A Journey of a Thousand and One Nights Begins With a Single Step ...

The Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) Role Playing Game keeps on evolving. Recently, Alderac issued its new L5R 3rd edition Revised. This new edition fixes some of the problems players complained about when 3rd edition came out 3 years ago. The only problem with Revised is that far from fixing the problems, they created more. A comprehensive Errata is being written and AEG will likely publish it online.

But along with the new Revised edition of its flagship, AEG has also published Legend of the Burning Sands (LBS). LBS also started life as a Collectible Card Game that existed in the same universe as L5R. In fact the Burning Sands are just north of Rokugan. The new LBS rule book is a gorgeous 300 page book detailing the world of Medinaat al-Salaam and its inhabitants. The Roll and Keep rules from L5R have been transplanted here, but they use a hybrid of L5R's 3rd ed and 3rd ed Revised - making it compatible, with a bit of work, with its sister game.

Hot on the heels of L5R, is Qin by French RPG company 7th Circle. Now published in English by Cubicle 7, Qin reminds me of a wuxia version of L5R - before L5R became heavily laden with CCG inspired metaplot. The corebook and its few supplements are fantastic to look it and minimalist in feel. It is still fantasy, but it is fantasy with deep roots in Chinese wuxia literature and film as well as Chinese history. It looks and feels as if it could be a primer in Chinese anthropology. It took almost 2 years before 7th Circle translated their game of fantasy China into English.

Well, 7th Circle is at it again. First, Qin gets a Kung Fu makeover with Qin: Shaolin and Wudan. This fatsplat supplement (with a stylized tiger instead of a dragon on the front cover) acts as a stand-alone game and updates Qin with rules about Kung Fu. The timeline is also updated. This one takes place in 17th Century China.

But 7th Circle didn't stop there. In a parallel move to AEG's Legend of the Burning Sands comes Caphernaum: the Heritage of Dragons (trans.). It is a fantastic version of the Tale of 1001 Nights. It is only available in French and so far there are no plans for an English translation, but it tackles the same subject matter as LBS does. It even uses a "Roll and Keep" system, but my French is too rusty to allow me to figure out how close it is to AEG's system. If my experience with Qin is any indication, Caphernaum will be fantastic. I hope we don't have to wait too many years before they publish it in North America. There is already a couple of websites for it. One is right here.

(L5R) Ch 1 - The Mountain Witch, part 2

The Trial

Synopsis: The group investigates the grisly death of Ide Keiyomi and come to a shocking conclusion in Daidoji Kikaze's court.

Most of the group goes up to Ide Keiyomi’s room on the second floor of the keep. Bayushi Ryu grabs Noriyaki before he could go and tells him “let the magistrates deal with her. I have a scroll I need to show you.” Noriyaki is too curious. He examines the scroll. Noriyaki reads it and realizes it is a prayer to the Air Kami known as the Mists of Illusion - the Air Kami would help the shugenja who prayed to it, to disguise something, but whatever is under the spell would not be able to move. Noriyaki and Ryu decide to think about this further. They both join the rest of their group at Ide Keiyomi’s room.

There is already a small crowd gathering around the open shoji door. An older gentleman in Unicorn Clan colours is slouched on the floor, a couple of Unicorn Clan are there comforting him. Two Daidoji samurai are doubled over in the corridor retching - the smell of bile and vomit wafts toward them.

Daidoji Takakana is speaking with another Crane samurai. He approaches the group and tells them they are to investigate the murder on orders from Daidoji Kikaze. He wants them to do this since they are already investigating Mutsuye. He warns them before going in that what they will see will challenge their honour.

The group opens the shoji door and they are assaulted by the strong odour of iron and death. They find a maid on the ground with her throat slashed from ear to ear – her blood covering five tatami mats. Ying-Lien gasps. The others try to show bravery in the face of such a repulsive scene. The eta will have to burn all the tatami mats.

But when they enter Keiyomi’s bed-chamber, they face the true horror. Keiyomi's body lies on the floor, naked. Her torso is torn asunder, her organs, intestines and blood scattered across the room as if her chest exploded showering gore throughout the room. Keiyomi's shattered ribs thrust upwards, exposing the blackness within her chest cavity. The group inch toward Keiyomi's body gingerly trying to avoid touching the gore when they notice one final horror - Keiyomi's face is missing - the flesh torn from her skull like bark from a tree exposing bloody muscle and sinew beneath. Only her eyeballs remain, staring blankly toward the ceiling. Before this room could be used again, it will have to be exorcised and cleansed before another samurai would be allowed to step into the room.

