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Empire of Emerald

Stars Companion
An Unofficial Collection of Homebrew Rules for the 4th Edition of the Legends of the Five Rings Role Playing Game

1
INTRODUCTION AND DISCLAIMER
Imperial Histories 2 introduced a new setting for L5R roleplaying game called The Empire of the
Emerald Stars. But most of the information was partial and incomplete. I just collected and edited all the
material I can found on Internet. This booklet has not for goal to rewrite or copy what has already been
done but to implement this with new material and/or clarifications.

Within these pages youll find more than new rules, equipment, spells, disadvantages, advantages,
ancestral items Feel free to use it or not, to adapt it for your needs or not, the best way to play L5R is
always your way.

I do not have the rights to use the original texts and/or illustrations.
You can find them here:
http://www.deviantart.com/
http://0-hr.com/Future_Armada/Gallery.htm
https://the-empire-of-the-emerald-stars.obsidianportal.com/wikis/
http://www.lowfierce.com/kazenoshiro/Rokugan2000/l5r2k/l5r2k.html
http://twisted-fates.enjin.com/forum/
https://seaofstarsrpg.wordpress.com/
http://www.kazenoshiro.com/2011/08/13/tattoos-for-4th-edition-2/
http://l5rrpg.blogspot.be/2013/05/the-owl-clan.html
https://forums.somethingawful.com/
https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?763511-L5R-Creating-a-Minor-Clan-(or-101-Minor-Clans-)
https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/empire-of-the-emerald-stars-legend-of-the-five-rings.31307/
https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/237413-ryoshun-courtier-help/
http://l5r-fanfiction.livejournal.com/

All the original authors are credited on this page.


I present my apologies to the original authors if they might take offense; this collection is nothing more
than a tribute to their work. I have no intention of appropriating if for myself, just to keep it alive and
make it available to the greatest number. Thank to them!

Deeply yours, Droidscotty.

Written By: Samurai Fox (the Bear Clan), Ettin (Purposes of the clans in The Empire of the Emerald
Stars, A Winter Court in the Emerald Stars), Droidscotty (Ships of the Emerald Star Empire, Non
humans and aliens, Purposes of the clans in The Empire of the Emerald Stars, the Scarabs, the Panda
Clan, the Anglerfish Clan (on a concept by Daigotsu Masanori), the Beaver Clan (on a concept by
Ettin), Allison Heimbach and Rich Wulf (Skills, Many New spells, Noteworthy Creatures, Many
Advantages and Disadvantages, Many Equipment), DukeofWolfsgate (Worlds of the Empire, New Rules,
Aibisu War Dancer School), Ian Straughan (Usagi Gunslinger School), Chris Burns (Toku Police
Officer School), SkinnyD (New ronin Paths, New Sacred weapons, Fortunes of Food Blessings and
Curses), Shiba Gunichi (Yak clan concept), LucaCherstich (Date Swordman, Yadomejutsu Expert,
Sagara Archer), L5R development teams: Stonemelt avantage (Enemies of the Empire p.194), Personal
weapons (Imperial Histories 2 p.307), Legend of the Five Rings RPG Blog (Using the Owl clan into a
normal game), Nheko (Ryoshun Courtier School), Kael Winters (Sleeping Serpents fiction)

Edited By: Droidscotty

Artists: Most of the illustrations come from Deviant art artists: RebeccaDell (Bear clan mon based upon
her original design), peaches9d (Panda clan mon), Tensen 01 (Owl clan mon), Droidscotty (Anglerfish
and Ibis clans mons), Snook 8 (Scarab illustration), Adamkop (nearly all the ships), rich35211,
hideyoshi, Ryan Wolfe (ships), tryingtofly, neisbeis, nkabuto, gunsbins, Rianna Moller, Jorge Jacinto,
Paul Chadeisson (Onnotangus heart)

Layout: Angel Torres, Droidscotty based on the L5R 4th Edition RPG Layout

Legend of the Five Rings and all related marks and logos are and Alderac Entertainment
Group and Flight Fantasy Games

2
Erratas and clarifications:
This book has been designed to work with the Court of the Minor Clans fanbook that you can
find here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ne1gbmkmr70rbhb/Court%20of%20the%20Minor%20Clans.pdf?dl=0
The Aibisu War Dancer School was originally the Kyoshi Guardian School that I adapted for
the Ibis Clan
I already had an Octopus, Bee, Otter and Firefly into the court of the minor clan. So I
retrofitted their descriptions to keep the ideas and give new ones to game masters. The Lynxs
purpose corresponds to the original Ettins Octopus, the Echidnas one to the Bee, the Firefly to
the Beaver and the Otter to the Weasel.
The Vultures purpose corresponds to the original Ettins Trout. I just changed the animal not
to confuse with the Way of the Carp technique from the Crab Clan but I kept the original
Shouko family name.
The Neo Versailles world name is a wink to the French Web series Le Visiteur du Futur
I changed the original Tiger tattoo to the Lynx tattoo; the Bat tattoo to Tanuki tattoo; Cherry
Blossom tattoo to Star tattoo; Tortoise tattoo to Kitsu tattoo; White Mask tattoo to Fan tattoo;
to avoid duplication with Little Truth fanbook.
Most of the material of this book has not been play tested. Use it at your own risk.

3
Introduction ............................. 7 Non humans and aliens.............32 The Anglerfish Clan...........56
A Winter Court in the Emerald Stars Enemies of the Empire ....... 32 The Bear Clan ....................58
............................................... 7 Other Species .................... 34 The Beaver Clan ................62
Ships of the Emerald Star Empire 8 Noteworthy Non-humans .. 36 The Ibis Clan .....................64
Great Clans and Ship Design8 Equipment ..............................38 The Panda Clan .................66
Ships Basic Rules................ 10 Armors .............................. 38 New Schools........................... 68
A ships rings values ........... 11 Other Equipment ............... 38 New Paths .............................. 72
Navigation Rules ..................... 12 New items for a travelling pack 38 New Ronin Paths ...............74
Shipboard stations.................... 13 Salaries .............................. 39 Purposes of the clans in The Empire of
Shipboard Equipment ............... 13 Vehicles............................. 39 the Emerald Stars .................... 76
Ship Weapons .................... 14 Housing ............................. 39 Great Clans ........................76
Ship Shields and Hull Upgrades 15 Utilities ............................. 39 Minor Clans .......................81
Advanced Ship Equipment. 16 Personal Weapons.............. 40 Other Factions....................88
Sample Ships Statistics ............. 19 Explosives .......................... 41 New Rules .............................. 89
Frigates .............................. 21 Tetsukami Technology ...... 42 Skills ..................................89
Carriers .............................. 23 Nemuranais ....................... 43 Advantages and Disadvantages
Transports, Barges, and Merchant- Technological Levels ......... 44 Adaptation .........................91
craft ................................... 24 Worlds of the Empire ................45 New Advantages ................91
Fighter craft ....................... 25 The Tenth Major Clan .............51 New Disadvantages.............93
New Spells .............................. 26 The Eleventh Major Clan .........53
New Tatoos............................. 29 Minor Clans of a new era ..........56

4
Shields are down to twenty percent, and we are If my research is correct -and trust me it is-. He
losing life support on decks three, six and seven said with a bit of arrogance in his voice this
Taisa ancient race will soon awaken.

Another impact on the shields caused Daidoji I thought the Naga were extending. They will
Moro to grip her council. A siren wailed in the surely fail to return on the Third day of
background reminding the crew that they were Thunder.
in a combat situation. Quietly she cursed the
Mantis Atakebune-class Corvettes. Those There are believed to be extinct. But I think
Mantis raiding vessels were always faster than they went into a deeper hibernation.
most ships in the Empire. Thankfully Crane
radiant weapons were a lot stronger. Kitashi moved towards the holo emitter and
keyed in a few things bringing up a holographic
Bring us to these coordinates she keyed in new image of Rokugan Prime. The image then
coordinates for the helmsmen to enter into the rotated to an enlarged picture of the Shinomen
counsel. forest.
Divert power from the engines and use it to
reinforce forward shields. Fire on my mark This is where the Naga rest.

The ship came about behind one of the three Mikeiko nodded How do you know they will
Mantis raiders. Moro waited only a moment awaken though? And if they are still there what
before giving the order. Fire! makes you think that the time did not consume
them?
A volley of torpedoes fired into the back side of
the Mantis vessel. Followed by three short burst Dreams Kitashi answered.
from the radiant cannon. Moro glanced back at
her tech officers for a damage report. Dreams?

Damage to their engines, shields down by sixty He nodded and then continued The realm of
percent Yume-Do as you may know is the dream realm.
Moro nodded and then looked towards the Everything that sleeps dreams. Yume-Do is filled
ambassador seated nearby. with pocket realms of sleeping dreamers. Some
Are you certain they will show? We cannot bigger than others there was a short pause and
take much more of this Mikeiko-sama Kitashi turned a keen eye towards Mikeiko.
Hai Mikeiko said He said he will be here and Are you familiar with the work of Kitsu
he will! Yumeji?

Another impact to the shields caused both Mikeiko tilted her head for a moment.
samurai-kos to grab something to hold onto. Im familiar with his work to some extent. I am
Moro nodded and locked at the blinking light on told his link with his Kitsu ancestry allows him
her counsel. The shields would not be able to to perceive other realms.
take much more of this.
Prepare for boarders! she ordered and begins It does Kitashi voice began to rise with his
plotting new coordinates for the helm. excitement. He has been working on mapping
various realms to see if there are new hyperspace
************************ lanes to be found in between the spirit realms.
Of late his work has been on Yume-Do.
Two Days ago. Asahina Kitashi was reading a
data pad and grinned. If his findings were correct Kitashi began keying up more information on
he may have stumbled upon the greatest find the holo emitter as he continued:
since the great clans discovered space travel. Once of the larger realms, that was previously
believed to be permeant has recently begun to
He poured over the information again just to shrink in size, denoting that either the dreamers
make sure before looking up at his apprentice there are dying or waking up. He theorizes that
this realm may be where the Naga dreams are
Have you heard of a race known as the Naga held.
Mikeiko-san? he asked with a grin.

I have come across them in my studies, yes

5
An image of the Shinomen forest turned vessel spiraled and then drifted the only thing
sideways showing a holographic image of the keeping it moving being the Mantis raiders
earth below the forest. inertia.
Kuni Sukumi has used thermographic imaging
for many years to track movement on Rokugan. A Mantis raider is disabled Taisa. The other
two are coming about. Our shields will not be
The old Asahina then leaned forward and able to withstand much more of this.
pointed to a spot that had some discoloration as
if it were slightly warmer than the rest of the Suddenly, another ship decloaked and fired at
underground region. the two Mantis ships causing them to advert
their course with the Lady Wolf. It came up
See the Naga are awakening. They rest here. behind the two vessels and continued firing
before they had a chance to come about and face
Its only a theory though. Mikeiko said the new threat.
although she was defiantly fascinated with these
findings. Taisa! The Scorpion vessel is making a general
hail.
A theory worth checking out. If the Naga
should wake now they will be wiped out. I will Attention Mantis raiders, this is Scorpion
need you to go back to Rokugan Prime and find vessel Shadow. Stand down and depart or be
the Naga. Make sure they are safe. destroyed!

I have no ship. How will I get there? Mikeiko turned to Moro and smiled softly.
I told you Kenzo-san would be here.
Kitashi laughed some, not a mocking tone but
one full a bit of mirth. Moro scowled a bit and then nodded, if only the
Scorpion could be on time she thought to
You have been a resourceful samurai. I know herself
you have friends with ships. And Im sure you
can find a crew willing to brave the deep to
reach Rokugan Prime. I would go myself but I
am too old to make such a trip. Instead I will go
see the Empress. If I can convince her to give
more resources to my project perhaps we can
save the entire race from a horrible fate.

Hai sama. Mikeiko said and bowed gently.

I will make my preparations

With that she bowed again and took a few steps


backward, waiting till she had left his presence
before turning and exiting.

*****************

Three more hits rocked the Lady Wolf. Moro


was thankful that Daidoji engineers made firm
sturdy vessels. Shields are collapsing Taisa!

Security teams prepare to repel borders. Helm


fire at these coordinates on my mark!

The ship flew towards the damaged Mantis


vessels. Moro leaned forward and watched the
view screen.

Fire! The Lady Wolf launched volley of


torpedo impacting directly on the ship. The

6
Introduction A Winter Court in the
Emerald Stars
It is a time of miracles

The year is 3121 by the Isawa Calendar, and the Guests


glorious Empire of Rokugan has spread to the The total number of guests changes every year,
stars. Using a unique blend of science and but there's a hard cap somewhere in the
mysticism, the samurai of the Great Clans have hundreds to stop things getting out of hand.
developed tools and techniques unimaginable to Some people are automatically invited: The
their revered ancestors, and with them they have Emperor, the Emperor's Chosen, the Jeweled
left behind their earthly cradle and walked Champions, the Great Clans Champions, and
among the heavens themselves. Guided by the their family daimyo. Not all attend: they have
immortal wisdom of their ancestors and three other business to attend to and send
thousand years of unbroken tradition they have representatives. The rest of the invites are
carried their art and civilization to even the handled by the Chancellor, who mostly just
most distant star. distributes them among the Clans to do what
they like with. The host Clan and Imperial
The Clans of Rokugan, having long since authorities can issue a few invites as well. The
reached beyond their borders to conquer their smaller Minor Clans usually rely on the Alliance
homeworld, have extended the Emperor's to speak for them at Winter Court and trade
domain to the stars. Samurai have given the many of their bonus invitations for favors.
Katana and Horse places of honor in their
history and now take up Radiant Light Rifles Orbit
and Starships to fulfill their duties to their lords. For some Clans, their first impression is when
Where Clans once battled for supremacy over they enter the host planet's orbit. It's become
miles of earth, they now vie for control over something of a tradition for the major players to
entire planets and solar systems. Legions have try and make a dramatic entrance in the fanciest
given way to Fleets, patrolling the emptiness ship they have. Not everyone cares -the Crab
between worlds with weaponry capable of usually just bring a practical transport ship, for
vaporizing entire armies. example-, and for most samurai there's no shame
in catching a shuttle or something as long as
No less than fifty seven star systems now lie they show up on timebut a courtier who shows
under the aegis of the Divine Empress, Iweko up in a dented piece of junk is going to look like
CXII, ritually purified and accepted into the a fool unless they can explain it away. Most
ever-growing Empire of Emerald Stars of guests dock their ship at an orbital station and
Rokugan. Twice as many again are in the process take other transport to the surface. The Minor
of being claimed and colonized by his most Clan Alliance is bringing their only Katana-class
dutiful servants among the Eleven Great Clans, battlecruiser, the Defiant.
and with each passing year new discoveries and During winter, these orbital stations are filled
new conquests are reported back to the Imperial with samurai who weren't invited to the Court
Court by exultant samurai, each one eager to but had to crew the ships. It's great time for
earn glory among the stars and bring honor to tourism. What happens on the station usually
their lords. Power and influence shifts by the doesn't matter much in the grand scheme of
day, each Clan driven to outdo their peers in a things, but some samurai like to joke that there's
relentless contest of skill and daring, and every an informal second court going on up there.
year the star-lanes and space-ports seem to Topics usually center on the kind liked by
explode in a tangled mess of violent conflict as samurai who crew spaceships and don't get
ambitious rivals make war upon their peers invited to parties: engineering, spaceship
designs, new technology, etc. As for security, the
host Clan is expected to have a fleet on hand to
protect the Winter Court. Guests can bring their
own security, but besides guarding their docked
ships it's mostly ceremonial.

7
Ships of the Emerald Star The Lion specialize in troop-carriers and when
forced into combat in space, almost invariably go
Empire for ramming and boarding actions. They also
maintain a number of smaller escort vessels - not
Great Clans and Ship Design nearly as many as the Mantis, but enough to
distract and harry long enough for the larger
assault boats to come to grips with the foe.
Vessels of the Badger clan are certainly few in
number but tend to be models of efficiency. The Mantis has fleets of smaller ships with a
Access to mineral resources tends to produce carrier-based philosophy. They tend to swarm
vessels that are robust. Many functions are their foes, using high-mobility fighter craft to
automated, which suits the personal shortage of strike where the foe is weak. They also generally
the youngest of the major clans. Many vessels tend to have excellent and the most updated
are genuine industrialized factories and equipped stellar maps.
for harvesting materials. In combat, their ships
respect the ancestral belief of the badger clan: Owl ships are quite heterogeneous. They use
Hit as hard as possible so that the enemy does equipment and arrangements that may seem
not have time to reply. They adore escape strange even to the Dragon clan due to their
tactics, use special combat strategies in non- duty to deal with alien species. Thus they
empty spaces -like asteroid fields- and do not recover, adapt and have special technologies
hesitate to use their harvesting tools against that help them in their daily tasks but which are
opponent ships. Many of their adversaries have also often difficult to replace. As a result their
blamed themselves for having judged lightly the ships are mostly unique and precious and the
obstinacy of the crews of these vessels. clan never ventures to use them in battle lightly.
However, this specificity sometimes obliges them
Crab ships are enormous, ponderous things with to dispatch a particular vessel for a particular
quite a lot of armor and powerful weapons that situation, which considerably increases the
make up for any slowness or inaccuracy with area logistics. This is compensated by a number of
effect. As far as personal gear, they recognize smaller vessels when unusual equipment is not
that there is a stigma attached to having armor required. Their interiors are often refined to
beefed up for additional toughness, shrug, and do receive the best of foreign species but also in
it anyway. memory of the prestigious family names that the
clan enjoys.
Crane vessels are beautiful, elegant, and agile
with shielding that guides attacks to just miss, Phoenix vessels are a dichotomy. The majority
leading to a sort of "Dancing through the of their ships are on the small side. They're
raindrops" effect. Their shipboard weapons are extraordinarily well-designed and well-built,
incredibly precise, but tend not to have with highly trained crew. They can outfight
particularly good power. They can slowly disable anything of their size or crew contingent.
and then cripple their foe, but it takes time and They're also easily outnumbered by the larger,
effort to line up a kill shot. So they focus on cheaper, more populous craft of any of the other
evasion. major clans. The very few larger ships, however,
are different. Referred to as the World breakers,
Dragon vessels are weird. They tend to be these vessels are designed to contain and make
midrange, multirole ships. Rather than armor full use of the sheer number and force of
(decent but not amazing) or evasion (likewise) Shugenja that the Phoenix can bring. The raw
they focus their defenses on active measures - power of these vessels is frankly horrifying, with
shooting attacks out of the sky, or blocking them almost absurdly powerful shields, and mystic
with a particular form of point-defense shielding. attacks that are said to reach out and swat entire
They're also all deeply customized, and generally fleets out of the sky. The Phoenix do not bring
have a decent shugenja contingent aboard, with these vessels to battle often, however - partly
overbuilt reactors providing power to a variety of because they do not wish to visit that horror
special projects. You never really know what upon the other clans, and partially because if
tricks a given Dragon vessel is going to pull out they were often deployed, the other clans would
until it does. have to design and field counters to them.
Losing even one of the great ships would be
crippling to the clan, simply from the sheer
number of shugenja who would die with the
ship.

8
Scorpion vessels are hard to spot, and hard to
target. They have excellent ECW and ECCW,
the next best thing to cloaking, and a fondness
for torpedoes. Hunting a Scorpion vessel is
harrowing work. Of course, all of that comes at a
price. If you can manage to burn through the
fog, their mobility and evasion are mediocre, and
their durability is poor. The use of torpedoes also
means that they have limited stamina. Note that
the Scorpion often customizes their torpedoes to
the navy that they expect to be fighting. A well-
prepared Scorpion striking unexpectedly from
stealth can be deadly almost no matter who you
are. Dark rumors also speak of even quieter
boarding torpedoes, crammed full of stealth, that
allow the Scorpion to infiltrate ninja on board
mid-transit with no one the wiser. A saboteur
thus infiltrated cannot move too quickly or
openly, but over time, what they can do will
cripple the vessel, killing it slowly.

Spider vessels are varied but always disgusting for


all other clans, mixing technology with flesh and
maho. They always seem to emit dark energy
and fearing auras where they appear. They crews
often include large portions of undead or even
worse... Seeing a Spider vessel coming to you is
always a source of anxiety and nearly always a
bad news. Its dangerous to board such a ship
because you can never predict if youll leave it
and what youll find inside. Even more terrifying:
theyre often corrupted by Shadowlands Taint

The Unicorn runs larger ships with powerful


radiant cannons strengthened by the power of
their shugenja. Theyre well known for their hit-
and-run tactics using their superior engines.
Theyve also the most developed fleet of
transport vessels and have the fastest ships of the
Empire.

9
Ships Basic Rules

All the ships and spatial stations are characterized by some values derivate from size:
Size Crew Basic Traits Equipment Movement Average Ship class Examples
capacity Points Slots Modifier Basic Cost
(min-max)
1 0-1 10 5 +6 600 Tanto
2 2-3 12 7 +5 1500 Baraunghar, Teppoudo, Shuriken, Sherpa
3 4-9 14 10 +4 3200 Atakebune, Ninja, Kobune, Tortoise, Yuso
4 10-27 16 14 +3 6500 Ide, Kagaku, Hankyu
5 28-81 18 19 +2 13200 Wakizashi, Igaku, Yumi
6 82-243 20 24 +1 26500 Katana
7 244-732 22 32 0 54000 Torid-e Station
8 733-2199 24 39 -1 1 09000 Daikyu
9 2200-6600 26 50 -2 2 20000 Testubo, Shiro Station
10 6601-19800 28 60 -3 5 00000 Kyuden Station

The ship Size is an exponential scale, only a of free equipment slots when removing increase
global measure of her real size. Two ships of the it.
same size have nearly never the same measures.
One can be higher but shorter for example. The Movement modifier determines the easiness
of the ship to move. The larger a ship is, the
Nearly every ship must be operated by a slower shell be.
Minimum Crew for maximum efficiency. The
GM may decide when you dont satisfy the The Average Basic cost gives an idea of the
minimum crew to reduce the consoles bonus by value of a new ship in koku without any
the same fraction of lacking crew. equipment.
(Ex: a size 4 ship needs 10 minimum crew members. If
she has only 5 crew members, it lacks 50% of The Insight Rank of a ship is measured by
minimum crew so all the bonus are reduced by 50%) adding all of a ships Rings together and
multiplying them by ten, then adding the total
Often they also carry passengers but the total of her consoles bonuses together and adding it
number of people aboard a ship would never to the total from the Rings. (See Core Rules
exceed the Maximum crew value. The crew Book p.104 for more information)
capacity increases logically with the size of the (Ex: a ship with all five Rings at 2 and with a total of
ship. 20 ranks in bonuses would have an Insight of 120 and
an Insight Rank 2)
Each ship has a number of basic Traits Points
determined by the chart above. Those points The Initiative determines the order of action of
must be distributed between all the ships traits. all ships in a battle. The Initiative is equal to:
The traits measure the real capacities of a ship. Insight Rank + Reactivity Trait Ship Size

The number of Equipment Slots determines the A ship may receive Shadowland Taint just like
quantity of additional equipment she can carry. any object or character. When a living creature
The higher the ship size, the higher would be the travels aboard a corrupted ship, she receives
equipment slot number, just because she has automatically 1 shadowland taint point per
more place to wear equipment. Number of complete week. All ships begin their life with a
equipment slots is determined in the table shadowland taint of 0. Some weapons effects,
above. Installing new equipment reduce number magic or environmental conditions may increase
this.

10
A ships rings values The Air Ring is determined by adding the ship
overall Shields output Trait and its Reactivity
trait. All the Radiant shields output are
The ships rings functions quite the same way as
calculated with the Air Ring as a basic. The
those of a creature or a character. Theyre still
reactivity measures the easiness to manoeuver
limited to a value of 10 but have not the same
and operates the ship properly. When the Air
purpose:
Ring is reduced to 0, the ship cannot restore her
shields, crew operations are really difficult and
The Earth Ring is determined by the addition of
she is exposed to all the dangers of space. Move
the overall structural Solidity trait and the level
without an operating shield can be very
of internal Security trait of the ship. It gives the
hazardous as even the smallest asteroid could
number of Hull Structural Points of the ship, her
damage the hull.
Life Points and the Hull Reduction, her
Armor TN, just as a samurais. The higher the
The Void Ring is equal to the ships Artificial
Earth Ring should be, the more difficult it would
Intelligence Trait -1. It functions the same way
be to penetrate the ship or her computers. High
as for the samurais except that a ship has her
values translate multiple indoor shielded doors
own reserve of Void Points that can be used only
or highly efficient antivirus or security programs.
to augment rolls based on the ships systems. To
When the structural points or Earth Ring values
recuperate Void Points, the ship must dock at a
are reduced to 0, the ship is very vulnerable.
station or land (if she can) for at least 8
uninterrupted hours.
Basic Hull Structural Points = Earth Ring X20 X
Ship Size
Basic Hull Reduction = Earth Ring X2

The Fire Ring is calculated by adding the ships


Power output trait to its global Artificial
Intelligence trait. For example, radiant weapons
damages are calculated with the Fire Ring. A
high artificial intelligence trait denotes the ship
capacity to do things by herself without crew
assistance. When the Fire Ring is reduced to 0,
the ship is disabled. The crew relies only on raw
power from emergency batteries to maintain Life
Support systems, cannot open fire (even with
projectile weapons as they are guided by
computer) or operate other complex systems like
computers programs.

The Water Ring is obtained by adding the ships


sub light Engine output trait with the strength of
her Sensors trait. The higher the ring, the faster
the ship would be and the farer she would
perceive. Even Large ships or stations have a
Water Ring value of 1 at least in form of
positioning thrusters but also to see properly
what is around her. When the Water Ring is
reduced to 0, the ship is adrift and blinded. She
is in danger has she see nothing, cannot move by
herself and drift in space. Orbiting ships and
stations loss their orbital stability and should be
destroyed if they enter the atmosphere without
the appropriate equipment.

11
Navigation Rules

The larger a ship is, slower she will be as the size increase the risk of collision. Travelling without fresh
information or to unknown space is very hazardous. Most of known Rokugan space is equipped with
Yumeji News Network relays and beacons that provide up to date navigational information.

Movement Ship Movement Movement Movement Maximum Maximum


Rate Size of squares squares squares Atmospheric Spatial Speed
Limit (Free action) (Simple (Complex action) Speed
action)
12 1 9 squares 11 squares 13squares 3300 km/h 2 400 000 km/h
11 1 8 squares 10 squares 12squares 3000 km/h 2 100 000 km/h
10 2 7 squares 9 squares 11 squares 2700 km/k 1 800 000 km/h
9 2 6 squares 8 squares 10 squares 2400 km/h 1 600 000 km/h
8 3 5 squares 7 squares 9 squares 2100 km/h 1 400 000 km/h
7 4 4 squares 6 squares 8 squares 1800 km/h 1 200 000 km/h
6 5 3 squares 5 squares 7 squares 1500 km/h 1 000 000 km/h
5 6 2 squares 4 squares 6 squares 1200 km/h 800 000 km/h
4 7 2 squares 3 squares 5 squares 900 km/h 600 000 km/h
3 8 1 square 2 squares 3 squares 600 km/h 400 000 km/h
2 9 0 square 1 square 2 squares 300 km/h 200 000 km/h
1 9 0 square 0 square 1 square Maintain position Maintain position

Movement Rate= Ring Water + Movement Modifier


Ramming Damage= Size X Movement squares of the last action

Travel Time without Opening a Space Way spell


Travel Estimated Time Required
Distance*
Surface of planet to orbit (atmospheric travel speed) 120 km 20 minutes
Orbit to nearest safe and cleared jump point 6000 km 60 seconds
Planetary Orbit to planets moon 400 000 km 60 minutes
Planetary Orbit to another planet in the same 3 million km 4-6 hours
system
Planetary Orbit to outer edge of system 12 million km 1-3 days
Planetary Orbit to the nearest system outer edge 5 light-years 9000 years
* With a speed of 3 squares, Superior Engine equipment not included

Travel Time with Opening a Space Way spell


Travel Estimated Time Required*
Distance*
Planetary Orbit to another planet in the same 3 million km < 1 second
system
Planetary Orbit to outer edge of system 12 million km 2 minutes
Planetary Orbit to the nearest system outer edge 5 light-years 5 days
Across a sector 20 light-years 19 days
Across Rokugani Empire of Emerald Stars 500 light-years 15 months
To nearby galaxy 2 million light- 3048 years
years
* No additional raise to the Spell Casting Roll or time reducing equipment included

12
Shipboard stations weapons of the ship in times of battles and
monitors launch bay activity.
The ships crew uses computers for all the
operations inside the ship. When a crew member The Navigation console contains all stellar maps
uses a ship system aboard the ship to make and last navigation information at disposal and its
something, she adds a bonus after making the roll. often linked to Piloting console that controls ship
The bridge (or cockpit) often has specialized thrusters, engines and acceleration dampeners.
stations for special uses:
The Engineering console is often in the main
Station Bonus Relevant engine room of the ship and controls hull integrity,
equal to Skills ship shields, power supplies, energy allocation,
Environmental and Ship Size All rolls made computer core and program operations, etc.
Survival to survive
aboard The Science console is a derivate and specialized
Security Ships Earth Investigation tactical console about science activity and research.
Ring (Intern She contains a Science database and mainly uses
operations) the ships sensors and radars to examine the outside
Engineering Ships Earth Artisan, Craft,
of the ship and conduct experiments.
Ring Engineering,
Forgery
Communication Ships Water Courtier, The Medical console is at the sickbay of the ship.
Ring Cryptography, Often coupled to relay the environmental and
Etiquette, survival systems, medical console can detect largely
Sincerity, spread diseases and poisons. She serves to
Commerce, coordinate the medical care and global health of
Intimidation, the crew.
Temptation
Tactical Ships Fire Battle, Defense,
Ring Hunting, Ship Shipboard Equipment
Weapons
Navigation Ships Water Navigation All the ships are considered to have the minimum
Ring vital accommodations to support their crew such as
Piloting Ships Air Piloting, crew barracks or cockpit, life and environmental
Ring Stealth (ship)
systems, acceleration dampeners, artificial gravity,
Science Ships Investigation
Artificial (Extern simple computers, etc. Equipment Slots only serve
Intelligence operations), to track and measure special or advanced
relevant Lore equipment.
Medical Ships Medicine,
Artificial relevant Lore The Cost of all of these ship weapons, ship shields,
Intelligence upgrades and pieces of equipment is roughly equal
to: Number of slots (after applying clan reduction)
The Environmental and Survival station is the X 100 kokus.
working console for all minimum vital
accommodations to support the crew just as Time for installing or modifying equipment (in
artificial gravity, air recycling and conditioning days): (Ship Size) X (Number of Equipment Slots
system, food supplies, lights, oxygen supplies, water of the modified equipment) / (Number of workers)
and waste recycling, etc. Its is totally independent
from all others systems with its own backup
batteries.

The Security console govern all the internal


security, not only prisoners cells but also internal
gas, fire or radiation detectors, computer anti-virus
programs, intrusion detectors, etc. Its also often
coupled to the Communication console that
servers emit both internal and external messages
and contains languages translators algorithms and
Tactical console that mainly controls shields and
cloaking devices activation, sensors, radars and

13
Ship Weapons Damage: 10k8 (Ignores 8 points of
Reduction against targets not protected by
Arashi-class Light Radiant Cannon radiant shields. A hit also inflicts 4k4 of
splash damage to anything one square of
Slot Size: 1
the impact point.
Operating Skill: Use Computer
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per round
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
Range: 5 Kauntmajikku-class Counter Magic Mine Layer
Damage: (Fire RingX1)k2 Ignores 5 points
Slot Size: 3 (-1 for Hare)
of Reduction against targets not protected
Operating Skill: Use Computer
by radiant shields)
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per round
Range: 1
Damage: 0. All Spell casting rolls within a
Ju-class Medium Radiant Cannon
4X4 square area must be done with 3
Slot Size: 3
Raises or fail automatically
Operating Skill: Use Computer
Rate of Fire: 1 layering per round
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
Often used to set traps, blockades or ambushes, it
Range: 5
disrupts the capacities of shugenjas and interferes
Damage: (Fire RingX2)k5 (Ignores 10
thus with a fleet capacity to retreat.
points of Reduction against targets not
protected by radiant shields. The damage Jirai-Class Space Mine Layer
applies to the point of impact. If the target
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Hare)
is not sufficient to stop the blast (GMs
Operating Skill: Use Computer
discretion), the cannon applies 6k6 to
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
everything in a hundred foot line behind
Range: 1
the point of impact, then 4k4 for another
Damage: 4k4 (Ignites when a ship is next
hundred foot line beyond that.
to her. Ignores 5 points of Reduction
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per minute
against targets not protected by radiant
shields. A hit also inflicts 2k2 of splash
Daitsuchi-class Heavy Radiant Cannon
damage to anything within 2 squares of
Slot Size: 6
the impact point)
Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
Rate of Fire: 1 layering per round
Intelligence
Often used to set traps, blockades or ambushes.
Range: 10
Damage: (Fire RingX4)k10 (Ignores all Bakudan-Class Bomb Dropper
Reduction, including the Reduction
Slot Size: 2
generated by the Isawa Fleetguards Ward
Operating Skill Use Computer (Tactical)/
of the Elements technique. The damage
Intelligence
applies to the point of impact, as well as
Range: 1
inflicting 5k5 of splash damage to
Damage: 4k4 (Ignites on impact. Ignores 5
anything within 2 squares of the target. If
points of Reduction against targets not
the target is not sufficient to stop the blast
protected by radiant shields. A hit also
(GMs discretion), the cannon applies 6k6
inflicts 2k2 of splash damage to anything
to everything in a hundred foot line
within 2 squares of the impact point.
behind the point of impact, then 4k4 for
Rate of Fire: 1 drop per round
another hundred foot line beyond that.
Used in bombing raids against terrestrial
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per five minutes
installations.
Special: Fear 3 when used. If at least one
crew member operating the Daitsuchi has Napamu-Class Incendiary Bomb Dropper
the Ship Weapons Emphasis from the Slot Size: 3
Engineering Skill, the Daitsuchi gains Operating Skill: Use Computer
+1k0 to its attack roll. (Tactical)/ Intelligence
Range: 1
Ballista-class Heavy Missile Launcher
Damage: 6k6 (Ignites on impact. Ignores 5
Slot Size: 4
points of Reduction against targets not
Operating Skill: Use Computer
protected by radiant shields. A hit also
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
inflicts 3k3 of splash damage to anything
Range: 8
within 2 squares of the impact point.
Unprotected flammable targets catch fire.)

