Legend of the Five Rings Core Rulebook

Table of Contents
Introduction
	Welcome to Roleplaying in the Emerald Empire
		What is a Roleplaying Game
		What is Needed to Play?
	The World of Rokugan
		The Code of Bushido
		The Samurais Struggle
		The Way of the Five Rings
	Samurai and Society
		Government and Power
		Crime and Punishment
		Commerce and Currency
	The Celestial Order
		Those Who Serve
		Those Who Work
		Those Who Do Not Belong
	A Samurai’s Life
		Training
		Marriage
		Retirement
		Funeral
		A Life Without Purpose
	The Code of Bushidō
		Compassion (Jin)
		Courage (Yū)
		Courtesy (Rei)
		Duty and Loyalty (Chūgi)
		Honor (Meiyo)
		Righteousness (Gi)
		Sincerity (Makoto)
	The Land of Ten Thousand Fortunes
		Mortal Intermediaries
	The Great Clans
		The Crab Clan
		The Crane Clan
		The Dragon Clan
		The Lion Clan
		The Phoenix Clan
		The Scorpion Clan
		The Unicorn Clan
		The Imperial Families
	The Minor Clans
		Minor Clans of Note
Chapter 1: Playing the Game
	Goals of the Game
		Players
		The Game Master
	Custom Dice
		Roll and Keep
		Ring Dice
		Skill Dice
		Dice Symbols
	Making a Check
		When to Make a Check
		Steps of a Check
		Narrating A Checks Results
	Additional Rules for Checks
		Assistance
		Bonus Successesand Shortfall
		Checks to Resist Effects
		Competitive Checks
		Minimum TN
		Modifying the Dice Pool
		Targeting and Checks
	Using Opportunity
		as a Descriptor
		as a Narrative Tool
	Using Strife
		Accumulating Strife
		Comparing Strife to Composure
		Removing Strife
	Compromised
		Becoming Compromised
		Unmasking
	The Character
		The Five Rings
		Skill Ranks
		Advantages and Disadvantages
		Derived Att ributes
		Void Points
		Honor, Glory, and Status
		Ninjō (Desire) and Giri (Duty)
		Complications
Chapter 2: Creating a Character
	The Game of Twenty Questions
		Limits on Skills and Rings
	Part I: Core Identity (Clan and Family)
		1. What clan does yourcharacter belong to?
			The Crab Clan
			The Crane Clan
			The Dragon Clan
			The Lion Clan
			The Phoenix Clan
			The Scorpion Clan
			The Unicorn Clan
		2. What family does your character belong to?
			Crab Clan Families
			Crane Clan Families
			Dragon Clan Families
			Lion Clan Families
			Phoenix Clan Families
			Scorpion Clan Families
			Unicorn Clan Families
	Part II: Role and School
		3. What is your characters school,and what roles doesthat school fall into?
			Hida Defender School [Bushi]
			Hiruma Scout School [Bushi, Shinobi]
			Kaiu Engineer School [Artisan, Bushi]
			Kuni Purifier School [Shugenja, Bushi]
			Yasuki Merchant School [Courtier]
			Asahina Artificer School[Shugenja, Artisan]
			Daidoji Iron Warrior School [Bushi]
			Doji Diplomat School [Courtier]
			Kakita Duelist School [Bushi, Artisan]
			Agasha Mystic School [Shugenja]
			Kitsuki Investigator School[Courtier, Bushi]
			Mirumoto Two-HeavensAdept School [Bushi]
			Togashi Tattooed Order [Monk]
			Akodo Commander School [Bushi]
			Ikoma Bard School [Courtier]
			Kitsu Medium School [Shugenja]
			Matsu Berserker School [Bushi]
			Asako Loremaster School [Courtier]
			Isawa Elementalist School [Shugenja]
			Shiba Guardian School [Bushi, Courtier]
			Kaito Shrine Keeper School [Monk]
			Bayushi Manipulator School [Courtier]
			Shosuro Infiltrator School[Shinobi, Courtier]
			Soshi Illusionist School[Shugenja, Courtier, Shinobi]
			Yogo Wardmaster School [Shugenja]
			Ide Trader School [Courtier]
			Iuchi Meishōdō Master School[Shugenja, Artisan]
			Moto Conqueror School [Bushi]
			Shinjo Outrider School [Bushi, Courtier]
			Utaku Battle Maiden School [Bushi]
			Worldly Rōnin Path [Bushi, Courtier]
