Primer for New Players (Resource)
Posted: Fri Jul 24, 2020 7:17 am
A Primer for Players New to the Legend of the Five Rings
In this game, you play as a samurai serving one of the seven Great Clans of Rokugan, a Minor Clan, smaller specialized clans who were created with permission from the Emperor to conduct a specific task, A ronin, or one who has lost their clan and lord either from being cast out for an unacceptable action, or from being born into the role, or a Foreigner, known as "Gaijin", who are exploring the wondrous land of Rokugan despite the great personal risk of the fact that if you are discovered to be a foreigner, you are likely to be executed.
You are sworn to fight in the name of your lord and clan, uphold the laws of the Emerald Empire, and comport yourself with honor, as your words and deeds reflect on your family. Your birth determined your role in society, and your ancestors’ traditions are now yours to carry on. You endeavor to live in accordance the seven tenets of Bushidō, but you are only human. Your duty will conflict with your desires, and happiness is fleeting. Your death will determine whether you are remembered or forgotten.
At the top of the Celestial Order is the Emperor and the Imperial Families. The families of the Great Clans owe fealty to the Emperor, and each family has a hierarchy of lords and vassals. The gods, or kami, inhabit the world alongside humankind and other supernatural creatures.
Your clan dictates your role in the Empire, your values, and your strengths:
-The Crab Clan defends the Wall that keeps the Shadowlands at bay. They value Courage above all and are known for their pragmatism.
-The Crane Clan creates harmony between people and the arts. They value Courtesy above all and strive for perfection in all things.
-The Dragon Clan reflects on the world and seeks out its wisdom. They value Sincerity above all and are the most individualistic.
-The Lion Clan musters the Empire’s armies and guides them to victory. They value Honor above all and are the most traditional.
-The Phoenix Clan serves the spirits of the land and studies the mysteries of the heavens. They value Righteousness above all and are naturally mystical.
-The Scorpion Clan uses underhanded tactics so the other clans don’t have to. They value Duty and Loyalty above all and are highly cunning.
-The Unicorn Clan builds bridges between Rokugan and the rest of the world. They value Compassion above all, and their horsemanship is unsurpassed.
Each clan bids its samurai to study the skills and techniques of a particular school:
-As a bushi, you’ve studied the martial arts and battlefield tactics.
-As a courtier, you’ve studied government, history, and diplomacy.
-As a monk, you practice meditation and other forms of self-development to achieve Enlightenment and help others.
-As a shinobi, you’ve learned the arts of ninjutsu and spycraft.
-As a shugenja, you’ve studied the spirit realms and how to invoke the kami.
-As an artisan, you’ve learned to create functional and aesthetic works of art.
You’ll overcome obstacles by channeling your inner attributes, reflected in the Five Rings:
-The Air Ring represents grace, perceptiveness, cunning, and precision.
-The Earth Ring represents resilience, memory, patience, and discipline.
-The Fire Ring represents passion, invention, candor, and ferocity.
-The Water Ring represents adaptability, awareness, gregariousness, and power.
-The Void Ring represents mysticism, wisdom, intuition, and instinct.
Your birthright, choices, and achievements will affect your social standing:
-Your Honor reflects how seriously you take adherence to the tenets of Bushidō.
-Your Glory reflects how highly esteemed you are by your lord, and how far your name has traveled.
-Your Status reflects your caste and rank
In this game, you play as a samurai serving one of the seven Great Clans of Rokugan, a Minor Clan, smaller specialized clans who were created with permission from the Emperor to conduct a specific task, A ronin, or one who has lost their clan and lord either from being cast out for an unacceptable action, or from being born into the role, or a Foreigner, known as "Gaijin", who are exploring the wondrous land of Rokugan despite the great personal risk of the fact that if you are discovered to be a foreigner, you are likely to be executed.
You are sworn to fight in the name of your lord and clan, uphold the laws of the Emerald Empire, and comport yourself with honor, as your words and deeds reflect on your family. Your birth determined your role in society, and your ancestors’ traditions are now yours to carry on. You endeavor to live in accordance the seven tenets of Bushidō, but you are only human. Your duty will conflict with your desires, and happiness is fleeting. Your death will determine whether you are remembered or forgotten.
At the top of the Celestial Order is the Emperor and the Imperial Families. The families of the Great Clans owe fealty to the Emperor, and each family has a hierarchy of lords and vassals. The gods, or kami, inhabit the world alongside humankind and other supernatural creatures.
Your clan dictates your role in the Empire, your values, and your strengths:
-The Crab Clan defends the Wall that keeps the Shadowlands at bay. They value Courage above all and are known for their pragmatism.
-The Crane Clan creates harmony between people and the arts. They value Courtesy above all and strive for perfection in all things.
-The Dragon Clan reflects on the world and seeks out its wisdom. They value Sincerity above all and are the most individualistic.
-The Lion Clan musters the Empire’s armies and guides them to victory. They value Honor above all and are the most traditional.
-The Phoenix Clan serves the spirits of the land and studies the mysteries of the heavens. They value Righteousness above all and are naturally mystical.
-The Scorpion Clan uses underhanded tactics so the other clans don’t have to. They value Duty and Loyalty above all and are highly cunning.
-The Unicorn Clan builds bridges between Rokugan and the rest of the world. They value Compassion above all, and their horsemanship is unsurpassed.
Each clan bids its samurai to study the skills and techniques of a particular school:
-As a bushi, you’ve studied the martial arts and battlefield tactics.
-As a courtier, you’ve studied government, history, and diplomacy.
-As a monk, you practice meditation and other forms of self-development to achieve Enlightenment and help others.
-As a shinobi, you’ve learned the arts of ninjutsu and spycraft.
-As a shugenja, you’ve studied the spirit realms and how to invoke the kami.
-As an artisan, you’ve learned to create functional and aesthetic works of art.
You’ll overcome obstacles by channeling your inner attributes, reflected in the Five Rings:
-The Air Ring represents grace, perceptiveness, cunning, and precision.
-The Earth Ring represents resilience, memory, patience, and discipline.
-The Fire Ring represents passion, invention, candor, and ferocity.
-The Water Ring represents adaptability, awareness, gregariousness, and power.
-The Void Ring represents mysticism, wisdom, intuition, and instinct.
Your birthright, choices, and achievements will affect your social standing:
-Your Honor reflects how seriously you take adherence to the tenets of Bushidō.
-Your Glory reflects how highly esteemed you are by your lord, and how far your name has traveled.
-Your Status reflects your caste and rank