14
Rate of Fire: 1 drop per round Hareyakana-Class Radiant Aura Projector
Used in bombing raids against terrestrial Slot Size: 3
installations. This weapon is considered terribly Operating Skill: Use Computer
dishonorable for which employs. (Tactical)/ Intelligence
Range: 4x4 squares
Arrow-class Torpedo Launcher Damage: (Fire RingX2) k2. All the ships
Slot Size: 3 with the sphere of influnce take the
Operating Skill: Use Computer damages.
(Tactical)/ Intelligence Rate of Fire: 1 shoot per min
Range: 8 This weapon causes a shield flash that emits radiant
Damage: 6k4 (Ignores 4 points of energy in all directions. Used for ship personal
Reduction against targets not protected by defense against fighters and small vessels. It can
radiant shields. A hit also inflicts 2k4 of have tremendous effects if employed within a fleet.
splash damage to anything within one
square of the impact point. Ship Shields and Hull Upgrades
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per round
Light Radiant Shield
Kakudanto-Class Nuclear Warhead
Slot Size: Shield Trait X10
Slot Size: 5 per piece
Operating Skill: Use Computer Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
Intelligence
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
Provides shield protection equals to Shield trait
Range: 8
X10
Damage: 10k10+30 (Ignores all Reduction
against targets not protected by radiant
Medium Radiant Shield
shields. A hit also inflicts 10k8 of thermal
Slot Size: Shield Trait X15
splash damage to anything within 6x6
Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
squares of the impact point and EMP pulse
Intelligence
disable all non-protected electronic
Provides shield protection equals to Shield trait
devices in a 100km radius.
X15
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per 10 minutes
Heavy Radiant Shield
Considered the most blasphemous, dishonoring and
Slot Size: Shield Trait X20
last resort weapon, an imperial edict forbids its use
Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
against any rokugani targets.
Intelligence
Grappling Launcher Provides shield protection equals to Shield trait
X20
Slot Size: 1
Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
Super Heavy Radiant Shield
Intelligence
Slot Size: Shield Trait X30
Range: 8
Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
Damage: 1k1
Intelligence
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per round
Provides shield protection equals to Shield trait
Special: The ship has Chain Weapon Skill
X30
by herself with a +1k1 bonus to its user.
Cloaking Device
Shinkei sogai Neural Inhibition Ray Cannon
Slot Size: 5 (-3 for Scorpion)
Slot Size: 4
Operating Skill: Use Computer
Operating Skill: Use Computer (Tactical)/
(Tactical)/ Intelligence
Intelligence
The ship has Stealth Skill with a bonus of +3k3 to
Range: 4
operator and can totally disappear from direct view
Damage: 0
but cannot activate shields or weapons when
Rate of Fire: 1 shot per round
cloaked. Rolls to detect her must be done with 4
Special: Effective only if the shoot hit the
Raises or fail automatically. Only one equipment of
hull. The crew of the targeted ship must
this kind will be effective per ship even if more
attempt an Earth Ring/Stamina roll
than one can be installed.
against a TN equal to the Attack roll
the targeted ship size. All who failed their
roll by 5 are Dazed. All who failed their
roll by 10 or more are Stunned. Perceived
as a very dishonorable tactic.

15
Jade Incrusted Hull Cargo Jettison System
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Crab) Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Tortoise)
Operating Skill: None Operating Skill: Computer Use
Provides to the ship crew a +0k2 bonus in Earth (Engineering)/Intelligence
Ring only to resist Shadowland Taint. A Cargo Jettison System allows a ship to dump part
or all its cargo into space without docking or
Stealth Hull slowing down. This system is most often used by
Slot Size: 3 (-1 for Scorpion) smugglers.
Operating Skill: None
The ship has Stealth Skill and provides a +1k1 to Countermeasure Systems
operator. Rolls to detect her must be done with 2 Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Crane and Imperial)
Raises or fail automatically. Only one equipment of Operating Skill: Use Computer
this kind will be effective per ship even if more (Tactical)/Perception
than one can be installed. Rolls of Tactical systems made to fire a torpedo,
missile or bomb weapon on this ship must be done
Reinforced Shields with 2 Raises or fail automatically.
Slot Size: Shield Trait (-1 for Phoenix)
Operating Skill: None
Communication Jammer
The Ship Shields trait is considered on rank higher
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Crane and Imperial)
for determining shields points only (doesnt add to
Operating Skill: Use Computer
air ring). Only one equipment of this kind will be
(Communications)/Perception
effective per ship even if more than one can be
Rolls to send electronic messages on an area of 4x4
installed.
squares centered on this ship must be done with 2
Raises or fail automatically.
Reinforced Hull
Slot Size: 4 (-1 for Crab)
Operating Skill: None Corrupting Power
The Ship Earths Ring is considered on rank higher Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Spider)
for determining Hull Reduction only. Maximum Operating Skill: None
one equipment of this kind per ship. Replace the Fire Ring value by the Shadowland
Taint Rank of the ship value when calculating the
damage of her Radiant weapons. Each shot cause a
Advanced Ship Equipment number of points of Shadowland Taint equal to
Shadowland Taint Rank of the ship. Only one
equipment of this kind will be effective per ship
Aquatic Operations Adaptation even if more than one can be installed.
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Mantis, -2 for
Seahorse) Cryogenic Chamber
Operating Skill: None
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Butterfly, Mantis and
The ship can operate and fly in aquatic condition
Wolf)
and is able to land or dock under water.
Operating Skill: Computer Use
(Medicine)/Intellect
Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
Cryogenic chambers are hibernation systems that
Slot Size: 2
allow live creatures to be carried in stasis. Useful to
Operating Skill: None
haul herds of livestock, carry critically injured
The ship can operate and fly in atmospheric
passengers, dangerous animals or criminal
condition and is able to land or dock on a planet.
prisoners.
Automated Ship Equipment Extension Module
Slot Size: Size of the ship (-1 for Beaver
Slot Size: Size of the ship X0,5 (rounded
and Dragon)
up)
Operating Skill: None
Operating Skill: None
Reduce minimum crew by one half (rounded up). Augment minimum crew by one quarter rounded
Augment minimum cost by one half. Only one
up. Add 2 Equipment slots.
equipment of this kind will be effective per ship
even if more than one can be installed.

16
Holographic Communication Systems Undead Crew only
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Crane and Ibis) Slot Size: 4 (-2 for Spider)
Operating Skill: Use Computer Operating Skill: Intimidation/Awareness
(Communications)/Perception Reduce minimum crew by one half. No
The Ship Water Ring is considered on rank higher environmental or survival systems needed. Add
for determining Communication bonus only. half of the Ship size (rounded down) to maximum
equipment slots. Augment the ship Shadowland
Internal Command Center Taint by 2 ranks that cannot be removed. Only one
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Lion and Crab) equipment of this kind will be effective per ship
Operating Skill: None even if more than one can be installed.
Augment the ships Initiative by 1.
Training facilities
Launch Bay Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Mantis and Lion)
Slot Size: 4 (-2 for Mantis) Operating Skill: None
Operating Skill: Courtier/Awareness Provides to the ship crew a +0k1 bonus in Jiujutsu,
This ship has the capacity to carry and launch an Kenjutsu and Firearms Skills aboard the ship.
equivalent of 50 ship sizes points but cannot carry
a craft larger than size 3. Superior Computer Core
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Moth and Badger)
Magical Library Computer Access Operating Skill: Computer
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Phoenix) Use/Intelligence
Operating Skill: Computer Provides to the ship crew a +0k1 bonus in
Use/Intelligence Computer Use Skill
Provides to the ship crew a +0k1 bonus in
Spellcraft and Divination Skills. Augment the ship Superior Engines
Void point maximum by 1. Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Unicorn)
Operating Skill: Piloting/ Reflexes
Reactor Core Overpowering System The Ship Water Ring is considered on rank higher
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Lion or Crab) for determining Maximum Speed only.
Operating Skill: Computer Use
(Engineering)/Intelligence Superior Medical Systems
When this special system is activated, the Ship Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Otter)
Power trait is considered one rank higher. Cause 20 Operating Skill: Computer Use
damages to the hull without Reduction each round (Medicine)/ Intelligence
the system is maintained operative. Provides to the ship crew a +2 bonus when using a
medical console aboard this ship
Permanent Glyph of Travel
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Scorpion) Superior Navigation Systems
Operating Skill: None Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Mantis)
The ship size is considered 1 less for purpose of Operating Skill: Computer Use
Opening a space way casting roll only. (Navigation)/Intelligence
The Ship Water Ring is considered on rank higher
Meditation Chamber for determining Navigation console bonus and the
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Brotherhood and Ship Air Ring the same way for Piloting bonus
Mantis) aboard this ship.
Operating Skill: None Reduce travel time between destinations 10%.
Provides to the ship crew a +0k1 bonus in
Meditation and Tea Ceremony Skills aboard this Superior Science Lab
ship. Augment the ship Void point maximum by 2. Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Dragon and Phoenix)
Operating Skill: Computer Use
Passenger Extension Module (Science)/Intelligence
Slot Size: Size of the ship X1 Provides to the ship crew a +2 bonus when using a
Operating Skill: None science console aboard this ship
Augment the maximum crew by the basic value of
maximum crew.

17
Superior Security Systems
Slot Size: 2(-1 for Dragon and Scorpion)
Operating Skill: Computer Use
(Security)/Intelligence
The Ship Earth Ring is considered on rank higher
for determining Security bonus aboard this ship.

Superior Tactical Systems


Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Lion)
Operating Skill: Computer Use
(Tactical)/Intelligence
The Ship Fire Ring is considered on rank higher for
determining Tactical bonus aboard this ship.

Recreation and Entertaining Facilities


Slot Size: Size of the ship X1 (-1 for
Tanuki and Ibis)
Operating Skill: Commerce/ Intelligence
Provides to the ship crew a +0k1 bonus in Perform,
Acting and Games Skills. For each buy you can
find a kind of this equipment for all the crew: a
food system, a holographic cinema projection, a
small shop, a bath installation, a hydroponic
garden

Workshop
Slot Size: 2 (-1 for Crab)
Operating Skill: Computer Use
(Engineering)/Intelligence
The Ship Earth Ring is considered on rank higher
for determining Engineering bonus aboard this
ship.

18
Sample Ships Statistics Katana-class Battle Cruiser
Cruisers

Tetsubo-class Heavy Cruiser

Size: 6
Approximate Cost: 28700 kokus (new)
Crew: 200 Passengers: 40
Standard Class Equipment:
o Daitsuchi-class Heavy Radiant
Cannon (10g10 +1 dmg)
Size: 9 o Ballista-class Heavy Missile
Approximate Cost: 225600 kokus (new) Launcher (10g8 dmg)
Crew: 6000 Passengers: 600 o Heavy Radiant Shield: 60 pts
Standard Class Equipment: Free Slots: 2
o Daitsuchi-class Heavy Radiant
Cannon (x2) (10g10+1 dmg) WATER: 2 AIR: 3 FIRE: 3 EARTH: 2 VOID: 2
o Ju-class Medium Radiant Cannon Hull Points: 240 Initiative: -2 Reduction: 4
(x2) (8g5 dmg), Movement Rate: 3 Insight Rank: 1
o Ballista-class Heavy Missile
Launcher (x2) (10g8 dmg) With its sleek lines and a shape reminiscent of the
o Heavy Radiant Shield: 60 pts weapon whose name it bears, the Katana is present
Free Slots: 13 in the fleets of all clans, although the numbers
fielded vary greatly due to the vast. At the bare
WATER: 4 AIR: 3 FIRE: 3 EARTH: 3 VOID: 2 minimum, however almost every family in each
Hull Points: 540 Initiative: -4 Reduction: 6 Great Clan maintains at least one of these
Movement Rate: 2 Insight Rank: 2 magnificent ships as its flagship.

Tetsubo-class is very rare and carries enough Example of Ships in service:


firepower to rival no less than 3 katana-class -Akodo (Lion): The first katana-class ship
dangerous ships. produced in 2841
-Peaceful (Crane): Asahina family ship produced in
Example of Ships in service: 2872
-Emerald Blade (Imperial): Personal flagship of the -Tsukune (Phoenix): This World breaker is
Emerald champion. Has protective shields that are rumored to have superior firepower to any other
vastly superior to anything commanded by other save perhaps the Emerald Champions own
contemporary craft. Emerald Blade, although the Tsukune has rarely
-Chomchog (Unicorn): Fitted to be self-sustainable been deployed
over long periods of time, it often orbits newly -The Revenant (Spider): The Daigotsu familys
discovered planets, serving as a temporary station. lead battlecruiser is a monstrosity of steel and flesh
It is lightly armed for such a large vessel, and as which very few samurai would wish to even see, let
such is often allowed in other clans systems, giving alone board.
the Unicorn considerable advantages for their -The Vigilant (Scorpion): A patrol ship.
commercial and diplomatic efforts. -The Defiant (Minor Clan Alliance): Financed by
-Katsumaru (Imperial): It is one of many several clans jointly and deployed only when the
bureaucracy-ships in the Exploration Corps. The majority of the Alliance votes for it.
hundreds of the Imperial family samurai that live in
this converted battleship help oversee the Corps,
direct its efforts, and generally do the paperwork.

19
Wakizashi-class Cruiser Atakebune-class Corvette

Size: 5
Size: 3
Approximate Cost: 15200 kokus (new)
Approximate Cost: 4000 kokus (new)
Crew: 30 Passengers: 50
Crew: 5 Passengers: 4
Standard Class Equipment:
Standard Class Equipment:
o Ju-class Medium Radiant Cannon
o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
(x2) (8g5 dmg)
o Aquatic Operations Adaptation
o Medium Radiant Shield: 45 pts
o Arachi-class Light Radiant
Free Slots: 5
Cannon (5g2 dmg)
o Light Radiant Shield: 20pts
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 3 EARTH: 2 VOID: 2
Free Slots: 2 (3 for Mantis, 4 for Seahorse)
Hull Points: 200 Initiative: -2 Reduction: 4
Movement Rate: 4 Insight Rank: 1
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 1 VOID: 1
Hull Points: 60 Initiative: 0 Reduction: 2
Far and away the most numerous ships found in the
Movement Rate: 6 Insight Rank: 1
fleets of Rokugan, slightly less than half the sizes of
a Katana-class, but require only a fraction of her
A smaller ship utilized mostly by the Mantis Clan,
crew.
it the smallest and remarkably swift vessel that can
bear the name of cruiser.
Example of Ships in service:
Example of Ships in service:
The Solitary (Unicorn)
Yoritiomo Osus modified Wakizashi-class Pirate -Crocodiles Tooth (Crocodile)
ship -Hachiko (Dog)
Size: 5
Approximate Cost: 15500 kokus (used) Senkyshi (The Brotherhood of Shinsei)
Modified Atakebune class Missionary ship
Crew: 50 Passengers: 30
Equipment: Size: 3
o Ju-class Medium Radiant Cannon Approximate Cost: 4200 kokus (used)
(x2) (8g5 dmg) Crew: 5 Passengers: 5
o Shinkei sogai Neural Inhibition Equipment:
Ray Cannon o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
o Grappling Launcher (X2) (1g1 o Medium Radiant Shield: 75 pts
dmg) o Meditation Chamber
o Medium Radiant Shield: 60 pts o Countermeasure Systems
o Superior Engines (X2) Free Slots: 0
Free Slots: 0
WATER: 3 AIR: 5 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 5 VOID: 5
WATER: 3 AIR: 4 FIRE: 4 EARTH: 4 VOID: 5 Hull Points: 300 Initiative: +6 Reduction: 10
Hull Points: 400 Initiative: +3 Reduction: 8 Movement Rate: 7 Insight Rank: 4
Movement Rate: 7 Insight Rank: 4

20
Ninja-class Light Cruiser Frigates
Igaku-class Medical Frigate

Size: 3
Approximate Cost: 4100 kokus (new)
Crew: 6 Passengers: 1
Standard Class Equipment: Size: 5
o Stealth Capacity Approximate Cost: 15400 kokus (new)
o Arachi-class Light Radiant Crew: 30 Passengers: 51
Cannon (5g2 dmg) Standard Class Equipment:
o Light Radiant Shield: 20pts o Arachi-class Light Radiant
o Superior Science System Cannon (X2) (5g2 dmg)
Free Slots: 1 (3 for Scorpion) o Medium Radiant Shield +
Reinforced Shields (60 pts)
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 1 VOID: 1 o Superior Medical Systems (X2)
Hull Points: 60 Initiative: 0 Reduction: 2 Free Slots: 2 (4 for Otter, 3 for Phoenix)
Movement Rate: 6 Insight Rank: 1
WATER: 2 AIR: 3 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 2 VOID: 1
A rumored Scorpion cruiser class with advanced Hull Points: 200 Initiative: -1 Reduction: 4
stealth technology and unrivaled surveillance Movement Rate: 4 Insight Rank: 1
abilities.
Igaku are mobile hospitals carrying enough medical
Example of Ships in service: material to provide significant help. Passengers of
this ship are mostly patients. Many convoys have
Scorpions sting (Scorpion) often a medical frigate escorting them.
Advanced Ninja class Surveillance ship
Size: 3 Example of Ships in service:
Approximate Cost: 4400 kokus (used)
Crew: 12 Passengers: 1 Wisdom of Furokujin (Phoenix)
Equipment: Advanced Igaku class Medical relief ship
o Arachi-class Light Radiant Size: 5
Cannon (X2) (3g5 dmg) Approximate Cost: 15500 kokus (used)
o Medium Radiant Shield: 30 pts Crew: 30 Passengers: 75
o Cloaking Device Equipment:
o Superior Science Systems o Hareyakana-Class Radiant Aura
Free Slots: 0 Projector (5g2 dmg)
o Light Radiant Shield +
WATER: 4 AIR: 3 FIRE: 3 EARTH: 4 VOID: 4 Reinforced Shields: 40 pts
Hull Points: 240 Initiative: +4 Reduction: 8 o Passenger Extension Module
Movement Rate: 8 Insight Rank: 3 o Superior Medical Systems (x2)
Free Slots: 0

WATER: 4 AIR: 3 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 5 VOID: 5


Hull Points: 500 Initiative: +2 Reduction: 10
Movement Rate: 6 Insight Rank: 3

21
Kagaku-class Science Frigate Ide-class Explorer

Size: 4 Size: 4
Approximate Cost: 7800 kokus (new) Approximate Cost: 8600 kokus (new)
Crew: 20 Passengers: 7 Crew: 20 Passengers: 22
Standard Class Equipment: Standard Class Equipment:
o Arachi-class Light Radiant o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
Cannon (2g5 dmg) o Aquatic Operations Adaptation
o Heavy Radiant Shield: 40pts o Arachi-class Light Radiant
o Superior Science Systems (X2) Cannon (2g5 dmg)
Free Slots: 1 (3 for Dragon or Phoenix) o Medium Radiant Shield: 30 pts
o Superior Science Systems
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 2 VOID: 1 o Equipment Extension Module
Hull Points: 160 Initiative: -1 Reduction: 4 (x2)
Movement Rate: 5 Insight Rank: 1 Free Slots: 2 (3 for Seahorse)

A vessel designed to provide a mobile facility for WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 2 VOID: 1
science studies and expeditions. Hull Points: 160 Initiative: -1 Reduction: 4
Movement Rate: 5 Insight Rank: 1
Example of Ships in service:
Designed for long-range exploration and longtime
The Eye of Kitsuki (Dragon) missions.
Advanced Kagaku class Space exploration ship
Size: 4 Example of Ships in service:
Approximate Cost: 11350 kokus (used) -Ide(Unicorn): produced in 3120 with phoenix
Crew: 30 Passengers: 2 collaboration in an effort to cross the western
Equipment: frontier of the Empire. Considered lost but
o Arashi-Class Light Radiant retrieved on year later.
Cannon (2g2 dmg)
o Medium Radiant Shield: 60 pts
o Superior Computer Core
o Holographic Communication
Systems
o Superior Science Systems (x2)
Free Slots: 1

WATER: 4 AIR: 4 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 4 VOID: 4


Hull Points: 320 Initiative: +3 Reduction: 8
Movement Rate: 7 Insight Rank: 3

22
Carriers Yumi-class Carrier

Daikyu-class Carrier

Size: 5
Approximate Cost: 14800 kokus (new)
Crew: 20 Passengers: 50
Standard Class Equipment:
o Launch Bay
o Medium Radiant Shield (45pts)
o Arashi-class Light Radiant
Size: 8 Cannon X2 (2g2)
Approximate Cost: 113800 kokus (new) Free Slots: 5 (7 for Mantis)
Crew: 800 Passengers: 1400
Standard Class Equipment: WATER: 2 AIR: 3 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 2 VOID: 2
o Launch Bay X2 Hull Points: 200 Initiative: -1 Reduction: 1
o Super Heavy Radiant Shield: 90 Movement Rate: 4 Insight Rank: 1
pts
o Arashi-class Light Radiant The most common class of carrier can transport
Cannon X4 (2g2 dmg) and maintain 50 fighters of any class.
Free Slots: 3 (7 for Mantis)
Hankyu-class Carrier
WATER: 4 AIR: 3 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 3 VOID: 1
Hull Points: 480 Initiative: -4 Reduction: 6
Movement Rate: 5 Insight Rank: 1

Rare, theyre capable of fielding 100 Tanto-class


fighters or 50 of heavier ones.

Example of Ships in service: Size: 4


Approximate Cost: 7700 kokus (new)
The Nest of the Wasp (Mantis) Crew: 10 Passengers: 27
Advanced Daikyu-class Carrier Standard Class Equipment:
Tsuruchi familys flagship. o Launch Bay
Size: 8 o Medium Radiant Shield (45pts)
Approximate Cost: o Arashi-class Light Radiant
Crew: 750 Passengers: 2150 Cannon X2 (2g2)
Equipment: Free Slots: 2 (4 for Mantis)
o Launch Bay X2
o Super Heavy Radiant Shield + WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 2 VOID: 1
Reinforced Shields: 150 pts Hull Points: 160 Initiative: 0 Reduction: 4
o Arashi-class Light Radiant Movement Rate: 5 Insight Rank: 1
Cannon X5 (2g2 dmg)
o Internal Command Center The smallest carrier can hold only a single
Free Slots: 0 squadron of 25 tanto fighters and must often rely
on her fighters for her own defense.
WATER: 4 AIR: 4 FIRE: 2 EARTH: 4 VOID: 4
Hull Points: 640 Initiative: +0 Reduction: 8
Movement Rate: 3 Insight Rank: 3

23
Transports, Barges, and Tortoise-class Troop Transport
Merchant-craft
Kobune-class Transport

Size: 4
Approximate Cost: 7900 kokus (new)
Size: 3 Crew: 10 Passengers: 27
Approximate Cost: 4100 kokus (new) Standard Class Equipment:
Crew: 5 Passengers: 8 o Passenger Extension Module
Standard Class Equipment: o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
o Arashi-class Light Radiant o Light Radiant Shield
Cannon (1g2 dmg) o Reinforced Hull
o Light Radiant Shield (20 pts) Free Slots: 0 (1 for Crab)
o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
Free Slots: 3 WATER: 2 AIR: 1 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 3 VOID: 0
Hull Points: 320 Initiative: -1 Reduction: 8
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 2 VOID: 0 Movement Rate: 5 Insight Rank: 1
Hull Points: 120 Initiative: 0 Reduction: 4
Movement Rate: 6 Insight Rank: 1 Very tough and robust ship, used to carry up to 27
persons safely to battlefields. But she is not
The most common type of ship seen in the trade- adaptable, has very low accommodations and
lanes and skies of the Empire. comfort to offer and wears no weapons.

Sherpa-class Freight Hauler Yuso-class Shuttle

Size: 3
Approximate Cost: 4000 kokus (new)
Size: 2
Crew: 2 Passengers: 7
Approximate Cost: 2100 kokus (new)
Standard Class Equipment:
Crew: 2 Passengers: 1
o Light Radiant Shield
Standard Class Equipment:
o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
o Light Radiant Shield (10 pts)
o Recreation and Entertaining
o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
Facilities
o Cargo Jettison System
Free Slots: 2 (3 for Tanuki and Ibis)
Free Slots: 1 (2 for Tortoise)
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 2 VOID: 0
WATER: 2 AIR: 1 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 2 VOID: 0
Hull Points: 120 Initiative: 0 Reduction: 4
Hull Points: 80 Initiative: 0 Reduction: 4
Movement Rate: 8 Insight Rank: 1
Movement Rate: 7 Insight Rank: 1
This shuttle is the standard mean of transport for a
Used to carry containers from planet to planets, she
samurai on personal journey in space.
has very low accommodations or comfort to offer.

24
Fighter craft Teppoudo-class Bomber

Tanto-class Fighter

Size: 2
Approximate Cost: 2500 kokus (new)
Size: 1 Crew: 2 Passengers: 0
Crew:1 Passengers: 0 Standard Class Equipment:
Approximate Cost: 1000 kokus (new) o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation
Standard Class Equipment: o Light Radiant Shield: 10pts
o Arashi-class Light Radiant Free Slots: 7
Cannon (1g2 dmg)
o Light Radiant Shield: 10pts WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 1 VOID: 0
o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation Hull Points: 40 Initiative: +1 Reduction: 2
Free Slots: 1 Movement Rate: 7 Insight Rank: 1

WATER: 2 AIR: 1 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 1 VOID: 0 Versatile heavy fighter used to carry a bomb
Hull Points: 20 Initiative: +1 Reduction: 2 dropper, a mine layer or a torpedo launcher. She
Movement Rate: 8 Insight Rank: 1 must be escorted by other fighters because has only
A small, single-pilot combat craft, vital to any limited dogfighting capacity.
fleet. These fighters are used to great effect during
large-scale battles but are unable to access faster Shuriken-class Interceptor
than light travel even if the pilot is a shugenja.

Baraunghar-class Fighter

Size: 2
Approximate Cost: 2600 kokus (new)
Crew: 2 Passengers: 0
Size: 2 Standard Class Equipment:
Approximate Cost: 2600 kokus (new) o Arashi-class Light Radiant
Crew: 2 Passengers: 0 Cannon (1g2 dmg)
Standard Class Equipment: o Light Radiant Shield: 10pts
o Arashi-class Light Radiant o Superior Engines X2
Cannon (1g2 dmg) Free Slots: 0 (2 for Unicorn)
o Light Radiant Shield: 10pts
o Atmospheric Flight Adaptation WATER: 3 AIR: 1 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 1 VOID: 0
Free Slots: 2 Hull Points: 40 Initiative: +1 Reduction: 2
Movement Rate: 10 Insight Rank: 1
WATER: 2 AIR: 2 FIRE: 1 EARTH: 1 VOID: 0
Hull Points: 40 Initiative: +1 Reduction: 2 Mostly in use in Unicorn fleets, the shuriken is a
Movement Rate: 7 Insight Rank: 1 very fast space-only operation fighter used to
maintain space domination and superiority against
A two-person version of the Tanto used mostly by other fighters.
the Unicorn Clan. A pilot and a shugenja operate
the craft, which (thanks to a shugenja) can use
Opening a Space Way to make highly efficient
faster-than-light jumps.

25
New Spells whispers and return you with it as fast as they can.
The spells in the basic rulebook still apply in the More populous the community, more confusing
Emerald Star Empire, but a few new ones have might be the answer as they report it in the form of
been devised to take advantage of the options the bribes of voices of multiple conversations directly
modern world provides. reporting to the question. You may this way try to
localize an item or a person or find some news
about it but interpreting the results may be quite
AIR, MASTERY LEVEL 1 frustrating.

OPENING A SPACE WAY


Ring/Mastery: Air 1 [Travel] [Technology] AIR, MASTERY LEVEL 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One targeted ship SPIRIT OF LIGHTNING
Duration: Until arrival at destination Ring/Mastery: Air 3 [Technology]
Raises: You must take raises equal to ship Range: Touch
size then you can try to add additional Area of Effect: One target
raises to reduce time travel : Duration: 1 Round
Number of additional Raise(s) Time travel reduction Raises: Special (Amount/clarity of info)
1 10%
2 20% This spell is heart a very specialized version of the
3 25% commune spell, used to commune with the spirits
4 30%
of electricity. The spell was devised by Phoenix
5 33%
shugenja in ancient times, but was considered
6 or more 35%
Ex: Trying to open the way for a ship of size 7 with a time travel mostly useless since such spirits could never be
reduction of 25% needs a TN 60 roll (10 raises). You can then persuaded to remain still long enough to
divide the casting to 6 simultaneous TN 10 rolls or 3 communicate meaningfully with them. In modern
simultaneous TN 20 rolls. All the rolls must succeed to open the
times, it has become indispensable, as it can be
way portal or a travel mishap may occur at GM discretion.
used to communicate with electrical impulses in
You entreat the kami to open a shimmering portal mechanical objects. The most obvious use of this is
between two locations, allowing travel between computers - if the right spirit can be found, it can
them. The distance traveled is still the same, but direct the shugenja wherever he may need to go to
the travel time is exponentially reduced. The spell find whatever information he seeks. (Note that this
manifests as a glowing silver doorway leading into is not of much use to would-be hackers. Most spirits
nothingness and require a space of vacuum. (It are loyal to the systems they inhabit.) It can also be
shall work in any atmosphere with tremendous used to ask a spirit what it has seen anywhere on
risks) Once the ship bearing the shugena passes the same electrical circuit. For example, a shugenja
through, the doorway vanishes. At the end of the could dial the phone, cast the spell, and ask the
journey, another doorway appears at the spells spirit what it sees on the other end (even if no one
destination and vanishes once all the travelers had picked up the phone). Of course, if the other end
passed through it. More than one shugenja is hangs up, the connection is broken. Electrical
required to render possible the fast journey of larger spirits are flighty, excitable, and prone to
ships. exaggeration.

WAY OF LIGHT
AIR, MASTERY LEVEL 2 Ring/Mastery: Air 3 [Travel] [Technology]
Range: Self
WHISPERS OF THE CITY Area of Effect: 2 miles
Ring/Mastery: Air 2 [Divination] Duration: Instantaneous
Range: Self Raises: Range (+1 miles per raise), Special
Area of Effect: A zone of5 miles of (+1 person travelling per 2 raises)
diameter.
Duration: 10 minutes This spell permits you to travel at light speed
Raises: Range (+2 miles per raise), between two locations linked by a physical electric
Duration (+5 minutes per raise), Special network. Its not a teleportation: you cannot reach
(+1 question per 2 raises) a ship in orbit from the ground or the center of a
virgin forest this way. You just disappear with all
This spell permits you to ask a question to the the equipment you wear into a form of pure energy
kamis of Air. For the duration of the spell, they spy and rematerialize within seconds to your
for you to the answer among the communitys destination just as you were at your departure. You

26
must have been to the location of your destination FIRE, MASTERY LEVEL 2
by the past and the network should be feed with
energy when you use the spell or you reappear at
TRADITION'S HAMMER
the nearest point of your destination that fulfills
Ring/Mastery: Fire 2 [Thunder,
this conditions. Rumor says it that this spell was
Technology]
developed by Monkey clan police officers to
Range: 50'
facilitate their interventions.
Area of Effect: One target
Duration: 5 rounds
EARTH, MASTERY LEVEL 4 Raises: Duration (+1 Round), Target (+1
target per two Raises)
HEART OF THE MACHINE
Ring/Mastery: Earth 4 [Technology] This is a prayer to the Fortune of Thunder, using
Range: Touch the well-known tendency of lightning to disrupt
Area of Effect: One target radiant technology. This spell targets a personal-
Duration: 10 rounds sized technological item, like a computer, energy
Raises: Duration (5 rounds per raise), weapon, communications device, and so on, and
Special (+1k0 to skill per two raises) prevents it from functioning for the duration with a
powerful surge of energy. This can also target
This spell creates a link between a living creature vehicles with duration of one round instead of five,
and an electronical device that they are in physical with one raise for a small vehicle like a personal
contact with, giving each the understanding of the transport, two raises for something with two or four
other. As long as the two remain in contact, the seats, and larger vehicles by GM judgement. This
target is endowed with all knowledge of how to cannot target devices that do not use electronics
operate the device, increasing his skill in using the (like radiant melee weapons or radiant armor) or
device by one (even if the current skill level is awakened items (like nemuranai or self-aware AIs).
zero). Note that this spell only functions on
electronical devices (vehicles, computers, power FIRE, MASTERY LEVEL 4
tools) but not with simply mechanical objects
(fireguns, blades, simple tools).
TRIUMPHANT SURGE
HEART OF STONE Ring/Mastery: Fire 4 [Technology]
Ring/Mastery: Earth 4 Range: 3
Range: Special Area of Effect: Self
Area of Effect: One target Duration: Instantaneous
Duration: 10 rounds Raises: Duration (5 rounds per raise),
Raises: Duration (5 rounds per raise), Special (-5 to TN Defense per raise)
Special (+5 Armor bonus per raise)
When cast, this spell causes the shugenja to
This spell allows the character to channel the suddenly be surrounded by a brilliant flash of
power of the earth through her own body to electricity. This surge is completely harmless to
extreme degrees. The caster becomes of the earth living beings, though it may be startling. Its true
itself, her body, clothing, and equipment becoming effect is upon electrical systems. Any electrical
solid stone for the duration of the spell. The caster device within the area of effect is rendered
cannot move or speak while stone, and is very inoperable for 1d6 minutes. More delicate devices
dimly aware of the world, due to the spell's level of like computers may be permanently damaged, with
concentration. On the plus side, her earth ring is most of their files erased. Some devices, such as
considered one rank higher for determining wound Anago Supercomputers are shielded from electrical
levels, and her TN to be hit becomes equal to her surges, and the GM should assign a TN for the
Earth+2X5. (Reflex bonuses to TN are negated shugenja to roll against (Using his Fire) in order for
while stone.) Note that the character's appearance this spell to work.
will generally resemble the most common stone in
the immediate area, so the spell could be used as a
disguise, in an emergency.