		4. How does yourcharacter stand outwithin their school?
	Part III: Honor and Glory
		5. Who is your lord and what isyour charactersduty to them?
			Selecting Ones Giri Properly
		6. What does yourcharacter long for,and how might thisimpede their duty?
			Selecting One’s Ninjō Properly
		7. What is yourcharactersrelationship withtheir clan?
		8. What does yourcharacter thinkof Bushidō?All samurai are supposed to respect
	Part IV: Strengths and Weaknesses
		9. What is your characters greatest accomplishment so far?
		10. What holds your character back the most in life?
		11. What activity Most makes your character feel at peace?
		12. What concern, fear,or foible troubles your character the most?
		13. Who has your character learnedthe most from during their life?
	Part V: Personality and Behavior
		14. What do people notice first upon encountering your character?
		15. How does your character react to stressful situations?
			Using Strife and Unmasking for Roleplaying
		16. What are your characters preexisting relationships with other clans, families,organizations, and traditions?
	Part VI: Ancestry and Family
		17. How would your characters parents describe them?
		18. Who was your character named to honor?
		19. What is your characters personal name?
	Part VII: Death
		20. How should yourcharacter die?
	Experience Points and Character Advancement
		Awarding xp
		Advancing in a School
	Advantages and Disadvantages
		Types of Advantages and Disadvantages
		Categories of Advantages and Disadvantages
		Gaining Advantages and Disadvantages
	Using Advantages and Disadvantages in Play
		Narrative Use
		Turning Advantages and Disadvantages
	Specific Advantages
		Specific Distinctions
			Ally [Name] (Water)
			Ambidexterity (Air)
			Bentens Blessing (Air)
			Bishamons Blessing (Water)
			Blac kmail on [Name] (Fire)
			Blessed Lineage (Void)
			Blissful Betrothal (Water)
			Daikokus Blessing (Water)
			Dangerous Allure (Fire)
			Ebisus Blessing (Earth)
			Famously Honest (Air)
			Famously Lucky (Void)
			Famously Reliable (Earth)
			Famously Successful (Fire)
			Famously Wealthy (Water)
			Flexibility (Water)
			Fukurokujins Blessing (Fire)
			Indomita ble Will (Earth)
			Jurojins Blessing (Void)
			Keen Balance (Earth)
			Keen Hearing (Air)
			Keen Sight (Water)
			Keen Smell (Fire)
			Karmic Tie (Void)
			Kisshōten’s Blessing (Water)
			Large Stat ure (Earth)
			Paragon of a BushidōTenet (Various)
			Precise Memory (Earth)
			Quick Reflexes (Fire)
			Seasoned (Void)
			Sixth Sense (Void)
			Small Stat ure (Air)
			Subtle Observer (Air)
			Support of [One Group] (Water)
		Specific Passions
			Animal Bond (Earth)
			Armament (Earth)
			Brushwork (Air)
			Curiosity (Fire)
			Daredevil (Fire)
			Enlightenment (Void)
			Fashion (Fire)
			Fortune-Telling (Void)
			Generosity (Wat er)
			Gossip (Air)
			History (Earth)
			Ikebana (Water)
			Playfulness (Air)
			Provocat ion (Fire)
			Sake (Water)
			Secrets (Void)
			Stories (Earth)
			Tea (Void)
			Travel (Water)
	Specific Disadvantages
		Specific Adversities
			Bentens Curse (Air)
			Bishamons Curse (Water)
			Bitter Betrothal (Wat er)
			Black mailed by [Characters Name] (Air)
			Blindness (Water)
			Bluntness (Air)
			Clumsiness (Fire)
			Cognitive Lapses (Void)
			Daikokus Curse (Water)
