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    Andrey Leshtaev
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    The sixth of the Way of the Clans series. Notably player and game master information is dispersed throughout the volume, meaning spoiler background and information is not set aside or marked. The second printing makes significant editorial corrections.

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    AEG 3010 - D20 - Legend of The Five Rings - The Way Of The Lion

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    The sixth of the Way of the Clans series. Notably player and game master information is dispersed throughout the volume, meaning spoiler background and information is not set aside or marked. The second printing makes significant editorial corrections.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    239 views128 pages

    AEG 3010 - D20 - Legend of The Five Rings - The Way of The Lion

    Uploaded by

    Andrey Leshtaev
    The sixth of the Way of the Clans series. Notably player and game master information is dispersed throughout the volume, meaning spoiler background and information is not set aside or marked. The second printing makes significant editorial corrections.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 128
    “Any man can be prepared to kill. A samurai is prepared to die.” ~ Akodo Toturi "The Emera of Rokugan, FRPG, and Way of tbe Lion Crettts WRITTEN By PATRICK KAPERA, REE SOESBEE AND JOHN Wick ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY MancELO FicuEROA. RavMonD L/ JennireR Mane, Jim Pinto, Ros Vaux, Davip Wintiams Game System By Davip WILLIAMS AND JOHN Wick Cover Artwork: Ranpy GALLEGos | InTERIOR ARTWORK: AUDREY CORMAN, Liz Danrorta, Cris DORNAUs, JASON FELIX, CARL FRANK, SCOTT JAMES, SCOTT JOHNSON, KC Lancaster, Braptey K. McDevitt, Ramon Perez, Brian Snoopy Mars: JEFF LANREN Artwork Prepress: Cris Donnas, Steve Houcn Line Error: DJ. Trinoue Epminc: DJ. TRINDLE, REE SOESBEE. JOHN Wick Inremor Lavoun Steve Hoven. Parrick Karena. Ros Vaux 2ND PrinTiNG CoRRECTiONs: Ros VAux Marcelo wrote The Art of War appendix nd was our mitary advisor Jim wrote ate or wo and was a reat Kea ampoline Jennifer defined igo and tured the Katsu rom a nebulous ato something spily Dave and Ray oa resident tactics) made Leadohipinpratioal rater than Jus instructional nally special thanks to the cast and crew of Saving Pricate Ryan. rcv tthe eleventh our (ah thirty sends to go) and put us Back on he path. ‘Ths book is espectlly dedeted to Dave Willams and Dave Sexy ~ "Te fire ut Shins eveything he knows aout seaegy and tactics ‘The sro knows moe about courage han any of ws ever wil. Legend ofthe Five Ringsis © and ™ 1998-9 Five Rings Publishing Group In andi ed here under leense reat of the Lino... e eee ee ee ee eee Chapter One The Noble Lion .......e eee $ Chapter To: The Fambes of the Lion . Chapter Three: Character . . Chapter Four: Who's Who ...... Chagtor Ewe Chavacter Templates . Append T: The Art of War vee eceeees “4 Apgendx Th The Wars of the Lion... +. 108 Apgentx TOL: The Lands of the Lion... 110 | Aypendx TV: The Spintual Wold... 116 | Apgendx V: Two Lion Clan Decks ....... Map of Shiro Akodo wees eee eee Lion Clan Character Sheets ‘Te dowd raced the wid from eget ge col the sky’srigt ble expanse A thousand rears ‘coed all merging ina seam of war Armies wth right banners ried a thousand swords to ‘he heavens, daring the darkness o oppose them. aa ak ‘That is where it bepns Its the middle and the end forall things are a cece. anda lesons an be sen nthe fates of our cles aecak ‘A wart, his ej shining. turned i a Lady. “te wil be glorious, Matsa” A thousand tines tnd been sai, and a thousand times she had answered wih 2 tamoltous sere of ar and ride. Akodo looked down, watching his solders ‘march, shaking the earth. His. plamed helm tiple inthe wind ashe held the reins of his horse gh Beside him wate a woman wih ces black as death, her lps sttched In an expect sale aevok ‘Ako Aro snd Mata Tak stood on 2 de, thes shining do 0 hes ees nether ae ened teapot tl be © gous be he sid, plight aia in isos ees were bri with oy. is very movement red wh pian confidence. kos only response was 2 ere {Bi wa raed the med Li es ob the pai elow: The sn rsd the horton with ‘blazing fury burning down onthe castle and its army. Toshi Rano wo Shien Shite Rigstho - ‘the Casle of the Lion ~ stolen by Crane iplomacy By Crane cowardice. “It time we took tack the casle of our ancesors” Arnis woke was deat andthe men fm the Held cheered ther weapons eauding the red of the downing sun “Who wil ight at my ie is answer was thunderous bat cy led by ‘he woman at his ight hand. Before the san had sheared the hortzon, the ate was joined Bae To the righ” Akodo howled from his horse, charging beside his legions. “They Dank 10 the right Ske” "The men charged, ther swords cating blody sats in het enemy. The aberrations called up by Akodot brother, screamed the hatred ae they were trampled underfoot Akodo ooked south nd saw Mats’ followers making abot tnd again! ited ont. their hands dipping blood ‘and patton. Matsu was a head above them, tremendows sword in er Rand. Shouting, she aged he largest on Prt othe ight he Blow parryi its cas, and then cut the beasts Teg. Sparks few as the nodacht bit into the ‘gestures metal Sales, and it ered in pin and fay Mote ‘kode smiled. What a wife she wool! have rae! Her swordsmanship was unmatched, ene ‘every man in ber command woud giv his le for he The Lady of Los indeed. Suddenly, with a roa, ogres burst from a rocky lg. fling upon Akodo and his men Sarak “Tako? Araous shout. The duds of dst rated by the hore hake is vice and robbed im of sight Tako” Before him, «Daido spear uit charged the ‘Aode; there was no ime for thought. Arson eat oto the fa, hs faters katana shining daly through the smoke. The bate was nt fing well Each tine the Lion charged the caste the Crane retaited with baring ph and faming of As Arasou removed the head of his opponent, he saw ancterAkodo de Hatred tore ‘ou buy db Hw bene ne oe Arasou leapt atthe Daido. spearing one man tas pee Ss fons to met nes eh Wag nino tant weg a ge ind pe eS Sint ael et ‘Soe ch st Ba at “Se em ne! 8 rt Sed be pth a he soa he hr et hy ed Shel ea ce ph Sa ere oy le Sebo mc aon me istics os“ be sn a is ‘Shed de anc na oo tuneup tesa Si Sen pod sty aoe Akodo sil a he wiped the ogre bond from is katana. Three brave samural had died alan, but they had sen the dark horde de Akodo looked abou. rain spatiering his helmet spony was gone, cut fram beneath him, and he ‘ood sumounded bythe ded. “To the Emperor” he ered. and roe toward be bay ofthe Bate It had gone poorly. Ako sow a tie of ied figures, curing through vhsgan ike a sor, searing sma ele em. Near the Emperor, Kait’s men dence a knot swords covered in blood. Mats stood alone her honor guard destroyed