27
WATER, MASTERY LEVEL 5 Area of Effect: One target
Duration: Permanent
Raises: Special (+5 to TN to resist for
DAIKOKU'S MILK
every raises)
Ring/Mastery: Water 5 [Healing]
Range: Contact
By means of this spell, the caster causes a living
Area of Effect: One target
being and a mechanical device to become one.
Duration: Instantaneous
This change is permanent, and it is not pretty. The
Raises: Special
device always replaces some portion of the subjects
body (for instance, a sidearm becomes a hand, a
This spell is forbidden for all shugenja outside of
motorcycle replaces the legs, a living creature is
the medical profession. The target rolls his Earth vs
absorbed into a ship computer), and the flesh and
the caster's Water. If he fails this roll, the target's
metal twist and melt together where they meet.
circulatory and nervous system are numbed by the
milk, producing the following effects:
If the spell is cast upon an unwilling target, they
may make an opposed roll of their Earth vs the
No Raise - he feels no pain (no wound penalties)
casters in order to cause the spell to fail. After the
for one hour, but cannot combat and rolls one less
subject and machine have been combined, the
dice for all actions (similar to opium use).
subject gains skill in using the machine at rank 3,
or adds one to his rank if it is already 3 or 4. The
2 Raises - he falls into a deep sleep within the next
machine is now considered to be alive and fully
ten minutes and cannot be roused for an hour.
part of the subject. Any damage done to the
machine is healed as if it was done to the subject,
4 Raises the targets heart stops within 10
and the machine no longer requires fuel or
minutes and he may dies without medical
ammunition. It now draws its sustenance directly
attention.
from a living being and the dark magic that binds
them. Note that when this spell is cast, the Taint
If an individual uses Daikoku's milk three times in
bestowed by it is shared equally by both the caster
the same week, the TN to resist its effects is raised
and the target.
by ten. This effect persists until he stops using it for
one month. Daikoku's milk is very addictive even
after the first time it is injected. SOUL TWIST
Ring/Mastery: Water 4
Range: Touch
MAHO SPELLS, MASTERY RANK 1 Area of Effect: One target
Duration: 3 Rounds
ENERGY OF MY BLOOD Raises: Duration (+1 round per raise),
Ring/Mastery: Earth 1 [Technology] Special(See description)
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One target Believed to be a twisted version of the spell
Duration: Instantaneous Sympathetic Energies, Soul Twist exacts a much
Raises: None darker toll on its target. This spell feeds off the
strengths of its victim, building the weaknesses of
its caster. The target's highest trait is swapped with
As long as this spell is active, the caster may
the caster's lowest trait for the duration. For
operate a small electrical item (like a small lamp or
example, if the target's best trait was an agility of 6,
a portable personal computer but no weapon)
and the caster's worst trait was an awareness of 1,
simply by holding it in her hand, using her own life
the target would have 1 agility and the caster
energy rather than a battery to fuel the device. For
would have 6 awareness for the spell's duration.
the duration of the spell, each round of use cause
one Wound to the caster, which cannot be
With two raises, the effect can be intensified,
prevented by any Technique, spell, ancestor,
causing the target to lose an additional point from
advantage, or kiho.
his trait after it is switched, and allowing the caster
to gain an additional point. If the target's trait is
MAHO SPELLS, MASTERY RANK 4 reduced to zero or less, he will become
incapacitated for the duration due to the shock to
his spirit.
MACHINATIONS OF THE SOUL
Ring/Mastery: Earth 4 [Technology]
Range: Touch

28
New Tatoos but cannot copy somebody in particular. The
transformation does not alter the voice.
With the centuries passing new discoveries and
Chrysanthemum: the flower symbol of the imperial
techniques hve been discovered. Here is a series of
line. You can heal yourself of a number of wounds
more than 40 tattoos coming from old editions and
equal to school rank X school rank.
the CCG. Some are adaptation from fictions (the
Kokujin tattoos except the Lizard).
Cricket [Continue]: When you get this tattoo, you
The references to Tsurai-zumi are to the now
must select and pay for one kiho. Your water ring is
defunct order of Hoshi, and the Kikage-zumi the
considered one rank higher for meeting the mastery
also defunct order of Hitomi.
requirement of the kiho, if he is of the water
As per 4th edition Core Rulebook page 115
element. You can add your school rank to your
Tattoos dont have a number of activation per day,
unarmed attacks rolls when you are making atemi
but duration. Take the duration as the total
attacks with this kiho.
duration per day, but you can interpret it your own
way.
Crow [Continue]: the crow guided Shinsei and the
Thunders in the Shadowlands, and his multi-
The [Continue] tag signifies this tattoo is always
colored feathers all turned black. Now he is a
active and doesnt prevent the use of others tattoos.
symbol of protection against the Shadowland taint.
When rolling to resist gaining shadowland taint
Avalanche: this tattoo is only given to Kikage-zumi
points (as long as you dont willingly do something
and Tsurai-zumi. When this tattoo is active, the
to gain them, like casting maho), you roll a number
disarm maneuver only need one raise.
of additional dice equal to twice your school rank.
Bellflower: this flower is said to be the last thing
Dragonfly: you can activate this tattoo when you
Shinsei spoke to before disappearing from the
are the target of a friendly spell. The spell doesnt
Empire and it has five petals, for each ring. You can
cost a spell slot to the caster. This tattoo effect end
activate this tattoo just before making a roll, you
immediately after. You can only target a spell of a
use your void ring instead of the normal trait. You
mastery level equal or lower to your school rank.
can spend an additional void point on this roll.
Dog: when you are performing the guard maneuver,
Bone: this tattoo is only given to Kikage-zumi and
your target gain a reduction equal to twice your
Tsurai-zumi. When activated, the tattooed monk
school rank.
can cast the Puppet Master maho spell (but as it is
not maho, it doesnt need spilling blood, it is the
Elephant [Continue]: When you get this tattoo,
power of the tattoo), and the spell stay active until
you must select and pay for one kiho. Your earth
it is cast again or the duration of the tattoo ran out.
ring is considered one rank higher for meeting the
mastery requirement of the kiho, if he is of the
Butterfly [Continue]: When you get this tattoo, you
earth element. You can add your school rank to
must select and pay for one kiho. Your void ring is
your unarmed attacks rolls when you are making
considered one rank higher for meeting the mastery
atemi attacks with this kiho.
requirement of the kiho, if he is of the void
element. You can add your school rank to your
Eye: the power of the heavens grand you the
unarmed attacks rolls when you are making atemi
ability, when you use this tattoo, to cast sense,
attacks with this kiho.
commune and invocation, once each, within one
hour of the activation, as a shugenja of the same
Cat [Continue]: The cat enhances your ability to
school rank as yours.
appeal to others with your warm personality. You
gain the Bentens blessing advantage.
Falcon [Continue]: Whenever you make an honor
roll, your roll a number of unkept dice equal to
Carp: the carp is a symbol of prosperity and good
your school rank.
fortune, and those tattooed men who bear its tattoo
embody those traits. It can be activated before
Fan: you can activate this tattoo when someone is
making a roll, and for this roll the 9 explode as 10
attempting a contested roll based on awareness
(remember that a second 9 doesnt explode).
against you. You roll a number of unkept dice equal
to your school rank. Any contested roll based on
Chameleon: a symbol of illusion and misdirection.
awareness during the duration of the tattoo effect
As long as the tattoo is active, the Ize Zumi can
will have the same bonus.
alter his/her appearance to look like somebody else,

29
Hare: the ise-zumi can add twice his school rank to toward activating a kiho, and is lost if not used at
his water ring for determining movement rates. the end of the round.

Hummingbird: when this tattoo is activated, all the Naga: this really rare tattoo, for so far only one
TNs of disarm, knockdown, called shots, extra tattooed man has been showing it, grants you the
attack and feint maneuvers against you are ability to have the Way of the land advantage for
increased by your school rank X 5. Notice that this the region you are in for the duration of your
effect will not prevent the attack to hit: if the School Rank in hours.
attack beat the original TN (with the raises), it
stills hits. The maneuver will only succeed if the Night sky: this picture of a sky with stars is
attack roll beat the increased TN. sometimes seen as a sign of fate. When this tattoo
is active, opponents uses of re-rolls and void points
Hurricane [Continue]: When you get this tattoo, on actions against you are negated. They are aware
you must select and pay for one kiho. Your air ring of the effect after the first time it has negated
is considered one rank higher for meeting the something.
mastery requirement of the kiho, if he is of the air
element. You can add your school rank to your Nightingale: this tattoo lowers the TN of the
unarmed attacks rolls when you are making atemi assessment roll during a duel by 10.
attacks with this kiho.
Orochi: a symbol of strength and violence, this
Kitsu: when activated, you can use the Kitsu tattoo increase your TN to be hit by twice your
shugenja technique the eyes of the ancestor as if school rank while you are under the grappled
you were a shugenja of a school rank equal to yours. conditional effect, and you have one unkept dice
for your grappling rolls
Lynx: when activated, you gain a number of free
raises equal to your school rank per turn that can Panther: this tattoo is only given to Ize-zumi and a
only be used for the extra attack maneuver. All few Tsurai-zumi. The Ize Zumi rolls school rank
your attacks must be unarmed while this tattoo is additional dice for stealth when the tattoo is
active. active. Last a number of hours equals to your school
rank.
Monkey: once activated this tattoo grants you a
number of unkept dice equal to twice your school Pine: once activated, you can remove one
rank to your Athletics rolls. condition effect from yourself for the duration of
the tattoo. If the condition effect last longer than
Moon (crescent): this tattoo is only given to the duration of the tattoo, it resumes after, but the
Kikage-zumi and a few Tsurai-zumi. For a void duration of the tattoo is deduced from the duration
point, the Ize Zumi can become a shadow for of the effect.
school rank X 10 minutes. He/she is non-physical
and can go anywhere a shadow can go, but cannot Salamander [Continue]: When you get this tattoo,
go through objects. Magic affect him as if he/she you must select and pay for one kiho. Your fire ring
was normal. He/she suffers a full rank of wounds at is considered one rank higher for meeting the
the start of each hour in this form, and cannot use mastery requirement of the kiho, if he is of the fire
any skills or techniques, and he/she cannot talk. element. You can add your school rank to your
This tattoo can be stopped at any time. unarmed attacks rolls when you are making atemi
attacks with this kiho.
Moon (full): once a mark of the Kikage Zumi, and
rarely of the Tsurai Zumi, this tattoo is activated Scarab [Continue]: the scarab is an insect found
after an unarmed attack is successful. Your target across the Burning Sands, although the Scorpion
loses a void point in addition to any damage or brought a handful of them back after that clans
effect of the attack. If your target doesnt have any banishment there. In the Burning Sands, the scarab
void points left, you gain a void point instead, that is seen as a symbol of the ruthless sun, a sinister
last until the next dawn if not used before. entity there but a revered deity in Rokugan. All
damage from heat and fire, magical or not, is
Moth: as someone once said, be like the moth, seek reduced by your school rank.
the fire of wisdom without fear. Once this tattoo is
activated, you are considered a Brotherhood monk Snake: the Snake tattoo is among the most
for the expenditure of void to activate kihos, as per dangerous and sinister of all Ise Zumi tattoos, and
page 261, and you gain a void point every round at usually only manifests on those who have the
your initiative. This void point can only be used strength of will to keep such power in check. After

30
making a successful unarmed attack, if any of your White Dragon: this tattoo is only given to Ize-zumi
damage dice explode, your target is now stunned. and a few Tsurai-zumi, it symbolizes the wrathful
aspect of the fortune Inari. It uses the same rules as
Snow crane: a character with a snow crane tatoo the Dragon tattoo but using your water ring instead
cannot have a crane tattoo and vice-versa. You of your fire ring and you have an ice breath instead
gain a void point that can only be used during a of a fire one.
duel, and your skills rolls regarding the duel are
increased by your school rank.
Order of Kokujin Tattoos
Star: a symbol of renewal. When this tattoo is
activated, you can spend void points to have one
target ally within school rank X 10 feet gain a void Boiling pit of pitch [Continue]: this disgusting
point. You can select a second target when you tattoo offer protection against all fire, ice and water
reach the 3rd rank of the Togashi Tatooed order based attacks. You have a damage reduction equal
school, and a third at the rank 5. to your school rank against all fire and water spells,
kihos and effects (like the blaze tattoo).You gain a
Sun (full): the glory of the day star gives the power shadowland taint points every week.
to gain a void point when activated.
Obsidian: once activated, this dark tattoo grant all
Sun (rising): this tattoo is only given to Ize-zumi unarmed attacks all the effect of obsidian and you
and a few Tsurai-zumi. Since the creation of the add your shadowlands rank to your damage with
Brothers of Jade it has seen more use than before. unarmed attacks.
Once activated, all your unarmed attacks inflict the
blind condition effect to all targets that have the Shikibu no Oni [Continue]: this tattoo show a
Shadowlands taint. This status effect can be representation of the oni lord that stole the bodies
removed by the same rules as the stunned of the dead. It allows instant regeneration. You
condition. heal a number of wounds equal to your school rank
each round during the reaction stage of the round.
Tanuki: You can activate it during the initiative You gain a Shadowlands taint points every week.
stage of the round to add 1 dice + your school rank
to your initiative. Tsuburu no Oni: this tattoo show a representation
of the oni lord of gluttony. It allows the wearer to
Tern: when this tattoo is activated, target an blows a horrible wind of corruption or a split of
opponent in your skirmish. His/her initiative is dark acid. It works like the dragon tattoo but
reduced by your school rank. This tattoo has no instead of using your fire ring use your earth or
duration, and is activated during the initiative step Shadowlands taint rank.
of the round.

Torii [Continue]: The TN of your opponents


assessment roll during duels is increased by your
school rank X 5.

Vine: this tattoo is only given to Ize-zumi and a few


Tsurai-zumi. When this tattoo is activated, you
recover school rank wounds per round during the
reaction stage of the round. While this tattoo is
active, he doesnt prevent the use of another
tattoo.

Viper: after making a successful unarmed attack,


the victim is now fatigued if any of your damage
dice exploded. This status effect can be removed by
the same rules as the stunned condition.

Wasp: when activated, you gain unkept dice equal


to your school rank to one social skill of your
choice.

31
Non humans and aliens contact would occur with another clan, perhaps the
things would have been friendlier?
For more information and statistics, see the
Enemies of the Empire sourcebook. But now the few remaining ryunins are hiding into
remote places on the world of the same name. They
would be ready to take a bitter revenge against the
Enemies of the Empire Lion Clan if only they had a way to fight on the
same basis. Some enemies of the Lion clan already
try to pass them some technology, happy to exploit
GOBLIN (BAKEMONO) some free but truly harsh and strong mercenaries
How some of them managed to survive the purge of against them.
the Shadowlands centuries ago? No ones knows.
But theyre still today a flail of some cities Only small pockets of them remains but their
underground were they survive in small packs, guerilla and sabotage actions make tremendous
living only on garbage, criminality and thievery. damages on lions outposts. The Lion Clan still
They tried to mimic some kind of primitive claims to have the total control of the planet but
technology with no many successes. imperial authorities shall surely discover the truth
early
RYUNIN
SAMPLE VILLAIN: RYUNIN WARRIOR (RANK 3)
..
AIR 3 EARTH 3 FIRE 5 WATER 3 VOID 0
STRENGTH 6
...
Honor: 6.0 Status: --- Infamy: -6.0

Initiative: 8k5 Attack: Claws 8k4 (Simple)


Bite 5k4 (Complex)
Damage: 5k3(claws), Armor TN: 30
Bite: 4k4
Reduction: 5 Wounds: Human-type Wound ranks

Skills: Athletics 5, Battle 3, Defense 3, Heavy Weapons


3, Intimidation (Bullying) 5, Jiujutsu 4, Lore: Ryunin
Clans 5, Stealth 2

Special Abilities
Berserker Rage: On the first two Rounds of a
skirmish a ryunins frenzy makes it hit harder
and feel little to no pain. It adds +1k1 to its
attack rolls and increases its Reduction by 5 (to
a total of 10). These effects end on the
Reactions Stage of the second Round.
The Empire doesnt know many things about this Fearless: Ryunins gain a +3k3 bonus to resist
nearly extinct species. Ryunins are surely parents Fear effects.
with the Ryu but no evidence of this has been Huge
established truly. Only some samples have been Regeneration: Ryunins heal 5 Wounds during
studied by the Kitsune family but no one of a ryu the Reactions Stage of each Round, continuing
has ever been collected to compare. The only to heal until they are killed. They can reattach
things sure are that theyve a reptilian ascendancy a severed limb in 2 rounds, as long as the limb
and are oviparous. Its also known that Ryunin and the stump are held together continuously
for that time.
have a clan society, theyre nomads and only the
Swift 2
strongest among them may survive, mate and rule.
No rokugani knows more on how their society
works, what they believe or even if theyve magic
or gods.

These only partial information collected comes


from the ruins and very rare prisoners the Lion
Clan leaved on their planet after the war to
conquer it. Theyre a proud people trying to defend
their land very aggressively. Perhaps if the first

32
SCARAB been described as being demons in the myths of the
Ivory Kingdoms and Senpet Empire.
Perhaps some ancient gaijin books have some
answers on how to beat them. But even in this
modern era is still information not easy to find

SAMPLE VILLAIN: SCARAB DRONE TEMPLATE (RANK 3)


Change Rings and traits;
..
AIR +1 EARTH -2 FIRE -1 WATER +2 VOID 0
REFLEXES +1 AGILITY +2 STRENGTH +2 INTELLIGENCE -3
...
Honor: Reduce to 0 Status: Reduce to 0 Infamy: -10.0

Initiative: becomes 8k5 Attack: Claws 8k4 (Simple)


The Scarabs remain an enigma for the vast Bite 5k4 (Complex)
majority of rokuganis. How have such abject beings Damage: 4k2 (claws), Armor TN: 15
come into being? Some think of the influence of Bite: 3k3 + Infection (See Special Abilities)
the Jikogus Taint on the inhabitants of a distant Reduction: 0 Wounds: Keeps Human-type Wound ranks
lost colony. Others put forward the same opinions School/Rank: Keep the school and rank of the previous
but add to hit a hint of genetics and forbidden existence but can use only Bushi and Courtier
Techniques.
experiences. Still, the Scarabs are able to infect any
humanoid easily. Many object that this easiness is Skills: Keep the skills of the previous existence and
an evidence of a link between humanity and these upgrade or add those: Athletics +3, Defense +3,
aliens. Intimidation +6, Jiujutsu +2, Lore: Scarab Collective
+5, Stealth +5
Their ability to transform any humanoid and make
it one of theirs in just a few hours renders them Gain Special Abilities
very dangerous. They can achieve this via Fear 4
mutagenic retroviruses that all of them carry in Infection: When a scarab bites a humanoid or
when one of them comes in contact with a
their blood. It recodes the DNA of the victim and scarabs blood without proper protection, it
transforms it into a repugnant creature that keeps suffers a chance to be infected by some
memories of its former existence. Above this, they mutagen retrovirus. The victim must succeed
are not easy to detect as they have some stealth an Earth Roll of TN 20 or will be transformed
ability and can remain hidden for a long time in into a Scarab within the next 12 hours.
hibernation until it has the chance to multiply by Hibernation: A scarab can remain dormant
contaminating some victims. without suffering any damage for not feeding or
drinking for up to a month.
They are not devoid of intellect but are not very Universal Memory: Scarabs within reach of a
scarab hive always success Intelligence-based
clever individually because moved by a common tests.
goal transmitted by a kind of collective beehive Vulnerability: Jade, crystal and obsidian deals
consciousness contained in their DNA that double damage against them.
quickly surpasses any individual will. This is the Swift 2
number and their ability to tip their former Collective Hive mind: Lose all Spiritual, Social
enemies into their camp which makes them so and Mental previous Advantages and
terrifying. They easily adapt to any strategy they Disadvantages
have already encountered and store it in their
universal memory. No one has ever shown an TROLL
ability to cast any form of magic and they have no The trolls are still more stupid creatures than real
proper god or technology. sentient species. But in some remote hidden
laboratory some Spider agents have a special
But their strength also seems to be their weakness. agenda for them: They try to control and even
Their willingness to incorporate as much living enhance them with modern technology and maho
being into their hive may push them to some errors magic to form an army.
or to fall into traps.

Magic affects them like any humanoid even though


they are particularly sensitive to sacred substances
such as jade, crystal and obsidian since they have

33
TSUNO using portals. This planet is lying into a nebula and
Tsuno are definitively not extinct in the modern many agents of the kenku works actively every day
era. They have been fought on some remote to sabotage the Star Empire efforts to discover it.
Toshigoku linked planets. Some of them are even No one knows how they will react if any imperial
under their total control. Fortunately their society could one day put a feet on their colony.
remains quite primitive to Rokugani standards. Its
only a matter of time, the Lion Clan open a war KITSU
with them to clean their old dept with the Kistu. Most of the Rokugani believe that true Kitsu
have disappeared centuries ago with the creation of
Other Species the Lions Clan family of the same name. But they
have always been champions to detect portals and
The responsibility to monitor non-human non- evade the worst situations by passing through them.
Jikogu-linked activity within the Empire is devoted With so many new worlds discovered, rumors
to the Owl Clan. But many others have interests filtered that some explorers discovered evidence of
into non-human species. their presence on remote worlds. The Kitsune
family geneticists actively research on rare samples
ASHALAN that were founded to prove this and perhaps
The Ashalan were one of the elder races, and were recreate the species one day.
never numerous, with few souls to go around - and
so little ability to breed. In fact, there are only NAGA
twelve ensouled Ashalan - anywhere. The rest have Recently, sightings of snake-like creatures have
no souls and instead serve the ensouled as best they been increasing, but these creatures look very
can, to ensure the race is propagated. They were different than the Naga that Rokugan knows. May
too small in number to be given a planet, but some of them live hidden on the most remote
inhabit a small protected station. They rarely leave planets? From now theyre only founded and
- they have no reason to any more, as they are preserved in some remote places of Rokugan Prime.
focused entirely on their own safety. When they do These Nagas are about to wake up for third and
leave, it is to study the sun and stars they consider perhaps the last time as they are nearly extinct.
holy (though they can never stand under the direct The only hope to save their species is to discover a
light of a sun in the same system as they are). They new colony or to accept cloning process and
are essentially irrelevant. genetic manipulation proposed by the Empire of
Emerald Stars
HANAJIN
NEZUMI
The ancient race known as the Nezumi have been
allies of the Crab since the days of Hiruma Kazuma.
Now, however, all of Rokugan owes them a debt of
gratitude. Not everyone is so willing to repay this
debt, unfortunately. The Nezumi have found their
place in the modern world by founding the Waste
Disposal and Recycling Corporation. Many of their
The Hanajin are nice, and specifically fit into factories employ low-ranking Nezumis but many of
Rokugan society to be harmlessly avoided. They them have been automated as well. They have no
tend to subtly mimic the customs of the species central authority or estate as they sprayed
they're interacting with to get favorable outcomes. themselves quickly across the Empire territory.
Besides that they're human-like, they adapt their
core philosophy's virtues to bushido. They mostly NINGYO
interact with Clans who are open to aliens, and are This species long lived in a harsh environment for
sometimes arrogant, not willing to share their most humans. But the depths of the oceans are no more
advanced technology. But they don't really want a shelter for them because of the modern
anything except a chance to meet people and bask technology of the humanity. Theyve sometimes
in the light of new stars. been forced out of their isolation by humans but
are still not very eager to cooperate or to
KENKU incorporate into modern society. The Seahorse
Many Kenku still lives into Sakkaru realm or clan tries to explore new pelagic worlds to discover
within the Empire, disguised into humans. more about this ancient civilization but lacks of
Unknown to the Empire is that some of them have means to do it properly. They remain the main
colonized centuries ago a remote gaseous world by contact ningyo tolerates.

34
OGRE HAKKAKUKEI
Now free from Jikogus influence Ogres retrieve a These feared creatures founded on planets
few of their former intellect and try to reform some corrupted by Jikogu appear as a floating eight-sided
communities. They cooperate with the Star Empire obsidian pillar with an oversized helmet of black
and serve mainly as shook troops or heavy work steel and obsidian fused to the top. A single
laborers. They only have small and poor glowing red eye stares out from the depths of the
communities often near a city that employs them. helmet.

ZOKUJIN The Hakkakukei spit black fire from the depths of


Held underfoot by the slavery and subjugation of jigoku as their primary attack, this fire is colder
the Lion Clan for centuries, the creatures known to than ice and can damage the very spirit of those
most only as Rock Goblins have begun to protest struck by it. It can lash out with shards of obsidian
for their rights. Will these simple creatures succeed, against those who get too close.
or will they become a footnote to Rokugan's proud
history? What is not known, except to He who shall not be
Named, is that the Hakkakukei are but shells
Creatures animated by the seething hatred of once human
things that live inside them; these warped souls are
corrupted and twisted into horrible little creatures
DOREIKU
by the evil of jigoku and now wish nothing more
Also known as lesser dragons, these canopy
than conquest and destruction in the name of their
dwelling predators are native to the world known
lord and master.
simply as the Nest. Native to the world-spanning
jungles of this Mantis holding, many Unicorn once
The Empire can be thankful, as whatever the
made pilgrimages to this system in order to capture
source of these creatures seems to have vanished
and train Doreiku as flying mounts. Now, Doreiku
and the Hakkakukei are very rare. Though
breeds can be found on many worlds inhabited by
whatever allowed them to be constructed in the
the Unicorn Clan.
first place may occur again and if that happens, the
..
AIR 4 EARTH 3 FIRE 3 WATER 3 Empire will again be afraid of the Hakkakukei and
STAMINA 6 PERCEPTION 4 their war cry of Tayasu!
... ..
Initiative: 7k4 Attack: Claws 8k4 (Simple) AIR 2 EARTH 3 FIRE 3 WATER 2
Damage: 6k3 (claws) Armor TN: 30 REFLEXES 3 WILLPOWER 4 INTELLIGENCE 4 PERCEPTION 3
Reduction: 5 Wounds: 25: +5; 50:+10, 45:+15, ...
60:+20, 75: Dead Initiative: 6k3 Attack: Slash 5k43(Simple)
... or Black Fire 7k3 (Simple)
Special Abilities: Damage: 7k1 (slash) Armor TN: 25 or
Swift 4 (when flying) 3k2 (black fire)
Reduction: 15 Wounds: 20: +5; 25:+10, 30:+15,
40:+20, 50: Dead
ARASHITORA
...
During the exploration of New Kalani by Arashi Taint Rank: 6
Dairuko in 3018, the Mantis shugenja discovered Skills: Battle (mass battle) 3, Investigate (spot ambush)
the stormtigers flying above the oceans of this 3, Spellcraft 3
world heavily influenced by Chikushudo. A
mythical creature with the head, forelegs, and Special Abilities:
wings of an eagle, and the hindquarters of a tiger. Black Fire: this cold fire ignores armor TN
Also referred to as thunder-tigers. from physical armor and all reduction, anyone
.. wounded by the black fire must make a Void
AIR 2 EARTH 3 FIRE 2 WATER 2 roll (TN 10) or lose a point of Void. If they
REFLEXEES 4 STAMINA 2 PERCEPTION 4 AGILITY 4 have no Void left to lose, they are rendered
AWARENESS 2 WILPOWER 2 INTELLIGENCE 2 PERCEPTION 3 unconscious for 5 minutes.
... Death Feeder: heals [insight rank of victim]k1
Initiative: 5k5 Attack: Claws 6k4 (Simple) wounds when it kills an enemy.
Damage: 6k4 (claws) Attack: Bite 4k4 (Simple) Dense: treat them as having an Earth or Water
Damage: 3k3 (bite) Armor TN: 30 of 5 to resist any attempt to move them against
Reduction: 5 Wounds: 30:+15, 40:+20, 50: Dead their will.
... Fear 4.
Skills: Hunting 4, Stealth 4

Special Abilities:
Swift 3 (when flying)
Fear 2

35
Noteworthy Non-humans ARGCKLT

Argcklt dresses simply, usually in only trousers or a


loincloth. The zokujin have little value for material
KAIBUTSU
possessions, so he rarely carries any items.
Kaibutsu was always a good boy. He helped those
Argcklt is the son of the High Rockseer of
weaker than him, he loved the beauty of nature,
the Rejn. Though his father yet lives, he is ancient
and he'd sit for a long time, just thinking about
in the extreme, believed to be over a thousand
how wonderful it was to be alive. Of course, for an
years old. He has passed the leadership of his tribe
ogre, this was nothing more than a sign of
on to his son, along with all of the attendant
weakness. His father and littermates soon turned
worries and responsibilities. Since before most
upon him, attempting to eat him one day when
zokujin can remember, the Rejn tribe has been
pickings in out the city were scarce and the goblins
slaves of the Lion clan, treated little better than
were just a little too quick. Kaibutsu was
beasts, used for manual labor and other work
frightened, so he ran. He ran as far and as fast as he
deemed too dangerous for humans to perform.
could, he was more frightened than ever now,
because now he was alone.
Of late, Argcklt has become troubled. For
the first time in an age, freedom seems only a
The details of how Kaibutsu began to
breath away for his people. His actions during the
masquerade as a human and how he made his way
Senpet Invasion and Meda's Coup have even led
to the stars are unknown. What is known is that he
many humans to consider him a hero. He has even
worked as a pit fighter for a time, making just
become close friends with Kitsu Jurin, the daughter
enough money to survive. The strangely good-
of Kitsu Suro, president of Okurachem, the man
hearted ogre is happy to finally be part of
who holds more zokujin in servitude than any
something, even if it is an anarchist criminal
other. He is torn between the adulation of these
organization. Their constant crime and destruction
humans and his duty to his people. He must
disturbs him slightly, but he doesn't say anything
struggle every day not to forget his true course, ever
about how he feels. After all, they're still a
keeping the needs of his struggling tribe first.
thousand times friendlier than his family.
And to make matters worse, his dreams grow
Kaibutsu always wears a coat over a suit of
disturbed. He can hear the breath of the earth in
black leather and boots, the usual garb of a pit
the night. The Bloodwhite Stone has been found.
fighter. He also wears a black wrestler's mask, with
And it is near
holes cut into the forehead for his horns. To all but
..
very close inspection, the horns appear to be part of AIR 3 EARTH 5 FIRE 3 WATER 3 VOID 4
the mask. He also carries a pair of brass knuckles in PERCEPTION 4 INTELLIGENCE 4
either pocket of his long coat. Kaibutsu never uses ...
modern weapons; they seem somehow unfair to Honor: 5.5 Status: 1.0 Glory: 5.0
him.
School/Rank: Rockseer 5
..
AIR 3 EARTH 2 FIRE 3 WATER 2 VOID 1
STAMINA 4 STRENGTH 5 AGILITY 4 Advantages:
... Clear Thinker, Enhancing Mutation: Night vision,
Honor: 1.5 Status: 0 Glory: 0.0 Stonemelt

School/Rank: Bushi Ogre 3 Disadvantages: Social Disadvantage - Zokujin, Soft-


Hearted
Advantages:
Crab Hands (Melee Weapons Only), Great Destiny, Skills: Courtier 1, Craft (Chemistry) 2, Crystal Method 3
Hands of Stone, Large, Quick (zokujins equivalent of Tea Ceremony), Defense 2,
Engineering(Mining) 4, Lore(Law) 2, Lore(Element:
Disadvantages: Black Sheep, Can't Lie, Gullible Earth) 3, Lore (Theology: Manha) 3 (Zokujins
equivalent of Shintao), Meditation 2
Skills: Athletics 3, Hunting 2, Jiujutsu 4, Stealth 2,
Weapons 3 Spells: Sense, Commune, Summon, Argcklt has learned
and memorized all known earth spells

36
ZIN

She's been taught the naga magic over the course


of a century, and her soul has suffered for it. She
retains only fractured memories of her past life,
able to use her former skills at an instinctive level.
In facts, Zin is amnesiac. To tell further of it here
would do her great injustice, as her destiny is still
unfolding. Its up to you to imagine what has
happened to her. Zin currently carries the Blades of
the Bright and Pale.
..
AIR 4 EARTH 3 FIRE 5 WATER 3 AKASHA 1
INTELLIGENCE 4
...
Honor: 5.5 Status: 2.0 Glory: 3.0

School/Rank: Hiruma Scout 2, Naga Jakla 2

Advantages:
Amphibious, Benten's Blessing, Great Destiny, Multiple
Schools

Disadvantages: Amnesiac, Driven (to discover who she


truly is), Obligation (to save the Naga race)

Skills: Athletics 2, Craft (Pearl) 2, Hunting 3, Kenjutsu:


4, Lore (Pearl Magic) 3, Lore (Shadowlands) : 2,
Firearms (Rifle) 2, Knife 4, Meditation 3, Stealth
(Sneaking) 4

Spells: Because of her recent circumstances, Zin does not


currently carry any magical pearls.