			Damaged Heart or Organ (Earth)
			Deafness (Air)
			Discomfiting Countenance (Air)
			Disdain for a Bushidō Tenet (Various)
			Ebisus Curse (Earth)
			Fractured Spine (Earth)
			Fukurokujins Curse (Fire)
			Gaijin Name, Culture,or Appearance (Fire)
			Haunting (Void)
			Incurable Illness (Earth)
			Jurōjin’s Curse (Void)
			Kisshōten’s Curse (Water)
			Lost Arm or Lost Hand (Fire)
			Lost Eye (Water)
			Lost Fingers (Fire)
			Lost Leg (Water)
			Lost Memories (Void)
			Maimed Arm (Fire)
			Maimed Visage (Air)
			Momoku (Void)
			Muteness (Air)
			Nerve Damage (Air)
			Scorn of [One Group] (Water)
			Shadowlands Taint (Air)
			Shadowlands Taint (Earth)
			ShadowlandsTaint (Fire)
			Shadowlands Taint (Void)
			Shadowlands Taint (Water)
			Sworn Enemy (Earth)
			Whispers of Cruelty (Earth)
			Whispers of Doom (Void)
			Whispers of Failure (Fire)
			Whispers of Poverty (Wat er)
			Whispers of Treac hery (Air)
		Specific Anxieties
			Addiction (Earth)
			Battle Trauma (Fire)
			Cynicism (Fire)
			Dark Secret (Void)
			Delusions of Grandeur (Void)
			Fear of Death (Earth)
			Ferocity (Air)
			Impatience (Earth)
			Intolerance (Water)
			Irrepressible Flirtation (Earth)
			Jealousy (Air)
			Materialism (Void)
			Meekness (Fire)
			Painful Honesty (Air)
			Paranoia (Water)
			Perfectionism (Water)
			Phobia (Water)
			Softheartedness (Fire)
			Superstition (Void)
	Creating Custom Advantages and Disadvantages
		Custom Advantage and Disadvantage Concepts
		Developing a Custom Advantage or Disadvantage
Chapter 3: Skills
	Skills and Checks
	Skill Groups
	Breakdown of a Skill
		Description
		Approaches
		Sample Tasks, Target Numbers (TNs), and Times
	Choosing Skill Group, Skill, and Approach
		Using Approaches from Other Skill Groups
	Artisan Skill Group
		Elemental Approaches for Artisan Skills
			Restore Approach (Earth Ring)
			Adapt Approach (Water Ring)
			Invent Approach (Fire Ring)
			Refine Approach (Air Ring)
			Attune Approach (Void Ring)
		Artisan Skills
			Aesthetics
			Composition
			Design
			Smithing
	Social Skill Group
		Elemental Approaches for Social Skills
			Reason Approach (Earth Ring)
			Charm Approach (Water Ring)
			Incite Approach (Fire Ring)
			Trick Approach (Air Ring)
			Enlighten Approach (Void Ring)
		Social Skills
			Command
			Courtesy
			Games
			Performance
	Scholar Skill Group
		Elemental Approaches for Scholar Skills
			Recall Approach (Earth Ring)
			Survey Approach (Water Ring)
			Theorize Approach (Fire Ring)
			Analyze Approach (Air Ring)
			Sense Approach (Void Ring)
		Scholar Skills
			Culture
			Government
			Medicine
			Sentiment
			Theology
	Martial Skill Group
		Elemental Approaches for Martial Skills
			Withstand Approach (Earth Ring)
			Shift Approach (Water Ring)
			Overwhelm Approach (Fire Ring)
			Feint Approach (Air Ring)
			Sacrifice Approach (Void Ring)
		Martial Skills
			Fitness
			Martial Arts [Melee]
			Martial Arts [Ranged]
			Martial Arts [Unarmed]
			Meditation
			Tactics
	Trade Skill Group
		Elemental Approaches for Trade Skills
			Produce Approach (Earth Ring)
			Exchange Approach (Water Ring)
			Innovate Approach (Fire Ring)
			Con Approach (Air Ring)
			Subsist Approach (Void Ring)
		Trade Skills
			Commerce
			Labor
			Seafaring
			Skulduggery
			Survival
Chapter 4: Techniques
	What are Techniques?