Jin looks down at the blood and gore. Along with the brackish coloured blood he spots a reddish-brown ichor mixed in that was indicative of only one thing - the Shadowlands Taint. He tells the group that whatever this was, was exposed to the Taint and may have been Shadowlands itself.

Noriyaki looks for a bowl with water to summon a water kami and find out what it saw, but the only bowl he finds is stained with blood, gore and taint. If he were to try and summon a water kami, he would risk summoning a Kansen instead. He decides against this course of action.

Noriyaki finds an untouched bowl of water in the outside chamber where the maid was found. He takes a moment to summon a water Kami and it shows the shugenja what it saw - the maid backing up, her arms in front of her as if defending herself and a moment later, Isawa Mutsuye approaching her with a tanto in hand and murder in her eyes.

In the meantime, Jin speculates what had happened in the room. Jin has been exposed to Shadowlands Lore and thinks that Mutsuye killed an Oni no Pekkle, a deceptive Shadowlands creature that disguises itself as a human and who has the power to seduce all manner of men. The Pekkle must have killed and replaced Keiyomi a while ago. When Mutsuye figured out that her friend had somehow been replaced by the tainted doppleganger, she killed it and in its death throes, it exploded. Jin's story could not explain why Mutsuye killed the maid nor did it explain why Keiyomi (if that really was Keiyomi) was missing her face.

The group decides that the best way to figure out what really happened was to talk to Mutsuye herself. They leave and make their way to her room where they find the three samurai-ko guarding the room. They demand entry in the name of the Daimyo and are let in. They find Mutsuye changing into an elaborate Phoenix Clan kimono; her maid is tying up her obi. Mutsuye is incensed. She is in the middle of getting ready for the party. Ying-Lien tells her that the party is over and that her friend Keiyomi is dead. Mutsuye gasps and sits on a chair, absorbing the information. When they accuse her of the killing, Mutsuye denies she had even seen Keiyomi since she arrived. Bayushi Ryu listens to her and believes her but sits back and says nothing.

Daidoji Kage barges in and demands to know what is gong on. When the group confronts him with the news that his betrothed perhaps killed a Shadowlands creature and could very well be tainted herself, Kage yells at them telling them that she is innocent and could no way be a party to such horrible deeds.

While Kage argues with the group, Noriyaki takes out a scroll from his satchel, unfurls it and silently prays to the earth Kami. The Earth Kami answer with a Jade Strike on Mutsuye. She is struck to the floor by the force of the blow and is obviously injured by the earth kami. Kage draws his wakizashi and rushes at Noriyaki. The group block his way as the samurai-ko enter, wakizashi drawn. Before the samurai-ko can rush to Mutsuye's aid and attack Noriyaki, Kage challenges Noriyaki to a duel to the death for the insult an dishonor brought upon himself and his betrothed. Jin tells Kage that his father should be brought down to decide what should be done with her, but Kage, fearing any excuse to refuse the marriage, tells them no. The group does not concur, and they leave Kage and Mutsuye as they go to seek out Kikaze.

While everyone else goes to visit Kikaze, Ying-Lien decides to take a different course of action and excuses herself from the group. She ventures out into the courtyard where the Unicorn Clan has gathered. Until the murderer is found, the Unicorn will not be allowed to return to their encampment. She finds Ide Toshimitsu, Ide Keiyomi's father, and despite protests, manages to convince him to take a walk with her. While in the garden, they converse about Keiyomi. Ying-Lien asks if Keiyomi had changed her behavior. Toshimitsu denied that Keiyomi had changed and that she was just as exuberant as always.

Ying-Lien then tells Toshimitsu about Jin's theory, that she was no longer human. This news rattles Toshimitsu and he sits down on a snow-covered bench. He tells Ying-Lien that this is not possible, that his daughter, whom he loved more than anything in this world, could not possibly have been a thing from beyond the wall. Disoriented, he tells her to leave and that he must have time to think. She bows out of respect for the Ide diplomat and leaves.