Ser amar was tor, ber fae a mask of fay. ‘do charged ofr, breaking trough the ray wh wide sweeping blows From the ie an ont Sarge him Ado twisted beneath is asi 2 ying die his sword nt sche. It w= fas and hs Blow only sed the sure Sack blood splashed down on Akad fice diag him the oi laughed. Seing oly adows, Akodo pared any movement, acepedaing to gin an advantage ashe wiped he arid igi rom is ees He beard grant and scream, and Tange toward the hulking shadow is blade met bone and cine, bat was for rom his hand. Another ‘moment, but no return tke ‘Akad tried lo se past the pin and blood Standing above hin was a woman, her hat tangled and wild. Her eyes narowed, and she clered him is ord “Mats” Akodo cred, sexing thatthe denon ‘ad fallen, heads, to the wound. She reached fot his arn and dragged hi o his fe. leading hi safety. Many ‘times, he heard the ringing sound of atl, but his eyes could make nothing cer, Men rushed pas and he beard Masa scream anders his mame Finally, in the safety of the Emperors ‘encampment healer atended Akos wounds “Yu wl see aga rm the ight eye my lord, bu the Ie." the man's voc faded une. “Its allright” Akodo murmured.“ do not need two eyes to find my enemy” He paused "Mas? “Here” Her voice had no submision, no reverence. Only the faintest tnge of respect ‘marked her postion as his vasa “Tshould bea your ie” His ce was hash, rough with anger and despa “But that canot happen today. Take the armies" Aer a long ‘moment You were righ “We can never fight side by side, my Lor No rmaler whl you command” Mats whispered. "I vas never meant o be” He ead her laugh once, ‘the ken et lp rased, nd then there was tony sence. lence, and teenies ofthe distant tat ae ‘Te Daido spearmen fell back behind the casl’s moat, allowing the Lon archers to pepper them’ with desdly arows.Touko and ‘Arasou didnot fale, and ther charge oo therm Into the gates. Back to Back, the Akodo and Mats fought her Katana ein through Hone and sh. A hndred soir charged wih them, down the salle of Toh Ranbo wo Shien She Reigsaba “Gero” Arasou howled ths betrothed as he wily raed his Katana, “There has never een su a day A atlery ripped fom Tks ps, and her stokes matched Arsoa¥ vigoisnes. Together they fought, Matsa and. Akodo, with deadly eficeny tr of Dai ep fo bend palkade thie katnas flashing. Tako, with 2 ‘ios roa charged the the, leaping trough their guard and song ove bore they cull react The other wo leveled tht weapons seling wala hey appoacied Behind ey, rasa apt orward 0 noting ‘Toko pans. He eat into the Crane fares wwdly, sword gleaming with bod. The Crane vere sift ut he was fer One sack ati Jeg, But he pared ArasouTept forward twin hs sword as passed ough acter The Crane enained to back away, and rasa charged fle the cling them altar coward, dogs le ct the air as they retreated Shing wher «mao had just stood. As hey didnot retreat ny more. and Arasou found himsl drawn ava. hough the gts, nto the heart of the Dao fre. One fell under his stk, howling a the Lion merce shed through his chest. Another ruck Aros arm. evga blody gah elre hs owe ead was remove by the or lade Thee more ded belt cou each in ther broken alana chitin 00 the sone -Arasou gasped his breath short and farsa cach stoke robe anther Crane of if. "Tako Bo the rest ofthe Lon were ding around Dim, ther charge destroyed by the, Daido ambush Bod poured into the most and more rane came “Tako The pin robbed hs of breath of vision Arson sage swinging his sword ke asthe, his art shaking He looked down at is chest and the bone whispered why apa him “Iss. ko...” His mouth moved, but v0 sound escaped. When the san ded andthe and exploded it darkness Aras knew nly age Baca We sere newer meant to fight side by side my Lond Her words echoed 0 Akodals rind. He ‘watched the monk approach The strange ite tan would ake Mas int he darkness. Akad lowered his head wearily and his inges brushed the pach that covered is ote. 1 tne fr wo. yen” te monk rmurmard “Wil jou remember evening | hhave taught you?” ‘Alo ded weary his and ling to is side Ta Shae sam Al wi be remembered By my words" ‘gous. Then ‘Do you ws speak with her before we go? The monk oked al hel Bare stanag on the ile er lc hai fing Ikea oer nh ik winter se ‘Aka oked once more ten fred my “o.She knows my art Nb words rai” he th ty ma walked ay, werd ang in ods mind "No path i 0 nao that imag mist walk aloe. Beene wih your Drath dandy he nthe seen you veld ou own "Mat" be whigered bul hey were gone aa ek ‘huko kel beloe the tone of the Akad daimyo, er oth of ety ticking ke raw Desh In er trot Aras’ brother sat upon 2 be hd edo rm Between his shoulders He had no grace, no sill with sword, and ite of ArasousHereness In fact this Akodo seemed more of peaceraker than soldier, and his ees ‘wee thee of scholar He was a fol ‘The gory Arasou had brought to the Akodo ‘nad died wih him. Bukos eyes burned as she nmurmared the ancient phrases bing her and her family 10 the new Champion. Binding ber forever 10 this weakwiled rabbit. Arasou my rave Arasou ts good tha ou are dead and ail neve see hat we hee Become. ‘As ahe rose and bowed formal, the new (Champion called to her, "Matsu Tks ‘She glanced up at him, and even he ighily contol vl of obedience could not cover the ple ated inher eyes The man on the throne paused “You hive suffered «gest os. We all have” is eyes caught hers. “Thope tha you and Teas come to an understanding The Clan ofthe Lion ‘mas fight 2s one" “ao stared in fry. seeing only th usurpers face on er Lond throne. “No, my Lord” She whispered. wih ony the faltest ing of respect. We wll never fight as one No matter what you command” She bowed again then and turned to go. “Tso "he questioned his oe filed with sm She turned then, nd here blak eyes at he bone. "ou wil neve Be Aran” "Nat the new Champion of the Lon si, his vole edi wth sudden strength." will be “aur and ou wl fllow my commands Tals sll you eed to Know ‘ako ees sarowed, and her lips ce back ina feral snart The, witheflot she bowed cart. Behind te, the dor si shut with ‘whispered sigh On the polished throne of his ceo the new Champion ofthe Ado house ‘lose is weary eyes. aed Weloome othe sith book in the Wy ofthe lan series. iy of the Lions designed to help 2 Game Master fesh out is own vison of Rokugan most honorable clan Devoted 10 Ahad code of behavior called “bushi the Luoma the quintessential samara How To Use Twis Book We donot intend for this toe the “nal word” regarding the Lion lan. Assaf your Game ‘Master has diflerent von ofthe Lio, expe to ‘meet something enely ferent on the Sel The frst chapier contains anecdotes and sores fom the other ans regarding the Lin, ring you a fe for her phosapy aes The second chapter contains information about the vast history ofthe Lon. Nave of the ster dats devote tach tention a eal 0 ther history a8 the Lion You wal arn bout ‘Ado One, the valiant and tenacious Mas, the