		Technique Structure
	Kata
		Kata Categories
			General Kata
				Battle in the Mind Rank 3
				Breath of Wind Style Rank 4
				Crashing Wave Style Rank 4
				Crescent Moon Style Rank 2
				Crimson Leaves Strike Rank 3
				Disappearing World Style Rank 4
				Flowing Water Strike Rank 3
				Heartpiercing Strike Rank 3
				Iron in the Mountains Style Rank 4
				Lord Hidas Grip (Crab) Rank 2
				Lord Shibas Valor (Phoenix) Rank 2
				Soaring Slice Rank 1
				Soul Sunder Rank 5
				Striking as Air Rank 1
				Striking as Earth Rank 1
				Striking as Fire Rank 1
				Striking as Void Rank 5
				Striking as Water Rank 1
				Tactical Assessment Rank 2
				Warriors Resolve Rank 1
			Close Combat Kata
				Coiling Serpent Style Rank 2
				Iaijutsu Cut: Crossing Blade Rank 2
				Iaijutsu Cut: Rising Blade Rank 2
				Iron Forest Style Rank 2
				Open-Hand Style Rank 2
				Rushing Avalanche Style Rank 2
				Spinning Blades Style Rank 2
				Thunderclap Strike Rank 3
				Veiled Menace Style Rank 2
			Ranged Combat Kata
				Hawks Precision Rank 1
				Pelting Hail Style Rank 2
				Pin the Fan Rank 5
	Kihō
		Earth Kihō
			Cleansing Spirit Rank 1
			Earth Needs No Eyes Rank 1
			Earthen Fist Rank 1
			Grasp the Earth Dragon Rank 3
			Way of the Earthquake Rank 2
		Air Kihō
			Air Fist Rank 1
			Riding the Clouds Rank 2
			The Great Silence Rank 1
			Way of the Willow Rank 3
			Breaking Blow Rank 1
			Channel the Fire Dragon Rank 2
			Flame Fist Rank 1
			The Body Is an Anvil Rank 1
			Way of the Falling Star Rank 3
		Water Kihō
			Freezing the Lifeblood Rank 2
			Ki Protection Rank 1
			Ride the Water Dragon Rank 3
			Water Fist Rank 1
			Way of the Seafoam Rank 1
		Void Kihō
			Death Touch Rank 4
			Still the Elements Rank 3
			Touch the Void Dragon Rank 5
			Way of the Edgeless Sword Rank 5
	Invocations
		Spending Opportunity on Invocations
		Proper Offerings
		Channeling
		Spiritual Backlash
		Air Invocations
			Blessed Wind Rank 1
			By the Light of the Lord Moon Rank 1
			Call Upon the Wind Rank 2
			Cloak of Night Rank 1
			False Realm of the Fox Spirits Rank 4
			Grasp of the Air Dragon Rank 3
			Mask of Wind Rank 2
			Natures Touch Rank 1
			Rise, Air Rank 4
			Secrets on the Wind Rank 2
			Summon Fog Rank 2
			Tempest of Air Rank 1
			Token of Memory Rank 1
			Vapor of Nightmares Rank 3
			Wrath of Kaze-no-Kami Rank 5
			Yari of Air Rank 1
		Earth Invocations
			Armor of Earth Rank 1
			Bind the Shadow Rank 2
			Caress of Earth Rank 1
			Courage of Seven Thunders Rank 1
			Earthquake Rank 4
			Earth Becomes Sky Rank 3
			Embrace of Kenro-Ji-Jin Rank 2
			Grasp of Earth Rank 1
			Jade Strike Rank 1
			Jurōjin’s Balm Rank 1
			Power of the Earth Dragon Rank 3
			Rise, Earth Rank 4
			Symbol of Earth Rank 2
			Tetsubō of Earth Rank 1
			Tomb of Jade Rank 5
			Wall of Earth Rank 1
		Fire Invocations
			Armor of Radiance Rank 2
			Biting Steel Rank 1
			Breath of the Fire Dragon Rank 3