In Daidoji Kikaze's chamber, the Daimyo asks for a report. Bayushi Ryu explains the events and tells Kikaze that without a doubt, Mutsuye is tainted - that Noriyaki's spell has proven that.

Kage and Mutsuye are summoned and brought into court. Mutsuye denies ever meeting Keiyomi since she arrived and implores for the Daimyo to believe her. Kenjiro listens to her and believe she is being sincere. Despite all he has seen, he believes her. Kage backs her up and tells his father that the group has dishonored themselves and insulted their host by daring to cast such an offensive spell while in his keep. Kikaze questions Noriyaki about the spell and Noriyaki explains Jin's theory - that Keiyomi was what was known as an Oni no Pekkle. Kikaze frowns at Noriyaki's demonstration of his knowledge of the Shadowlands in open court, but does not deny that the effects of the spell have revealed that Kage's betrothed is indeed tainted - a fact that would have become a difficulty had Kage been allowed to marry her.

Kikaze demands that Toshimitsu be brought in front of him. When he arrives, Kikaze relates the facts and asks Toshimitsu if he knew that his daughter was a creature of the Shadowlands. The Unicorn diplomat is insensed and denies that she was and challenges anyone in open court to make a statement otherwise. Ying-Lien steps forward and explains to Kikaze that she would step forward. Toshimitsu, not wanting to duel a clansman, tells Kikaze that he should not believe her and that she is not of sound mind - that the death of their clansman has shocked her senses. Ying-Lien tries denying this, but Kikaze silences her. No one else steps forward to challenge Toshimitsu. But, there is no denying that Keiyomi was not human (at least in their minds). Mutsuye would not strike down another clansman that could start a war. No, Kikaze declares that Keiyomi was a kami. No one in the room challenges him on this fact.

Then, Kikaze announces in open court that Mutsuye is tainted. He then turns to the Bayushi Ryu, the Nokado, and asks if this is appropriate to deny the marriage. He agrees and Kikaze announces that there would be no wedding. Meutsuye falls to her knees and covers her face. For Mutsuye, her life is over. She could not return to Phoenix lands a tainted shugenja. She had only one way to atone - to commit seppuku.

Kage is enraged and tells his father that these are all lies that should not be believed by ones with such little Glory. Kikaze is un-moved. Kage then explains that he has challenged Noriyaki to the death for such insults. Kikaze ponders the duel and announces in open court that the duel will take place at dawn. Since Noriyaki is a shugenja and not versed in the ways of iaijutsu, someone would have to act in his place. Kakita Kenjiro steps up and volunteers for such a duty. Kenjiro accepts the duel as it stands knowing full well that any deviation from custom would be struck down by Kikaze himself. The duel would be to the death. If Kenjiro failed in his duty and Kage won, Noriyaki would be honor-bound to commit seppuku.

The group is excused from court. They begin to ponder the effects of the evening's investigation. Ying-Lien wonders if there is any way to avoid the duel so no one has to die. She even considers figuring out if there would be a way for them to elope. They go to their quarters to conduct a tea ceremony and to help Kenjiro clear his mind before the upcoming duel.

Meanwhile, Bayushi Ryu decides to take matters into his own hands. He discovers that there is another Scorpion shugenja attending Kikaze's winter court, Shosuro Shigeru. He finds him in the catacombs below the keep with a scruffy Crab samurai. They are examining a dead Shadowlands thing when they are interrupted. Ryu wants to rig the duel in favor of Kenjiro. Shigeru tells him it could be arranged - a small use of poison or some such toxin. All that would be required would be to arrange a meeting between him and on the samurai-ko who were guarding Mutsuye as well as some of her belongings and her saliva. Ryu agrees to the conditions and waits for the opportunity to kidnap one of the samurai-ko. When he succeeds at bringing the prone body of the woman to him, he tells Ryu that "it will be done - Kage will not win."

Next: The Duel

(L5R) Ch 1 - The Mountain Witch, part 1

Winter Court

Synopsis: The group arrives at a Daidoji keep for winter court and become embroiled in courtly politics.