mysterious Kits and the dan historian, the Soma ‘Te third chaper contains all the rules you wl ned to eae a Lion character indoding the famous Matsu busi cel, ne rls for creating ‘arma bards, and the ancestor mage ofthe Kis sagen ‘he fouth chapter deals the mot famous ins in Rokogan, induding ther Tras and ‘Skil, ‘The th chapter lis five rendy-to-play charac. Al you have to dois pheaxopy the character sheet oto the book nd you ready tomo. Tasly, we've induded 2 whole bunch of Information on Rokugan'’ famous bates, ‘Akodbs book Leadership, the history and evelopment of Rokupan! tacts ad strategy, {on magi ems Lon ancesiers and more TCs mich easier to speak of Lon posophy than to Ive i Foe Len there iso value in ‘material wealth & politcal power those aze feting and temporary. What samara ows will be hated down by the wings of ine, but what be says and does... thse things Ive on forever Shins said “Choosing betwen two evils is sill choosing evil” To a Lion, hee are no truer ‘word The Log’ pth isthe mast demanding. he ‘most unforgiving. and. Sometimes, the most ‘urewardng of al the dans Bet if you are wing to wa 1 wil show on the way, “And by the end, you wil earn Akos fst eso: A samarais rats strength is ot hat he i ‘ut oat he cam be Vals \ lL . eo Cl Ey fm Chapter One: The Noble f Lion FROM THE JOURNALS OF SHINO GAEMon, Daimyo OF THE Unicorn or seven weks the toma have led among. ‘a hearing our stores ofthe Burning Wises and teaching us the ways of combat witha this foreign ation. We have been ordered by the Emperor to make peace with the Lon afer our ‘ood Dates of recent years It has been a Ail journey to Hd harmony withthe most ‘walk cla inthis nation To further ou flor ‘the Emperor Hane bas dered tha the Thoma daimyo should make his bome with ws forthe ‘pring. returning tothe lands ftir people alter earning our ways and sharing this. ‘The Lon are much ike ws, yet ther ideal of ‘nono? and purpose’ often seem io high-minded to bebe Ther damp, toms Anakaz, speaks often tome, and is chen play wih nie in the fldsaround the cae Our hoses seem strange to them nota ail ke the wilted ponies and mules which they use as batle seeds. Yet ‘these Lon are ot only silo learn. but sit to apply that knowledge to farther ther combat st, Yesterday, 261s with Anakazn and ses the finer points of mounted strategy, hs wile approached us bowing low belre her husband “Oar dil” se said calmly her face peace al ease "s ising my husband” took him some Ume to answer, a8 is attention remained focused on ala! pasing by ‘stream, When bespoke his voice was sai as hers. “Sead the samara o search thei the (quaes and the rive” His dismissing nod sent he to her fet'stidng bak the way she came ‘on women. Where most women walk, thse ste ~ wher women shoul! ba an se, they ar sled, andre af you with the mad snevng gaze. They are very Uke oar Bale Males, oral th he Boma are send hee omen wat The evening pase, an he sn began ost ‘yond the hgh montis of our Boel. ‘Anahanis wile retard, bt siding Te child seemed ad not retard. The mgt seed ad no word came fom oe es 00 less for ssn, no wal fom the bereaved ‘oh oly sence. andthe dar of tang {hat went ong int te kein ng ‘When he sun aro poke to Anka sis ve served us bred “Shall have the ‘oe ess er? Tin re your ld ae Somewhere thse sal he pts cn be Config MY en yb of we yu "he Lon dalmyo looked a me the, hs ze smeared ith ple pe bese thet tight be aprpete ~ but not unt your men ‘ave comple ths morning inn. Al ings ‘nt ne” ‘As Tooked in is wile, new thal hey would sever have mked me fr asstance ‘Ahh er grad shoe el er garded tua te hd ook! ve ben leven ‘he rocky ld ofthe Unc etre they asked for ip trom a stranger ren afer ig mong, ‘for seven wees the ba wool nt allow theses to admit any weakness Pthps te Chl wold heed do ot know: AT ow Sth every Lio I veer mel elo ne ‘oul have done th sae ‘We sercel fr the cd thoughout the morning ntl the sous of my men dered that thy had fon hr Anan and ace the spot to se what had oad. When we are one of te Shijo hose guard was ncn bese he yl toot ad is and shaking. Whitt he seveed the ead rom a black per the gil was standing pn Her ot landed jt behind the Bead of the serpent planing Itt te ground wit ber slit weight Anata wife kn bea ber teary hl and guthered the the eral sa fer ars "She most have Bon sanding on ht sake al night” one ofthe guards sad echering the Body fhe pr ato sack" se ied hr fot wouldve tener ble se ould get toy. Sre a al, ed ave Ben cold by the tine we fond He lke pat me and tte te sgg ine mor arms “This litle one is a brave girl, Lady Tkoma-sama. tral yr dle? Anata wend ese rhb. he ler ans en) sep" hae on one hse alse ake no er suns es and her vor rng wih pie. "Be at Si seater ‘othe wae av. fama dango ued toe his voce ca ant cote “Ta sale" be pa ti yb eid at do you perl cal ‘kao aaa my Lad. The word eat yt de” Tie nodded ad tpt we wand is Lady ary the faire te Lio ak he al = people A TREATISE ON THE HEART OF Tue Lion Ctan, sy Dow Horun: For the past month | have travel throegh on teres as my father bade me, gathering ‘cove of their ways and learing think as ao ha my fater and his generals can ~er understand our enemies. By command of sr Emperor the wari o ease a onc, and ofeach house wl be ostred tothe ether courage peace Between us Sy the Imperial My father bas decreed that my brother, sana wil come here. Ako Tatar wil see is fsterage personaly It with igh of that my cldhood rend as ape care = Kaanan, and T Know that all wil be el. “art and T have spet mach tie toetber in J Seve orn hom fr he sae of te cn The iyo ofthe Aloo fs hi alsin J rec rig ion not 0 ranisern Ma of the ef he Ade diy ke sin arom the lands he Len Exped ‘nd neptns wi the pra Cou the Sid iyo oe este al gk 0 he Ma Ths mpl he la sot ght tc fe ingle tnt dpe fig leon in Rou athe: the Aad ae rae of the el ‘= on sd te expected operon dts a teow an eu a aly a thy nls th fata, Wh tra ae he dens othe Lis the Akos ee ie PREPARATION FOR WAR ‘The most sential meat of embat power i leadership. Wihoot a lede, an army wil rout tnd be defeated. More than this, howeve i the power of capable and competent leadership. A weltained leader wil provide purpose, direction and motivation, both in combat and in times of race, “The Akodo know this premise, and lie by i ach day nthe Akodo oase.a mani reminded by sight sound sod instinct that be pat ofan sem. Miltary formatioos rash past and the ‘ouryard led with sollers taining Wheo an odo is ased to the ledersip of is uit be ‘ake isda very seriously. The ade ofthe it s epost for every ation tha nt takes ‘coral or shamefl and the personaly of + leader acts te ability and personality of the troops he commands While leadership requirements fe, ech anit mast be eppopitly mulniained and ganized, oc the ene ary ‘wl safer All Trader, as Akodo once sid, most have brave soak They must be men with comitmen, courage integrity and honor. Of