37
Equipment SECURITY KIT
A security kit is a set of special tools for bypassing
Armors electronic and mechanical locks. On most worlds
RADIANT ARMOR in the Empire, possession of a security kit is illegal
The armors worn by samurai are now afforded the for anyone who doesnt have the proper permits,
added protection of radiant energy. The armor such as members of law enforcement agencies and
glows in direct proportion to the severity of damage professional security experts. When using the
dealt to its wearer. Radiant Armor comes in all Hacking Emphasis of the Computers Skill to bypass
variations of traditional armor, including: ashigaru, locks, using the Security Kit decreases the TN of
light, riding, and heavy. It is very rare to see non- the task by 10.
radiant armor in use in this era, but many ancient Keywords: Small
sets of armor are kept by families as heirlooms or Price: Because of the nature of Security
can be found in museums across the empire. Kits, they are only available when issued
by a superior or when found on the black
ATSURYOKU ARMOR market. (30 kokus)
A variant of Radiant Armor, this modification
allows samurai to operate in the vacuum of space NIGHT SIGHT GOGGLES
without dire consequence. Pressurizing Atsuryoku Keywords: Medium
Armor requires a Simple Action Computer Use/ Price: 24 koku
Intelligence Skill Roll with a TN of 15. Damaged
armor requires a Complex Action with the same TRACKING BUG
Skill to repressurize with a TN of 25. Keywords: Small
Price: 40 koku
Other Equipment
ALL-TEMPERATURE CLOAK LISTENING BUG
This wrap-around cloak protects its wearer from Keywords: Small
the elements and hostile conditions. Add a +5 Price: 40 koku
equipment bonus to all Rolls made to resist severe
weather. PORTATIVE LAPTOP COMPUTER
Keywords: Medium Keywords: Large
Price: 3 bu Price: 10 koku

ATSURYOKU MEMPO New items for a travelling pack


This personal atmosphere-filtering system consists Data Cylinder
of a mask that fits over the mouth and nose. This Flare Gun with Flares
life-supporting mempo provides approximately 1 Flashlight
hour of breathable atmosphere before its filter and Flight Suit
atmosphere canisters must be replaced. To replace Electric Guitar
the filter and canisters, the user must make an First Aid Kit
Engineering / Intelligence Roll with a TN of 15. In Microphone
combat, this TN becomes 20. Money Credit Card
Keywords: Small Music recorder/emitter
Price: 5 bu Radio
Silencer
POCKET ADJUTANT Sunglasses
A personal communications transceiver, the Tool Kit
Adjutant is a standard issue model used by most Video Camera
Great Clans. Civilian models come in a variety of Video Game Portative Console
small shapes and styles. Some are built into helmets Walkie-Talkie
and armor; Imperial Legion armor includes a Wristwatch
kabuto equipped with an Adjutant. The range of
typical devices is 30 miles or low-orbit. For greater
range, an Adjutant must be connected to a more
powerful energy source, such as those built into
vehicles. For an added expense (5 koku), it may be
equipped with encrypting routines.
Keywords: Small
Price: 10 koku

38
Salaries Housing
Status Rank Average salary per month Type of housing Price
-4 0.5 Eta Shack 120
-3 1 Small Home 600
-2 2 Large Home 1800
-1 4 Apartment (Fleabag) 4/mo.
0 9 Studio Space (large, non-residential) 8/mo.
1 18 Apartment (Nice) 12/mo.
2 36 Apartment (Luxury Suites) 80/mo.
3 72
4 144 Note that all Housing Costs are roughly five times
5 288 as expensive on Rokugan or the World of Dreams,
6 576 with the exception of Large Homes and Luxury
7 1152 Suites, which are ten times as expensive.
8 2304
9 4608 Utilities
10 9216 Type of utility Example of Price
Accommodations
Vehicles Very Cheap One light bulb, no 0.5/mo.
Type of Car Example of models Price heating
Very Used Hiruma Kappa 35 Cheap Minimal electric 1/mo.
Senpet Surefire heating, piped water
Used, Decent Ide Oasis 44 supply
Doji Centurion Average Normal electric, 2/mo.
Used, Nice Aurelian Danforth 66 heating, a/c, decent
Shiba Neo bath room
New, Cheap Hiruma Jackrabbit 80 Luxurious Central air, multiple 5/mo.
Cricket Sunshot electric sockets in
New, Decent Senpet Jackal 150 each room, three
Cricket Comet freezers
New, Luxury Otaku Vehement, 200 Very Swimming pool, 12/mo.
Ide Equestrian Luxurious private cinema
Industrial Backup generators, 9/mo.
Type of Motorcycle Example of models Price power tools,
Used, Decent Hiruma Steamer 30 supercomputers
New, Cheap Hiruma Exploder 50
New, Decent Ide Steadfast 190 So, an average samurai (status rank 4) living in a
New, Fast Doji Katana 250 studio space apartment with average utilities spends
New, Luxury Battle Maiden MC 500 about 24 kokus on utilities and 96 kokus on
housing a year.
Type of Plane Example of models Price This leaves him about 24 kokus per month to eat
New, Cheap Hang Glider 5 and to otherwise spend as he sees fit.
New, Cheap Ornithopter 60
New, Decent Ultra-light M. 90
New, Military Shiba Gyrocopter 30 00
New, Luxury Doji Jet craft 50 00
New, Civilian Ide Caravel 100 00

Type of Boat Example of models Price


New, Cheap Inflatable Dinghy 20
New, Cheap Antic Kobune 50
New, Decent Modern Kobune 150
New, Military Small corvette 250 00
New, Luxury Doji Yack 100 00
New, Military Submarine 500 00

39
Personal Weapons MARKSMANS RIFLE
Certain circumstances require specialized weapons,
STANDARD SIDEARM and while there are a wide variety of these in
The traditional sidearm conforms to a common existence, one of the most frequent is a rifle
pattern that is mechanically identical throughout customized for long range sniping. The Tsuruchi
the Empire, although there are many variations of are the natural masters of this particular art, and
outward design to suit the particular styles of a their Distant Thunder model rifle is widely
given clan. One of the most ubiquitous such considered one of the best such weapons on the
weapons is the Mirumoto weapons called Twin market.
Radiance, which are intended to be worn in pairs, Keywords: Large
and are freely sold to outsiders such as the Minor DR: 6k3
Clan Alliance and various ronin groups. Range: :1000
Keyword: Samurai, Small Price: 15 kokus
DR: 3k3
Range: 100 RANGED WEAPON DAMAGE
Price: 5 kokus Given the advanced state of technology in this
setting, it is only logical to assume that ranged
STANDARD RIFLE weapons in this era (which include both
The most common battlefield weapons (other than magnetically-propelled solid projectiles and
the katana), carried by virtually every samurai, and outright energy weapons) should have a completely
is the standard energy rifle. The most common devastating effect on anyone unfortunate enough
version is the Akodo Arms Indomitable X32, to be hit by one. However, scaling damage to suit
which has been in service for more than two this idea will render melee weapons completely
centuries with virtually no significant changes. obsolete regardless of their design improvements.
Keywords: Samurai, Medium Thus, GMs should decide whether they wish to
DR: 4k4 focus their campaign entirely on ranged combat or
Range: 500 maintain a more samurai-esque balance between
Price: 10 kokus ranged and melee combat.
If a balance is preferred, ranged weapons must stay
HEAVY ASSAULT RIFLE at a reasonable damage level, as depicted in this
Despite the significant power of the standard chapter. One way to justify this is to assume that
assault weapons carried by samurai troops, there are armor technology has progressed at a similar level
times when greater impact is required. Weapons and this is built in to the ranged weapon DRs. To
such as the Kaiu Forge Devastator-class Siege represent this, in those instances where a target is
Weapon are renowned for their ability to threaten struck by an advanced ranged weapon and is not
the armor of even hardened targets such as armored wearing any armor the GM should double the
vehicles. The energy generated by such weaponry is damage (e.g. a standard sidearm would do a base
significant, and can even threaten those in the DR of 6k6). This allows for a reasonable damage
vicinity if wielded without proper training. progression while still preserving some of the
Keywords: Large settings cultural integrity. Note that the ranged
DR: 6k5 weapon DRs presented in this chapter assume the
Range: 400 characters are adding their Perception to the DR as
Price: 15 kokus unkempt dice, much like Strength is added to
Special Rules: The sheer force exerted by melee weapon DRs as unkempt dice.
this weapon, not to mention its significant
size and weight, means it requires Strength
4 to wield properly.

40
Explosives LANDMINE
A vicious trap you hide in the ground. Explode
These explosives are much generalized. To have when someone walk on it.
skill with using them, one must pick up the Damage: 5k3
Engineering (Demolitions) skill Radius: 10
All explosives list a TN. All targets in the Effective Throwing Range: Inapplicable
area of affect may roll their Agility+ Defense TN: 2
against this number to take half damage from Cost: 8 bu
the explosion by jumping clear.
The person using the explosive may increase NAPALM
the TN by five for each two raises he makes Chemicals designed to stick to a surface, burn on
with his Engineering (Demolition) roll. contact with air, and just keep burning, encased in
The explosives don't depend upon any a grenade. Napalm is very expensive, in many cases
particular skill to do damage, so they do not considered dishonorable, and is extremely
add strength or anything else. dangerous to just carry around. Any exposure to air
You are always considered to be unskilled will cause it to ignite and explode. It is very illegal,
when throwing an explosive. and difficult to obtain even for the military.
Explosives for the most part are illegal for Damage: Against character 7k7 fire +3k3 fire
even most samurai to be carrying around. per round for 1k1 rounds
Crabs and Lions (the military) are the general Against items: 5k2 fire +1k1 fire per round for
exception to this rule. 2k2 rounds
Radius: 10
-Optional: If a character using an explosive rolls Effective Throwing Range: 150
three or more natural ones when attacking, he may TN: 25 (35 against character)
be caught in his own explosion. Each of these Cost: 2 kokus (Craft Chemistry skill does not
natural ones may be cancelled by a natural ten. reduce this cost)
Special: Possibility of combustibles or clothing
BAKEMONO JUICE catching ablaze.
Simple glass bottles full of fuel, with a lit rag for a
wick. Light and throw. PLASTIQUE
Damage: Against character 5k5 fire +2k2 fire Liable explosives designed for destroying
per round for 1k1 rounds obstructions and safecracking cannot be detonated
Against items: 3k1 fire +1k1 fire per round for without an electrical charge. Must be set with a
1k1 rounds timer, or detonated by remote.
Radius: 5 Damage: 3k3 per ounce + 1k1 per additional
Effective Throwing Range: 30 ounce
TN: 5 Radius: 5
Cost: 1 bu (dangerous to carry) Effective Throwing Range: Inapplicable
Special: Possibility of combustibles or TN: 10
clothing catching ablaze Cost: 10 kokus per ounce, 8 kokus if made with
the Craft (Chemistry) skill.
DYNAMITE
Sticks of explosive trinitrotoluene, detonated by a SMOKE GRENADES/ TEAR GAS
blasting cap. Simple can of smoke producing or blinding,
Damage: 2k2, +1k1 per each stick noxious gas chemicals.
Radius: 10, plus 5 per stick. Damage: 0
Effective Throwing Range: 60 feet Radius: 20
TN: 10 + 2 per stick. Effective Throwing Range: 150
Cost: 4 bu (1bu if made yourself using the TN: Inapplicable, as it does no damage. See
Chemistry Skill) rules for resisting the affects.
Cost: 5 bu, 3 bu if made with the Craft
GRENADE (Chemistry) skill. (dangerous to carry)
Simple thrown hand grenade. Special: In radius, all rolls made with a -3
Damage: 4k2 penalty. Every round the targets must make a
Radius: 20 stamina roll vs TN=30 or be Down, may do
Effective Throwing Range: 150 nothing but try to resist again each round, or
TN: 2 crawl away). The smoke lasts about 2k2 rounds,
Cost: 8 bu or less (1k1) in windy environments, and up to
5k5 in contained areas with no ventilation.

41
Tetsukami Technology OTAKU NAGINATA
The Beaver Clan began experimenting heavily The weapon of choice of the Emerald Star Empire's
with the combination of magic and technology. Battle Maidens. These weapons can contract from
The Biba Shugenja school followed their lead, and their normal length to a mere two feet, and have a
soon became the pioneers in the field now known built in weapon system equal in power to the rifle
as "Tetsukami Technology." In this process, a above. These functions are both merely
minor elemental spirit is temporarily encouraged to mechanical. The kami inhabiting the naginata is a
inhabit an item, enhancing its capabilities. The guardian spirit, attuned to the weapon's true owner.
following are a few of the more common Tetsukami If anyone else attempts to use the naginata, it will
items... not function, and will in fact fold up into a useless
two-foot long stick.
ONI STOMPER RIFLE Cost: Free to Battle Maidens. Never given
Fires beams of intense jade light, similar in many to anyone else.
respects to lasers. The beam does no damage to
normal opponents, but creatures with the DRAGON SPHERE (PAIR)
Shadowlands Taint take 6k4 damage. Can fire four Allows the wielder of one to communicate verbally
blasts per hour, then requires one hour of with the wielder of the other, no matter the
recharging in direct sunlight. distance. Both parties must be holding their stone
Cost: 70 kokus and will the connection simultaneously, or the
crystals do not function.
SPIRIT MODEM Cost: 30 kokus, very rare.
A small device that plugs easily into most
computers. Allows the user to communicate
directly with any dominant spirits in the immediate
area, including kami, ancestors, and gaki. (It has
similar function to the commune spell.) The spirit
is not required in any way to answer, and may be
hostile, so these devices are used carefully, if at all.
Cost: 30 kokus

MINI-GYRO
A simple 30 lb. harness that fold out into a small
personal helicopter. The device carries up to
200lbs, flies at altitudes up to 600 feet, and moves
at about 15 miles per hour without any fuel or
electricity. The mini-gyros are very trendy
currently, but are never used by the police or
military. The kami that drive them tend to be
stubborn, mischievous, and unpredictable,
requiring constant maintenance.
Cost: 30 kokus

SHOSURO GOGGLE
Thick, heavy lensed goggles that allows the user to
see through the enhanced senses of the kami.
These goggles can detect heat sources, electricity
sources, and can make out shapes even in total
darkness (making them superior to their mundane
counterparts). The presence of a powerful source of
magic, such as an ancestral sword or a powerful oni,
tends to frighten the goggle spirits and cause the
goggles to malfunction.
Cost: 70 kokus

42
Nemuranais
BLADE OF THE PALE EYE
This weapon is a 3k3 blade forged of dark pearl.
The knife can strike any creature of the
Shadowlands, no matter what invulnerabilities
they may have, ignoring monster armor. Any
creature killed by the knife is *permanently* dead.
They may not be reanimated or return to life as
undead, or by any other power of the Shadowlands.
Oni are permanently destroyed, unless they are the
spawn of a greater oni, in which case their master is
caused tremendous pain and can create no further
spawn for a year.

BLADE OF THE BRIGHT EYE


This weapon is a 3k3 blade forged of white pearl.
The knife can unerringly strike any naga, ignoring
any armor or magical defenses the naga may be
using. If a naga is slain by the blade of the Bright
Eye, its soul and memories disappear from the
Akasha forever.

THE ANVIL OF EARTH


In 1160 the Oracles of Light decided to retreat
from the Mortal Realm for a time, to watch the
people of Rokugan from the Celestial Heavens.
Before they left each Oracle gifted an enchanted
item that bore the power of an Elemental Dragon.

The Anvil was found by a Monkey Toku Tomoe,


the younger sister of the Hare Clan Champion
Usagi Ozaki. Tomoe was visiting her Hare relatives
shortly after the Rain of Blood to aid them in
recovering when she came upon the Anvil. The
bloodspeakers attacked Shiro Usagi, and during the
heaviest of the fighting she discovered the Anvil,
sensing great power from within. The kami
surrounding the Anvil told her how to use it, and
she realized that if she used it to its full power the
existence of the Anvil would become known to all.
She therefore used it sparingly, only making sure
the Hare were never overrun, and in the end the
Hare won the battle against a vastly superior
bloodspeaker army. Tomoe returned with the
Anvil to Toku lands where it could be safely
studied.

To activate the Anvil sprinkled earth on it. When


activated the user can focus on any natural
landmark within line of sight, like a mountain or
plain, and strokes the anvil, shaping the landscape
to their will. Major change like flattening an entire
mountain takes prolonged use of the Anvil.

43
Technological Levels The galaxy of the Emerald Empire
evolved. Scientists and scholars have designed a
scale to rate to technological level of new
civilizations. When the Kamis fall on Rokugan
Tech. Correspondence to Examples of centuries ago, the future Empire had already
Level Earth Era technology achieved the 1st Tech level. The Kamis gave then
inspiration and knowledge to their followers but
Stone Age Fire, Primitive Tools the xenophobic attitude of the Empire and their
0
(before 3500 BC) absolute faith in magic make it will remain
Bronze and Iron Wheel, Writing, between 2nd and 3rd Tech level roughly during a
1 millenary. After 1300 of the Isawa calendar, the
Age (3500 BC) Geometry, Paper
tech levels were easier to jump, reaching a level 6
Medieval Age Gun Powder, roughly in the 2000s and finalizing to an early 8th
2
(600 AD) Cannon tech level in 3122.
Age of Sail Printing, Steam
3 In the 32th century, the Hanajin have
(1450 AD) Machine
already reached the 9th level in some fields but are
Industrial Concrete, not easy to convince to share their technology.
4 Revolution Submarine, Explosion At the opposite, monsters of Jikogu are
(1730 AD) Engine, Car still considered to have a 0 Tech Level.
Batteries, Fire gun, The Ryunin were at late 1st level when
Explosives, X-Rays, they made their contact with the Lion Clan but
Mechanized Age easily adapt themselves even to the 7th level
5 Tanks, Laser,
(1880 AD) concepts of the Emerald Empire technology.
Television, Reaction
Motors, Robots The Tech level of the Scarabs is unknown
but as they depend and rely on technologies they
Atomic Bomb, incorporate into their collective they are roughly
Fission reactors, considered between the 7th and 8th Level.
Nuclear Age
6 Missiles, Scanner, The Neo Versailles planet inhabited by
(1940 AD)
Chip cards, Ion the Merenae and Thrane has reached the 4th level
Drives but is maintained at this level by imperial decree.
Microcomputers,
Digital Age
7 Virtual intelligence,
(1990 AD)
Computer network
Fusion reactors, Laser
Early Stellar
8 weaponry,
(2050 AD)
Nanotechnology
Stellar Era Energy fields, Anti-
9
(2120 AD) gravity
Late Stellar Era Teleporter, Matter-
10
(2250 AD) antimatter energy
Pure energy
Far Future (after
11 conversion, Neural
2500 AD)
computers

44
Worlds of the Empire DRAGON S EYE
Clan(s): Dragon
A small planet orbiting a dual star system close to
The Empire of the Emerald Stars contains more
the mysterious eastern nebula. The planet is
than fifty-two ritually sanctified systems, with
closed to other clans, but rumors abound of the
dozens of planets and moons colonized by the
Dragon working on secret new technologies to
citizens of Rokugan. Some of these worlds have
explore the nebula, as well as of the strange worlds
been left in their natural state, while others have
orbiting the two stars. To deal with other clans the
been heavily terraformed.
Dragon have built Kitsukis Hand, an orbital
station in an otherwise uninteresting system that is
AIKUNE SYSTEM
easily accessible to most of the clans.
Clan(s): Phoenix
A relatively young system by their estimation. Its
FALCON S NEST
solid planets are all in their infancy, most of them
Clan(s): Crab
still being shaped by the raw Elements, and the
A tempered small planet within Crab Space,
Phoenix led by the Agasha have started
headquarter of the Toritaka family. Falcon nest has
experimenting with large scale re-engineering on
many mountain ranges and his gravity is slightly
these worlds, hoping to create conditions similar to
lower than the normal standard, giving a feeling
Rokugan on some of them and to enhance
of lightness to anything.
production of rare elements on others.
FEATHERS OF THE SPACE
ALAINE TWO
Clan(s): Cat, Swan, Scorpion
Clan(s): Owl
Its a temperate small moon within Scorpions
The capital of the Owl Clan is a unique place
territory. Located near a dim star, the daylight
devoted to Hantei kami and where you can find
always seems to be as dark as the twilight even in
the most density and diversity of alien species in a
the middle of the day. Many people pretend its the
single space in the whole Empire.
lair of the deepest and strongest mysteries of the
Empire.
AMATERASUS WISDOM
Clan(s): Mantis
FIRST LANDING
This moon is the siege of the Centipede University
of Astrophysics ruled by the Moshi.

BURNING STAR

Clan(s): Unicorn
Discovered in 2797 and the destination of
Clan(s): Unicorn Rokugans first interstellar expedition, First
Has the dubious honor of housing several of the Landing is a jungle-covered planet. Full of exotic
relocated gaijin nations, which the Unicorn animals and plants, the Unicorn as carefully
protects from more unfriendly clans. studied, bred, and harvested them all.

CRADLE OF TEN THOUSAND GODS


Clan(s): None
Not a part of the Empire of Emerald Stars, its the
new home of the Senpet Empire, under
protectorate of the Unicorn Clan.

45
FORTUNES BLESSING GOLDEN MIRROR

Clan(s): Crane
The jewel in the Cranes crown. This planet is an
almost perfectly idyllic version of Rokugan, devoid
Clan(s): Crane
of large predators, storms, or other dangers.
Much more open to all visitors, and the military
From large festive seaside resorts to bustling cities
presence more relaxed; it is a meeting place where
and traditional villages to explore, the entire
pilots relax in between missions and diplomats
planet is a giant attraction and fuels the clans
from various clans negotiate with each other.
coffers with billions of koku. It is the center of the
Empires often-strange mix of modern and ancient
FRIENDLY MOON
culture, where galaxy-wide broadcasts can gain a
Clan(s): Crab
young pop star or a talented iaijutsu duelist equal
Its a terrestrial (Rokugan-like) moon orbiting the
fame and wealth.
Gaz Giant Six Petals with five other moons in the
Path of Hope System. Its under Chikushudo
HAPPY FROG (moon of the)
influence.
Clan(s): Frog
The Tadpole Eggs Complex, headquarter of the
GALE
Frog clan is located on the unwelcoming and very
hot moon of the Happy Frog. The temperature is
explained by the very slow rotation of the planet:
A standard day here longs as long as five days on
Rokugan Prime.

HELLFALL
Clan(s): Spider
A nightmare of influences from Jigoku, Toshigoku,
and Gaki-do, where every day is a fight for survival.
The planet has vast reserves of obsidian and
Clan(s): Badger Tainted metals which the Spider use in their ships.
This dwarf planet rich of metals is on the outer Mining draws the attention of many predators, so
edge of the Hiruma Prime system is center of the Spider also use Hellfall as a training ground for
Badger activity in the Empire their warriors.

HIDA PRIME

Clan(s): Crab
The core Crab system, unimaginatively named
Hida Prime, holds several moons and planets of
great mineral value, which have been ships and
weapons.

46
HIDA SECUNDUS MEDINAAT AL-SALAAM
Clan(s): Formerly Crab. Clan(s): None
Virtually identical to Hida prime if smaller in size, Every inch of the planet has been built upon, and
and Hiruma prime, which held the busiest and as a result, much as in the old Burning Sands,
richest Crab spaceport in the northern section of natural resources are precious. Water flows beneath
the galaxy. Now under Scarab aliens dominion. the soil, to be sure, but it has been forced
underground or into the extremely vast network of
HIVE piping maintained by the Merchant Houses of
Dahab. The Dahabi houses remain the driving
economic force of the Sands and in many ways
serve as most of the government of Medinaat al-
Salaam. The Caliphate exists almost entirely to
enforce the law (though they also can elevate new
Merchant Houses and assign purviews), while the
Sultanate essentially only runs the judicial system,
with the Merchant Houses taking care of the actual
infrastructure.

MEIDOS FIELDS
Clan(s): Spider
Clan(s): Spider
A vast, hollowed-out asteroid world set in orbit
around a luminous gas giant. Hive is still A system with large asteroid belts is the home of
the infamous Undead Legion, a fleet which need
unsanctified and the siege of many maho
not worry about pressurization, oxygen supply,
experimentations.
heat, or any other such mundane concerns.
INFERNO
MEKHEMS CLOAK
Clan(s): Crab
Kyuden Hida Prime, a gigantic orbital stronghold Clan: Scarab
Still unsanctified and remote world near Dragon
located above the largest solid planet, is the center
border, Mekhems Cloak is rarely visited by
of Crab activities in the galaxy, and quite possibly
outsiders and lacks even of the most basic
impregnable. It orbits a planet known as Inferno, a
accommodations. To live there outside the
place of extremely high temperatures and toxic
conditioned buildings, youve to wear a breath
atmosphere, populated by a variety of creatures
which draw their influence from Gaki-do, mask because of the higher density of ammoniac in
his atmosphere.
Toshigoku, and more the already massive radiant
cannons of Kyuden Hida Prime into orbital jade
MOTH S COCOON
strikes able to annihilate all traces of corrupted life
Clan(s): Moth
in a radius measured in miles. The fact that the
A remote, dark, unsanctified and lonely planet
creatures still keep fighting back is a testament to
the danger they represent, but the surrounding near a black hole, the Moths cocoon is very
unwelcoming to any visitor. The night is nearly
moons are so rich with rare minerals that the Crab
omnipresent here as its located far from a sun.
would never give up the place.
NAMELESS PLANET (SUZUMUS HOLDING)
JIKOJU 'S BREATH
Clan(s): Spider
Clan(s): Crane, Sparrow
The sparrow has is headquarter here, a space A world that does not revolve around himself, thus
plunging the dark side into permanent cold and
station orbiting this gas giant.
night.
KOHAKU'S HEAVEN
Clan(s): Albatross
This small moon is a territory covered with calm
oceans calm and serene atmosphere that perfectly
matches the temperament of the albatross clan.

LOST TENGOKU
Clan(s): Shark
A remote and still unsanctified world. Lost
Tangoku has all of a paradise, despite the unaligned
samurais that populates it.

47
NEO VERSAILLES OCEAN OF SAPPHIRE

Clan(s): None
After centuries of cold war, Thrane and Merenae
peoples finally accepted to be relocated together to Clan(s): Seahorse, Crab
this temperate world rather than be obliterated. A Small pelagic moon within Crab Space, Ocean
Covered with oceans it was originally the source of of Sapphire is aggregable to live but lacks of land
a dispute between the Mantis and the Dragon where establish large cities. Some imperial
clans. Its now officially an Imperial world under communities even lives there within domes under
Unicorn Protectorate largely ignored by all other the sea.
clans. An imperial edict forbids all technological
and weaponry trade with this world. OCTAVION
Clan(s): Yodotai
NEST The new home planet for the relocated Yodotai

ONNOTANGUS HEART

Clan(s): Mantis
A planet of deep jungles and exotic animals, most
notably: the Doreiku or lesser dragon.
Clan(s): Mantis
NEW KALANI A harsh moon-prison run by the Mantis where rain
Clan(s): Mantis is almost constant.
Ninety percent covered by water, this world is a
sailors dream. Dangerous for its storms and its OSANO-WO REACH
native life-forms, it is almost infinite in its Clan(s): Disputed between Mantis and Phoenix,
resources. Bear
A world of precious resources that have led the two
NEW ROKUGAN major clans to turn the area into a near-permanent
battle zone. Under the protection of the minor
bear clan.

RAKUDAS BEACON

Clan(s): Lion
Nearly at the center of the Star Empire, New
Rokugan is a planet in the Shori system that has
been completely engineered to look like Rokugan Clan(s): Camel
of old, including ancient era technology and A remote desert moon near the east border of the
lifestyles. Empire.

48
RED FIELDS SHORI SYSTEM
Clan(s): None
A large planet dominated by a relatively advanced
but cruel alien culture, which has responded very
violently to attempts at pacification.

ROKUGAN (PRIME)

Clan(s): Lion
A system with many habitable worlds. One of the
has been converted into a gigantic military camp,
with vast facilities for the training of new recruits,
large-scale practice exercises, weapons production,
and in orbit- ship manufacture and repair.
Clan(s): Imperial Families, Peacock, Tiger SUITENGU'S GRASP
The Homeworld. The Imperial Throne. The Land Clan(s): Unicorn, Ibis
of Our Ancestors. Rokugan is known by many Ko-no-hama's Bloom is the Ibis headquarter, an
names across the length and breadth of the Empire, ocean city (with a station in geostationary orbit
and the majority of samurai make a point of above it) located on this Unicorn world with a
visiting at least once during their lives if at all spectacular view of a nearby nebula.
possible. Every last Great Clan maintains holdings
here, and it would be unusual indeed for the TOGASHIS REST
Emperor to permit any of them to be lost to any Clan(s): Dragon
kind of conflict. The original and capital world of A traditional castle and monastery located on a
the Emerald Star Empire is now free of gaijin remote planet with deadly snows and extreme
presence. weather conditions. The stronghold is located atop
the tallest mountain peak discovered so far in the
RYUNIN galaxy, and requires extensive life support systems
Clan(s): Lion and protections to allow human life. It is a place of
The first with an indigenous race encountered by pilgrimage for tattooed monks, for it is said the
the expanding Empire in 2812. The Lion Clan was planet has received a touch of Tengokus influence.
called upon in exterminate the incredibly
aggressive ryunins, which the planet is named after. TOKETSU
Clan(s): Dragon
SHINJO 'S SHELL A frozen planet discovered in 2817 where a crust of
Clan(s): Unicorn ice hides colossal oceans beneath. While originally
Located in the Dreaming Shore, somewhere on the discovered by the Mantis, it was given by the
edge of the Empire, ShinjoShell is a Unicorn- Emperor into the safekeeping of the Dragon with
controlled system and the Kyuden-class orbital no explanation.
station they maintain there. It serves as the Shore's
primary waystation, where traveling samurai can TADAKA SYSTEM
rest, mingle with the locals, and purchase exotic Clan(s): Phoenix
goods imported from Unicorn space. The Phoenix has built numerous orbital stations to
monitor the various planets located there.

UJIMITSU
Clan(s): Phoenix
Near the Crane frontier, Ujimitsu is renowned for
its many beautiful natural and magical phenomena,
such as mountain ranges made entirely of jade or
crystal, and geysers of water reaching seemingly
impossible heights.
The Phoenix have harvested much of the planets
energy while carefully preserving its balance and
harmony

49
WORLD OF DREAMS
Clan(s): Scorpion, All

The most highly populated planet in the entire


empire, with a city that covers most of the planets
surface. With skyscrapers almost literally higher
than the sky, and urban zones spanning the length
of entire continents, the planet houses billions of
people from all the Great Clans (and even a few
from other cultures and races) but remains at least
nominally under the control of the Scorpion. Low
taxes and lax security have attracted investment
from around the galaxy, and many consider the
World of Dreams to be the true capital of the
Empire, although more traditional citizens frown at
such claims. The vast city has a culture of its own,
and one would need several lifetimes to fully
explore it, with many new buildings appearing
almost daily. The World of Dreams draws so much
attention that little else is known about the
Scorpion Clan and its settlements, which is
probably part of their intent. Orbits the gigantic
red star named Bayushis Eye.

XING GUO'S ANVIL


Clan(s): Imperial Families, Oriole
A gas giant with many metal rich moons held by
the Oriole minor clan in a Seppun system.

YAMA-NO-KAMI'S REMEMBRANCE

Clans(s): Mantis
Yama-no-Kami is habitable, but there's little there
besides mineral resources. Many scholars think it is
due to direct Meido's influence. The only real town
is the colony of Nibui Mura.

YORITOMOS CUP
Clan(s): Mantis
Noteworthy for two reasons: pirates and alcohol.

50
The Tenth Major Clan some strange aliens. Many pretend that the
owl clan established peace before the aliens
enable war. The reality is only known by the
clan himself and the Imperial Throne.
The Owl Clan
Geography and Economics

The Owl Clan has the smallest territory of all the


Major Clans and only claims a single planet and his
direct neighbors systems as his own: Alaine Two.
Its easier to defend but also lacks of many
resources. Thus, many of the revenues of the Owl
come from the exchange, adaptation and
exploitation of alien technology, development of
Founding their techniques and cultures to accommodate with
those of the Empire. The Tortoise clan doesnt like
this very much and even if it as only little power to
Shortly after the Destroyer War ends Empress interact with, the Owl Clan always respects their
Iweko was put in the position of having the decisions.
empire accept the Spider clan and in
exploring the former Ivory Kingdoms. Just as Demography
important though is reconciling the traditions
of old with forging a new path in an uncertain
future. The population of the Owl Clan is dense and
To show her respect for the past, fanatic as its only real territory his on a lone
Iweko instructed her imperial historians to planet. Many people and the imperial throne
find any living members among the Imperial suggest that the clan should shortly try to
families who may have had Hantei blood. The absorb others minors clans to increase their
goal was to instore a feeling of unity among population and territories. Until now only the
the Empire. It takes more than ten months but Seahorse clan seems to be interested but
they found a few individuals to pool together negotiations given no many results.
to take on the Hantei family name. Iweko
doesn't stop there however, choosing to honor Customs
the Toturi line: Toturi Shigekawa becomes
daimyo of the fledgling Owl clans second
family as the Toturi daimyo. Moving forward The Owl clan welcomes more aliens than all
the Hantei and Toturi families adopted a the other clans. Even if its populating his
number of ronin shugenjas. Some of them ranks it doesnt help to establish continuity.
pretended to be the keepers of the ancestral Theyre no more tolerant than other clans
Snake Clan technique. The Empress granted about non-humans but tend to have a deeper
her blessing for them to combine into a single knowledge of them. This causes many ethics
family and to honor one of the most powerful debates on if its possible to found a true
shugenja's known to the Rokugan. They take family with other species as members. This
on the Yoshun family name and the clan idea still repulses most of the imperial
began his existence as a minor clan for many population even in this era. All of the Owl
centuries. Clan members are very proud of their
prestigious lineage and nobody would ever risk
Later after a catastrophic encounter being rejected as an outcast by merging his
with a very dangerous entity, the Grasshoper blood with an alien one.
Clan was nearly destroyed and was absorbed as
the Inago Family. They were some of the They sometimes adopted and more certainly
major players in the first contact and the later adapted some alien concepts when it deserved
peace treaty with the Hanajins. the purpose of the clan. These habits gave
them some strange reputation or even
Its only recently that the clan was barbarian one among the others clans much
granted a major status. After having like has the Unicorn clan centuries ago. But
demonstrated many centuries of utility, the bearing such names as Hantei or Toturi has
clan was able to prevent a secret invasion by

51
advantages: rare are the people that obviously alien magic and techniques encountered to find a
attack the clan on this subject. way to counter them. They also found back the
ancestral technique of the Snake Clan to fight
The cult of the First kami has steadily grown against the Tainted creatures.
over the centuries after the creation of the owl
clan until it has arguably become one of the Using the Owl Clan into a normal game
most powerful religious forces within the
domains of the Empire of Emerald Stars. As of
today, the cult of Hantei has become an
essential part in the Brotherhood of Shinsei. Imperial History II introduces the Owl clan as the
Due to their fanatical devotion to their clan of Hantei in the Togashi Dynasty chapter.
Imperial kami, the Cult of Hantei demands Their charter in is to handle non-human threats to
that its followers fight all forms of evil in the the empire that aren't shadowlands related.
empire with the strength of their arms as well
as their faith, with many of its monks So oni and taint were the Crab job, the Owl
accompanying the Empire's armies when they handled Naga relations and taming Nezumi.
march off to war, following and honoring that Togashi's empire was filled with more magical
creed. This sense of righteousness, self- critters and thus there is a stronger need for a clan
determination, and holy attention from a that specifically deals with otherworldly beings.
caring but demanding kami has ensured that
the citizenry of the Empire is a people of So translating them to a normal classical era
strong faith, will, and unconquerable spirit. game can be somewhat challenging if you want to
Hantei is the symbol that unites the whole keep the essence of what is presented for the Owl.
Empire across all the territories its own: In the future era of Empire of Emerald Stars there is
Hantei is the Empire, and the Empire is no problem while finding a purpose for them...
Hantei as it was its first ruler. With his
ascension to Tengoku, he became a legendary Mechanically speaking you can make
forbear worshiped by the folk of the Empire as use of the Hantei bushi school as the main
a rightful kami whose covenant with his bushi family. However the advanced school,
people is to defend them as long as the Tsudao's Legion would fit in very well as a
principles upon which his Empire was founded school for the Hantei family.
upon continue to stand.
The Yoshun family would make use
THE HANTEI FAMILY: +1 VOID of the Seppun shugenja school from Imperial
Carrying on the Hantei name they serve as a Histories II and if you permit it of the original
reminder of Rokugans glorious past and traditions. Chuda shugenja school from the Core
They are the longest family to detain the imperial rulebook.
throne centuries ago, and they have still imperial
blood in their veins. They take on the Meanwhile the Otomo Diplomat
responsibilities of leading family provide most of School from Imperial Histories II would
the fanatical bushis of the Cult of Hantei. become the Toturi Diplomat School, similar
in structure to say the Bayushi family does
THE INAGO FAMILY: +1 AGILITY business.
The Inago Family was once the Grasshopper clan
and is still specializing to monitor Sakkaku activity The Inago family still continues to
and first contact to alien Sakkaku linked ensign the techniques of the Inago Bushi
civilizations. School from the Court of the Minor Clans
fanbook.
THE TOTURI FAMILY: +1 WILLPOWER
The Toturi sought to find a purpose by taking the The non-human bent of the Owl
control of Alaine Two. They are the guardians of clans mechanics makes them ideal for helping
the Owl Clan and act mainly as courtiers. to lead the development of the colonies as the
clans face down a number of non-human
THE YOSHUN FAMILY +1 AGILITY enemies.
They receive a new family name to distinct them
member from the ancestral Chuda family of the
Spider Clan. Theyre often at conflict with this
major clan who sees them as traitors. The Yoshun
family is mostly composed of shugenjas that study

52
The Eleventh Major Clan gave these minor clans a new legitimacy. They used
this media tool to spread peace messages across the
network throughout the conflict. The small Eel
Clan put his heart to create computer storage tools
The Badger Clan and naturally made its servers available to the
Yumeji News Network. Alliances War sees the
beginning of new collaborations.