Year 1168 IC, Month of the Boar

Bayushi Ryu, Kakita Kenjiro and Utaku Ying-Lien arrive at a small Daidoji keep close to Lion territory. It is in the mountains near the former Beiden Pass , north of the Kakita Dueling School overlooking the Lake of Sorrows . They are greeted by Daidoji Takakana, Karo for the keep. He takes everyone's katana and asks them to keep their wakizashi on them at all times or in their rooms. Then, they are shown their rooms where they will stay until the New Years Celebrations.

Bayushi Ryu has arrived to be the Nokado (marriage go-between) for Daidoji Kage and Isawa Mutsuye, an assignment he received only a week ago (to his surprise). He has brought his wife Kita and his children with him.

Daidoji Jin and Doji Noriyaki are already at the keep. Jin was given a message from his Daimyo that he was to report to Bayushi Kita when she arrives at the keep. Noriyaki was at the keep because his family's temple dedicated to Kuni Harika is only a short walk up the mountain.

After they have a chance to rest, everyone is given a notice by Daidoji Kikaze (the Daidoji Daimyo) to attend to his chamber during the Hour of the Horse.When they all arrive, Jin meets Bayushi Kita, Bayushi Ryu's wife. She introduces herself as a former member of the Kakita. Her family has been kind to gift her husband a yojimbo, Daidoji Jin.

The others introduce each other before the shoji doors open and they find their host, Daidoji Kikaze, Daimyo of the Daidoji Family, sitting on a raised dais surrounded by bodyguards. Everyone bows, but Kenjiro bows in an exquisite manner that Kikaze notices. They exchange pleasantries before Kikaze tells the players why he asked them there. Their lords have offered their services to him during winter court, and he requires them. His eldest son is marrying Isawa Mutsuye and the final arrangements are being made that evening. He trusts that after that time, there will be NO FURTHER DIFFICULTIES.

Without warning Ying-Lien blurts out "have there been many other difficulties?" Kikaze fumes and almost challenges her outright for the insult before Kenjiro apologizes for his wife’s inappropriate behavior. Because Kenjiro showed exemplary behavior earlier when bowing to the Daidoji Daimyo, Kikaze lets this one go but asks him to control his wife.

Kikaze leaves the group and the Karo steps in to “explain his Lord’s instructions.” They are to seek out and find any information about Mutsuye that may make her an inappropriate choice to marry Daidoji Kikaze’s son, Kage and report such information before the marriage can be formalized with the Nokado. Discretion is mandatory and Kage must not find out about the investigation. They have until the Hour of the Dog to find out anything.

The Karo dismisses the group and they begin by trying to find Mutsuye. They are told that she is at the temple dedicated to Kuni Hiraka, an hour away up the mountains. Bayushi Ryu overhears a conversation between Isawa Akiko and her friends. Akiko, it turns out, is a close friend of Mutsuye. Ryu lures her away from her entourage and questions her. He is pulled away from her by Akiko’s friends but he promises Akiko he will find her later.

In the meantime, Ying-Lien sees a contingent of Unicorn and their many tents and she tells the group to go ahead of her while she speaks to them. She finds out that although the Unicorn arrived recently, they are preparing to leave on orders from the Khan. They do not want to insult their gracious host, so they are leaving in the morning after the evening’s festivities.

So, Noriaki, being very familiar with the area, leads the rest of the group up the mountain to the temple dedicated to Kuni Hakira. (whom nobody seems to know anything about). His statue sits between the statues of Benten and Jizo and is crowded over in offerings. Kenjiro sees his blind sister, Shiba Yakiko praying before the alter and sits behind her so as not to disturb her ritual.

In the meantime, Ryu finds Mutsuye in a small ante chamber, the shoji door guarded by three samurai-ko. The samurai-ko will not let Ryu in but say they will let him know when she is done her prayers. Ryu relents and returns to the group.

Ying-Lien arrives and she tells Kenjiro about the Unicorn exodus. Noriaki is curious and begins talking to her about it. Kenjiro’s sister finishes her prayer and after a friendly, but surprised, greeting, she takes Kenjiro aside for a private conversation. Kenjiro tells her he has misgivings about being here because he wants the blood of the Toturi. Yakiko says he should forget the past that it will not serve him well. She asks who his rather loud friend speaking behind her was, and he introduces Noriyaki. She says she knows who Noriyaki is and apologizes. She says he can rely on her to keep the Temple running smoothly. Noriaki appreciates the gesture.