these four ites, nr the most inporian. Withoat ona the eader wil be no martha a butcher cfrmen. A leader masta bea staent of uman ature understanding bow bs bs wl respond Ina situation, nd making allowances o avd ther weaknesses and draw ou the sent Sucesful unis ae reall of planing preparation, and cohen «unt is dived ‘il be cay defeated. «nit follows as one tran, then thy cannot be def even i a Indeed stand agit them T the Akad, his «tut of the universe cannot be debuted or argued, and hey have had thousand yeas of Insiory to prove is uth Stag io mubes is ok cough Seng in wed numbers the source of visor THE Lion Can Damo. The current daimyo ofthe Akodo is abso th ‘Won Clan Champion ~ a is early always the case. Only tre times in history, ade from temporary field promotions, tas the Lion Can Champion not been an Akodo. The fist sud ocasion happened afer the Bale st White Stag. In which th gir were thrown ou of Rokugan, During the combat the Akodo woop sounded the Emperor, defending him from haem, abe traveled fom Otosan Uc toward the fon lines ‘wattempt pare. The Crane. usual deendes of the Empers had been carmanded to engage the ‘iin in he ocean, guhering much of thet merchant fet and turning Ito combat we However the Emperor was ner the sore when 4 portly large volley of gain weapons launched fom nearby ship. The Emperoy, the Lon Champion, and all the Akodo troops roetig him were kid tant, ae the Eimer unc was ol oak comand of the Egie Ale the bre the Aka wee demerazed nay het best genera a ben killed Only ‘res and young chen remained of he ob ‘odo ne ods Mas was aed fort by ‘he new Epa serve a the Ls Capon The Mau Campin ried he Lin oop and crud the Tat remaining bastions of gain ower le Rokagan Tht Mas dalnya Mas Zara ald the Lon Cla fo sien ers was Known athe "White ones ease et Graton was strangely pale Her white bar ‘bone bam othe Land herve ve te glint Wie Sage legendary “The sso non-Akod Chapin of he Lon 's thug by sme tobe oak apc tle enced by the Scrpion tick het ay ino the Lo ou Hs tha hereon as 8 ‘odo daimyo wo ded wih ap Bet. nd no arin of cession cold be determined om She saving Hadi For many yar the dan asd by an oma regent unl the ue ke OF sce tad een determined y tes of ‘oarage on the eof bate The oma hve no reords of th oxcmenc, and put the sary oe epot “The tard non Akado Lon Champion ak Mag agg was all supe o tbe Enper and an ee ofthe Cb. In bold tempo pve the Lin tas teu fe Crab whe ang a shana bebe love Into the Shadowlands eek and destry the fovea the fat af he ak eam where he ‘be ending he Ep Hs sie beso he sorter bore of Cia ds bese Ba of ie Contemporary Crab Chimpon, Hida Tada, More trmaton on Mats agate ended in Wy of the Cb Caren the Campin ofthe Lon Clan is ‘boo Thar oe ofthe most enxeentonl od imeatve genera in Rakuga Tort as ad th advange of stdin bain te Akad sd the Mats fray sch bat was ot dep. Steer sl He ws removed fom the Lon Bah choo a young ag, nt 8 monster ‘bean seg ad tac wie Bs youn? ote led be din. He wat called fis ste to ake the mane of Champa at the tine of hi bot’ dead ad bas ervedthe ‘Akad fo sth veya Ths Toa tl ‘eft dates fhe Ako daimyo, ond wine serve im lylly, many cooceras are quietly voiced over his ablty to lead - mostly ‘om the Mat, Mor information on Tour can ‘be found in Chap 4 THE Lio AncestRaL SworD ‘he Lion Clan acetal sword, Shor, 6 an ancient weapon wielded by AKodo himselt. unk it was forthe Emperor or hat reason, the ante have long bee the Bearers af the Akodo sor which has remained ina place of boo a ‘Otosan Ushi Tress a simple ebony stand ‘ese the ancestral word of Hane ewan he cal of ts master The reigning Emperor has occasionally called spon the Akodo oath and delved wat aginst other powers inthe Empce. At these times, he Enperor has summoned the Champion of the on nto hs court and returned Akodo’s sword ‘The oth which the Lin sword symbole isthe teat of the Lon Clan: “Duty to the Emperor Daty to the Epi” “The blade ise is unremarkable, shining dll tn the lght is ik carved of ine fade, wrapped vit bras and gold wie andi tuba ears the simple carving ofa get place. ‘Nearly a ousend years ago, che Emperor commanded thal «sword of fine god and jewels ‘be forged for his brother, Akad Is said that he sword was tbe keenest ever created, and thal Beauly was legendary. Akodo lied this svord in combat agains he Dark Hordes when Fa Leng first attacked Otosan Ushi and he cared it throughout the war which ensed ‘uring the wae Akodo tok every opportunity ‘to engage his dark rather combat, But he was says swept away. Fu Leng knew that Akodo ould il hm they ever fought fae to face, ‘ae ordered his minions to combat is brates However, oo one oeasion, his champions were ‘ot sit enough 0 keep Fu Lag rom receiving ‘terrible wound which ct great gash in Ps eng tise boy. The Ont wee lk cary thelr Lord from the bate, and quicker sl 1 eagage the ierbe ‘Ako so that he could ot follow hs bathers ight Alter the war with the Dak One was ove, aad the Seven Thunders were lotto Rokugan, ‘Ako was called upon opus down his sword 10 his He woud not “This sword” Ako said “has drawn my brother’ blond. However twisted Fu Lang may have beoome, a sword which has drawn family Blood can never be revered” He broke the golden sword beneath bis foo, taking ‘up the simple kata which he had carried heloe. He has served the Ancestral Sond of the Lion eve ine, Twe Lion ARmy ‘The Lion Clan army i best known for two things: ts ferodty in Bate, and its sher sie ‘With overall millon men organized into thousands of unis, the Lion armies ae aos ‘wie the le of the ext largest army that of he Cab. "The dscpine with which the Lon samurai cdc theives apparent inthe organization of thet armies The command stracare ofthe Lion armies are complex, but strictly defined and ‘ford very on samural, rom the youngest ‘bush tothe Champion himsel, knows ther place sd ty The first and by far the most important Ietkdown ofthe Lion ermy i within its wo ‘primary fame, the Ado andthe Masa This cent evly i rele s early inthe fons Sd training of thelr arms fost sin the faces of individual samurd ‘he Ako bepn the ining ofthe chien neath the words of te Akodo mata, ‘Duly, ooor, Leadership" These. words reflect the Aka belie in the strength tat can be achieved ‘when they supprt one another Most dl the ‘Akodo training grounds emphasize coordinated firs ~ working togeter to maximize thet ‘ombined strengths Thossands upon thousands ‘of Akodo bush tran constantly to march and ‘wheel on command and to camry out complex lass qui and eficenly. ‘Whereas th sara irom the otber fies ‘of Rokgan rely on feats of ind gloy in ‘mba fo Insp thee bethren every Akodo Knows that hei stronger with his brothers and ‘ters at iid than his opponent could ever be IE he ial his brother wil ft him I his ord ‘an tuck down, is sister wil lhe gap and ful his day. his courage ever waver his ancestors wil ll ht sul