In 2967 Empress Iweko CXI recognized the


importance of the media within the empire and
wanted to reward its creators. She therefore
decided to assemble the minor clans into a major
one. Neither the Bat Clan nor the Eel Clan wished
in their modesty to lead the clan. Then Iweko CXI,
proposed to the Badger Clan to take the head of
the new major clan in reward of centuries of work
Founding and this one accepted. She also proposed a new
family name to lead them: Ryoshun in the
veneration of the tenth Kami. So the new Major
Finding its place in the modern era has not always Clan of the Badger was born.
been easy for all. Many minor clans often
disappeared for lack of resources. With the Geography and Economics
departure to the stars and the evacuation of
Rokugan Prime, the Badger Clan suddenly found
itself without any real utility since it had become The original Badger's capital is still in the
useless to keep the northern border of the incursion mountains where they came from, but the center of
of the Yobanjin. All he had to do was to keep the Badger activity in the Empire is the dwarf planet
tomb of the tenth kami: Ryoshun. The Boar Clan, Gale on the outer edge of the Hiruma Prime
restored in 1199, was also orphaned of land to system. The clan also secured at least one outpost
exploit but wished to find new territories in space. at the limit of the territory of each other Great
The Bat Clan found itself increasingly deprived of Clan to maintain the YNN.
usefulness because the development of technology As the Badger has also the responsibility to guard
that allowed the greatest number to communicate the northern frontier of the Star Empire -a large
over long distances without resorting to magic ... asteroid field- they established there The Golden
The beginning of modernity seemed to sound the Compass, a large space station that orbits a red sun
death knell of these clans. Deprived of utility they called the Boars Eye.
risked disappearing. The Komori family conserved her ancestral home
on the Island of Lost Wilderness, but run most of
The Badger was originally a Minor Clans and one her operations from of the World of Dreams. Most
of the first eager to go to space. Many Badger of their revenues come from mining operations.
joined the Imperial Exploration Corps, and the
Crab brought them to share some of their systems Demography
after the Emperor's declaration.
They survived thanks to the Minor Clan Alliance
but it was really only in the worst of the The Badger clans population is scattered on his
misfortunes that they tied for good. From 2932 to multiple territories but manage to survive well even
2966 Alliance War raged and carried away millions is the harshest conditions. As the youngest major
of lives in atomic wars. The Boar Clan and Badger clan, his population is still smaller than the others
Clans were able to play their part by negotiating but comparable to those of the Spider Clan.
the radioactive materials used to make the nuclear
weapons. Soon, their safe boxes were filled but The first preoccupation of the clan when it was
their population declined. raise to major status was to increase its population
and it did it in some original way: the clan invited
The Bat Clan managed to survive but lacked funds the Brotherhood of Shinshei to settle their
to create the first computer communication territories. It didnt give them many marriages but
network that soon became the Yumeji News at least the lands were occupied and populated. In
Network. The financial windfall of the Boar Clan return, the Brotherhood was happy to create some
and the Badger Clans provided for this. The new shrines to worship Ryoshun.
jurisdiction and development of this computer tool

53
Customs THE KOMORI FAMILY: +1 INTELLIGENCE
The original tiny bat clan became the Komori
family of the Badger Clan and manages many forms
When the Badger became a Major clan, it of communication across the Empire. They also run
originally lacked of shugenjas. The small Anago the Yumeji News Network (found on the World of
family had some of them but a strong tradition Dreams). As the samurai version of the people who
within the Heichi and Ichiro family denied them to work in the IT basement of a major corporation,
have more. The Brotherhood of Shinshei not only they have allies both in the Scorpion (who watch
improved their population but also gave them some YNN a lot, for some reason) and the Crab (who
access to magic. Some of them filed the rank of the still make heavy use of their communication magic
Ryoshun family and established many connections to deceive their opponents). Theyre always happy
with the spirit realms. As the Badger helped to to discover, develop and decrypt new form of
guard monasteries and provided raw materials for communications and form appreciated courtiers.
their constructions, the two groups have become
pretty close over the years and the cult of Ryoshun THE RYOSHUN FAMILY: +1 VOID
developed. The young and calm Ryoshun family runs the daily
operations of the clan and tries to accommodate it
When it became a major clan, the customs of the to the status of a Major Clan. They soft temper
new Badger clan were as dense as the Mantis Clan makes they mainly act as courtiers for the clan.
when he rose to the same status. Most of the
families kept their original traditions. Ceremonies New Schools, Paths and Dojos
and gemppukus were then as varied as the number
of the families. But with time and marriages
between families differences faded away and the KOMORI PROTOCOL OFFICER
composing families only kept strong identities Since the development of modern communication
within their tiny ancestral territories. The Heichi systems the ancestral technique of The Kamis
and Ryoshun families were the easiest to adapt as Whispers has often become obsolete. But the
the youngest of the clan but were very enthusiast to Komori have had time enough to specialize
rediscover the ancestral lost traditions of the themselves to decipher and learn many foreign
original boar clan. languages and communication concepts. The
minor clan alliance is very happy when it can have
The Badger clan is one of the most technological, the service of a Komori protocol officer to conduce
mechanized and industrialized major clan, still less negotiations.
advanced than the Phoenix clan but sometimes
more relying on machines than the Crab Clan. Rank: 1
Replaces: Komori Shugenja 1
THE ANAGO FAMILY: +1 PERCEPTION Benefit: +1 Perception
The Anago family was once known as the Eel Skills: Calligraphy (Cipher), Etiquette
Clan. They maintain the largest data storage Lore: Theology, Meditation, Spellcraft,
facilities and search engine within the Empire. Tea Ceremony, any one High Skill
Theyre also experts programmers and to classify Honor: 4.5
and retrieve rapidly any information from their Outfit: Robes, Wakizashi, any 1 weapon,
tremendous data servers. They serve the clan Scroll Satchel, Traveling Pack, 3 koku
mostly as courtiers, more rarely as shugenjas. Affinity/Deficiency: Air / Earth
Requirements: None
THE HEICHI FAMILY: + 1 AWARENESS Technique: The Kamis Wisdom You
The once renewed boar clan is now the Heichi have the kamis help who translate for you
family and maintains the mining operation of the uncommon languages. Youve a +2k1
clan. They specialize in mining prospection and bonus in Calligraphy (Cipher). After
exploration of mountain, harsh, remote, polar or spending a month speaking with a person
icy frost worlds and asteroids fields. They form who practice a foreign language you can
bushis for the clan with their retrieved ancestral buy the Language advantage for this for a
techniques. point less than the normal cost.
Spells: Sense, Commune, Summon, 3 Air,
THE ICHIRO FAMILY: +1 STRENGTH 2 Water, and 1 Fire
The original family of the badger has the strongest
traditions among the clan. Their legendary
resilience served well to accommodate to
modernity. They provide bushis to the clan.

54
RYOSHUN COURTIER SCHOOL
Benefit: +1 Awareness
Skills: Calligraphy, Courtier, Etiquette
(Courtesy), Lore: Spirit Realms (Choose
One), Meditation, Sincerity, any one
High Skill
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Sensible Clothing, Wakizashi,
Calligraphy Set, Traveling Pack, 5 koku

TECHNIQUES

RANK 1: TOUCHED BY THE SPIRITS


You gain one of the Touch of the Spirit Realms
Advantage for no cost in Experience Points (if you
already have that Touch of the Spirit Realms
Advantage, you are refunded that many Experience
Points). You gain a bonus to all Courtier and
Etiquette Social Skill rolls equal to the number of
Emphases you have in the Lore: Spirit Realms
Skill.

RANK 2: SPREADING THE SPIRITS WILL


A number of times equal your School Rank per
day, you may spend a Void Point to grant one of
your allies within 30 feet, one of the Touch of the
Spirit Realms Advantages for a number of hours
equal to your School Rank. If your ally already has
this Advantage, your Technique fails.

RANK 3: DEEPER INTO KNOWLEDGE


You gain a bonus of 2k1 to all your Social Skills.
You receive one additional Touched by the Spirit
Realms Advantage.

RANK 4: CURSED BY THE REALMS


A number of times per session equal to your School
Rank, you may speak with someone for a few
minutes and then make a Contested Roll of your
Courtier (Manipulation) / Willpower against their
Etiquette (Courtesy) / Awareness. If you succeed,
they acquire one of the Cursed by the Spirit
Realms Disadvantages (your choice) for a number
of hours equal to your School Rank. (You cannot
use this technique on the same person twice in the
same day.)

RANK 5: ONE WITH THE SPIRITS


All bonuses, penalties, TNs, etc bonus or penalties
that the Touched of the Spirit Realms or Cursed by
the Spirit Realms confer are now doubled for you
and people you affect with your techniques. You
gain two additional Spirit Realms Advantages.

55
Minor Clans of a new era smokescreen for its darkest activities and a kind of
ambassadors just as the Dragonfly clan work for the
Dragon clan.

The Anglerfish Clan The Anglerfish clan strives to remain pure


and free of any Taint but only to mask the growing
scale of the disproportionate and unreasonable
ambitions of the Spider clan. His apparent sincerity
is a lure of light designed to attract easy preys into
the deep abyss where the Spider clan hides...

Geography and Economics

Most of the revenues come from voluntary


In space, no one can hear you scream. donations and even the imperial support in
memory of their unwavering loyalty. They also
Founding grow tea of Jade petals officially to guard them from
the Taint of the Spider but especially to make an
illegal black market.
The Anglerfish Clan is a faction of the Spider clan
who openly separated from the rest of the clan and In reality, the funds come obviously from
lent allegiance to Iweko Ist. At first they had no the dubious or downright illegal activities of the
other status than a pariah one and no other one Spider. Their territory is not more extensive, being
was actually granted if it is the ability to work for limited to a single Torid-E class station located at
the glory of the Empire in the colonies as they the edge of Spider space. It would be easy to get
remained loyal and destitute of all traces of Taint around but decorum order to respect the courtesy
of the Shadowlands. This aroused some bitterness and traditions.
but they accepted this position gracefully as the
distrust of the other clans was great. The Demography
monitoring of the Dragon Clan never faltered and
any sign of corruption was systematically
eliminated. With time things came to settle and The Anglerfish clan will always claim to be
confidence was established. understaffed because it suits well. In this way, it
may justify certain breaches of its jurisdiction and
The real stroke of genius was fulfilled still require more funds to the imperial treasury.
when the Anglerfish clan was created. The Dragon Some, however, go up to use racket to bring a guest
Clan had found a strong interest in the exploration in relation with the Spider but this practice is very
of the nebula of the east border and needed as subtle, pernicious and often repressed.
many resources to operate strange worlds that he
already devoted to colonize them. The Although it was never a very influential
responsibility for monitoring the Spider Clan was clan, it demonstrated good manners by gathering
then entrusted to the clan of Anglerfish. the outcasts and the poorest even in the ranks of
the ronin, etas or the peasantry. But this is also a
Corruption, however, catches up with the deception because they know anyway that most of
new clan. First, because some members of the them will end up in the web of the spider if they
samurai caste were unwittingly suffering mutations. come to talk.
Some think they are due to Spider clan who
surreptitiously used Shadowland Taint to transform Customs
them. The Spider clan fiercely defended by
claiming that they were due to atomic fallouts of
the Alliances War. No one really knows the answer
Members of the Anglerfish Clan are working to
but this crisis led to a large number of refugees.
stay as pure as possible in order to hide the darkness
These were treated as outcasts and while having no
of their dark intentions. They are courteous and
longer a place to live within the other clans, they
sincere but this is mostly a facade. They act as
refused to join the Spider. The clan of the newly
diplomats and smokescreen to the Spider clan that
created Anglerfish was so all found to
weighs on them to show that their intentions are
accommodate them. Over time the Anglerfish
good. In reality the Spider clan always exercises its
became the instrument of the Spider: a

56
formidable Daigotsu courtiers but they can now act TECHNIQUES
more freely on condition of even more anonymity.
The Anglerfish managed to deceive the vigilance RANK 1: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON
of the clan of the Seahorse clan which she often You may voluntary lose a maximum of 10 Honor
uses to purge their members of their surplus of Points (a complete rank) to add the same bonus to
Shadowlands Taint. any Contested Social roll. You may do it for a
willing ally but (s)he loses Honor at your place.
ANKO FAMILY: +1 AWARENESS Add your School Rank to your Honor Rank
whenever another is attempting to discern your
Anko's family lives mostly reclusive and only show true Honor Rank.
up to bite most often to defend its interests or to
make believe that it is closely monitoring the RANK 2: THE BRIGHT OF THE PURE DARKNESS
Spider. This is not a close family nor welded Once per month you may attempt a Contested Roll
formed because of people who were united there by of Courtier/Intelligence versus the
desperation and trapped. Only the most influential Courtier/Awareness of a non-player character of a
members of the Anglerfish are aware of its superior Status than your own. If you succeed you
profound goals and enjoy a comfortable life. The immediately gain a number of Koku equal to the
others are most often left behind except when it difference of Status and lose the same number of
comes to exercise a demonstration of good graces. Honor.

Schools, Paths and Dojos RANK 3: BIGGER THE SMILE, SHARPER THE KNIFE
You may spend a Void Point or lose 5 Honor Points
to make your attacks with a samurai weapon or a
ANKO COURTIER SCHOOL knife as Simple Actions rather than Complex
actions during this skirmish.
The techniques of the Anko Courtier School are
largely inspired by those of the Daigotsu Courtier RANK 4: THE BACK OF THE MEDAL
School although they fiercely defend from it. The Any rolls made to detect your lies have their TN
honor is of little value to an Anko as long as he can increased by an amount equal to 5 x your School
afford to keep their secrets. Rank. You gain a free Raise when you use your
Sincerity (Deceit) or any Low skill.
Benefits: +1 Perception
Skills: Acting, Courtier, Etiquette, RANK 5: TO THE ABYSS OF THE ANGLERFISH
Meditation, Sincerity (Deceit), Every student of the Anko Courtiers is
Temptation, a Low Skill at choice. accomplished at the art of pretending that his faults
Honor: 1.5 are those of another. When you have to loose
Outfit: Simple Clothes, Wakizashi, Honor or Glory or even Status, you may spend a
Knife, Travelling Pack, 3 koku Void point as a Complex Action to try to shift this
loss to someone else of lower Status than you who
is present at the moment of the accusation. You
must make a Contested Roll of your Sincerity
(Deceit) / Awareness versus the victims Sincerity
(Honesty) / Awareness in order to make the
shifting of blame stick.

57
The Bear Clan Members of the Crane had heard rumors of a
peasant who possessed strength like no other, said
to be a son of Bishamon himself. They found this
young man, named Kuma, and hatched a cruel plan
to pay the Crab back for the Rice War. The Crane
educated Kuma is the basics of court etiquette and
trained him brutally by the clan's best sumai
masters, promising him a life of ease for his family
and a Doji wife should he wins the sumai contest.
Having seen that the Great Famine was only
"The Strong always survives." getting worse, Kuma readily agreed.

Founding The Hida he faced put up a good match, but


Kuma soon proved victorious, throwing the
desperate but unskilled warrior out of the ring in an
The rule of Hantei XX was not good to impressive display of strength. After the
the Crab. The selfish and vain Emperor had tournament, the same Hida attempted to get
openly and cruelly showered favors upon the other revenge on Kuma by killing him outright (his
clans, especially the Crane, and placed punitive peasant status meant there would be no
taxes on the Crab during the Great Famine after reproductions for such an act), but the Seppun
the Clan of Hida claimed they didn't have enough stopped the attack. The Emperor had been deeply
rice to pay taxes and feed their armies. It is only entertained by the Crab's humiliation; to protect
luck that there was no major Shadowlands uprising the Crane's champion sumai, Hantei XX named
during Hantei XX's rule, or it is likely that the Kuma the Champion of a new Minor Clan, thereby
Crab would not have the strength to hold back the granting him samurai status. The young man chose
tide of darkness. Hantei XX levied many insults the Bear as his clan's symbol, and the Crab had no
and humiliations upon the Crab's shoulders. choice but to accept the humiliation and leave.

One such insult came in the form of the Though Kuma was given a (very low-
Bear Clan. During Winter Court of 664 (held in ranking) Doji bride, his peasant birth meant he had
Kyuden Doji, as most of Hantei XX's Winter few samurai willing to join the Bear, and instead he
Courts were), Crane Champion Doji Morito selected almost all of his early followers from the
arranged for a sumai contest to be held in 'honor' of ranks of the heimin caste. Made mostly of men of
the Crab. In truth, the whole tournament was great strength, the Bear became a clan of warriors
arranged to insult and humiliate the Crab. The and wrestlers. Aside from sumai, the Bear branched
year before, the Crab had attacked the Crane in a out to all areas where they could employ their great
desperate attempt to gain the food needed to strength, earning a reputation as brawlers, athletes,
survive in what is now known as the Rice War, and even reliable bodyguards.
only for the Crab army to be blocked off by the
Imperial Legions. Due to the Crab's increasingly Geography and Economics
dire food situation, their best sumai wrestlers had
given up the sport, which required a high-calorie
diet. As such, the Crab were ill prepared for the After Hantei XX created the Bear Clan, he didn't
tournament, having brought no trained sumai to give much thought to the new Minor Clan,
court; the Crab had been told there would be no including giving them a home. The actual
sumai contests this court (a miscommunication by responsibility fell to the Otomo, who were less than
an Otomo clerk with a Doji wife, strangely pleased with the whole affair surrounding the clan's
enough). Still, with the pride of the clan on the creation. Eventually, the Bear was granted lands
line, several Hida entered the contest, their sheer nestled in the foothills western section of the Wall
strength and years on the Wall pitted against the above the Ocean mountain range, very close to
sumai of the other clans. In all amazement, the Crab lands. Originally, the Otomo attempted to
Crab prevailed, until at last a warrior of Hida stood place the Bear on the eastern side, in Crane lands,
for the final match. However, the Crane had but the Crane petitioned to the Emperor, who of
prepared one final humiliation: his opponent was course favored the Crane and instead placed the
not a samurai, but a commoner named Kuma. Bear near Crab territory rather than deprive the
Crane of one foot of land. This has not endeared
the Bear to the Crab at all.

58
The Bear's single province was of workable Kuma family members tend to be strongly
quality, but has little overall worth. The most built and tall, especially males. They're rarely
valued spots of the nearby mountains were already considered attractive, especially when compared to
claimed by the Crane and Crab long before the samurai from other clans, due to their peasant
Bear came into existence, as were the locations origins. Most samurai notice that Kuma have
with the most fertile soil. Still, it is enough for the 'commoner' features, which lack either the softness
Bear to get by, and the clan's simple tastes mean favored by the Crane, or the confident proud look
they rarely need real extravagances. Their peasants prized by the Lion. Most wouldn't be called
are willing to work hard, as the Bear's samurai often ruggedly handsome so much as simply gruff and
share bounty of their labors. hard-featured. A few, especially those from long
sumai lines, are the notable exceptions. A good
One notable resource the Bear maintain is sumai can normally expect a good marriage,
honey. Kuma himself had a regular sweet tooth; as regardless of status, and sumai are always in
did many of his followers, and the Bear maintain a demand. As such, Kuma from the family's sumai
small but reliable supply of honey on hand because best lines tend to show features common amongst
of this. This supply has never been very big, seeing other clans, especially the Lion, Phoenix, and
as their lands are not strongly suited for wholesale Crane.
honey production, but it is enough that the Bear
have never needed to buy it from another clan. In spite of their great love of sumai, Kuma
are rarely 'fat.' Their love of all athleticism and
The Bear have only one important holding, disdain for laziness means the Kuma work out
on the Osano-Wo Reach planet: Shiro Kuma. The regularly, and are often more muscled and stout
keep was built by both peasant and samurai hands, than outright fat. If anything, they are never
as Kuma and his followers were eager to have their flabby.
home completed quickly and had no qualms about
doing the work themselves. The 'castle' itself is Relationships with other Clans
small and plain, more like an estate. However, the
grounds surrounding it have been turned into a vast
gymnasium, fit for any form of athletic training. The Bear have few allies. After their initial
Bear samurais train themselves at the castle creation, the Crane had little use for the Bear, and
grounds at all hours of the day, constantly fighting largely ignores them. The Lion find their peasant
in all sorts of physical challenges to prove who is origins revolting overall, and their creation
strongest. At the center of Shiro Kuma is a large insulted the Crab. Luckily, the in the years that
shrine to Bishamon, whom the Bear consider their followed, the Bear offered no further insults and
patron (and possible forefather, if the rumors the Crab seem to have dropped any interest in
surrounding the first Kuma are to be believed). feuding with the Minor Clan (or considers
destroying them more trouble than its worth). The
Demography Bear's only form of influence is in their strength
and athletic skill; they try to compete in any
The Bear Clan has a slightly smaller than athletic contest they hear of, and send as many
average population for a Minor Clan. The Bear's representatives to the Winter Court sumai
birthrates are normal, but their relative poverty tournaments as possible. Successful sumai bring
means that they sometimes lack the medical care wealth, favors, and prestige to the Bear, as well as
available to richer clans. They also have had no good marriages and connections. In eras where the
recorded shugenja born amongst their ranks, and Mantis are still a Minor Clan, they have a semi-
must ask the priests of other clans to bless their hostile relationship, seeing the Bear as rivals in
crops and births. both athletic contests (which the Mantis also
appreciate), and in mercenary work. Once the
Every birth in Bear lands, samurai or Mantis becomes a Great Clan, they might view the
commoner, is celebrated with a plentiful but simple Bear in a different light, as a clan of strong warriors
meal of the family's favorites, followed by a desert they can possibly absorb into a Mantis family.
of honey on toasted flatbread. The custom was The Bear always admired the Badger's strength and
born of the simple food item being the first Kuma's appreciation for wrestling, and the two would be
favorite treat; the Bear believe that eating it at a strong allies normally. However, both the distance
birth grabs the attention of Kuma's spirit, and helps between them and the Badger's deeply reclusive
make the child strong. traditions mean members of either clan rarely see
each other.

59
Of relations with the Minor Clans, the Bear receive better educations than their male
fare slightly better. The Hare and Sparrow both are counterparts, especially in finances and history, and
close enough to their commoners to not care about are the most likely to be selected for training
the Bear's peasant blood and bearings, and are outside of the Bear, even if they are encouraged to
generally friendly, though their different spheres of maintain athletic fitness. Women normally oversee
influence means they have little interest in one the economics and education of their household.
another. The Bear consider magic something In fact, the Bear Champion's wife normally knows
outside of their understanding, so shugenja clans just as much, if not more, about the clan's finances
like the Dragonfly and Fox pose little interest to and politics than he does.
them, though the Bear do prefer to request a Minor
Clan shugenja to bless their crops or births rather A promotion in rank in the Bear Clan is
than one belonging to a Great Clan. followed by the person promoted wrestling those
beneath him in one-on-one contests to prove his
Occasionally, the Bear find themselves strength and worthiness. This also means that a
hired by other clans as yojimbo, especially to the newly crowned Bear Champion must wrestle all of
Crane. While this may seem strange at first, a few his most important vassals, and such an event is
courtiers have found that having a powerfully built treated as a grand tournament the whole clan can
bodyguard can influence negotiations, especially watch and enjoy; often, troops will cheer for their
with the Crab. The presence of Kuma bushi can commanding officers rather than their new young
disrupt a Yasuki merchant's negotiation methods, Champion, and the Bear consider this acceptable.
as they often attempt to have their Hida yojimbo
subtly threaten their adversaries, a task far harder The Kuma are simple people with simple
when the person sitting across the table has a bushi and cheap tastes. They do not have lavish parties,
that can match the Hida in size and bulk. are content with simple meals and drink, and dress
in the plainest clothing their station allows for.
Customs Because they come from peasant stalk, the Bear
treat their commoners well, not allowing them to
Athleticism is the most prized aspect of the Bear. be abused by clan-mates or outsiders alike. The
Wrestling and sumai are held in highest esteem, Bear are a jolly people, and they have many
but any display of athletic ability is encouraged. festivals, often centered on athletic contests, that
Likewise, scholarly pursuits are seen as unnecessary, peasant and samurai alike can join in. On the very
and education, which can be expensive for the rare occasion that a commoner wins such contests,
poor clan anyway, is kept to a minimum. The Bear they are allowed to join the Kuma family.
do not have the resources to teach any refined and
courtly arts, though they trade favors to the Crane *Note: Modern professional sumo wrestling is still
to teach their brightest students of sumai the male-only in real life, and highly traditional.
etiquette lessons necessary to avoid embarrassment While a few woman sumo originations are around,
in court. If a Kuma has a Crane mother or wife they are rare. The GM is free to decide how true
(which can be a little more common than one this is in Rokugan (if this distinction exists at all).
might think), it falls on her to teach him such arts
instead. THE KUMA FAMILY: +1 STAMINA
The Kuma of the Bear are a strong, large people.
Because traditional sumai is reserved for They universally despise physically weakness, and
men* (though woman are allowed to compete in constantly train in athletics to improve their
several contests, including some Winter Court bodies. While rarely attractive, the Kuma's strength
tournaments) boys children are favored slightly cannot be denied.
over girls, and sumai fathers will go to lengths to
ensure their sons follow in their footsteps. This They are quite often shaggy or at least
tradition is less apparent in non-sumai family lines, more hairy than the average rokugani. The beards
and ignored outright in families that focus on a are appreciated by the men whereas the ladies often
bushi's traditional role as a warrior first and braid their long hair in an elaborate ways.
foremost. The few women sumai of the Bear can
expect promotions and the best possible marriages, Members of the Kuma family are usually
in or out of the clan, as such rarities are considered calm, jovial and sweet, but beware the ones who
clear signs of Bishamon's favor. Woman warriors dare to threaten them because their anger is
and athletes alike are respected as equal members proportional to their temperance. One must be
of the clan, though only males that have gained the wary of the bear that sleeps...
sumai rank of sanyaku are allowed to become Bear
Champion. Non-warrior women can expect to

60
Schools, Paths and Dojos

KUMA BUSHI SCHOOL

The Kuma Bushi are paragons of strength, favoring


melee combat and especially wrestling. The Kuma
favor endurance and strength, trusting it to see
them through against faster and more skilled
opponents. Those unlucky enough to be caught in
the Kuma bushi's grasp rarely escape.

Benefit: +1 Strength
Skills: Athletics, Heavy Weapons,
Hunting, Jujutsu (Grapples), Kenjutsu,
any two Skills.
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Light or Heavy Armor, Travelling
Pack, Daisho, Any one weapon, Practical
Clothing, 3 koku

TECHNIQUES

RANK 1: THE WAY OF THE BEAR


The Kuma possess strength and endurance of their
namesake, making them mighty warriors. Add
+1k0 to all Damage rolls made with Melee attacks
(including unarmed attacks). You gain 3 bonus
Wounds per Wound Rank.

RANK 2: SLEEPING STRENGTH


The Kuma Bushi endures like a hibernating bear,
his strength outlasting even the winter's rage. You
subtract your Strength from any Wound Penalties
you suffer.
RANK 3: CLAWS AND FANGS
Strength and speed lead power to each other. You
may make Melee attacks as Simple Actions,
including when fighting Unarmed.

RANK 4: HIBERNATION'S END


A bear awoken from hibernation is as dangerous a
foe as most oni, and the Kuma Bushi emanate its
power. You may spend a Void Point on any
Strength-based Roll (including Damage Rolls) to
cause the lowest kept dice to Explode.

RANK 5: MIGHT OF THE BEAR


Nothing that stands before an angry bear lives to
tell of it. Once per encounter, when you damage
an opponent in with a Melee attack or while
Grappling them, you may spend a Void Point to
cause the target make an Earth Ring Roll against a
TN equal to the damage dealt, or be Stunned for
one Round.

61
The Beaver Clan seemed promised a bright future. Nothing seemed
to be able to cure her and Kato, instead of despair,
prayed for a long time to her ancestors. No one
knows what happened that night when a terrible
storm broke out. In the morning Kato was
discovered dead of exhaustion, a smiling to the lips
in the temple of his ancestors. The little girl had
also succumbed to the disease and despair began to
point in the heart of Misato for not being able to
perpetuate the work of his father. But while she was
crying something unheard of happened, she
Founding suddenly felt a hand rest on her shoulder and
turned, frightened.
The Beaver clan originated in the Dragon. It is
indeed for them very frustrating to be confronted She discovered the android, who, as animated by a
with an enigma that they cannot solve. Particularly conscience of her own, came to console her. With
when you carry the name of Kitsuki and find time Misato felt the presence of her daughter in
yourselves in front of a nebula impossible to cross. this body of cold metal but whose eyes nevertheless
Kitsuki Kato was one of them. While he saw the showed a spark of feelings. The robot had become
progress of science bringing their everyday its lot of the receptacle of the girl's soul. He explained that
wonders, he deduced that the finding the solution this was what Emma-O, the fortune of Death,
was only a matter of time. But a single existence of decided in exchange for the expectation and
man would it suffice for to know it? He doubted it servitude offered by Kitsuki Kato. When the story
sincerely. Kitsuki Kato had heard of the founder reached the Imperial Palace, Empress Iweko CXI
Kami of his clan, Togashi, and read that he lived decided to grant Kitsuki Kato the status of minor
until the twelfth century without aging. This fortune of Patience. She also created the Kato
divine power fascinated him but his wisdom told family and the Beaver clan. Officially their duty
him that to seek the means of achieving it would would be to perpetuate the work of Kitsuki Kato in
violate the Celestial Order. He was no more the manufacture of habitats and robots.
attracted by the yet so promising maho and said Unofficially, the aim would be to break through
that the solution would come from the technology the secrets between the spirits and the artificial
itself. intelligence to reach a status of eternity...

He studied more and more, began engineering, Geography & Economy


discovered robotics and applied himself to it. After
all, robots suffer very little from the outrage of The Beaver's home and greatest achievement is the
time. If he should succeed in transferring his Bibagari One, a massive colony ship with hills,
consciousness into one of them, then, it would live rivers and seas under a space worthy dome. This
for eternity even if he would lose the faculty to ship was a collaborative effort between the Beaver,
have feelings. For more than 50 years he worked Unicorn and Crab, and was designed as a potential
tirelessly until he managed to build a satisfactory means of crossing the Empire's empty western
prototype of android. But energy was beginning to border. For now, the three Clans use it as a mobile
fail both at the level of the body and the temporary base for ship repairs and construction.
astronomical amount it would take to transfer its Most of their economy comes from their habitat
mind into the robot. It was then that a ronin craftsmanship and they are reputed to design very
presented himself before his door. The latter never beautiful skyscrapers. They still lack off true
revealed his identity but said he wanted to talk to fundings to implement their research facilities
Kitsuki Kato. They talked together all night, no about robotics and cybernetics.
one really knows about what, but in the morning as
the ronin went away in the mist, Kitsuki Kato had Demography
changed.
The beaver is a very young clan and not very
He abandoned his research and then began populous. They were happy to welcome some
building more reliable, more robust habitats so that former Dogs, Unicorns and Crabs clan members
his offspring could comfortably live the time to who adopted the small beaver as their new clan.
wait where he had failed. He had a daughter, Many of them are just searching for peace but some
Kitsuki Misato, who, after his marriage, had in her of them have an interest to make their way into
turn given birth. But her only little girl fell ill this new domain of engineering.
shortly before her gempukku when she nevertheless

62
Customs

The Beaver are fairly sociable, as they understand


you can't run a ship alone, but tend to bypass
political maneuvering in favor of the kind of
honest, direct approach that saves lives every day.
Though the Beaver are excellent team leaders,
their knowledge of combat is very basic, and both
families rely on the Dog Clan for protection.

BIBA FAMILY: +1 WILLPOWER


Their Biba shugenja family studies officially the art
of massive space transportation, and researches
ways to make it simpler and easier. It would be very
useful to place massive orbital stations without
having to deploy tremendous energy or armies of
shugenjas. Secretly, the most talented of them seek
the link between technology and spirits, how a
kami could provide energy to fuel a device, how a
soul managed to habit a robot, etc. Some of their
work has already given results even if some Spider
agents have rendered such fast research easier with
maho

KATO FAMILY: +1 INTELLIGENCE


Kato does their best to maintain the flourishing
clan activities running despites of funds. They are
unique in the way they try form themselves as
courtiers or bushis. They are responsible of
recruiting laborers and negotiating contracts
against favors to implement the clan basics.