			Extinguish Rank 1
			Fukurokujins Wit Rank 1
			Fury of Osano-wo Rank 3
			Katana of Fire Rank 1
			Matsu\'s Battlecry Rank 1
			Ravenous Swarms Rank 3
			Rise, Flame Rank 4
			The Cleansing Fire Rank 1
			The Fires from Within Rank 1
			The Souls Blade Rank 5
			Wall of Fire Rank 2
			Wings of the Phoenix Rank 4
		Water Invocations
			Bō of Water Rank 1
			Dance of Seasons Rank 2
			Dominion of Suijin Rank 1
			Ever-Changing Waves Rank 5
			Hands of the Tides Rank 3
			Heart of the Water Dragon Rank 2
			Inaris Blessing Rank 1
			Path to Inner Peace Rank 1
			Reflections of Pan Ku Rank 1
			Rise, Water Rank 4
			Stride the Waves Rank 2
			Strike the Tsunami Rank 3
			Suijins Embrace Rank 4
			Sympathetic Energies Rank 2
			The Rushing Wave Rank 1
	Rituals
		Cleansing Rite Rank 1
		Commune with the Spirits Rank 1
		Divination Rank 1
		Tea Ceremony Rank 2
		Threshold Barrier Rank 1
	Shūji
		Air Shūji
			Artisans Appraisal Rank 2
			Bend with the Storm Rank 5
			Cadence Rank 1
			Feigned Opening Rank 2
			Prey on the Weak Rank 2
			Rustling of Leaves Rank 1
			The Wind Blows Both Ways Rank 3
			Whispers of Court Rank 1
			Wolfs Proposal Rank 4
		Earth Shūji
			Ancestry Unearthed Rank 1
			Civility Foremost Rank 2
			Honest Assessment Rank 1
			Pillar of Calm Rank 4
			Stonewall Tactics Rank 1
			Touchstone of Courage Rank 3
			The Immovable Hand of Peace Rank 5
			Weight of Duty Rank 1
		Fire Shūji
			Bravado Rank 4
			Dazzling Performance Rank 3
			Fanning the Flames Rank 2
			Lightning Raid Rank 2
			Rallying Cry Rank 3
			Sear the Wound Rank 5
			Sensational Distraction Rank 1
			Stirring the Embers Rank 1
			Truth Burns through Lies Rank 1
		Water Shūji
			All in Jest Rank 1
			Buoyant Arrival Rank 5
			Ebb and Flow Rank 3
			Regal Bearing Rank 4
			Shallow Waters Rank 1
			Slippery Maneuvers Rank 2
			Tributaries of Trade Rank 2
			Well of Desire Rank 1
		Void Shūji
			All Arts Are One Rank 3
			A Samurais Fate Rank 4
			Courtiers Resolve Rank 1
			Lady Dojis Decree (Crane) Rank 2
			Lady Shinjos Speed (Unicorn) Rank 2
			Lord Akodos Roar (Lion) Rank 2
			Lord Bayushis Whispers (Scorpion) Rank 2
			Lord Togashis Insight (Dragon) Rank 2
			Rouse the Soul Rank 5
	Mahō
		Learning Mahō
		Proper Sacrifices
		Spiritual Backlash
		Channeling Mahō
			Incite Haunting Rank 1
			Grip of Anguish Rank 1
			Mark of Desecration Rank 1
			Sinful Whispers Rank 1
			Unholy Fervor Rank 1
	Ninjutsu
		Skulk Rank 1
		Deadly Sting Rank 2
		Noxious Cloud Rank 3
		Silencing Stroke Rank 4
Chapter 5: Equipment
	Samurai and Money
		Buying and Selling Items
		Requisitioning Items
	Weapons
		Attributes of a Weapon
		Readied Weapons
		Sheathed Weapons
		Swords
		Blunt Weapons
		Hand Weapons
		Polearms
		Bows
		Crossbows
		Specialist Weapons
	Armor
		Attributes of Armor
		Wearing Armor
		List of Armor
	Item Qualities
	Personal Effects
Chapter 6: Scenes and Conflicts
	Game Sessions