with the spite the lon Flowing ike water around thee opponens ‘meoordnaed attacks, the Akodo™ army consaly redirects the opposing for. then als ‘pon them ke the cashing waves Do mo bebe thatthe Ako lack passion however While an Akodo does not hod the Darang ary of Masini sol the dein thunder of thousands of his retires peroming the Los Roar and tbe resoing murderous hang np pars ave ae err et ‘ppienis Ranxs ‘ion samural depend on glory in order to undesiand thet place Inthe lerarchy. To the ‘Adal men are the sos of Akodo On ey al ‘sidered ual inthe Karis eyes. het ‘Champlan i considered the spiritual "et son” ‘he incarnation of Akedo himself andthe ei to the throne of te Lion. Oter “ons” mas ears thelr plas, and prove their worth othe family rather than relying on thei Birth to blag ther sory. While this might lead to bickering and ‘lrymongring in any oe fm the Akodo fre more wed than lost any oe family in ‘Rokugan. Whesaslder ses trough the ranks ofthe amy; thei eamdes tend to cheer then rather than envy thelr success. This incredible Camaradeie part of what it meas o be an ‘Ak. Iti well own tht any who ns one ‘Ako insalis them all. Thus, why would any soldier begrudge his comrade’ fortine? "Leadersing” ‘Aw Essay sy Axopo One~Eye ‘Akodo One-eye was the founder of the Lon (la and Champion of ts eons. He was ako the treator of wats toy called vied ware: ‘Altbough some might call that term a ‘ontadon, Ht dileentats the random and haphazard cot between roaming bands of tops fom the organized and regimeated bates which followed. Akodos teatse on leadership tras writen near the end ofthe great warors eas be was compiling a it of memoirs and lesions o pas downto is he However, he left half the tex blank, understanding thats tine passed, new truths would be reveled. Over that Thousand yar period, other daimyos have let ther ow thoughts on the emply pages making the book less of a single authoritarian work, and more of a caleton of thoughts onthe tre ost Peas eS tcont oasis Bee ares . See — Tee eee eaeee eres renee eee =e =e mar eter oer ae Sree as iin apes oy Soe oe ay acs red Lee See Ta erase see hetiouerarte c “Emperors land. In rr save him this we must be wing to serve fim witout lives and with our nor If we fll in thi then we Ihave been the cause of destruction ‘ot the source of voy” ‘Twe Importance OF WARFARE Wari newb, like sping fog. exeps in rom the sea and slowly eves the county in cold ‘white shroud I sates tn tine, Int once tis gon, the land is never the sme In tine, your daimyo wil call ‘pon you and your men. You wll serve and you will command. But efor this ime comes, you must prepare and study. Just as a child ut Tear o wal before should un, you mst tay warare Beare you ime wae “ou wl earn tht viory i not taking the les of your nen, but saving the Ives of your own. You vl ars hat he who fers fit 6 ‘he rst ofall You wl Iara tt the price of defeat is greater than Ihaor or pede Learning to win is rt enough. You must learn how a1 se "Tere are those who sy warfare ts sels, and those who study sock only to increase thelr own glory and postion. They are fons ad ead Rokugan to ts doom. Tell you ao, that nothing is more important than th ty of warfae It must be foremost in ‘a samurafs mind at all mes, Warfare 1s the Tight fal studies fo protects al eter. I leader doesnot eommand his generals to study of warfare, they wl Become uncertain on the bated, abd hesate when the important decsions must be made. This wil cause the leaders army ofall and when the leader’ army fal, hs one momeat of uncertainty cates the deaths of many thousand ‘And when the army i defeated and destoyed, the army of our enemy will mar on those who ‘thou tat the tay of warlare was elfsh, and ft tht heads rom ter bodies and Ieee them to oti he dust ‘That sth way of the world and those belive erent are fooling themselves Duy Daa is the samurai soul, your reson to ile Neglect your duty and you cr your sul Duty isthe perfec gem with a hundred thousand farts Ea ast the way you ve a ay you aca way you serve. Falling Duty all or nothing. Black or while there are no gays. Live for ech facet for ‘you dismiss even one, your gm seal worth "Thi i what i o Be sara A Samurars Purpose You are samura. Ta as samurak ve as samural Foremost from the moment you ese a dm to when you lay at dusk ep in mind and ‘eat the understanding that you must de ‘When you surender your thoughts to ambition, lst, gred. or anyother thing. n0 ‘mater how base or noble, you wil heat for ‘hat one roa mament when I comes ne fo sactice your ie for our lord. ‘Samora live Samara an to ight Samurai ‘ight to lv. Only lve, cana sama ful his Day and prot his lor. The fine line to earn ‘shat wl you are igting to iv, you mst be ling ode. Day beyond all things the soul of ve samara ising fll Duty why sara forges ambition, asain from lust, and sctiesbis personal morals. Above allthis why you ae Surat Jonorance anp Srupiorry ‘There are two kinds of ols the eran aod the stupid ‘An tgorant man puts his and ito the re ‘because he does no know it wl bur hin: Once ‘hes burmese wil never do it gnn. ‘A stupid man wll keep puting his bund into the fe, Because he wil ot ern. ‘When you lead mes, remember ths lesson Teach them what they must now. A student s ‘lames for his ignorance He ony does what the teacher tel im Goop ano Evi Shine! says "Nature doesnot recognize good snd el” But Ill ou now that men do recngnize the ference and wo igoore the fact that the do ito ‘ignore the way ofthe word and hope tobe & eter place than ti Lowry ‘oyly isnt learned, neither st inherited ‘emember your name each morning far once you forge you have dane your enemys work for him. Your men wil enter your service a babe ates this world in its mothers arms. They will ce wiht lyalies, witout abedleace, without Kl Loyal, unlike the others, must be given stant atention Like ale rose i garden of ‘seeds without your care it wer and des. Bui! loyalty i your mea. Budi taller than le highest tes so your enemy canot see is cod Bull itsroger than the sootest wal, si cay weather ay sor Build oser than the beat af your hear. so may never belt. Bulk cabs, THe GENERAL Lad with perepin and inteligene With these two virtues. you need not be a nase of tc or states. Nor must you be « master of command or vsianee Nor wil you need to understand supply or ‘With perception, you shall ind those who do ‘derstand such things and det them othe rope dy. ‘Wik nteligence, you wll know nt to get in tic wa Tue Five MEAsuREs raluate an army according to the Five Measures Aste Lite Maser sid all the world sss made of fv element your ary s made of ‘he Five Mesures. “The Measure of Wind: An army begins with outs general Ifyou are tre and vituous you il ead rom the Tg. Js as Lady Sun shines spn a acon in fight soaring without a shadow, you will ad your men quickly. Beeswse you ‘ever ned to lookback ‘The Measure of Earth: When you