Schools, Paths & Dojos

BIBA TECHNOCRAT [SHUGENJA]


Benefit: +1 Perception
Skills: Cryptography(Cipher), Lore:
Theology, Meditation, Spellcraft 2, Use
Computer, any one High Skill
Honor: 3.5
Outfit: Robes, Wakizashi, any 1 weapon,
Scroll Satchel, Traveling Pack, 1 koku
Affinity/Deficiency: Air / Earth

Technique: Discovering Electricity Kamis - You


can spend any number of Air Spell slots as a Simple
Action to give to a skill test using technology (as
Use Computer, Piloting, Flying, Driving or
Cryptography) a +1k1 bonus for each slot you
spend this way. Also you gain a Free Rise for all
spells with the Technology tag.
Spells: Sense, Commune, Summon, 3 Air, 2 Water,
and 1 Fire

63
The Ibis Clan Geography & Economy

Most Ibis holdings are broadcasting stations or


recruitment agencies in places offered to them
by the Great Clans. Their largest holding is Ko-
no-hama's Bloom, an ocean city (with a station
in geostationary orbit above it) on the Unicorn
world of Suitengu's Grasp with a spectacular
view of a nearby nebula. (The Unicorn gave
them the territory to ensure they'd get all Ibis
Founding broadcasts.). Notably the Ibis Clan is one of the
richest of minor clans and its revenue comes
from advertising and prohibitive fees of artists
The Clan of the Ibis was born of war. But not among its ranks.
from the inspiration that can give the war. I
have nothing to do with tactics or even strategy Demography
but with propaganda and morale. Like the
Emperor, Doji Aibisu could no longer see his
countrymen constantly quarreling over territory. Ibis's clan has more people than it seems at first
She had lost her parents, both mowed down by look because its members are not all situated in
infighting while the Alliances War threatened Ko-no-hama's Bloom but scattered throughout
to destroy the Emerald Empire from within. Doji the Empire. Gossips claim that only the
Aibisu knew it better than anyone. wealthiest or the most famous are entitled to
become members of this very select clan but it is
She was not particularly good with not in reality. As the clan serves as cultural
blades or weapons but excelled from an early age window to the alliance of minor clans, it seeks to
in the art of eloquence. So she began to send show only its finery but all celebrities started at
letters to all clan warlords to try to resolve the the bottom of the scale even if it is true they are
conflict. But nothing helped. Even the pacifist almost always from the samurai caste. You can
Phoenix clan refused to listen to reason. Then find etas, heimins and hinins in the clan but
she took drastic measures and decided to contact they are often relegated to menial tasks such as
the Emperor himself. handling and maintenance.

The son of Heaven heard his Customs


supplication and offered the girl to speak on his
behalf as the Voice of the Emperor. There has
never had such a young person in this position Is not a member of the Ibis who want. For a
but Doji Aibisu not retired. She spent long days chance to be accepted as such it must be
to prepare a speech for the Emperor and almost a recognized by his peers as an outstanding
month later, it was widely distributed individual. Many people claim to be from Ibis
throughout the Empire by the YNN. The words clan because of his high dispersion while they
were so righteous, the emotion was such that have never even been approached by one. The
resounded to the ends of the galaxy and the Ibis clan recruits by itself and unsolicited
fighting ended early. The Emperor delighted to applications and volunteers rarely have a
finally see peace return proclaimed as soon the favorable response. Only the best of the best
new Aibisu family name of the Ibis clan. The should expect to be welcome.
one that had delivered the message was the first
daimyo. He entrusted her the mission to The clan holds every winter an annual
maintain the morale of the population in all gala to receive donations that will go to the
conditions, to ensure that the joy lives in the poorest. The event is broadcast throughout the
hearts on and that culture was a vector of peace. empire by YNN. However unlike the favor of
The Crane Clan took offense of this purpose the Miya family, the funds raised are generally
that was assigned to her then Aibisu Ishiko used only for Minor Clan Alliance members.
purposed to become the spokesman of the Minor
Clan Alliance. The Emperor agreed. Since then,
The Ibis Clan represents the cultural strength of
the Alliance.

64
AIBISU FAMILY: +1 REFLEXES RANK 2: BRIGHT OF THE IRON FAN
No one in the Empire has mastered the facets of
The Aibisu family is not prestigious by his the iron fan with the same fluency at the Aibisu
struggles or his bravery but by his eloquence, his War Dancers. When wielding a war fan or a
wit and panache. The Aibisu are usually music instrument in your off hand, you suffer no
exuberant in their habits, their demands and penalties for attacks made with that hand. You
their clothing, they're one of the few Minor also add your rank in War Fans to the total of
Clans families who can expect to be known and your Armor TN at all time while wielding a War
recognized wherever they go. The glory they get Fan.
usually serves them as an excuse for all the
etiquette or courtesy errors they may commit. RANK 3: SPEED OF THE STARS
Having a member of the Clan of the Ibis at his With speed built upon endless training, the
court is a pledge of fun as much as prestige. Aibisu strikes an opponent from every angle.
Aibisu are proud, sometimes even arrogant and Attacking is a simple action instead of a
often behave with a slight disdain. They never complex action when listening good music or
fail to remember that they are appreciated to the using War Fans or a music instrument.
court of the Emperor
RANK 4: ANONYMITY SHIELD
Ibis clan members may never buy the Bland The Aibisu War Dancer wear extravagant
advantage. clothes while on stage, both to inspire fear in
opponents, imagination of their audience and to
AIBISU WAR DANCER SCHOOL make them difficult to distinguish from one-
[BUSHI] another.
Benefit: +1 Agility When wearing extravagant clothes, you gain
Skills: Acting, Athletics, Intimidation, Fear 2. This effect rises by 1 for every five
Jiujutsu, Kenjutsu, War Fans, any one additional Aibisu War Dancer fighting alongside
Perform skills. you, to a limit of Fear 6. When wearing
Honor: 2.5 traditional clothes, this effect does not occur.
Outfit: Extravagant Clothing, Daisho, However, when someone makes a Lore:
two Tessen, Music recorder/emitter, Heraldry/Intelligence roll to determine your
Traveling pack, 8 koku. identity, you may voluntarily choose to increase
the TN of that roll by 10.
TECHNIQUES
RANK 5: TRANCE OF THE RHYTHM
RANK 1: THE BLAZE OF THE IBIS Those who have mastered the Aibisu School
The Aibisu truly believes that her work serves a seem to strike from everywhere at once. If you
higher purpose and has often little care about attack more than once in the same turn while
her own protection. So, they are used to have listening good music and wielding a Tessen or a
servants to take care of them and especially music instrument, you may make a single extra
yojimbos at their service to protect them against attack maneuver each time with your off hand
hordes of groupies. You may but the Servant for 3 raises instead of 5.
advantage for 4 points instead of 5. Anyone may
Guard you as a Free Action. You also gain a
+1k1 bonus to your Perform skills.

65
The Panda Clan at the soup kitchen. When he saw the effort
made to feed the population, he immediately
revealed his identity and said he had never eaten
better food than he had consumed. A food that
filled not only the stomach but mostly fed the
soul. As a reward he conferred Kunshin the
family name of Xiongmao and asked him to
found a minor clan for his initiative to endure.
Kunshin Xiongmao is now long dead but his
charity work continues and there is even a
restaurant that bears his name in rebuilt city of
When the appetite goes well, all is well ..." Otosan Ushi on Rokugan.

Founding Geography and Economics

Sometimes it is memorable meals that mark the The wealth of the Panda Clan is almost indecent
spirits. Hida Kunshin was among people who for a family of monks but it is mainly due to
thought that. Originally he was a sumai warrior imperial support and to their popularity. They
from the Crab Clan, but his overweight never use their fame or wealth of apparent
prevented him from being truly effective in manner, preferring to live in a humble and quiet
combat. He always liked to eat, it was sickly for way and entrust money to the rest of the
him. So rather than bring shame on his family, Brotherhood and to the poor. They often live
he preferred to retire to a Brotherhood independently, their popularity earning them
monastery in order to find the serenity that he more often to be warmly welcomed everywhere.
lacked. They have only one fixed place, the Peaceful
Bamboo Monastery located in the Dragon space.
This works wonderfully and Kunshin
finally found his inner peace. But when the Demography
Alliances War raged and many inhabitants of
the Empire were driven from their homes, many
people died of starvation. Kunshin who loved There are often more mouths to feed than
food could not bear it. monks in Panda facilities but the food is never
lacking for those who appreciate good food.
He brought much of his attention in
devotion to the Fortune or rice Inari but it Customs
seemed to him that she remained insensitive to
his pleas. Also, he undertook to bring all possible
resources to create a soup to help the poor. He Members of the panda clan are reputed to be
was little inclined to use diplomacy to get funds constantly feeding, snacking or chewing
then he has a strange idea. He excelled in the art something, even when they meditate. All
of preparing meals with few resources and excuses are good to eat something and they
petitioned the Komori family so he can multiply meals every day. They are often grumpy
disseminate culinary ideas on Yumeji News when they cannot sustain but their reserves
Network. allow them to hold several days without food just
with meditation. They have good relations with
They accepted and the Kunshin the minor clans as the Albatross, the Tanuki,
television show enjoyed a successful start, up to the Salmon and the Bat and they are also in very
boost the morale of a population ravaged by war good terms with the Miya imperial family.
by his debonair and playful humor. Soon he was Xiongmao Monks revere all Fortunes but
joined in his effort by others who put their talent especially Inari, Toyouke-Omikami and Kojin.
at the service of the poor. Certainly the Crane
Clan obviously tried to oppose this initiative, XIONGMAO FAMILY: +1 STAMINA
but it had to bow to the growing popularity of
the show to concentrate on their war effort. The panda is a symbolic animal of friendship,
peace, a quiet strength and determination.
The legend says that the Emperor Under his apparent gentleness, he reiterates the
himself heard of it and that once the war ended, importance of establishing a clear scope to
he disguised himself begging to mingle incognito delineate the space of privacy and sense of
66
security. The Xiongmao family reflects this and RANK 4: TO SPREAD IMPERIAL PEACE
its members are likely to be quite emotional and The Emperor greatly appreciates the quiet side of
make proof of compassion. A stable material the Xiongmao family. If a person tries to unfairly
comfort is a source of well-being, sometimes to slander you, you can try a Social Opposed Test
the risk of dependence and goes to excess. of Sincerity (Honesty)/ Intuition against
Xiongmao so encourage integrating different Sincerity (Deception) / Intuition your opponent.
aspects of the personality into a harmonious If successful, any loss of honor due to this lie is
whole without depending on material goods. doubled and imposed on the liar.
Whoever refuses food to a person who requests is You can buy the Sacrosanct and Imperial
severely punished. Alliance (with Miya family) Advantages for one
point less.
Schools, Paths and Dojos
RANK 5: SOLID AS A BAMBOO
Pandas are known for their incredible resilience.
They can withstand longer than normal to
XIONGMAO SUMAI SCHOOL
impact and lack of food. You can spend one
[MONK]
Void Point as a Simple Action to ignore all
The Xiongmao Monks practice a particular art
damage taken during an attack. You also receive
for Sumotori. Not widespread and focused on
the Advantage Blessing of Inari for free.
non-violence, their techniques are easily
laughable to the uninitiated. They teach above
all patience and intuition, to avoid combat XIONGMAO MASTER OF SUSHIS
whenever its possible. Enjoying the protection (ALTERNATE PATH) [ARTISAN]
of the Emperor, its members are among the most
honorable of the Brotherhood. As Xiongmao are not samurai monk by their
status, nothing prevents them from cooking
Devotion: Fortunist without anyone taking offense. They even past
Benefit: +1 Awareness masters in the fine art of preparing sushis that
Skills: Tea Ceremony, Knowledge: they consume in vast quantities. They fill this
Theology (Fortunes), Etiquette practice with katas which apply only to sushis, a
(Courtesy), Jiujutsu (Sumai), thousand times repeated gestures that bring
Meditation, Sincerity (Honesty), a them culinary excellence.
High skill at choice.
Honor: 6.0 Rank: 2
Outfit: Simple clothes, a Bo or a pair of Replaces: Any school at rank 2
Jo, Travelling Pack, 6 Kokus Prerequisites: Craft: (Cooking) 4
Technique: The Stomach is the Seat of
TECHNIQUES the Good Mood - All your Craft
(Cooking) and Tea Ceremony rolls
RANK1: HEAVEN STABILITY receive a Free Raise. When you spend a
The TN any test to throw you down or make you Void Point to increase their results, you
lose your balance is increased by 20. You must get a bonus of + 2k2 instead of +1k1.
purchase the Corpulent Disadvantage but The first time you use one of these two
benefit from a Fortune of Foods Blessing of your skills to prepare a meal for a person of
choice. higher status to yours and that it is
successful and appreciated, you gain 2
RANK 2: HEALTHY MIND IN A HEALTHY BODY Glory points.
All your buys of Mental Advantages and
Physical Disadvantages are reduced by 1 point.
You get a bonus of + 1k1 in all your school skills.

RANK 3: NEVER REPEAT


Pandas are known to meditate long and to be
symbols of peace and wisdom. But when there is
no other solution than confrontation, they work
with disconcerting speed and high efficiency.
You can make your attacks Unarmed or with a
bo or a pair of jo with Simple Actions instead of
Complex Actions.

67
New Schools
RANK 5: THE SHOW MUST GO ON
AKODO ACTOR [BUSHI]
The Akodo learns the final lesson. The play is
the thing; his life is unimportant in comparison
The new "Akodo" have nothing to do with the
to his performance. Once per day, he may spend
once great Lion family of the same name, save
a Void Point as a Complex Action ignore the
their importance to the Lion Clan. "Akodo" is
effects of wound levels (including Down, Out,
merely an appellation, nothing more, applied to
and Dead) for a number of rounds equal to his
students in tribute to the legendary family. The
Awareness.
Akodo Actors are not the thespian actors of the
Kakita or the trained impostors of the Shosuro.
KAKITA PROGRAMMER [COURTIER]
The Akodo are destined for action movie
stardom, and as such must be brilliant
The Kakita Programmers are the modern
combatants as well as charismatic celebrity
champions of the Crane Clan. They are the
personalities.
moneymakers, executives, and defenders of
Dojicorp, the Crane super corporation that
Benefit: +1 Awareness
dominates sixty percent of the world's computer
Honor: 3,5
markets. The students of the Kakita are highly
Skills: Acting (Action films), Firearms,
trained and in demand, but among their training
Kenjitsu, Jiujitsu, Defense, Driving, any
is a certain level of restraint -- they almost never
one Bugei or High Skill.
perform at their peak of ability unless doing so
Outfit: Daisho, Side Firearm, Simple
for their own clan.
Clothing, Concealed Light Body
Armor, Any one Weapon, Travelling
Benefit: +1 Intelligence
Pack, 7 Kokus
Honor: 3, 5
TECHNIQUES Skills: Computer 2, Etiquette,
Meditation, Any 3 High Skills
Outfit: Portable Laptop Computer (can
RANK 1: A SOUL OF THUNDER
modem into home systems), Simple
The Akodo's charisma is unmatched. It is his
Clothing, Tanto, Travelling Pack, 10
spirit and his strenght; he carries it into
Koku,
everything that he does. Actors from this school
may add his Awareness to the total of any skill
TECHNIQUES
roll he makes.
RANK 1: THE NEW WAY
RANK 2: YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE
A Kakita Programmer has an unparalleled
The Akodo Actor is trained to make no
knowledge of programming, data storage, and
mistakes. The opportunity for greatness comes
only once. Once per day, the actor may spend a the YNN. The Programmer may add one to
Void Point as a Simple Action to re-roll any every die kept on a Computer skill roll for every
rank she has achieved.
failed roll. Take one of the two results at your
choice.
RANK 2: TO SEEK TRUTH
The Programmer is capable of building complex
RANK 3: STRIKE WITHOUT STRIKING
The Akodo is now the center of restraint and computer systems from spare parts, and can
the heart of fury. He may choose to make a Full create basic programs in hours. When doing
research using the YNN, the Programmer
Attack that causes no damage whatsoever, but
requires results equal as if she had the equivalent
requires his opponent to make an opposed
Lore Skill at Rank One, or adds one Rank to the
Stamina+ Defense test against his attack roll or
skill if she already knows it. This process takes
be knocked to the ground, missing all his next
round actions. ten minutes, minus the Programmer's School
Rank in minutes.
RANK 4: THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION
RANK 3: WALLS OF INFORMATION
The Akodo is so loved by the people that he
The Programmer is now knowledgeable in
may attack twice - once for himself and once for
creating elaborate security programs. When
those who live through his deeds. You may make
attacks unarmed or with samurai weapons as a accessing a friendly system, she may raise its TN
Simple Action instead of a Complex Action. to be hacked by 5 for every twenty minutes she
spends working on it, to a maximum of his

68
Rankx5. This requires a simple skill roll - the stupid. When using Sincerity or Commerce, the
TN of this roll is equal to the amount of marketeer gains a number of free raises equal to
protection she is giving to the system. She may the difference between his intelligence and the
also attempt to create loop programs raising the target. If the target has greater intelligence than
TN of someone entering a system she has hacked the marketeer, then this technique has no effect.
into (even if it is their own) by an equivalent
amount (this effect lasts for the Programmer's Also at this rank, the marketeer gains an
Rank in days, or until it is successfully accessed "Underworld Contact." This contact is another
once). Either of these effects can only be done to marketeer or a high placed individual in some
a particular system once. other merchant organization. In game terms, this
is more or less the equivalent of a Major Ally,
RANK 4: TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE (maximum worth of 6XP) except that the
The Programmer now understands the workings contact can't be depended upon to help the
of computers better than the machines marketeer when he gets into trouble. This
themselves. Any operations performed on a contact is more valuable in gaining information
computer now require half the normal time (this through underworld syndicates, or as a contact
includes her Rank Techniques). for buying black market goods.

RANK 5: PROGRAMS FORMS MY REALITY RANK 2: EYE OF NIGHT


The Programmer now knows the intricate The Marketeer has learned to hone his senses to
weavings of man's technology like she knows a razor's edge, both to the purposes of judging
herself. She no longer need make skill rolls when the quality of goods and the greater good of
using a computer unless she intends to make keeping his own skin intact. He may add his
raises. Perception ranks on all rolls of Commerce and
attempts to detect ambush.
RAKUDA BLACK MARKETER SCHOOL
[COURTIER] RANK 3: WORDS THAT BITE
The Rakuda Family members are known The Marketeer at this rank finds himself
throughout Rokugan as diplomats and increasingly skilled at manipulating words to his
peacemakers. Their travels in foreign lands have advantage. By spending a Void Point as a Simple
given them a unique perspective and action and winning an opposed Sincerity/
understanding of the customs of other peoples. Awareness roll he can convince an opponent
Unfortunately, there is a darker side to this any of the following:
unique understanding. The Rakuda have also -That the value of an object is what he
been exposed to the various crime syndicates claims it to be (still does not guarantee
and secret mercantile organizations, and in some a sale)
cases have participated. These black market -That the marketeer's intentions are
caravan masters have carved a place for honorable (useful for temporarily
themselves in the seamy underbelly of world escaping a compromising situation)
trade as a cold and ruthless underworld force. -That the marketeer comes in peace,
and should not be attacked (is
Benefits: +1 Perception immediately cancelled if the marketeer
Honor: 1.5 is carrying any sort of visibly offensive
Skills: Commerce, Firearms, Games, weapons.)
Investigation, Knowledge: Law (for the These lies are usually rather thin; most
purposes of knowing interstellar trade individuals will believe them at first but quickly
laws and such and how to find realize that they were taken in by the
loopholes in them), Stealth, Sincerity marketeer's con. (Generally a target will fall for
Outfit: Simple Clothing, Knife, a small the lie for a time equal to one hour minus their
fire arm, a vehicle (Large trucks or fast IntelligenceX10 in minutes, but it's up to the
cars, a small ship preferred), Travelling GM's discretion.)
Pack, 8 Kokus
RANK 4: BEYOND THE VEILS
TECHNIQUES The marketeer at this point is so skilled at the
weaving of lies that he is now immune to their
RANK 1: BY THE FORTUNES power. Sincerity and magical enhancements that
The marketeer becomes quite adept at using lies allow lies to be easily told now have no effect
and subterfuge to cover his tracks and upon the marketeer. When a person attempts to
manipulate others, especially the gullible and lie to the marketeer, an opposed

69
Investigation/Perception vs Sincerity/Awareness down, out, and dead) for a number of rounds
roll will reveal one true fact per raise. (Special equal to his Earth as long as he fights to directly
Note: This rank technique is exactly the same as defend his master and his master is still alive.
the Rank 4 technique of the Ide Emissary school,
a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the black TOKU POLICE OFFICER [BUSHI]
marketeer's more law abiding brethren.)
During this time the Monkey also developed a
RANK 5: DAIKOKU'S CHILD strong tie with the Hiruma family, as well as the
When making any opposed rolls of Commerce or Bayushi. These ties enabled the Monkey Clan to
Sincerity, the marketeer's target must use their get hard data on the threats they needed to
lowest trait instead of the relevant trait. assess, and during the war this unlikely trio
helped contain situations that otherwise may
SCORPION YOJIMBO [COURTIER] have been the downfall of Rokugan.

All Enforcers must have a master, preferably a But the War would also be the beginning of the
Scorpion, in whose employ they work. Their end for the noble duties of the Monkey and Clan
entire life must is dedicated to protecting and bushi were soon being given assignments far less
obeying their daimyo even unto death. Though than their worth. Beset by a now laughable
they would be the last to admit it, they are existence, and coffers running low due to
samurai in a truer sense of the word than most in lessened Imperial support the Monkey Clan was
the Empire of Emerald Stars. on the verge of fading away.

Benefit: +1 Stamina Then a young Clan daimyo, Toku Yaro came up


Skills: Courtier (Intimidation), Defense with a bold plan to assist his clan. Brash and
2, Firearms, Jiujitsu, Stealth, Driving pragmatic he began to market his bushi as hired
Honor: 0,5 guns. Not exactly in the vein of mercenaries,
Outfit: Side Arm, Light Concealed Yaro came up with a various marketing
Body Armor, Simple Clothing, Any 2 strategies. His samurai were used to bolster home
Weapons, Travelling Pack, 2 Kokus guards and serve as yojimbo on an as needed
basis. Soon the Monkey Clan were also
TECHNIQUES employed as armed couriers and eventually
branched out into hunting bounties and
RANK 1: LOYALTY IS ALL investigating issues that Imperial Magistrates
The Yojimbo learns the first lesson: his life for would not handle, for whatever reason. The
his master's. He may add his master's Glory to reputation of efficiency and professionalism of
his TN to be hit, and to his initiative. the Monkey Clan soon built up into what is now
Toku Security Services, a corporation dedicated
RANK 2: DEATH OF SUBTLETY to safety, whether it is the Empires as a whole or
The Yojimbo has developed a tangible aura of a small businessman that needs help with local
menace. He gains a free raise for all Intimidation punks. The vast majority of the details are low
attempts, and may add his Intimidation rank to profile security jobs, but every Clan and
his attack and damage rolls. corporation knows that when quality services of
a secure nature are needed, TSS is the answer.
RANK 3: MY LIFE FOR MY DAIMYO
The Yojimbo is now the ultimate instrument of Benefit: +1 Stamina
self-sacrifice. If he is within ten feet of his Honor : 2,5
master, he may spend a void point as a Simple Skills: Battle, Defense, Driving,
Action to redirect any attack that successfully Firearms, Investigation, Knowledge:
hits his master to himself. Law, any one Bugei skill
Outfit: Side Arm, Stun baton, Light or
RANK 4: YOJIMBO 'S FURY Heavy Body Armor, Simple Clothing,
You may make attacks unarmed or with samurai any 1 weapon, Travelling Pack, 2 Koku
weapons as a Simple Action instead of a
Complex Action. TECHNIQUES

RANK 5: ONLY FOR YOU RANK 1: THE CALL OF DUTY


The Enforcer's will is absolute. So long as his The bushi is dedicated to his assignment, and he
master breathes, he fights. A yojimbo at this expects nothing but the best from himself. His
rank can ignore all wound penalties (including will is total and he pushes himself beyond the

70
limits of what he is able to do. Whenever Skills: Acting, Athletics, Craft: Modern
making a bugei skill roll add your Earth Ring to Weaponsmith, Firearms, Driving,
the final result. Kenjutsu, any on Bugei or High skill.
Outfit: Daisho, Any Firearm, Light
Armor, Simple Clothing, Any one
RANK 2: FORCE OF WILL Weapon, Traveling Pack, 5 Kokus
By exerting his body and mind to the task at
hand, the bushi may be burned out fairly early. TECHNIQUES
Long nights patrolling or investigating can wear
down ones mind body and soul. Also there are RANK 1: THE WAY OF THE GUN
times when others wish to stop the Monkey from At this rank you learned to move like the wind
completing his duty. At this Rank the bushi has and avoid getting hit. Add Air Ring Rank to
learned how to block out any distraction, your TN-to-be-Hit. Also add Air Ring Rank to
whether it be physical or emotional. Any all Damage rolls with Firearms.
cooperative rolls made to interfere with his duty
have their TN raised by 10, and all cooperative RANK 2: BULLETS GUIDED BY THE KAMIS
rolls made by the bushi to continue his duty You are trained to find weak points in your
have their TN lowered by 10. targets and to make impossibly long-range shots.
Gains a number of Free raises equal to school
RANK 3: FOR THE EMPIRE rank, for Firearms only. Each School Rank,
As long as you act according the Law, you dont including this one, extends firearms range by
lose any Honor for using a Low skill to resolve 100'
an investigation. You can attempt Knowledge:
Law/Intelligence vs. the Status of your target X5 RANK 3: AT HIGH NOON
to deny the consequences of your duty. You add your school rank to any Acting,
Intimidation or dueling-related rolls with a fire
RANK 4: TO PROTECT AND SERVE gun.
You may make attacks unarmed or with Samurai
Fire Arm as a Simple Action instead of a RANK 4: DANCE OF DEATH
Complex Action. You learn the most famous cinematographic
technique, signature to the Usagi School, the
RANK 5: ABOVE AND BEYOND Two-fisted gun-shooting technique. You dont
The fortunes and fate have a way of making sure suffer any penalty for using two firearms
that even seemingly boring duties are eventful, simultaneously. You may make attacks unarmed
and while others may not be prepared for this, or with Fire Arms as a Simple Action instead of
the Monkey always is. By spending 2 Void Point a Complex Action.
as a Simple Action, the Monkey may make an
additional Complex action that turn. This RANK 5: RAIN OF DEATH
action can be used for whatever the Monkey By spending 1 point of Void, as a Complex
wishes. Roll a separate initiative for this action. Action you can make an additional attack for
each weapon you are using. In other terms, with
USAGI GUNSLINGER [BUSHI] a pistol in each hand they can fire twice per gun
or four times a round. Further, reloading is now a
Working closely with their long-standing good free action.
relationship with the Akodo Acting School they
have developed a successful, albeit small school
of acting and dueling. Over the last hundred
years they have perfected their Technique to the
point it is at now. Some students of the school
have also gone on to become successful
yojimbos, lawmen and even actors. Many die
perfecting their art. Those who follow school are
fast on their way to becoming the newest Stars
of the Action World, a fact that has not escaped
the Akodo School and has begun to cause some
tensions.

Benefit: +1Reflexes
Honor: 2,5

71
New Paths masters of radiant energy, and an elite group of
their priests has been trained to use the elements
in defense of their ships. The Fleetguard, as they
DAIDOJI MARINES
eventually come to be called, are often recruited
Since the Emerald Empire expanded out into the
from shugenja who would normally have joined
stars, the Crane Clan has changed perhaps the
the Elemental Guards, and receive much of their
least of all the Great Clans. The exception to
training directly from the clans Masters. The
this is the Daidoji family, which has seen the
Fleetguard are taught to call on the power of the
value in training Crane bushi in techniques of
elements to supercharge their vessels radiant
zero-g combat and boarding action. Every Crane
shields, allowing the Phoenix to fight on even
military vessel of significant size has a
terms with the more numerous ships of the other
detachment of Daidoji Marines aboard, and they
Great Clans.
often accompany Crane emissaries during
interplanetary travel. The versatile soldiers who
Rank: 3
came to be known as the Daidoji Marines are
Replaces: Isawa Shugenja 3
trained to fight in the weightless environment of
Requirements: All Rings at 3, Piloting 3
space and to conduct boarding actions against
enemy vessels, using the zero-g environment to
While on board a ship in space, you may expend
their advantage.
a non-Void spell slot as a Complex Action to
Rank: 3
enhance or create a barrier of radiant energy
Replaces: Doji Magistrate 3, Daidoji Iron
around the ship. This barrier lasts or enhances
Warrior 4
for 3 Rounds. While this technique is in effect,
Requirements: Jiujutsu 3, Zero-G Training
the ship has Reduction of +10 against any
physical attacks and Reduction of +25 against
You do not suffer any TN penalties for fighting
any radiant attacks. In addition, the barrier
in a weightless environment. If you are in the
obstructs personal firearms discharged at (or
Attack or Full Attack stance in a situation
from) the ship or anyone on the outside of its
where such a penalty would normally have
hull, replicating the effects of the spell
applied, you add a +Xk0 bonus to your melee
Summoning the Gale.
attack rolls, where X is equal to your Reflexes.
KAIU SHIPMASTER
DATE SWORDMAN All the Great Clans maintain fleets armored
The North Western cliffs of the Phoenix lands
with radiant shields, but the Crabs ships are
bred centuries ago a rare and brutal variant of
engineered to defend not only against the
the Shiba school. The Date focused their efforts
weapons of other clans but against the creatures
on perfecting their mastery of the great No
of Jigoku, Toshigoku, and Gaki-do. After the
Dachi but also of the shorter variants. discovery of planets influenced by these realms,
the Kaiu family was called upon to design and
Rank: 2
command a new generation of Crab Clan ships.
Replaces: Shiba Bushi 2
Based on the ancient methods of Kaiu Utsu and
Requirements: Kenjutsu 4, Strength 3
his son Kaiu Umasu, this technique continues to
serve the Crab thousands of years after its
Technique - The Sword of the Cliffs development. The Kaiu Shipmasters learn how
No-Dachi and Parangu are now Samurai to reinforce their clans ships against any sort of
weapons for you. Furthermore you can spend
threat, whether it be from the Shadow Worlds or
Void points to raise the damage with a No-
from the fleets of other clans, using a mixture of
Dachi and Parangu as if it was a katana.
physical improvements and defensive tactics.
ISAWA FLEETGUARD Rank: 3
As the Phoenix Clan expanded into the stars, Replaces: Kaiu Engineer 3 or Kaiu Siege Master 1
they lacked the numbers of their fellow clans. Requirements: Battle 4, Piloting 5
The Phoenix could not keep up with the sheer
number of ships constructed by the other Great At the beginning of any space battle in which
Clans, and sought a magical means of keeping you are in command of a warship, you may make
the playing field level. In the year 2828, Isawa a Battle / Intelligence Skill Roll at TN 25 to
Kazuo discovered radiant energy, grant your ship a bonus Reduction value equal to
revolutionizing how nemuranai were understood. your Piloting Skill Rank x2. If the ship is a Kaiu-
Since then, all the Great Clans have equipped built ship, the bonus is equal to your Skill Rank
their vessels with radiant shields and cannons. x4 instead.
However, the Phoenix has always been the true
72
ROCKSEER Rank: 2 or 3
An advanced technique that finds her origins Replaces: Akodo Bushi 2, Kakita Bushi 2,
within the zokujin shamans. Rarely taught to Mirumoto Bushi 2, Suzume Bushi 3.
other species. Requirements: Agility 3, Reflexes 3, Kenjutsu 4.

Rank: 5 Technique - Cutting Flying Arrows


Replaces: Any shugenja rank 5 Technique Whenever you are hit by a missile or radiant
Requirements: Knowledge (Elements) 4 laser attack and you have an unsheathed sword
Special: You owe to the Zokujin who teach you in your hand, you can immediately spend a Free
an Ally Advantage involving you. Action, even if it is not your own turn, to make
a Kenjutsu/Agility roll with a TN equal to the
A Rockseer is the equivalent of a shugenja, attack roll which has just hit you.
except that every non-Earth spell they attempt
to cast has its target number raised by 10, and all A success means that you have intercepted the
Earth spells have their TN reduced by 10 above projectile with your blade and you will not suffer
all affinities and deficiencies. damage.
If you are performing a Guard Action you can do
SAGARA ARCHER the same for your charge.
The mighty archers of the Sagara Vassal family
once served the Shiba protecting Shiro No You can use this technique with a sheathed
Kozumi, a small castle not far from Nikesake and sword but only if you can draw it with a Free
the road to Lion lands. They developed Action and you will suffer a Forced Raise for no
techniques for using archery exploiting the effect.
particular link of the Shiba to Void they still
exploit today. Like most Rokugani, a Sagara This technique can be performed against larger
Archer does not aim, but he is just most missiles (e.g. thrown spears) or smaller missiles
accustomed than others to wait for the right (e.g. Shuriken) but always suffering a Forced
moment with the bow down, then he abruptly Raise for no effect. This technique can be used a
raises the weapon, pull the string and shoot. He number of times per Round equal to your Bushi
has nothing to envy to gunslingers. basic school Rank (including this path if it is
your first path, as per normal Core Rules p.246).
Rank: 2 In effects this technique is an exception to the
Replaces: Shiba Bushi 2 1 Free Action of the same type per round usual
Requirements: Kyujutsu 4 rule.

Technique - Focus and shoot


The sagara archer knows how to focus on his
own inner forces in order to shoot one but very
effective arrow.

If after a round spent in the center stance a


Sagara shoots an arrow he applies the normal
1k1+Void bonus to both attack and damage
rolls.

YADOMEJUTSU EXPERT
Cutting arrows in flight is a mighty feat but it is
also an art which requests time and efforts to
master. There are also a few Yojimbo who are
able to hit arrows directed at their charges with a
single sword movement, a characteristic which
makes them stand out from other warriors.
Similar techniques have been developed among
the best kenjutsu schools of the empire, but
warriors who totally dedicate themselves to
Yadomejutsu remain rare.

73
New Ronin Paths Outfit: Extravagant Dancers Clothing,
Wakizashi, Traveling Pack, 3 Koku.
FRATERNITY OF SMOKE [BUSHI]
Technique: Dance of Cherry Blossoms - When
you spend a Void Point to enhance a Social
Those who become or are born Ronin often fall
Skill, you gain a bonus to your Skill Roll equal
into the orbit of criminal organizations, one such
to twice your Glory Rank.
group is the Fraternity of Smoke, a loose
network of extortionists, gamblers and other
hard men. SAIROUS WOLVES [BUSHI]
The Fraternity of Smoke is mobile, seeking
opportunities where they may and establishing The ronin Sairou has aggressive recruited and
operations where they can. drilled those ronin that follow her banner.
Sairou knows that ronin can rarely equal Clan
The symbol of the fraternity is the kiseru, the samurai in equipment or training, but they can
smoking pipe, which they can turn into a excel in dedication and superior application of
weapon at a moments notice. numbers.