Ryu, no longer wishing to wait, barges past the samurai-ko and into Mutsuye's chamber where she is conducting her ritual. All the elements that were floating around the room while she prayed, fell to the floor. She fumes and complains, but her ritual is ruined. Mutsuye storms out of the room with Ryu following closely behind. Meanwhile, Noriyaki enters the chamber and summons a water kami to see what she was doing. It reveals nothing useful to him.

The group travel back down the mountain without Mutsuye (who tells them she will come down by palanquin). As they get to the gates of the Daidoji keep, Jin sees Matsu Hira, his sworn enemy. Jin keeps his distance and watches as they enter. By the time the group gets inside, the party is in full swing. They enter the main room and see members of many of Rokugan’s clans: Crane, Crab, Lion, Phoenix , Unicorn and a small amount of Scorpion.

The Daidoji have prepared a full slate of festivities for the evening. Daidoji Kurako, the hostess for the Winter Court, lets everyone know about the dance competition. Only a few enter. First up is Shosuro Shiko who performs an old dance entitled Song of Sparrow's Flight. She receives mild applause for her competent performance, Next, Asako Kuhime performs the Five Elements Dance and trips up. She receives a few polite applause. Kuhime is so embarrassed at her failure she runs off stage. Ying-Lien runs after her. Then, Ryu gets up to perform. He tells Kurako that he will perform the Dance of the Scorpion and the Frog. Ryu has no dancing or performing skill whatsoever, but is so Agile, he manages to pull off the performance of the night – that is until Ide Keiyomi stumbles into the room to perform The Tunnel of Quiescent Flame, a dance which is both graceful as well as provocative and garners applause from Unicorn and Crab alike.

During Keiyomi’s distracting performance, Ryu leaves the table and tells Jin not to follow. He sees Akiko and again flirts with her while her friends try and keep her from blabbing everything she knows about Mutsuye to the handsome Scorpion courtier. Still, Ryu manages to pry Akiko away from her friends and take a walk with her around the garden. Ryu sees Bayushi Yori, his brother’s wife, staring at them as they leave.

After her stunning performance, the crowd (mostly Crab and Unicorn) erupts with applause. Kurako awards Keiyomi with the prize for best dance and then she staggers up to Kenjiro and flirts with him. Kenjiro rebuffs her advances telling her that he is married to an Otaku Battle Maiden who might not appreciate Keiyomi’s flirtatious ways. Keiyomi wastes no time and sidles up to Noriyaki who, not being married doesn’t seem to mind her flirting. She lets him know that she knows Mutsuye, which makes him all the more curious. When she invites Noriyaki to her room (which she loudly re-states as “going for a walk in the garden”), he agrees to follow in a while. She tells him she is going to slip into something “more comfortable” and staggers out the door.

Meanwhile, Ying-Lien follows Kuhime back to her room and comforts the sad samurai. She appreciates Ying-Lien’s friendship and lets her know she has an ally in court. Ying-Lien, satisfied that Kuhime is not going to commit seppuku, leaves Kuhime and walks toward the festivities. She passes Keiyomi in the hallway as Keiyomi stumbles up toward her room. Before she can return to the party, Ying-Lien spots the archery contest and sees Shiba Noboru, Mutsuye’s bodyguard. She enters the archery contest to talk with Noburu, but watches as Noboru wins handily. Ying-Lien walks back toward the party.

In the meantime, Ryu has dropped Akiko like a lead balloon and snuck into Mutsuye’s room. She is nowhere to be seen, and Ryu did not see her at the party. He looks around and finds a shugenja scroll which he cannot read. He slips it under his kimono and returns to the party.

When Ryu returns, he finds Yori in front of the door. They have an argument in front of everyone before Yori stomps off. Ryu returns to his table just as Ying-Lien returns. Suddenly, a Unicorn samurai rushes into the room and announces that Ide Keiyomi has just been found in her room, dead. The snow is falling. No one is leaving the castle.