understand che ground upon which you fight the advantage s yours An amy on foreign ground, cblvius to spills and unaware fs Boos is wueable and engy ata ‘The Measure of Fire: Your must lad your sxmy under the Emperors Laws. When do, you ‘ove sou ol rs. for it knows actions ar jas. ‘When yu donot, you sfbat the fie and ob ‘he fe fom the ame You hound wil no ore ‘rst you when yom steal ts fod, han wl your my when you ea ts re ‘The Measure of Water: You must make your actions flow lice a steam, passive and formless, then strike ike @ wave, powerful and overwhelming Rigty breeds stagnation, and on understanding chaos s the hey ovo. ‘The Measee of Emptiness: Lastly. thre Heaven Understanding the pasage ofthe stars is the final understanding, There i a0 explaining the Measure of Emptiness only rengang. is virtue when it manifests In nothing. there Is eveything. ‘Tue Way oF DEcePrion To charge your army ato bate without foreknowledge of your opponents capbiltes and weaknesses, brings you no glory and brands you a coward Your conceit the safety of he Emperor and that of your Clan Blind death is st death Inead when facing the enemy, et him see what you what hi tose. Show him your right hand srk with your let Hide all he doesnot reed io sexo the sting of your slap wl ease the Dain of sudden Blade in his se Ennice Him Wit FaistHoops ‘When your enemy i entrenched and secure, lure bm fom is nest. tac that which dear to him to draw him fom his ground Take him from his sanctuary and take him on your ime ‘StaiKE Hard AND Quick ‘Wien your enemy i more powerful han you, strike quick and har and reret Fw ike the ‘rer, ove with no frm or shape or subtance (Commande without courage oF confidence do ‘ot know how to retaliate against you Those who ‘understand your ways will know what you are doing. and Know that th stengh has been turned to weakness. They wil know that you are the saacous genera, and those who know the wags of Heaven and Earth wil reveal and go home HAMMER AND ANVIL ‘When a man has time to think. he can make When be has 00 time to ik, but must ‘mediately reac, he can only make mises. pA) [EA FREE Liat Ha ere: Bi lh ‘Use cavalry and guides to harass him, Give hi no rest Rae your eons so they may rest vie snober marches. Be the hammer and make him the anv BREAK THE HEART Just asa woman seleness when she breaks vw aman, 0 should you be wth your enemy. Bek his heart Make him doubt what be gts fer, and you have aleady won. Take aay what he ight fox and he wil surendet. il the thing he iis for, and he wil be consumed wih anger... ae er Cuances ‘When you are fed with desperate odds severely upon one hance, but a thousand. your chances of viery are against you. ‘make certain you give yourself a8 many opportunities as you can. I you ttl of oar strength to oe blow, a single err ean destroy all ‘of your chances Believe with yur heart and sul {hat each plan wil sured, but prepare fo to fa and you shal be vitarious, AmprTion ano ViRTUE ‘A man of virtue never wores about his postion e concer himsel solely with vine ‘There have been many men of postion who concerned themslves. with guning more, but {nea of seeking to become coset to heaven, they send sought to become dose to the ‘Tone The second sa alse path, nd the fists the only path wort following NururE THE STRONG When your enemy is stonger than you, ruta im. Kis well koown tn nate that anything that to song wil certainly break. ‘Then, when he fle, you may attack at your esr. FixeD FORMATIONS ‘Those wo choos ose her amis in fed formations wil nd themselves crashed by & better general, Fite formations do net allo your amy to adap and change and thas wo are the yt victory. Chasrisinc Tose Wuo FoLtow ‘Never haste your followers in onto obers sho fll ou Bred fellowship. ‘When the men begin to speak il of you you tuave planted the seed of dou fom which nly defeat can grow. Your Enemy's ERRORS ‘Showing them the errs of hers teaches them confidence n themsehes. Showing them ‘thei own ers teaches them dob Tue Enemy “This sow to delat our enemy When he strong avid him Fight him when he ino eady and when bet dsorganized, not when he is eady. Outnaneuer our enemy. and Soon enough he wll make a mistake Whea be has. advantageous ground, goad him ino stacking Say jst far enoogh aay sa be mas. tome to you Taunt him, appeal 1 his ange. When he has vite pend dissent among thse who allow him they doubt his vie they wl. ot she es for hi Quick Like THE Win "A proeaced wa eves 120 oe, east fll the Fperoe While we are engaged in a war that spans weoks or month, other enemies can tke advantage four weakness by crushing x Before we have a chance to rere Quik ke the wind [show we sould trike. By ving our enemy no tie othink, he will make mistakes making it ase eran hi (A protracted war depletes our resources, stares ar farmers and weighs beavy on the Seals of hose who serve us. A general who enters Into a protracted war does vo oto We, nd nt vit. ‘My Enemy's Foop [Never requison more fond than you need ‘When we defeat the army of our neni, we wl fee our men with our enemy’ rations By ding se. we acomplsh mary things Fis there es fod our men need to ary ‘on thelr backs. Stood, the more fod we take fom our ene, the less they have 10 feed thee owt soldiers, seeding discontent nthe armies ‘Thi by rewarding out own men by sacking the supply nes of aur enemy: we show them. how cing they ae and bow staple fo is. Vicrory Without ConFLict itis that keeping thing wholes beter tan ving if he is alot for our enemy. Sparing an enemy is. always beter than destroying him, for showing him mercy only ‘assis opinion of you in his on eyes Therefore, deleting an. enemy without estoy hi he mist able victory fal By ‘feat an eneny without conic, you sare the lve in both amis, you save the backs of the farmers who must bear the price of your campaign, and you save the mame of your lod and maser by showing his own wislom in employing such a sagas general you anna defen yout ener through non wile means, defeat hin with alles our oeny is oathumbered and sutounded by an army of ales he wil capt, and we have gin served oar lod: we have shown his ales that through working togeter under is drctin. we have preserved the peace of the Empire Two ARMs 1 am greater than my enemy, 1 suround im iam twice the size of my enemy. vide my forces and oat bm WT am equal tO my enemy, 1 find his weakness and expt them. Lam leser than my enemy, outmanewer tum and strike hima bee ses the sama this way, the geste amy forces the ese to surrender The doubleszed army ses lear tn enemys ear forcing him to surrender. By exploting hs weakness. show him the danger of fighting and force hm to surrender. And finaly, the smaller army makesitsel a pperymisance, thar forcing the enemy to reat to position where is more stable for us attack det Tue Ten Onvens 1 Always cay a text with you. When you have nothing ele to do, read. The mind