TECHNIQUE RANK: 1 Sairous Wolves excel in ambush and small unit


Benefit: +1 Reflex combat, she recognizes this and tries to avoid
Skills: Defense, Jojutsu (Kiseru), contracts that would places her ronin in open
Kenjutsu, Games (any gambling), field battle.
Intimidation, any one Bushi skill, any
one low skill TECHNIQUE RANK: 1
Honor: 3.5 Benefit: +1 Stamina
Outfit: Sturdy Clothing, Daisho, Kiseru, Skills: Athletics, Battle, Kenjutsu,
Traveling Pack, game of choice, 6 bu. Kyujutsu, Stealth, any one weapon skill,
any one skill
Technique: Smoke to Strike A member of the Honor: 3.5
Fraternity of Smoke can use their kiseru (or a jo Outfit: Ashigaru or Light Armor,
staff) to disarm or feint at one less raise than Sturdy Clothing, Daisho, any one
usual, they also gain a free raise when using a weapon, Traveling Pack, 1 koku.
kiseru or jo staff in combat. Lastly, the member
gains +1k0 when using Intimidation against Technique: Wolf Pack The Wolves have
someone with a status of 0 or less. learned how to use their numbers to confuse and
out-maneuver their foes. When two ronin with
SAKURA DANCER [ARTISAN] this technique attack the same target, they each
get +1k0 on their attack rolls, if there are three
Like the cherry blossoms from which they take ronin each also gains a +5 to their Armor TN
their name, the Sakura Dancers are elegant, against the outnumbered target and if four or
beautiful, and fleeting. They roam the whole of more ronin are attacking the same target they
the Empire, using their social connections to each add +1k0 to their damage.
remain aware of the greatest celebrations and Even if not working with other people with
festivals, so that they can be sure to make an knowledge of this technique, the Wolf can still
appearance. Their skill at dance is well known read the flow of battle well enough to gain these
among all social ranks, from peasants to the bonuses but it requires twice as many allies to
Emperor himself, and this reputation serves trigger them (+1k0 to attack with two allies
them well, for even as ronin, the Sakura Dancers against a foe, +5 to Armor TN with three allies,
are never without the funds to see them through and the damage bonus at six or more allies).
a winter... or five. Many pretend that theyre no
more than Scorpion and Cat clan agents in
disguise.

TECHNIQUE RANK: 1
Benefit: +1 Awareness
Skills: Athletics, Courtier, Etiquette,
Kenjutsu, Perform: Dancing,
Temptation, Any one High Skill.
Honor: 4.5

74
THE LEGION OF TWO THOUSAND THE STONE WOLVES [BUSHI]
[BUSHI] When Fu Leng died, the power of Jigoku bored a
During the Destroyer War, a band of ronin new hole into Ningen-do in the midst of the
formed to help defend the Empire from the Empire. To prevent the spread of Oni and other
invading forces of Kali-Ma. While they were Tainted creatures, the Crab Clan built a new
small in comparison to the armies of the Great wall, encircling the newly formed Festering Pit.
Clans, their efforts were significant. As a reward With a new threat right at their back boors, the
for the bands service in the war, the Empress other Clans of Rokugan finally acknowledged
folded their numbers into the Imperial Legions. the threat of the Shadowlands and the forces of
Although the Legion of Two Thousand no Jigoku, and sent contingents of their own
longer exists, their Technique is preserved samurai to help guard this new wall. But they
within the ranks of the Imperial Legions and the were not the only ones with a vested interest in
few ronin who chose to remain wandering seeing this wall defended. A ronin woman called
warriors. Hiushi gathered her family and a small band of
followers willing to give up their lives in defense
TECHNIQUE RANK: 4 of their homeland. Together, they petitioned the
Replaces: Any ronin or Imperial Bushi Crab Clan to allow them to take residence in
School Rank 4 one of the small villages that exist inside the
Requirements: Battle 5 Ranks, any 2 wall itself. They were granted this opportunity,
Weapon Skills at Rank 3 with no one thinking they would amount to
much, but to the surprise of all who know of
Technique: Forward Unto Dawn - The Legion of their sacrifices, they have not only survived, but
Two Thousand fought to defend the Empire, thrived in their small community.
even though no one gave them aid or
encouragement, because they knew it was their TECHNIQUE RANK: 1
duty. You may increase or decrease your dice Benefit: +1 Strength
result when rolling on the Mass Combat Table Skills: Athletics, Defense, Heavy
by your Honor Rank. You gain this same bonus Weapons, Kenjutsu, Lore (Oni), any
to any Skill rolls you make as part of a Heroic one Bugei Skill, any one Skill.
Opportunity or Duel during Mass Combat. Honor: 3.5
Outfit: Tattered clothing, Light or
Heavy Armor, Daisho, any one Heavy
Weapon, traveling pack, 1 koku.

Technique: Stone Fangs- The Stone Wolves


were the very first line of defense between the
Festering Pit and the Empire, and they figure
that the best defense is a good offense. You may
wield any two-handed Heavy Weapon in one
hand without penalties. If you choose to dual
wield heavy weapons, you only suffer a -5 to
attacks made with either hand, rather than the
normal penalties for dual wielding. Additionally,
you may add your Insight Rank to your damage
total when attacking with a Heavy Weapon.

75
Purposes of the clans in The Secondly, the opening of space exploration
revealed many planets inhabited by strange and
Empire of the Emerald Stars often hostile life-forms influenced by the more
dangerous Spirit Realms, occasionally including
For players that want to use the clans from this Jigoku.
book, Court of the Minor Clans fan book and
others , here is a suggestion of what their This gave renewed purpose to the Crab, who
activities and purpose can be in these future took to the stars to fight against the most
times. Youll even find here new clans that dangerous and inhuman species, as well as
appeared later than you can develop by yourself. establishing gigantic mining and construction
operations for weapons and defense
Great Clans development. Long used to hardship and
difficult conditions, the Crab adapted very well
to exploring strange new environments, and
became a force to be reckoned with in the
Badger Empire of Emerald Stars.
The youngest major clan has the great
responsibility to keep the Yumeji News Network The Toritaka still specializes into spirit and
working. Its a very strong social advantage on ghost hunting but also into alien non-corporeal
all other clans. The clan also guard the northern life forms studies and contacts. So, they are
frontier where they have a developed a very sometimes called ghostbusters. They maintain
strong ore processing industry. facilities across the Empire and their central
organization is located on the Falcons Nest.
+Access to mass media and information
+Strong industrialization gives them an access to The most secrete purpose of the Crab clan is the
rare metals and raw minerals defense against foreign aliens, especially the
+Good relations with the Brotherhood Scarabs. They guard the southern frontier of the
Imperial Star Empire. Still defenders of the
-Resistant ships but limited in number. Empire, they are among the few who still
-Territory far from the Core Worlds consider the minions of the Shadowlands a
serious threat. They know that what happened
with Fu Leng can happen again even now. They
Crab continue to scour all of Rokugan for signs of the
After the Festering Pit of Fu Leng was closed, taint.
the Crab Clan endured a spiritual crisis of sorts,
having lost the primary focus of its existence. + Strong engineering and mercantile focus,
Soon, however, the children of Hida proved as leading to high Prosperity.
pragmatic as ever, reorganizing around two areas + The best, bar none, at defensive warfare and
of focus. fortifications.
+ Particularly good at overcoming supernatural
First, with the growing importance of science challenges through martial might.
and technology, the Kaiu family became an
important part of Rokugans development, and - Low mobility forces, will frequently be
much greater resources were allocated to them in outmaneuvered.
order to expand their operations, in mining and - Boorish demeanor makes courtly goals difficult
engineering particularly. The Crab are still to achieve.
known for their bluntness and utter dedication - Territory tends to be horrifically dangerous in
to their duty and have also developed many some fashion.
mining and construction operations. Theyre the
leaders in weapons and defense development and Crane
their structural engineering and space frame The sons and daughters of Doji have taken to
academy has no equal in the Empire. They use the stars, but not in the same numbers as their
more modern weaponry than any other clan, for rivals. Of all the clans, the Crane probably retain
the Kaiu engineers are the greatest gunsmiths the greatest influence on Rokugan proper,
and weapons engineers in the world. staying close to the seat of power and letting
Unfortunately, their dependence upon other clans get the larger share of new land and
technology has caused them to lose touch with new worlds while the Crane fill the void they are
their spiritual traditions gradually leaving behind. This is not to say they
have not explored space at all; they simply have

76
done so more carefully and to a more modest They are devoted to strange planet and space
extant. exploration with a particular interest for the
western nebula. The strangest and most
The Crane maintains is superiority over the arts mysterious of the early planets were often
and entertainment across the Empire. Theyre conquered by the Dragon or even directly
with the Miya journalists, the main users of the allocated to them by Imperial order. Many of
Yumeji News Network. these worlds are off-limits to the other clans,
leading to many discussions of what secrets they
Most of the bureaucrats of the Crane clan are may hold; however, the fleets of the Mirumoto
still well concerned with the Empire intern are powerful and well-armed. These worlds
politics, diplomacy and regulation of the certainly do not hold many resources, since the
commerce and economics. Dragon remain one of the poorest clans of the
Empire, heavily depending on Imperial subsidies.
The Crane are also the first to develop a real
tourism industry, a natural outgrowth of their + Favored servants of the Throne, protected
splendid palaces and beautiful lands; they have from many negative consequences by Imperial
seized some of the most beautiful (and safe) patronage.
worlds in the galaxy, where they build extensive + Long term relationship with the Brotherhood
resorts. While more warlike clans like the Crab of Shinsei gives you great spiritual influence.
and the Lion still mock the Crane for their + Characters tend to be better-rounded, and can
softer ways, the truth is everybody appreciates a perform tasks outside of their set roles.
beautiful sunset on a tropical beach, a concert
from a popular band, or a delicious exotic drink, - Provinces hold limited resources
so the Crane still command a lot of power - Find it difficult to exert non-spiritual influence
albeit of a subtle kind. due to unconventional attitudes.
- Officially appointed duties are less flexible than
Those who believe the Crane are truly weak can those of many other Clans.
be in for a surprise, since the Daidoji still provide
the Crane with their military defenses and have Lion
become quite skilled in precision ship-to-ship Expanding the reach of Rokugan to the stars also
boarding actions. expanded the need for military protection of its
assets and citizens. The Empire of the Emerald
+ Provinces are highly developed and well Stars is far from safe, given clan rivalries, pirates,
protected and innumerable strange creatures on alien
+ Very strong social influence, leading to easier worlds. For the Lion this has often meant war on
and more effective court-based rolls a heretofore unknown scale, and they would not
+ Exceptionally wealthy have it any other way. The Lion is still the
strongest clan about military. It maintains the
- Limited 'overt' power, Units tend to be smaller largest space fleet deployment across the Empire.
and more specialized. They have the greatest ship manufacturing and
- Limited room for expansion due to nearby repair systems but lacks sometimes of resources
territories already being claimed. because of the large armies they have to
- Heavily bound by tradition and Imperial maintain. They also excel in personal weapons
command. development.

Dragon But more than any other clan, the Lion have
More internal Dragons are still concerned with had difficulty adapting over the centuries to the
mysticism and personal development Having changes in society and technology, their
long lost the guidance of the Kami Togashi, the traditional warrior mindset chafing at every new
Dragon in the Empire of the Emerald Stars have idea or disruptive invention. But the exploration
managed to prosper, unshaken by the of the galaxy has given them renewed purpose,
developments of technology and content in their and the other clans were surprised at how
faith in both the Tao and the Hantei dynasty. aggressively the Lion took to settling on new
They still maintain a close relationship with the planets. Theyre always ready to deploy their
Throne and are the favored vassals when a troop to conquest a new world inhabited by
dangerous duty can be trusted to no one else. aggressive aliens and to study their tactics to
circumvent them.
The Dragon is still as mysterious as it was before
and maintains a great interest for mysteries.

77
It heralded a new era for the Lion, a time of it. They hold the Centipede University on
glorious battles between the stars and across the Amaterasus Wisdom moon.
surfaces of whole planets. In fact, the Lion are so
busy fighting enemies of the Empire on various The Kitsune family still encompasses is original
systems that they are no longer as aggressive passion for cataloging and studying all animal
toward the other clans as they often were in the and plant-based life form, especially emanating
past. Still, friction happens, and when it does from Chikushudo. They are among the finest
the vast, near-endless fleets of the Lion answer. geneticists and biologists of the Empire,
sometimes trying to restore disappeared species
+ Largest, most skilled and adaptable military of or to adapt them to the survival conditions of a
all the Great Clans new environment.
+ At the forefront of any Imperially-mandated
conquests, this is the easiest way to secure new + Extremely wealthy, with high prosperity.
territory. + Large territory with lots of room for expansion.
+ Units tend to have very high Honor scores, + Most powerful and numerous fleet units of all
the Great Clans.
- Peaceful diplomatic efforts are difficult at best,
sometimes nigh-impossible. - Existing territories are often under-developed
- Hidebound and traditional, making it much - Position on the frontier makes hostile
harder to introduce entirely new ways of doing encounters from non-human forces much more
things. likely
- Characters more likely to commit seppuku - Legacy of piracy and 'mongrel blood' imposes
upon failure. diplomatic penalties.

Mantis Owl
The age of space exploration is, in many ways, The role of the Owl clan in the Empire of
the age of the Mantis. With the open space to Emerald Stars is to monitor and enforces all non-
discover, the Mantis has retrieved his lust for shadowlands related alien activity while also
exploration, conquest and also piracy. The clans reminding Rokugan of it's past. Since alien races
audacity, resourcefulness, and economic acumen are beings from the other realms the Owl clan
ensured it was among the first to explore the has also developed an affinity for them. They are
galaxy and reap the profits of doing so. The the Emperors first contact clan and also help to
Mantis Clans initial strategy was simple: race to mediate the disputes of the native life on the
a new system, establish a base regardless of initial worlds that they encounter.
appeal, and then defend it tooth and nail. This
proved effective, if costly the Mantis control
more systems than any other Great Clan, many +Access to alien technology and contacts
of them of little value but others with numerous +At the forefront of any Imperially-mandated
planets and resources to be exploited. The mediations.
Mantis economy reaches into almost every +Good relations with most of the Spirit Realms
market, but is most famous for rare and exotic
materials and goods. The space is very great still - Find it difficult to exert non-spiritual influence
full of treasures to discover and the mantis is due to unconventional attitudes.
hoping to exploit them first hand. They also
maintain a strong connection with astrogation Phoenix
maps trying to keep them as acute as possible.
Space exploration only became possible through
the efforts of the Phoenix Clan, who not only
The Tsuruchi family tries to find ways to attain
pioneered the ritual which allows faster-than-
enemies before they could reach the Star
light travel but also discovered radiant energy
Empire. They specialize in remote and long
and many other forms of technology which
range combat and develop new firearms. They
combine esoteric knowledge with mundane
also maintain the most efficient Bounty Hunter
aspects.
Guild of the empire.
The Phoenix has a lot to do with technological
After the discovery of other suns the Moshi
and magical research and development. Their
Family convinced that all of them were
interest for knowledge and science decupled
manifestations of the original Amaterasu. They
with the conquest of the stars and they have
especially devoted themselves to astrophysics
many scientists and scholars among them.
studies but also to philosophical applications of
Theyre nearly always at the most upper level of
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development but have still no great interest in levels unheard of in previous years, and the
wars and conflicts. Scorpion have expanded with them. Wielding
the power and influence of a Great Clan, the
While Phoenix Clan samurai are not the richest Scorpion have infiltrated, co-opted or outright
or the most numerous, their equipment is quite absorbed a vast majority of Rokugan's
often the best, and this gives them an edge in underworld, and that gives them great power
many confrontations. Their technical wizardry is indeed.
symbolized by the legions of Phoenix gyrocopters
regularly seen patrolling the large cities of They also developed the Empire Internal
Rokugan. It was also the Phoenix who sealed the Security preventing any other clan to complot
Festering Pit on Rokugan, and now it is the against the imperial throne. The Scorpion has
Phoenix who work to see that the seal is also the best cloaking devices technology and
maintained. maintains the most of listening outposts of the
Empire. At least, they produce and monitor the
True to their nature, the Phoenix try to use of all chemical industry, including drugs and
approach both alien animals and the far rarer poisons
sentient beings as peacefully as possible, assisted
by the extensive use of magic. When peace fails, Although apparently lacking in obvious
the Shiba step in with their small but powerful strength, the Scorpion remain the masters of
fleet and army, able to use radiant energy as a unconventional warfare, both on the battlefield
hammer or a scalpel depending on the need. The and in the courts. Few are willing to be their
Phoenix seem content with exploring the galaxy friends, but fewer still are their enemies, and that
and further advancing their technological and is as it should be.
magical prowess for the good of their vassals.
+ Exceptional underworld ties bring great wealth
+ Most technologically advanced of all the and covert influence
Great Clans + Unparalleled stealth technology expands all
+ Greatest proportion of Shugenja in the the way up to invisible battle-cruisers.
empire, leading to vastly increased magical + Highly skilled at assassinating or ruining the
might. characters of other Clans.
+ Provinces tend to be very well developed.
- Dishonorable nature brings few friends
- Smallest of the Great Clans, in both - Limited ability to leverage direct military force.
population and territory. - Criminal influence is not entirely one way...
- Pacifistic nature makes aggressive military
ventures much harder.
-Clan Champion has less direct authority. Spider
Thus while the Spider remain one of the
smallest of Great Clans. Its only an illusion as
Scorpion they are also among the more powerful. Some of
The Scorpion has embraced the modern world them have gone a little too far towards the use of
like no one else. As concepts such as honor and maho and have become real undead. The most
bushido seem to become more and more common of them and the less powerful are called
outdated, the Scorpion become more and more by the generic term "ghosts". They are no more
the norm. The Lion struggle to adjust. The than simple envelopes of the flesh and
Crane argue amongst themselves that they will technology virtually devoid of any soul and
not adjust. The Scorpion has already adjusted. therefore of any moral sense.
Though most perceive their clan as nothing
more than base criminals and gangsters, this is The Spider Clan is totally under the control of a
merely the facade that the Scorpions wish the furious fool as rich as a megalomaniac daimyo:
world to see. In the service of their beloved Daigotsu Scorpio who seeks a way to achieve
Emperor, they have become the most pervasive immortality. It is secretly and slowly developing
and sinister intelligence organization in the an army not hesitating to recover the corpses of
world and maintains the Imperial Intelligence the other clans and aliens in order to make them
Bureau, the best organization for collecting soldiers at low prices. Cut off from any direct
information and spying. resource, the clan does not hesitate to use
bioenergy as a source of food, ravaging
Rokugan's great lights blaze brighter than ever everything that lives in a process of total
before, but so too does its shadows lengthen. zombification. It specializes into retro and
Crime and the underworld have expanded to bioengineering and still continues to use and
79
develop Tainted devices, techniques and maho - Limited social influence within Rokugan,
magic for the glory of the Empire. But it is only especially close to the center of power
a matter of time before the Spider Clan members - Exploring the galaxy is a dangerous job...
will target all the other Clans on a total war - Highly disadvantaged in a defensive war.

Unicorn Imperial Families


After 1200 years, the Unicorn are no longer the With the Empire developing so far, the Imperial
outsider barbarians they once were considered by families have never been so important to
most of Rokugan. They have adjusted well, maintain the Empire bureaucracy and leadership.
combining their knowledge of the gaijin with Theyre still devoted to serve the Emperor
the new traditions of Rokugan. Much like when himself and also run the most of the facilities of
they first returned to the Empire in the early the capital planet Rokugan. The Miya family
ninth century, their culture in the fourth seizes all the information of the Empire when
millennium is a mix of the domestic and the the Otomo have the total control on power
foreign; where once a traditionalist might have plant facilities and energy distribution. After the
been disgusted at a Unicorn samurai wearing fur, Alliances War, they also rules the use of civil
now he must also wonder what kind of creatures nuclear use and forbids the use of radioactive
the fur could have come from. material to weaponry development
The infinity of space waked up the deepest
instinct of the Unicorn for deep space and The Brotherhood
longtime exploration. They sponsored the The Brotherhood still maintains is role for all
relocation of the last gaijin nations from theological affairs especially to adapt their
Rokugan to their own worlds, and maintain concept to and from the new discoveries of the
extensive contact with them. Theyre always universe. Still the religious and philosophical
interest to develop exchange with alien cultures, foundation of Rokugan, the monks of Shinsei
and maintain contact with them. struggle the hardest to recover the old traditions,
The Unicorn are one of the few clans (along attempting to reconcile them with the new ways.
with the Phoenix) who first try communication This has met with some resistance, for many
with alien cultures, resorting to violence only Rokugani have abandoned the teachings of
when that fails. They are highly utilized as Shinsei and the Tao. Some monks have adjusted
diplomats and ambassadors in relations with better than others, becoming televangelists using
foreign nations. the YNN communication network to spread the
Exploration is what the Unicorn have always good preach across the galaxy while others have
done, and after the Empire of Rokugan extended receded into seclusion entirely, waiting for this
to cover the whole planet they were eagerly fragile new empire to destroy itself.
waiting for some new frontier to seek. The idea
of exploring entire star systems could not help
but attract them, especially coupled with their
love for speed and travel, and the Unicorn were
among the first in the race to the stars. At the
dawn of the fourth millennium they maintain
only a token presence on Rokugan itself, the
vast majority of the clan having resettled on
other planets or being permanently on the move.

Unicorns are the best for taming new aliens


animals and plants. Unicorn Transportation is
renowned into all the Empire as the best for
material shipping and personal transport.

+ Finest pilots among all the Great Clans


provides highly mobile armies.
+ Extensive contact with non-Rokugani
elements provides unconventional resources and
influence.
+ Possess mobile Provinces in the form of
nomadic fleets

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Minor Clans In front of so many clans it can be very difficult
to practice large-scale politics. This is why its
sometimes better to bring them together in
THE MINOR CLAN ALLIANCE coalitions with same affinities. Below are
proposed several possible groups but note that
By the fourth millennium there are dozens of
they are flexible and that changes are frequent.
Minor Clans in existence, so many that no
samurai is surprised to meet someone who claims
Idealistic Philosophy: Albatross, Bear, Firefly,
to be a member of a Clan they've never heard of.
Otter, Panda, Peacock, Seahorse, Sparrow, Tern,
The large number of these Minor Clans is the
Rat.
only thing which allows the Alliance to have
Protectors of the Empire: Crocodile, Dog,
any weight relative to the Great Clans, who
Echidna, Hare, Hedgehog, Lark, Monkey,
number in the tens of millions of samurai.
Nightingale, Ox, Salmon, Tiger, Tortoise, Wolf.
Coalition for Imperial Reform: Anglerfish, Cat,
Most Minor Clan holdings were gained after an
Hyena, Moth, Roach, Shark, Spider, Yak
Imperial edict that no Clan could lay claim to an
Industrialist Group: Beaver, Camel, Drake, Frog,
entire planet any more. Many Great Clans see
Octopus, Oriole, Vulture, Tanuki.
sharing space with a Minor Clan as a better
Tradition, Spiritual and Magic Department:
option than a rival Great Clan, so while the
Bee, Butterfly, Cormorant, Dragonfly,
Minor Clans lack exclusive access to any single
Hummingbird, Ibis, Lynx, Obake, Raven,
planet or system, they have plenty of small
Salamander, Scarab, Squirrel, Swan, Swordfish.
holdings on planets, moons, and stations all
across the galaxy.
Albatross
While territories have been given to specific The clan of the albatross is still scattered
clans within the Alliance, their real strength is throughout the galaxy. They made a good
the network of influence and trade they have reputation in the world of fun and their
established between each other. The emissions on Yumeji News Network are
headquarters of the Alliance is the City of the appreciated. They are always eager to explore
Smiling Tortoise, an island city on the World of and good jokes. Their only true possession is the
Dreams. (The area was gifted by the Scorpion by small moon of Kohaku's Heaven.
request of the Monkey, on the provision that the
city always has a Monkey governor.)
Anglerfish
The Governor of the Alliance (chosen by the The Anglerfish's purpose is to serve as official
Champions of all the Minor Clans) lives there, and Taint free emissaries of the Spider Clan.
acting on the Alliances behalf but able to make They do their best to monitor and supervise the
major decisions such as war only when backed by Spider Clan but they often lack of resources to
more than half of the individual clans. This do it properly.
participative leadership is an oddity even in the
fourth millennium, and draws a certain amount Bear
of mockery from the Great Clans, but the Minor The Bear are a relatively small Minor Clan.
Clans seem happy enough with the arrangement. They received the Osano-Wo Reach planet to
The Governor is usually a Tortoise, though the settle a dispute between two major clans and still
current Governor is Suzume Xian. try to produce the best honey of the galaxy.

Beaver
The Beaver are dedicated to robotics,
automation and space habitat construction.
Beaver artisans study everything about them,
from engineering and to layout and aesthetics.
They train as architects to understand how
inhabitants will use their facilities.

81
Bee Atakebune-class cruiser that permits them to be
The Bee maintains is activity of fashion critiques quickly be where theyre useful.
within the Star Empire but has passed her honey
fabrication process to the Bear. They still have Dog
no good relations with this clan. With so many The Dog clan is still reputed to have the best
new discoveries they focus to catalog and price wood craftsmen from of the Empire, specializes
the artwork from the entire galaxy. Theyve only also into the hunting of large predators and
small estates but nearly always within Crane aggressive alien animals to deliver them to the
space. Kitsune family clan and mostly work as guards
and yoriki for other Clans. Besides acting as
Butterfly yojimbo for Minor Clans who don't have their
The Butterfly gained a new role with the own, they have a reputation for doing the work
discovery of new alien species: protecting the other Clans avoid, whether it's boring or
cemeteries, ancestors souls and cinders from distasteful or just kind of weird. They get little
their influence. They also studies foreign and respecteven some other Minor Clans sneer at
alien concepts of death. They sometimes serve as thembut the Dog don't seem to mind. The
undertakers and their etas are among the best average Dog bushi is patient and silent waiting
thanatopractors of the galaxy. Some of them also in the background for a chance to shine that
studies cryogenics as a way to preserve corpses. may never come. The Dog have been given
some small holdings at the edge of a few systems,
but spend a lot of their time on ships or in other
Camel Minor Clan territory. The Dog's "headquarters"
The Camel clan maintains strong supply and are on the Hachiko, an Atakebune-class cruiser
commerce lines with an impressive merchant that spends most of its time lurking in the
fleet between all the worlds of the Star Empire. Trojan asteroids of other Clans' worlds and goes
They settled a remote desert moon near the east where it's needed.
border of the Empire that they called Rakudas
Beacon but have many warehouses across the
galaxy.
Dragonfly
The Dragonfly's purpose remains the same: the
official emissaries of the Dragon Clan. To deal
Cat with other Clans the Dragon built Kitsuki's
The Clan cat is more active than ever, renewed Hand, an orbital station in a mostly
for his many teahouses and geisha houses across uninteresting system that is easily accessible to
the Star Empire. But with the development of most of the Clans, and the Dragonfly are
communications, it has expanded its activities charged with running it. They also have
by creating many social networks. Their main holdings in every other Dragon system, partly as
base is secret and located deepest within a show of good faith, partly to satisfy the
Scorpion space. Emperor's edicts, and partly to watch for
intruders. The Mantis Clan bear a grudge against
Cormorant the Dragonfly for some decades-old reason, and
Dragonfly who stray too far from Dragon
Even in the modern era, the official duty of the
protection risk being attacked by "pirates". To
Cormorant is still to search out, preserve
improve their ties with the Minor Clan
prophecies (and maybe other paranormal
Alliance, the Dragonfly has received permission
activities) and to know who is researching the
to share the land (and Dragon protection) with
phenomenon itself. Most Clans believe this is a
some of their allies: the Bear, Bee, Octopus, and
pointless task, but the Cormorant takes it
Otter clans.
extremely seriously. Theyve also developed
some gambling and casino houses to improve
their economy and have an interest in alien Drake
games. For decades, the Drake clan fought for its
survival. Then modern times came and with
Crocodile them the creation of the energy handguns. It was
at this point that the Drake Clan finally
The Crocodile clan patrol and protects
flourished. Indeed, many people asked advice to
commerce and supply lines of the Star Empire.
the clan to apprehend the handling of weapons
They have a large fleet of small rapid vessels and
that the time only taught the Drake to handle.
their headquarters are the Crocodiles Tooth, an
Contempt for their methods became almost of

82
admiration and the Drake Clan prospered. produce some of the finest athletes in Rokugan
Duelists of the Drake Clan are among the most they have also begun to get into the media
feared when using of handguns is required. Only market. They are currently working to establish
the Tsuruchi family outperforms them for their own TV station to follow up their highly
sharpshooting. successful alternative Radio Station, KHRE. In
more recent years, with the coming of modern
firearms and Gaijin influence, the Hare Clan has
Echidna discovered the Art of the Gun Duel and
The Echidna was created centuries ago to honor suddenly found their niche.
a band of ronin who helped Imperial
Magistrates. They since invented a strange new The age of space makes it easier for maho-tsukai
invention they called the sword bayonet and to do their business: it's a lot easier to hide when
refined and updated the style to become you can fly to another planet nobody's using.
excellent infantry for the Emerald Stars era. The Hare's task is to search the Empire, figure
They used to take mercenary jobs to fill their out where they're hiding, and take them out.
coffers, but unfortunately most of their last The Hare have nearly been destroyed by their
generation was lost when the Crane Clan used allies many times over the centuries, so behind
them to win dangerous battles. They've spent the scenes some Hare work to make sure their
the last couple decades rebuilding. The knowledge and techniques will be preserved
Echidna's headquarters are on Kitsuki's Hand. even if the Hare die.
Their last Champion sold a couple other Hare samurai encountered by other Clans are
holdings to get by, and these days the Echidna usually on a mission, working as magistrates, or
clan is so small that people consistently confuse scouting out new places to hide away their
them for the larger Hedgehog Clan. They do not knowledge. Hare holdings are intentionally
appreciate this. hidden, mobile, or placed close to heavily-
defended Imperial worlds for protection. Their
Firefly largest (known) holding is Sudaro's Hand, a
station in a Lion Clan system that serves as their
The Firefly monitors the eastern frontier of the
court.
Star Empire. They also maintain a rapid response
fleet of small and fast ships to rescue any ship in
distress. What you can do, you can never take Hedgehog
the skies from them. The Hedgehog Clan has survived for centuries
thanks to its mastery of spears. Today the use of
Frog firearms has made the use of such weapons
somewhat obscure and the bushis of the clan are
A recent outcast from the Mantis clan and one
always looking for a real utility. Most have
of the youngest minor clan, the Frog clan
become mercenaries and the clan has somewhat
specializes in climatology. They adopted the
lost its notoriety in modern society.
family name of Kearu when they absorbed them
to manage their finances. They developed
technology for environmental systems and Hummingbird
weather control facilities. And when its not The Hummingbird still lack of a clear purpose
possible they diffuse weather forecasts on the but was never disbanded even after so many
Yumeji News Network. They live in a complex centuries. This weakness is actually their
of domes named The Tadpole Eggs Complex on strongest strength: Its one the most versatile
the unwelcoming moon of the Happy Frog. clan, eager to find a solution to a problem when
others are still trying to understand it. They
Hare maintain small outposts everywhere in the
Empire.
The Hare Clan has always been one of
Rokugan's more well-known Minor Clans. Over
1500 years ago they were instrumental in putting Hyena
down Iuchiban and his Bloodspeaker Cult. Since The clan of shame, bitterness and dishonor ...
then they have always been treated with respect This is how many people call this group.
beyond most other Minor clans. Over time their Originally, he left a laudable intention on the
reputation faded and they began to fall into part of certain women of the Moshi family of the
neglect, but with the advent of Modern Mantis clan: to defend the emancipation of
television and organized sports, the Hare Clan's women in this modern world. However, the
reputation began to climb again. Known to aggressive and not always discerned recruitment

83
made the actions of some of these members determination and dedication to their duty has
transformed it into a criminal organization made them one of the most valuable assets to
conspiracy rather than a true clan whose the Jade Throne and their role hasn't changed
imperial status was never obtained. Its existence much: they're a symbol of hope and virtue in the
is comparable to that of the shark clan: a kind of Empire. The Monkey still care about day-to-day
blackmail or shame to oppose it directly. The wellness of the entire Empire citizens. They
hyena clan tries topically to impose matriarchy main purpose is to serve as elite police to
where man always held a preponderant place in maintain order within the Star Empire. The
the imperial universe. . These people tend to use Monkey took to spacecraft well, and these days
sneering and sneaky manifestations to achieve "heroic Toku starship captain" is a common vid
their ends. Only the most radical and even show stereotype. They're not as well-off
extremist Neko, Matsu and Utaku find their compared to other Minor Clans as they used to
count there, the others never fail to laugh be, but they're relatively large with a lot of
openly of this grouping. Hence the little glorious political capital. The Scorpion still see the
nickname of "clan of the hyena"... Monkey as their nave younger brother, and the
Monkey have profited greatly from the
relationship. The Monkey doesnt have many
Ibis holdings, but the ones they do are large and
The Ibis believe that true power comes from prosperous. Besides governing the City of the
winning hearts and minds, and their artisans are Smiling Tortoise on behalf of the Alliance, their
pop idols, dancers, and soap opera stars. Aibisu largest holding is the orbital station Toku's Duty
have earned a lot of fans and political currency in the Bayushi's Eye system
through their broadcasts and this has shielded
them well from the machinations of the Great
Clans. Moth
The Moth clan is specialized in cryptography
Lark and computer hacking. They love studying alien
The Lark is a paramilitary organization that computers and programs and protect the Yumeji
protects especially many of the Brotherhood News Network from piracy when theyre not
properties dispersed in the galaxy. Their hacking it themselves. The information about
headquarters is a Katana-class battle cruiser them is still difficult to obtain as they live near a
named The song of the lark. black hole on a remote dark and lonely planet
called the Moths Cocoon.