Next: The Mountain Witch, part 2 - the Trial

Dramatis Personae - Chapter 1

This is a short listing of all important NPC's from Book 1, Chapter 1 - The Mountain Witch:

Daidoji Kikaze – The Daidoji Daimyo
Daidoji Kage – Kikaze’s eldest son
Daidoji Takakana – Karo of the Keep
Daidoji Kurako – Host of the Winter Court
Isawa Mutsuye – Kage’s betrothed, a Phoenix Clan Shugenja
Isawa Akiko – Mutsuye’s close friend and motormouth
Shiba Noburo – Mutsuye’s head bodyguard
Ide Keiyomi – Daughter of a Unicorn Clan Diplomat. Provocative Dancer. Likes to drink
Ide Toshimitsu – Keiyomi’s father and Unicorn Clan Diplomat
Shosuro Shiko – Scorpion Clan Courtier and Dancer
Shosuro Shigeru - Scorpion Clan Shugenja who likes to examine dead Shadowlands creatures
Asako Kuhime – Phoenix Clan Courtier and Dancer
Akemi, Aiko, and Shakuko – Mutsuye's Samurai-ko bodyguards

Chapter 2 Personas

Major NPC's

NPC's in Rokugan:

Bayushi Kita: wife of Bayushi Ryu. She was formerly a member of the Kakita family of the Crane Clan. Together, they have two girls, Yuki and Miya.

Bayushi Yori: wife of Bayushi Daitoro. She is in love with Bayushi Ryu. Ryu and Yori were romantically involved with each other until each were betrothed - Ryu to a Crane courtier, her to Ryu's brother. Ryu has been ignoring her so as not to bring shame to his family, but Yori continues to pursue him.

Bayushi Daitoro: Bayushi Ryu's older brother.

Hiroko: Bayushi Ryu's oldest and most trusted servant.

Matsu Hiro: A Matsu warrior of the Lion Clan, she has sworn to destroy Daidoji Jin because of some perceived slights at a tournament. Several recent encounters have not dulled her resolve. Little do either know, but their respective families have agreed to have them married to each other.

Shiba Yakiko: Sister to Kakita Kenjiro, Yakiko is an Itako, a blind Shugenja with a skill in prophecy and divination. She has been assigned to the Temple dedicated to Kuni Hakira.

Shosuro Shigeru: Scorpion Clan Shugenja who likes to examine dead Shadowlands creatures. He is at the centre of many devious plots.


NPC's in the Burning Sands:

none yet

Prologue

The 1168th year IC, during the month of the Boar

Totori III, the Righteous Emperor, is dead – killed alongside the Emerald Champion Daidoji Hachi at the Mountain of the Seven Thunders by an army of the Shadowlands lead by Kyoso no Oni. The entire Emerald Empire is in mourning. This is the first Winter Court without a Toturi on the throne.

Normally, the Emperor sends invitations out for all those he wishes to have attend his Winter Court. This year, the Imperial Family has issued no such invitations. Instead, the Daimyos of the greatest of Rokugan’s houses are attending the Imperial Capital along with the remaining Toturi siblings, Kaneka and Sezaru, to deliberate on who will become the next Emperor. They will decide who will ascend to Emperor.

The coronation is to take place in Toshi Ranbo during the New Year celebrations several months from now…

Next: The Mountain Witch, part 1

Player Characters

Here are the Player Characters for the Burning Sands Campaign:

Bayushi Ryu
Scorpion Clan
Bayushi Courtier
Rnk: 2
Inst: 151
Glory: 1.0
Honor: 1.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 3, Air 3, Void 3

Skills: Caligraphy 1, Courtier 3, Deceit 1, Etiquette 3, Investigation 1, Stealth 2, Acting 1, Iaijutsu 2, Kenjutsu 3, Defence 2, Kyujutsu 2

Techniques: Weakness is My Strength, Shallow Waters

Advantages/Disadvantages: Dangerous Beauty, True Love, Lechery, Dark Secret (Maho Tsukai Ancestor), Heros End Heritage Roll

Background: Bayushi Ryu is a Courtier from the Scorpion Clan. He is married with two children, yet he is in love with Yori, formally of the Shosuro family but now married to his brother. He wholeheartedly believes in Bushido despite his family's misgivings. His early family life was not good and his father hates him (although he is not sure of the reason why). His mother loves him and has supported him through his most trusted servant, Hiroko.