must be ‘ered aswel as the boy. 2 When you lord ells oyu. unt i, all at his fet and speak is name loudly ‘and proudly. Proclaim your loyalty to him with a *hoat that paul the throat Be convinced in ou lyally fo if you ae not then our lor wl ‘ot be convinced ete. ' Keep your sword dose an ready and clean Fling your sword fang oat lord. 44 Keep servants if you must, but only if you mus thre are epi tobe dene onthe house, make them. If tee are rooms to be deane, cea them, Mleness ian ene. and iis aways best fora samara to understand a thing before ‘he regies anther to dot or i. 5 Lady San and Lord Moon made us with a lef and and aright hand. nthe lft hand goes the text, ad inthe right hand goes the sword Remember this When you come beloe a super, dop your hands at your ses and bow lower than the Dropping your hands away fom your sword shows your trast Bowing your head oes this 5 well These two acins say, "My eis yours to take you wish” Rise in the morning before your evans do and bave bal her dates done bore they have ven bathed. Men alow the example of thase they adie. "Assasins creep inthe ate hous so goto bed ea Then, when the cep in at midight you wl be fresh arsed and ready ‘9 Wash A dirty man mus ich and scratch. An ching and scratching man slow: 10 Be ready to de The Leath of ZAkodo One-Eye Ako was very old when he ded, and didnot expect ve mac longer Privately. be lamented the fact that be had not died in combat, ike his ‘beloved Matsu and so many others before him. is laa to the Emperor overrode his deste for 1 elovous death, however: he would not arfice ‘mee! oui sme slish concep of personal onor etaps the fortunes tok pity on hm, ot pethaps his will was enough Io shape destiny Melt Whatever the reason, be was ganied his ‘wah fora loriows death over ne hued years ther be an his brethren fl rom thes. Tes ‘were good thea, atthe Cans were lying the Foundations of Rokugan ization. ‘Akedo, wih his entourage, had journeyed to the tkoma cat o the edge of imperial tery. ‘The Hall of Ancestors was being bul ear. and Thoma many sons were busy preparing the faruly Ubrary ~ which would catalog all of Rokagan history from the begoning of time These monumen’s wool sand as testament to the glory ofthe Empire, and Akado wisbed to ensure they Hved up fo expectations He had let his mighty armies inthe care of his so, end traveled with soll contingent of men to ‘verse the inal deals “The work was inerruped by the appearance ofan imperil sou tthe caste gates His sh ‘ve bling fom a hundred nares and he was raving with fever, bat he staggered across the ‘courtyard with Bec papas to where Akodo sat “An army, my lord) Thousands of them! orbe beats Wom the Shinomen Forest! They ‘march upon strug the pas." he sout ‘ough up black blod as the words ded in his ‘Groat. Akodo stared thoughtfully atthe mans ‘ody for several moment. we mst summon the ion forest destroy ‘hem someone ced We mast el the Emperor ofthis thet” called soosber “We must fall back and wait unl these monsters show the fies” "Na" Akodo replied cally. they ae in ‘Shinomen Pas then we have les than thre days. ‘They would deseo the library and the Hall of ‘Ancedors long. before any army could each them But my lord” an oma calle reverent. "We cannot ld hem ourselves We have nly sal ‘tof men les than 2 hundred” "A hundred Lions is more then enough” He rose ois foe is eye clear and his face ‘oul “wl ake them int the as as ooo 1s they are assembled” None even thought to ‘ootakt him. fst belore he Ket, he removed is dash and gave i tothe Boma. “See thal my “on reeves thee” he sid “And tel hi tha is ther died with hoooe™ ‘The neat morning found Akodo and his »posably small force entering the high peaks of ‘be Ses Mouraias. They moved ‘without peaking each aware of the imminent deat. ‘hut they were not sd and they were not ira forthe Emperors greatest Champion rode before ‘hem, Akods wrinkled face beamed with pride. ‘no ope cald eal him ever aking apie Truly ths was where he meant tobe ‘They stopped at midday ina narow bate ofthe pss fn oat of they they nal see the smoke ofthe opposing army, could hear the stor and growl of thei inhuman enemies He deployed his men quickly ling them ose the round to ther best avantage They moved ‘one and smiled rely a they di, fo is Strategy was wickedly cunning They would die ere they new ft, but the enemy would pay early forts cor. ‘Ado sod alone, sme distance behind the my, and watched the enemy get closer. They ‘were bugs, oo numerous to coun. and as they saw his men in tere way he cul alos ear ‘hem laugh. Good “Mother” be cll to the unbiking sun. “OF all your dieen, T ave stod alone, proud, ‘nftered by weakness and undowded by sin Now I ask fora boon ~ one sevice you can perf for a Mime of ity. 1 ask that you ‘rich the atde to come and remember how brave men die" He waited and watched asthe amy advanced. He saw ogres and tolls tear into his forces throwing men aside lik paper dol He saw his quo order a charge andthe small contingent of men vanish ith a'shoat nto the enemy’ maw He watched is ons fight as oly Lions cou, the Mas, nots more tha word. mre than record of oe standing within the Emp. ts that lak to ther ancestors, and the blood which Finds them to ther oath Since their ancestor re be Me df the peo the Mats ‘have never faltered in their sacred duty. “The few Matsu who do not become bushi ‘aly low he contemplate Me of «mone Instead they ese amore weapon of ‘seins wh hts as frets The Ms fete the dee ofthe Lon Ancestral Hal ‘aly a bgh thot othe Epece. The fet son ef the. Mats dingo has the espns tocar forthe Hl and emmand besa fe omen son win is ance sath Soetimes thers from the Ms fri {rake the climb i the mounts above he Mais palace, simply to join thse warroes in thir hwored duty Sheered fom Bec ors tnd ss bythe nas sore Bde Psy the Aneta Hal ts om the ack wh ‘hat meh cel the pode ein tbe ‘Empire! Bist of the Mas schoo ae tag hi cra hough» proline of forte and rm courage tach day te dened to des al tress, shape the foe of he hie the Tole ano prove ech warors wot Bush tho al are ee in the The esl re trek. inhuman Beas for 8 the stents hve Ss) with no compan mo repr fr thet Seat ns ad go emotion The Mus ses hive every oer of weaken om the baie of the Mats woop and tech the what hey cll the the ert of rage! denn, al and toner THe Liow’s Prive (One of the most renowned wis in Rokugan the ete force known a the Lins Pie Sia othe Unseen Botle Maidens the Lon’ Pride ‘contains only female bash and derives origins from the very fist group of women who came o serve Matsu These women, hilmaidens and onl, were aceped info Mats house witht ‘question, their swords placed at her feet Since that day the uni tactics ave remained vitally unchanged: find the leaders of the enemy, and destroy" them. They charge ino hopeless ‘uations and remain behind o ensue the sale movement of thelr own commanders, even ‘gaat impossible