Lynx
They also work on predictive modeling and
Nightingale
analytics, and plenty of Minor Clan Alliance The Nightingale specializes into Rapid Response
settlements around the Empire use Lynx Teams and corruption detection. They have
scientists as advisors without even knowing it. only small fleet of vessels but what they lack of
The Lynx rarely study the gift of prophecy the power, they compensate it with swiftness and
itselfit's extremely rare. Prophets willing to deduction. They try to maintain a police activity
join a Minor Clan are even rarer, so the Lynx like the Wolf or the Monkey clans.
focus instead on gaining shugenja. Still, the
Lynx get a prophet once every generation or Obake
two, and they are guaranteed high positions The Obake clan is specialized in cataloging,
within the Clan. tracking and banishing rare and dangerous
The Lynx prefer to make their homes in orbital undead spirit and creatures like zombies. Their
stations. Their secret headquarters and primary location is a secret known only by the clan and
servers are found in Shiro Hajime, a cloaked imperial authorities. They often cooperate with
station in the border of Scorpion Space. As a the Toritaka family, more rarely with the
small and obscure branch of the rokugani Butterfly and hate the Spider for using undead as
department of defense, they are treated as an regular troops.
urban legend.

Octopus
Monkey The Octopus has specialized himself in the mass
While the Imperial Legions and Guard were production and duplication not only in art but
necessary for the safety of the Empire, the also for all tools of the day-to-day life. Theyre at
Monkey Clan could be sent to where the the head of one of the most competitive
Emperor needed their presence. Their
84
industrial network and economical organization Rat
of the Star Empire. They are also very good to Finding love across the stars is sometimes even
detect and counterfeit foreign merchandise. more difficult than in the original Empire. The
Rat clan still emphasizes to arranged marriage
Oriole organization and as even spread matrimonial
New Family: Murakumo +1 Willpower agencies among the galaxy.
The Oriole Clan kept their position as some of
the best smiths in the Empire, but they've had to
adapt to the times. In the fourth millennium, Raven
when even an average samurai carries a blade The Raven operates the only official
encased in an aura of radiant energy, higher- organization that proposes and enforces
ranking samurai wield monomolecular blades, authorized mercenary services. They also
blades forged from metals taken from the heart monitor ronin activities within the Empire.
of collapsed stars, and other advanced weapons. Their headquarters is a unique designed and
The Tsi can work with radiant energy, but ragtag ship named the Ravens claw.
they've created the Murakumo shugenja family
to help them make the other things. They're one Roach
of the richer Clans of the Alliance, and one of When the others clans try to find the best way to
the few with the honor of sharing a system with expend their influence on the galaxy, the Roach
Imperial families: their largest holdings are the is more than ever concerned in the development
moons around Xing Guo's Anvil, a gas giant in a of the oneself and the survival in the worst
Seppun system. conditions.

Otter Salamander
The Otter has become one of the finest and The Salamander is still looking to understand
uppermost developed organizations concerning what give the shugenja the gift to speech to the
medicine. They maintain a large network of kami. Theyre now extending their research to
medical stations across the Star Empire where other worlds and alien concepts, even trying to
theyre now developing advanced prosthetics develop technological or even genetics
and remedies to heal the diseased. Their data enhancements to make this ability more spread
about poisons and diseases is probably the best without many successes. They are based on a
you can find in the whole galaxy. convoy of small vessels that run the Star Empire
without cease to perform their duties.

Ox
The Ox Clan still combats actively and monitors Salmon
the activity of the Kolat, trying to destroy it The Salmon clan is always known for his sense
definitely from within but with so many remote of taste and publishes a highly anticipated
worlds where to hide, its still not for tomorrow. annual guide of the best Star Emerald Empire
The Ox has more than one agency within the establishments. He also created the
Empire and their headquarters are on a space Consumption and Protection of the food chain
station named Moritos Will not far from a Agency which regulates all food production in
pulsar. the Empire.

Panda Scarab
The Panda clan is special in the sense that it Now that a civilization has been discovered that
contains only monks who fight under the rules threaten the Empire himself, the secluded
and the art of sumo. Their special statuses and Scarab clan is looking for a way to destroy them
their peaceful and good-natured character often in an unconventional way: with the only
enable them to be forgiven. strength of the spirit and the soul. They live on
the dark face of an unsanctified remote world
near Dragon border called Mekhems Cloak.
Peacock
The Peacock clan always keeps the imperial
volatiles of the same name on areas of the Seahorse
Emperors domain. It is always the smallest clan The Seahorse as developed many
to date with only bare interest for space. accommodations throughout the Star Empire to
ensure that every honorable one in need could
find an appropriate refuge. They are still
85
specialized in the exploration of pelagic planets time but the hard work of this small clan allowed
and contacts with aquatic life forms. Their main keeping them intact. In some situations like the
holding is a small oceanic moon named Ocean Alliance War some of these objects have even
of Sapphire within Crab Space. rocked the course of some battles. In these
remote times, science is beginning to discover
the secrets of certain Nemunarais, and the
Shark collection and archives of the Squirrel clan are
The Shark has never had a purpose and managed all the more precious. The Squirrel Clan chose
to evade eradication by fleeing to a remote world to establish its headquarters aboard the
they called Lost Tengoku. They still enjoy life Chomchog, the flagship of the Unicorn Clan.
above bushido and their new planet is a source
of debauchery for anyone is looking for a place
to act without any law. Wolf officers sometimes
Swan
tried to bring them back on track but have never The main activity of the Swan Clan is still to
so far managed to impose imperial law on their give important people false identities and
world. protection at imperial request. They run the
Imperial Secret Service and specialize in witness
protection and body guarding as well. Their
Sparrow main holding is a temperate small moon called
The humble Suzume are the glue that holds the Feathers of the space within Scorpions territory.
Minor Clan Alliance together. All major Minor
Clan holdings have a Suzume somewhere,
usually performing underappreciated
Swordfish
bureaucratic roles or serving as a link to the For centuries, the Swordfish Clan has worked to
greater Alliance. When the Alliance gets a uphold the tradition of bushido as the path of
presence in the courts, they're often the individual swordsman. The Swordfish spend
accompanied by a Suzume artisan. They are of much of their time wandering the Empire,
little importance to the greater Empire, but to traveling by their own means and taking on any
the Alliance, they're vital. problems they come across. Many Swordfish find
work as magistrates. The Swordfish also study
The Sparrow were first brought into space by the bushido heavily, and have perhaps the most
Crane Clan, who gave them mostly barren extensive collection of writings about bushido in
locations and simple space stations that only the galaxy.
technically fulfilled the Emperor's decree. It was Most Great Clans see the Swordfish as jumped-
a pretty bad joke, and the Crane stopped the up ronin, but the Swordfish rarely give anyone a
practice when they accidentally gave the reason to move against them. Most Swordfish
Sparrow huge swathes of territory on the gas holdings are in Crane, Lion or Crab space.
giant Jikoju's Breath right before the Phoenix
invented kobune-class stations that could float Tanuki
in its skies like giant balloons. Jikoju's Breath is The Tanuki has extended his activities not only
now a beautiful city. The Crane are still mad but to sake brewing but to the whole agribusiness of
nobody cares. the Star Empire. With so many people to
nourish, their industry is quite developed. They
After centuries of life on scares and poor lands, hold many factory domains where they
the Sparrow has also learned how to tame the produce tremendous quantities of food and
earth herself. They made heavy use of beverage. Theyre often in dispute with the
terraforming, utilizing the power of the Anvil of Salmon Clan
Earth to transform mountains, ranges, and even
continents to better suit the desires and needs of
the rokugani. They are now among the best Tern
terraformers of the Empire, looking for and After centuries of isolation, the Tern clan was
preparing barren worlds to welcome future new rediscovered some times before the launch of the
life. first space vessel. The Tern remain isolationist
and quite primitive, deeply convinced that what
a machine or computer can do can be done
Squirrel better by a human. Using technology is equal to
After centuries of incessant collection, the diminish a samurais soul for them. Theyve been
Squirrel clan managed to amass an enormous relocated and then live peacefully on a remote
quantity of various and varied objects. Some iced moon within Dragon Space. Theyre rarely
could have been forgotten since the dawn of seen out their world.
86
Tiger back); their only major holding is the Benten's
The Tiger has only one purpose: Guard the Biwa station in Unicorn space, where the
capital world of Rokugan, monitor the access Vulture take their salvage for sorting and trade.
and often refuse it. Their main estate is the Eye
of the Tiger Station that orbits Rokugan. Weasel
New Family: Risu: +1Awareness
By the fourth millennium, there are a lot of
Tortoise lesser Fortunes. Some were forgotten, died or
The official role of the Tortoise remains the even or found some other way to lose their
same: grubby merchants who keep the Imperial station, which doesn't help matters. The Weasel
Capital clean and watch over the borders of are tasked with recording and remembering
Imperial systems. Unofficially, they're still them, as well as making sure that shrines to
smugglers who spy on criminal and gaijin groups them remain open and accessible throughout the
for threats to the Empire. They're just watching galaxy. Their founder was a Phoenix samurai
aliens too. When the Empire interacts with named Shiba Risu, and the Phoenix are still
those aliens openly, such as the Hanajin, the their closest Great Clan ally. The Weasel
Tortoise are caretakers of the stations where regularly sends young samurai to travel the
most of this interaction takes place. The galaxy and teach others about the Fortunes, and
Tortoise are the main voice of the Minor Clan most retire to join the Temples of the Thousand
Alliance in the courts, and one of the few Clans Fortunes. The Weasel's headquarters are on
that actually keeps track of how many Minor Kitsukis Hand, and their other holdings are
Clans there are and where they live. libraries and shrines. These holdings are used as
resting places for their traveling samurai, but the
Since nobody wants to share worlds with the Weasel have a standing offer that any ronin who
Tortoise, they mostly purchase station rights in does not make trouble will be given hospitality
out-of-the-way places like Trojan asteroids, the for up to three weeks.
outer rims of systems, and uninhabitable dwarf
planets. Their biggest holding is the Shell, a
space station bazaar orbiting a dead star where Wolf
all Rokugani (and aliens) can meet, trade and Where the Monkey, Crocodile, Salmon and
increase the Tortoise's wealth. Like the Scorpion Tortoise clans have a police activity within the
and their World of Dreams, most Clans spend so Empire, the Wolf is a Ranger Police
much time being disgusted (or fascinated) by the Organization that enforces the imperial law even
Shell that they don't really pay attention to the in the most remote corners of the galaxy. They
Tortoise's other holdings. still dont manage to bring Lost Tengoku planet
of the Shark clan to the law. The Wolf has
The Tortoise is the center of the Alliance of the several outposts in the form of small orbital
minor clans and often at the head of their stations along the borders of the Star Empire.
government. They still continue their original Their headquarters is a deep space station, the
purpose on monitoring crime activity and Wolf's Lair between the border of Dragon and
custom service by preventing alien and gaijin Badger spaces.
technology penetration of the Empire.
Yak
Vulture New Family: Karaushi: +1 Perception
New Family: Shouko: +1 Reflexes The Karaushi family has been created by Iweko
The Vulture Clan clean space debris from the II centuries ago from an alliance of Shiba
orbits of Empire worlds, to protect the satellites, eccentrics and Ikoma outcasts, secluding them
space stations, and spacecraft of other Clans with the purpose of keeping an eye on the
from collisions. They also clean up after major Yobanjin. This included maintaining contact
space battles, retrieving as many dead as they with less-hostile bands as Yobanjin were still
can for burial. Most of their money comes from tolerated in the Empire but no trade was
salvaging; many samurai have petitioned them officially conducted with them. Kind of rough
to find a treasured item lost on a derelict, or and ready clan, they kept this role in the modern
accused them of keeping salvaged resources and era but are in fact the beginning of a new Kolat.
equipment. Overall the Vulture Clan is seen as a
necessity that can be safely ignored unless you
need them.
The Vulture has offices in all major space
stations (usually somewhere small and in the
87
Other Factions

Gozoku
The imperial power is diluted in the vastness of
space. All the efforts of the imperial families are
insufficient to maintain the incredible
bureaucracy in place. Even the capital world of
Rokugan Prime sees its legitimacy contested by
the World of Dreams, much more populated and
accessible. In this context many people believe
that a third Gozoku is already up and eating
away the foundations of the Empire of Emerald
Stars.

Jikogu
With the closure of the two Fu Lengs Pits
centuries ago many thought now that its an
extinguished menace. Nothing is more far from
reality than this. There are always been other
portals to Jikogu on other planets than Rokugan
Prime. Some maho-tsukai and members of the
Spider Clan are actively trying to open the larger
portal than a samurai has ever seen on a remote
space location. The Third Day of Thunders is
approaching but this time technology will have a
tremendous impact on the victory

Kolat
These shadow conspirators found themselves
exposed and destroyed. Their power base and
operatives were broken, their leaders publicly
executed. Still, there are many worlds to hide
and rumors abound of the return of the Kolat, in
an altogether different form. The Yak Clan has
been deeply infiltrated but still lacks of
notoriety.

Lying Darkness
There are so many places to hide within space:
No other environment is so friendly to the Lying
Darkness than the vacuum of space himself. The
Shadow dragon is still alive today and his
strength and influences have grown with the
fears of the unknown. He uses so many black
holes in the universe as shelters and wormholes
to reach the end of the universe Rumors say
that he has access to tremendous energy through
the dark matter that lies between the galaxies
and that he even knows how to convert it to
very dangerous anti-matter. No one heard about
him from centuries now but from the darkness
he has begun again to whisper his dream to put
an end to the reality. The Moth Clan was the
first touched by his influence and through it he
should have an access to the YYN and all
connected technology

88
New Rules CRAFT
NEW EMPHASIS: Chemistry
Skills Knowledge of mathematics, basic science,
laboratory techniques and complex chemical
The courts still exist and have strong influence formulae. With the proper laboratory, this skill
in Rokugan (although some courtly interplay is can be used to create medicines, explosives,
done via computer now) and samurai still carry complex neurotoxins and/or extremely potent
katana as a symbol of their station and are alcoholic beverages.
expected to be able to use them.
DRIVING
In the modern world of the Emerald Star SUB-TYPE: Merchant Skill
Empire, a few things are assumed to be common EMPHASIS: Wheeled, Tracked, Air-Cushion,
for all player characters such as have enough Boats
basic knowledge of technology to operate a DESCRIPTION:
computer and use the YNN on simple levels, The ability to operate vehicles. All characters
drive a car, and read. Certain schools and are able to drive vehicles with automatic
disadvantages forbid this, but they will be transmission unless his school or disadvantages
handled on a case by case basis. imply otherwise, in which such a driving skill
can be learned as a skill. Suggested Trait is
Here are the modifications for existing L5R Intelligence, although Reflexes could be used
skills: when avoiding sudden threats.

ACTING MASTERY ABILITIES:


NEW EMPHASIS: In addition to Noh and Kabuki RANK 5: The character gains a bonus of
(both now very rare) you may choose to +5 to the total of any Driving Skill Roll
specialize in Film: Drama, Film: Comedy, Film: made as part of a Cooperative or
Action Movies or Non-human. Cumulative Skill Roll.

ANIMAL HANDLING ENGINEERING


NEW EMPHASIS: Bees and all emphases for all NEW EMPHASIS: Demolitions
exotic and alien creatures This emphasis combines both the general
knowledge of the types and mechanics of
CALLIGRAPHY common explosives, as well as skill with using
NEW EMPHASIS: Gaijin fonts, Numerology, them as weapons. This skill may be used to set or
Ancient codes. disarm explosive devices, and to throw explosive
Now called Cryptography and may be replaced weapons such as grenades and Bakemono Juice.
with Computer Use, if your school offers it. The
art to secure data with coding and/or ciphering. ENGINEERING
NEW EMPHASIS: Cybernetics and robotics
COMPUTER USE This emphasis gives you general knowledge of
SUB-TYPE: High Skill electronics of how to fix and build modern
EMPHASIS: Research, Programming, Hacking, equipment.
Modelling
DESCRIPTION: The art of making computers do ENGINEERING
what one wants. Considered a Low Skill when NEW EMPHASIS: Mining
using the Hacking emphasis. Suggested Trait is This emphasis enables you to locate ore and to
Awareness. exploit it properly.

CRAFT (Armorsmithing) and FIREARMS


(Weaponsmithing) are now separated into SUB-TYPE: Weapon Skill, Bugei Skill
Modern (high tech synthetic fabrics, radiant EMPHASIS: Sidearm, Rifle, Marksman, Heavy
generators and metal padding) and Ancient (the Weapons
armor and weapons of the original era). Ancient DESCRIPTION: The skill used when firing modern
is a very rare specialization and for the most part ranged weapons. Suggested Trait is either
outdated. All schools which offer it should Reflexes or Intelligence, depending on whether
replace it with Craft: Modern Armorsmithing or the GM wants to depict accurate shooting as
Craft: Modern Weaponsmithing unless noted being dependent more on muscle-memory or
otherwise. mental focus. The character gains glory at half
the rate of normal when using firearms in battle.

89
While firearms are commonly used and accepted LORE (Heraldry): Now includes modern
in Rokugani society, true glory is gained through company logos (Dojicorp, KTSU, YNN, etc) as
melee combat. well as advertising, weapons, and armor of
distinctive clans and corporations.
MASTERY ABILITIES:
RANK 3: Readying a firearm with the LORE (History): Now divided into two
Small or Medium Keyword is a Free specializations, Lore (Modern History) and Lore
Action rather than a Simple Action. (Ancient History). "Ancient" is anything from
RANK 5: The maximum range of any before about 1800. Any schools that offer
firearm is increased by 50%. History may replace it with Modern History.
RANK 7: When using any firearm, the Ancient History is very rare area of knowledge,
Perception of the firearm is increased by and it is difficult to find sources of information
1. or teachers on the subject.

FLYING MEDICINE
SUB-TYPE: Merchant Skill. NEW EMPHASIS: Autopsy
EMPHASIS: Fixed-Wing, Helicopter Considered a Low Skill when using the Autopsy
DESCRIPTION: The skill used when operating emphasis, its the study of dead bodies to
flying craft within planetary atmosphere. Like determine the time and cause of their death, as
Driving, this Skill is probably primarily well as illnesses they may have carried and
Intelligence-based but could use physical Traits identifying marks. Note that touching dead flesh
during emergencies. is still taboo and considered dishonoring. During
autopsy, most samurai direct a skilled eta while
MASTERY ABILITIES: they observe.
RANK 5: The character gains a bonus of
+5 to the total of any Flying Skill Roll MEDICINE
made as part of a Cooperative or NEW EMPHASIS: Genetic and Cloning
Cumulative Skill Roll. The art of sequencing and decoding DNA. The
advances in rokugani science allow cloning and
GAMES gene therapy even though the practice remains
NEW EMPHASIS: Computer stratagem, 3D Go, very costly and controversial among the most
video games conservative.

HORSEMANSHIP: MEDICINE
SUB-TYPE: Merchant Skill. NEW EMPHASIS: Prosthesis Installation
NEW EMPHASIS: Doreiku or lesser dragon, The art of installing prostheses properly is not
Arashitora or stormtiger, and other creatures. given to everyone. It is considered Low and very
Now called Riding and may be replaced with dishonoring to remove a fully functional and
Driving skill if your school offers it. Many healthy organ or member to replace it with
Unicorns are still skilled horsemen and ride something else ... except within the Spider clan.
other beasts more exotic or alien creatures than
rokugani ponies, but many don't bother PILOTING
anymore. SUB-TYPE: Merchant Skill.
EMPHASIS: Combat, Docking
INVESTIGATION The skill of controlling a spacecraft. Suggested
NEW EMPHASIS: Forensics Trait is Intelligence.
The art of modern crime solving with the help of
the science. MASTERY ABILITIES:
RANK 5: The character gains a bonus of
KYUJUTSU +5 to the total of any Piloting Skill Roll
In almost every case, this should be replaced made as part of a Cooperative or
with Firearms, but it is not mandatory. If a Cumulative Skill Roll.
samurai wishes to use a bow instead of a sidearm,
he will get odd looks but not much else. Side SPACEFRAME ENGINEERING
arms are more compact, more powerful, and SUB-TYPE: Merchant Skill.
easier to use. Bows on the other hand, are more NEW EMPHASIS: Ship design, Ion Engines, etc.
accurate, silent, and much easier to repair and Now includes a basic understanding of how to
maintain. Traditionalist enclaves such as the fix and build ships and vehicles. This Skill will
Tsuruchi family are known to use both.

90
acquire several new Emphases Suggested Trait is FORTUNES OF FOODS BLESSING [SPIRITUAL]
Intellect (4POINTS)
Toyoyuke-Omikamis Blessing (Panda)
NEW MASTERY ABILITIES: You gain a +1k0 on all Etiquette rolls
RANK 5: The character may operate made within an hour of your arrival in
Vehicle Weapons with 3/4 minimum any location as everyone is happy to see
crew (three men instead of four) you arrive. If you eat with your hosts,
RANK 7: As rank 5 but with half this bonus increases to +1k1 on
minimum crew (two men instead of Etiquette and +1k0 on all other social
four) rolls. Further, any meal you partake in
automatically has enough food to
provide for everyone there.
Advantages and Kojins Blessing (Panda) No Kitchen
Disadvantages Adaptation you routinely work in will ever
accidentally catch fire. You gain a +1k0
CITIZEN/STIGMA/VETERAN [SOCIAL] (VARIES) bonus to all Craft: Cooking and Tea
In order to properly adapt the places to the new Ceremony rolls and Craft: Cooking is a
context, we suggest you the following Noble Skill for you.
conversions:
INNER GIFT: SAKKAKU-DO [MENTAL] (6
Old Location New Planet POINTS)
Broken Wave Osano-Wo Reach You have been touched by the Realm of
Clear Water Hida Prime Mischief, perhaps by heritage, perhaps by
Dark Edge Burning Star exposure to a world close to the realm. This
Imperial City Rokugan Prime inner gift may only be purchased by shugenja.
Iron Heart Gale Take +1k0 to social rolls when interacting with
Laughing Plains Golden Mirror
denizens of Sakkaku. In addition, you may learn
Naishou New Rokugan
Ninesake Ujimitsu and research spells aligned with this realm under
Ruined City Hida Secundus their listed element. These spells are the
Sacred Forest First Landing equivalent of soultwister spells (from Enemies of
Water Hammer City Dragons Eye the Empire) aligned with Sakkaku, and do not
Zakyo Toshi World of Dreams require scrolls to cast.

INHERITANCE: KOBUNE [MATERIAL] (10 LESSONS OF THE PAST [MENTAL] (6 POINTS)


POINTS) The character has a strong connection to his
One of your relatives was a successful captain for roots. His ancestors have recognized this, and in
a Clan, and his kobune-class merchant ship has hopes of spreading his knowledge have made this
passed to you now that you have come of age. connection even stronger. The character have a
You may not be the most prepared for such a +2k0 bonus when using any ancient weapons or
task, but the option is available if you wish it. using any Ancient skills, and may purchase
You possess a small Kobune-class ship. You are ancestors for one point less. The character may
capable of make trips between populated worlds learn Ancient skills when he is created if this
of your system; and assuming you are (or a advantage is taken.
member of your crew is) a shugenja you can
travel between systems. Assuming good MEDICAL REMEDY [PHYSICAL AND MATERIAL]
Commerce Skill Rolls are made, a single voyage (VARIES)
should cover expenses and end with a profit for Modern medicine allows the development of
you. cybernetic implants or even to culture them
with bioengineering. This advantage cost the
New Advantages same amount of points as the physical
disadvantage it cures as long as he doesnt give
ALIEN LANGUAGE [MENTAL] (3 POINTS) any other advantage. For example: Replacing a
An alien language, such as the Goryu, Ryunin, missing eye with a cybernetic ocular implant
Hanajin or Scarab language, requires three that gives also X-Ray, IR and UV vision cost
points and confers only an ability to understand more than 6 points as Blind is a 6 point
the language and a limited ability to express very Disadvantage. The GM has the final word for
basic concepts verbally. what its allowed, the cost and the additional
benefits or drawbacks of a medical remedy.

91
OPPORTUNIST [SOCIAL] (5 POINTS) Strength 4 yumi; grants
You are an opportunist, and will take the Mantis Wasp Yumi (6) 1 Free Raise for making
Called Shots only.
opportunity to be cruel or vicious in a fight. You
know how bushido works, and how to take 3k2.Sidearm, Damage
advantage of it in a fight. When facing an considered
Phoenix Guardian (7) jade against
opponent with lower honor rank than yours, you targets with Taint
may lose 3 honor points to add to your damages 2k4 naginata; +3 bonus
to your Armor TN. May
a number equal to the difference between your sacrifice this bonus to
opponent's honor rank and yours until the end Phoenix Shiba Naginata (6) grant additional +6
bonus to target of Guard
of the encounter. Spider characters may maneuver.
purchase this Advantage for 4 points. 4k2 katana; any
exploding damage dice
require the target to
SACRED WEAPON [MATERIAL] (VARIES) Scorpion Dark Mirror Edge (6) make a Reflexes Trait roll
You have bought or been given a special weapon (TN 15) or be Blinded
until healed.
created by your clan. The point cost of each
individual weapon is denoted by the number Sidearm 4k2. +10 to
Scorpion Holdout sidearm (6) Stealth to conceal. Small.
after its name. New weaponsmithing techniques
have also been created and the table from the 3k2 wakizashi; Grants 1
Core Rulebook p.153 is expended: Free Raise on any attack
Scorpion, roll or spellcasting roll
Unseen Blade (5) made while concealed
Cat
Clan Weapon Mechanics from the target of your
4k3 tetsubo; May spend attack..
Void Points to enhance 2k1 jitte; Any Exploding
Crab Earth Breaker (6) damage rolls with this damage dice cause the
weapon, as with a creature struck to gain a
katana. Scorpion Yogo Jitte (4) single Rank of the
3k3 masakari; Add +3 to Unlucky Disadvantage
attack rolls when until the end of the
Crab Slayer's Edge (6) attacking an unaware skirmish
opponent. 1k1 war fan; Grants 1
5k3 dai tsuchi; Counts as Unicorn Ide Fan (4) Free Raise on all Defense
Crab Hammer of Earth (5) Jade. Skill rolls.
5k3 Heavy fire weapon,
Devastator Siege
Crab Weapon (7)
unbreakable; Strength 4 yumi; Suffer
-2 to targets Reduction
4k2 Sidearm; may reroll
Unicorn Antic Horse Bow (6) no TN penalty when
Crab Mediator (6) riding
damage once per session
2k1 jitte; Gain 1 Free 3k3 naginata; Grants 1
Crab Golden Jitte (3) Raise toward use of the Free Raise that can only
Disarm maneuver. Unicorn Utaku Cutter (6) be used to make Called
3k2 yari; Can be thrown Shots, 2 Free Raises
accurately up to 50', and when riding
Crane Heavenly Spear (4) has DR of 2k2 when 3k3 Rifle firearm. +3 to
thrown. Unicorn Khol-class Firearm (7) Damage Rolls made
When driving
1k1 war fan; Honor Rank Strength 3 han-kyu; May
Crane, considered 1 higher cast Maho spells into an
Lady Doji's Gift (5) when carried in non- arrow The next target hit
Ibis
combat situations. Spider Chuda Han-Kyu (6) within the next 5
Rounds also becomes
3k3 Sidearm +1k0 to the target of that Maho
Twin Radiance (Pair)
Dragon (4x2)
attack rolls when spell.
wielding both Rifle firearm 4k2 any
4k2 Rifle fiream Honor exploding
Lion Indomitable X32 (7) Rank considered at +1 damage dice require
while carried Spider Dark Radiance (7) target to make an Earth
Ring Roll (TN 15) or gain
1k1 war fan; Doubles all
1 point of Shadowlands
Lion Tessen of Legends (5) Armor TN bonuses from Taint
the War Fans Skill.
4k2 Katana; considered
Obsidian for overcoming
3k4 no-dachi; Grants 1
Free Raise for the
Spider Obsidian Blade (6) Reduction and
Lion Tachi of Furor (6) Increased Damage
Invulnerability (after the
Destroyer War).
Maneuver.

Marksman Rifle, 3k2 has


Spider Spider Bisento (6) 6k3 bisento
Mantis Distant Thunder (7) a range increment of
1200 PRACTICAL [MENTAL] (3 POINTS)
As the Empire has grown more diverse, so to
3k2 wakizashi; add
Honor Rank to have you grown more practical in your skill set.
Mantis Storm Blade (5) spellcasting rolls made Whenever you are in a situation where you
to cast Thunder spells.
would be forced to make an Unskilled Roll using
a Merchant Skill, you are considered to have 1
rank in the Skill instead. Mantis, Daidoji, Ide,

92
and Yasuki characters may purchase this CRUEL [MENTAL] (3 POINTS)
Advantage for 2 points. Your cruelty need not manifest itself as physical,
though it may very well be. You suffer a -1k1
STONEMELT [PHYSICAL] (8 POINTS) penalty on all Social Skill rolls and Honor rolls.
Pre-requisites: Earth Ring at 3 or more
The character has pierced the secret of the FORTUNES OF FOOD CURSES [SPIRITUAL]
ancient matter. Allows to move at normal speed (4POINTS)
through solid earth or stone, (but not metal, Curse of Toyoyuke-Omikami (Panda):
paper or wood) without suffering any effect. A You have a -1k0 penalty to all etiquette
character who moves at Water 2 can leave a rolls for the first hour of meeting
tunnel that will last for one minute before people. If you stay longer than an hour,
collapsing. A character who moves at Water 1 the penalty rises to -1k1 on Etiquette
can leave a permanent tunnel. rolls and -1k0 on all other social rolls.
All Zokujins have this advantage for free. In addition, if you stay longer than a
day all grains in a radius of 100 feet x
TECHNOPHILE [MENTAL] (3 POINTS) Void tends to grow sickly, wither, or
The character has a natural talent for modern spoil. This effect reduces yields by
technology and equipment. Whenever using or roughly 10%, or 1 Koku of grain per
repairing any modern electrical device, the field/store room.
character gains a +1k0 bonus. Curse of Kojin (Panda): Any time you
Phoenix, Beaver and Crab characters may prepare food you must take a Raise for
purchase this Advantage for 2 points. no effect and if you fail a roll or do not
call a raise, the food burst into flames at
ZERO-G TRAINING [PHYSICAL] (2 POINTS) some point during the cooking process
The character has a +0k1 die when acting in a (this includes plating). Regardless, even
zero-g atmosphere or trying to resist the vertigo if the individual succeeds, the food will
weightlessness. be unappetizing. If Kojin or the GM
allows, you may call four raises to make
New Disadvantages food that is actually tasty, though most
people familiar with the person's
cooking will find it hard to believe he
AMNESIAC [MENTAL] (4 OR 8 POINTS) or she prepared the tasty meal.
You dont remember from where you come from
or even who you are. This disadvantage at DARK SECRET: MUTATION [PHYSICAL AND
character creation worth 4 points only and you SOCIAL] (4 POINTS)
begin play without any basic school. All of your The terrible weaponry unleashed during the wars
skill rolls are considered unskilled rolls (See core left many parts of Rokugan devoid of life and
rules p.80). filled with radiation. This has caused some
minor mutations in those whose ancestors were
During a campaign, it worth 8 points and you are in those areas during the War. Mutation will
not affected by any previous mental or social leave some noticeable mark upon the character,
advantage or disadvantage and cannot benefit a foul blemish or disfigurement that cannot be
from an ancestor. Though a combination of cured. You suffer a -1g0 to resist to cancers and
bushi and shugenja schools is normally not other diseases, and will be a freak and an outcast
allowed, you can achieve it as long as you dont if his mutation is discovered.
remember how to cast a spell. You can also learn
a technique from only one different school from DEAF [PHYSICAL] (3 POINTS)
your basic original one without the Multiple The character cannot hear without special
School advantage. equipment. Any skill rolls involving hearing
automatically fail. On the other hand, the
CORPULENT [PHYSICAL] (2-6 POINTS) character may purchase Read Lips advantage for
Your appetites have led to a diminished speed. 1 point, and is considered to be fluent in sign
For each two points spent on this Disadvantage, language.
your movement rate decreases by 5 (below the
normal Water x5 for Free Move Action or x10 ILLITERATE [SOCIAL] (2 POINTS)
for Simple Move Action per round). At 6 points The character cannot read and not write. This
your clothes and armors need to be specially creates quite a few barriers in modern society -
tailored for you. no newspapers, no road signs, and NO
computers.

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MEDDLER [SOCIAL] (3 POINTS) Trait roll with a TN of 25 or else spend twice as
You cannot resist getting into other people's long preparing your appearance for the day.
business. You suffer a +5 TN penalty to all When you interact with a character who has not
Courtier and Etiquette Skill rolls. either complimented or praised your beauty
(regardless of if you are worthy of such praise),
NIHILIST [SOCIAL] (2 POINTS) you take a penalty of -1k0 to all Contested
Life sucks. Industrialization brought nothing but Social rolls with that character.
ruin to the world, and you hate it. You've come This Disadvantage is worth 4 points to
to be cynical and disillusioned, and believe that characters with the Dangerous Beauty
life doesn't have a point beyond escapism. You're Advantage.
more than happy to forget about life in opium or
sake or even worse. Not an addiction, though, ZERO-G ILLNESS [PHYSICAL] (2 POINTS)
yet The character has a -0k2 die when acting in a
zero-g atmosphere or trying to resist the vertigo
OLD/ VENERABLE [PHYSICAL] (4/8 POINTS) weightlessness.
Progress in medical has maintained you alive but
your age have advanced beyond the easy fitness
of youth. You suffer a penalty of +5 TN to all
Agility and Strength Skill and Trait Rolls if
youre old. The penalty increases to +10 to TN if
youre venerable and your Water Ring is
considered 1 lower for the purposes of movement

PARANOID [SOCIAL] (3 POINTS)


You have a "list." Anyone who displeases you or
does something remotely suspicious is obviously
out to get you. They go on the "list." You'll show
them. You'll get them. You'll NEVER trust
them. In game terms, the character must make a
Willpower Check vs TN of 15 whenever the
GM determines that their character may be
suspicious of someone. If they fail, they must
spend a Void point to do so temporarily thrust
anyone, and may seek revenge for imagined
slights. On the plus side, the character gets a free
raise on all attempts to detect ambush.

TECHNOPHOBE [MENTAL] (3 POINTS)


The character simply cannot adapt to modern
technology. While she may use and own it, she
does not like it and tends to accidentally break
delicate items with frequency. The character
suffers a -1g0 malus to use any modern device. If
this disadvantage is chosen, the character may
choose to have basic fluency with either the
computer or automatic transmission
automobiles, but not with both.

TOTALLY TECHNOPHOBE [MENTAL] (9 POINTS)


The character has no basic fluency with either
modern technology and suffers a -3g0 malus to
use any modern device. For example, she had to
make Intelligence checks just to turn a computer
or a car on.

VAIN [MENTAL] (3 POINTS)


You are particularly obsessive about your
appearance, and associate your own worth with
it. Every morning, you must make a Willpower

94

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