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Daidoji Jin
Crane
Daidoji Yojimbo
Rnk: 2
Inst: 154
Glory: 1.0
Honor: 3.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 3, Air 3, Void 4

Techniques: The Force of Honor, Wielding the Inner Fire

Skills: Battle 1, Defence 3, Iaijutsu 2, Kenjutsu 4, Kyujutsu 1, Etiquette 1, Lore 1, Tea Ceremony 1

Advantages/Disadvantages: Sworn Enemy, Bitter Betrothal

Background: A proud Daidoji yojimbo, Jin bested Matsu Hira in a Kenjutsu tournament and boasted of his win to everyone who would hear. Hira, being a proud Matsu samurai-ko hated him for this and every time they have met since, their enmity grows. They have had several duels, including one to first blood. Little do they know, they are destined to be betrothed to each other because of a deal struck between their respective Daimyos.

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Doji Noriyaki
Crane
Asahina Shugenja
Rnk: 1
Inst: 135
Glory: 1.0
Honor 3.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 2 (Int 3), Air 3 (Aware 4), Void 3
Magic: Affinity to Air Magic

Spells: not yet listed

Skills: Calligraphy 1, Etiquette 3, Meditation 3, Theology 1, Investigation 3, Courtier 1, Tea Ceremony 3

Advantages/Disadvantages: Precise Memory, Lost Love, Soft Hearted, Small, Meddler, Inept Ancestor

Background: Doji Noriyaki has always been a bit different. Although he wanted to be a Courtier, he was sent to the Asahina Shugenja school when he displayed talent in talking to the Kami. He combined his passion for the courts with his affinity for speaking with spirits and specializes in Air spells. He was betrothed to Asahina Miya who ran away for reasons he is not sure. After his musha shugyo, he discovered that an ancestor had not lived up to his promises and now it is Noriyaki's duty to maintain the Temple of Kuni Hakira.

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Kakita Kenjiro
Crane
Kakita Duelist
Rnk: 1
Inst: 142
Glory 1.0
Honor 3.5

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 2 (Agility 3), Air 4, Void 3

Techniques: Way of the Crane

Skills: Etiquette 2, Iaijutsu 3, Kenjutsu 1, Kyujutsu 1, Meditation 1, Courtier 2, Tea Ceremony 2

Advantages/Disadvantages: Dark Secret, Nemuranai (Heritage)

Background: Kenjiro was formally Shiba Kenjiro of the Phoenix Clan, but events conspired to make many of his family Crane. His family's dark secret includes very unpleasant events involving the current Imperial Family - so unpleasant that Kenjiro harbours revenge in his heart - he wishes to paint the walls of Toshi Ranbo with the blood of the Toturi. Recently, he was betrothed to Utaku Ying-Lien. Their marriage has been rocky, but he is beginning to appreciate his new wife.

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Utaku Ying-Lien
Unicorn
Utaku Battle Maiden
Rnk: 1
Inst: 143
Glory: 1.5
Honor 3.8

Rings: Earth 2, Water 2, Fire 3, Air 3, Void 2

Techniques: Riding in Harmony

Skills: Battle 2, Defence 2, Horsemanship 3, Kenjutsu 2, Kyujutsu 3, Polearms 1, Games 1, Divination 1, Medicine 1, Iaijutsu 2, Etiquette 2, Animal Handling 2, Athletics 2

Advantages/Disadvantages: Gullible, Overconfidence, Cannot Lie, Fascination: Gaijin Lore, Absolute Direction, Irreproachable, Luck 2, Ancestor: Imperial Magistrate

Background: Fourth child of a Utaku Battle Maiden and a Ide Courtier, Ying-Lien has always had an enthusiastic, if not naive air about her. She expresses her emotions much more than is appropriate for a Rokugani and this has gotten her into trouble in the past. Her parents married her to a Crane in the hopes that her exposure to such a refined Clan will smooth some of her rougher edges.

The Burning Sands

Welcome to the Burning Sands Campaign

This is a blog for the Legend of the Five Rings campaign wherein the characters will venture to the Burning Sands and (maybe) return.

The campaign does not begin in the Burning Sands, though. It begins in Rokugan during the winter of 1168. The Emperor has died - killed by oni at the Mountain of the Seven Thunders. The player characters are minor samurai - most of whom are from the Crane Clan. They are meeting at the Daidoji Winter Court when the campaign begins.