asian I'ersus Western Storytelling 309 The Hero in Asian Stories 309 Death and the Samurai 310 Vie Role of Tragedy 310 Making Villains: Black and White in Rokugan 311 Honor, Glory, Infamy, and Status 312 The Art of Being a Good Game Master 313 Myths: The GM as Entertainer I Vie GM as Adversary 313 Actions Have Consequences 314- Vie Rules as a Toolbox 3U Changing the Rules 315 Alternate Playstyles 315 Anime Style 316 Cinematic Style 317 Grim Realism Style 317 Vie GMs Toolbox 318 Creatures of Rokugan 318 Creature Statistics 318 Special Abilities: 319 Standard Special Abilities . . . 319 Natural Creatures 320 Dog(Imi) 320 Dog, Unicorn U'hr Dog 321 Falcon 321 Horse, Rokugani Fbny 322 Horse, Unicorn Riding Horse. 322 Horse, Utakn Battle Steed . . . 323 Lion 323 Ox 323 mif(Ookami) 323 Monsters and Xonhunian Races. . .324 Bog Hag 324 Gaki(Shozai-Caki) 325 Gliost (ybrei) 326 Goblin (Bakcmono) 327 Kappa 327 Ogn 32S Oni (Ugulu no Oni) 328 Ratling (Nesumi) 329 Tsuno (Tsuno Warrior) 330 Undead Revenant 330 Zombie 331 Fbison 332 Dripping Fbison 332 Hn Biter 333 Night Milk 333 Ihiom 333 Emerald Empire location Guide . . . .334 Provinces of the Crab Oan 334 Provinces of the Crane Qan 337 Provinces of the Dragon Clan . . . 340 Vie Provinces of the Uon Oan . . .343 Fyovinces of the Mantis Clan. ... 346 Provinces of the Phoenix Oan . . . 348 Provinces of the Scorpion Oan. . . .351 Vie Shadowlands and the Provinces of the Spider Clan 354 provinces of the Unicorn Oan . . . .357 Minor Clan Holdings 59 Unaligned / Imperial Holdings. . . 363 Geographical Features 566 Sample Adventure Seeds: Oiallenge, Focus, Strike 369 A Complete Sample Adventure: Tournament of the Samurai 372 Resources and Inspirations 384 Non-Fiction 384 Fiction and Stories 384 Film and Television 384 Charader Sheet 559 Index 394