	Scenes
		Types of Scenes
		Beginning and Ending Scenes
	Narrative Scenes
	Downtime Scenes
		Downtime Activities
	Conflict Scenes
		Structured Time
		Conflict Overview
		Detailed Conflict Breakdown
		Actions
		Complicated Tasks and Momentum
	Intrigues
		Social Objectives
		Initiative
		Taking Turns
		Resolving an Intrigue
	Duels
		Setting the Terms
		Concession
		Common Forms of Duels
		Special Rules of Duels
	Skirmishes
		Special Rules for Skirmishes
	Silhouette, Range Bands, and Terrain
		Silhouette
		Range Bands
		Terrain
	Harm and Healing
		Damage
		Critical Strikes
		Falling
		Suffocation
		Death
	Conditions
		Afflicted
		Bleeding
		Burning
		Compromised
		Dazed
		Disoriented
		Dying [X Rounds]
		Enraged
		Exhausted
		Immobilized
		Incapacitated
		Prone
		Silenced
		Unconscious
		Wounded
	Mass Battles
		Rules for Mass Battles
		Armies
		Leaders and Actions
		Strategic Objectives
Chapter 7: The Game Master
	The Role of the GM
		Whos in Charge Here?
		How to start a campaign
		How to run a session
		Managing Players
		Evoking the Legend of the Five Rings Setting
		Offering Choices and Determining Consequences
		Creating Scenarios
		Using Lords and Duty
	Running the Game
		Rules Adjudication
		Multiple elementalApproach Options
		When to Revealor Conceal the TN
		Using Bonus Successesfor Extra Effect
		Applying Advantagesand Disadvantages
		Using Opportunity in Play
		Adding Complications
		Awarding XP
		Character Death and Retirement
	Using Social Attributes
		Honor in Play
		The Tenets of Bushidō
		Glory in Play
		Status in Play
	Alternative Campaign Styles
		Rise from the Dust
		Fate of the Realm
Chapter 8: Non-Player Characters
	NPC Profile Breakdown
		NPC Types
		Demeanors
		Constructing Conflicts
		Adding NPC Templates
	Sample NPCs
	Subjects of Rokugan
		Loyal Bushi
		Humble Peasant
		Seasoned Courtier
		Scholarly Shugenja
		Trained Ashigaru
		Venerable Provincial Daimyō
		Desperate Bandit
		Experienced Bandit
		Skillful Rōnin
	Cultists
		Deadly Bloodspeaker
		Wicked Mahō-Tsukai
		Bushi Skeleton
		Bog Hag
		Shadowlands Goblin
		Sinister Oni
		Zombie Peasant
	Spirits and strange beings
		Forest Troll
		Ki-Rin
		Manifest Air Kami
		Manifest Earth Kami
		Manifest Fire Kami
		Manifest Water Kami
	Animals
		Bear
		Boar
		Cat
		Dog
		Hawk
		Horse (Rokugani Pony)
		Hunting Cat
		Utaku Steed
		Wolf
Educational and Inspirational works
Index
Copyright
Title Page
Dedication
Contents
Chapter 1: ‘I’m thinking’ – Oh, but are you?
Chapter 2: Renegade perception
Chapter 3: The Pushbacker sting
Chapter 4: ‘Covid’: The calculated catastrophe
Chapter 5: There is no ‘virus’
Chapter 6: Sequence of deceit
Chapter 7: War on your mind
Chapter 8: ‘Reframing’ insanity
Chapter 9: We must have it? So what is it?
Chapter 10: Human 2.0
Chapter 11: Who controls the Cult?
Chapter 12: Escaping Wetiko
Postscript
Appendix: Cowan-Kaufman-Morell Statement on Virus Isolation
Bibliography
Index