odd Nomen have ever been allowed into the wit Men ate conaered ‘rational, antiacial ‘ceatures and the ruthless matrachy of the Pride leaves very te rom fo nepition. Bach woman inthe Pride is taught tht the thers are her stern and that no wai io be Heft Sehnd. Thee ight assodaton fen leaves other Malu with he king that the Pie i 2 cal amy alto sel unable or unig 0 ‘bare ther camaraderie wih the rest of ir ‘ose The Pie et ete ve in onal ons, and share the” wldoo and knowledge ly with the Ln day. When anew Liot daimyo ones the Lon won the da. Since then the Deathseekers have been he lpon formed of the doomed and disboored They wear their tle ith honor, knowing that t 82 badge ofthe teste to sacrice everyting foe the fray’ ‘ame, When man has been dishonored, ot his ous hat fae he fen begs tobe allowed to asad, they Spend the fist bal year hese tenure ling withthe Pie ly under sich intense conditions, S sid, can the daimyo be fully cepted by the matriarchal un Without thi acceptance, the swerving dedication of the solders be Tos Bren 4 mae daimyo ~ “though howe re rare ~endares this rid: Te ultimate ote is ether cpt understanding or complete Tue DEATHSEEKERS Cig, the Deaberhers were be ken which flied he fen ca gener. Hayamera Shiba or dango he Nt dn he Mi ha een eed win sal ea rhe bores of Baden Ps aed by Sapo or The Seep aang for Haan sunde the at Betyg is Lay oeachange for his ches Ines ‘fr the bate however fs pera fad dscoered the beahery and ported tothe Mab. Hayaners Si wend stad fc own men fred pea hn ad oe hm t pice. Theft contingent Je tamer beped he Mess daimyo be allowed o commit sepia, but ecase the armies ride the ae wer abou atc Sh ed ot ik ang 0 many of er deed solders Tested, se commande! he 10 find tht ph agin and ty ‘hed w ge he es othe nae bone ty cou do onthe eld tate: The Harner el the sie Saat e Solon when the dawn Gane, and because of the eke fray and ter read for et serve in the Deatheckers unl the Ancestors chose to release him from his duty t his dan. (Often, the Deutsches lead the Lion nto bute Tei ouses i aly matched by ther clegard fr tht own safety, and their dese to ‘the es in final attempt to eli honor forthe lineage and their dan. They wear oly the lighes of armors and carey the Spest weapons Each ges ino bate bearing a sered Cord of brown and gold round ther right ar. ‘This badge. meant to dedicate thelr souls to the House ofthe Lion if they shoud de, serves as a warning to any who would engage thir unit ‘rom the High Histories ofthe oa Library: “Ako shook the dst rom his shoulders and looked about the small tam, taking in ee detail He threw Himself from his hore and ‘walled her toa tying pst ving he bth house [AS he steppe acs the set a you bo ran ‘ut from behind a all home He on sah up to Akodo and stopped only af fet fom him. "Are you aka” the boy ached. ‘Akodosniled and nodded." he sid ‘1 ‘am Atodo™ ‘The boy jumped and made the sound ofthe com “Ha ha?” he said “te you looking for samurai” he asked Ks 1 an” Akodo replied ‘Do you kom soho any are?” ‘The boy nodded “Only one Toma Hes a ‘Ako ashe, “and where can I find Ihoma™ ‘The boy tured and pointed atthe sak hose the end of ther Aodo nodded. Thank you" Many hours later, then Lady Su fl 10 the Under odo ton toh sake Rowse When he stepped through the dors, every man and woman fell 10 ther hnes and touched the Foroheads to the floor. Abdo suddenly fl the swcght of is bt and shrugged. He ited his ‘send and ge it fo the man standing atthe lor, oho looked at th embling "Do not ear the sor" Akodo said. Fear the man oho wields The man nodded quickly and took the Blade from the Lion hands Ad. stepped foroard. “I am looking for samurai he id ‘Men sand beside me. Who aris ling to put the ls othe test" ‘Ako wat used 1 the silence that followed ‘that question, but this time i was shattered by ‘an ancien! cache. He looked oer the bowing ads amd sea od ma siting inthe corer ‘Akodo stepped across the room, Ws steady fools making the wood ache under hs eight. "And who ae you that you laugh at.” “Yo are ory ay,” the od man said Aodo fl his fry bul in his bel "Who ave old man?” ‘The greyed man sould, revealing a broken dg of tech and only hale tongue. "Me? am noone of importance Not nthe shadow of Sich a great lord as youre” ‘The sarcasm ovzed from the ol man’s lips fimo Akodos ear. poisoning his temper cen utero you not xe your placed fool” Obi you d not no yours. bay” Akodos: fry reached its Limit He reached lon and thew aside the table haw the old ‘man was seated Tam Ahad, Son of Amster” “T know who You are” the old man sai, {impatient “But you donot re me. Ande eis challnge a man when you do even Ivo his name?” ‘Those words sted Atodo's anger ony ite “Very lhe seid through clenched eth all me who you are ‘The old mam smiled am Dom,” sai. ‘1 ‘am the stongest main the orl for no mae Tas ever bested me” “A hearty cai” Akodo said "But are one” Ihoma grabbed hs cane and shed himself to his fe "Do you sets?” he Sau as hs ong ge touched a deep sear om hs ace. ot that sca from an ore’ cla. He as sarong, but 1 as tong I broke of his gers ‘one by one And the ones could not ip off ‘the ld man grinned, of” Abode sw the glee inthe man’ ees and was suddenly reminded of his brather Hida. The old man continued “And this scar her” he said, pointing 10 a eisty rip down his arm. “T pinad shen T “Isconred the geisha Thad in my bed mas bg fag” Roma looked about at those tho nat ‘wuched him. "But she ld this place screaming chen Faas done ith hr” “Ak sth men nod and he omen blusk ed nthe man as ling the tah ‘Then, Roma pointed o his oie ye “And this psa ot ome by same man hos he trained under Kakita” Thoma pled a Came on from his ob ‘Apparently he didnt tan enough “And this one” he Ud shar and showed kod log, back scr along his scalp. This omen did me tn" “Ye rl” Akad si ‘oma feed and shook hs head No. the Fortanes hae been at my trot my ool ie” he said Ther he lobed Ako sight is the oe ‘and sai “But Bet the, 10" ‘oma continue, showing each of hs seas to Abode and with each scar the old man told other story: Akad soon found his siting and sting hs tales ith sl om is face nal, Roma ran ot of cars “Lam ama” he said ‘And that why Yam the strongest man ‘the world Ifyou mano fight me now, Ill fight you But os this Sono the Sh: you may ‘mths fight ~ or enery mam meets his beter, ‘oer ater ~ but you all ot walk zy om 1 You wl be ome ee sho, andy be ising = fort at yr kyo may ep all your toes Sof youre ready, let go out Othe sr. Jas you and me. No sword ries fst hands and finer and feta eth and we tear each ther apart lane of ws eras ou? thers Thoma topped ther and oaedforard abit “And a this Sa ofthe Sk “Akad leaned i o hear the od man’ hoarse sword “T do keno my mother’s mame” ‘The stare betwen the me somal 10 go 0m fone, tl fly, Akodo sat up saight and hom fllowed uit "You are inde the stongest man in the srl and have no wth to fight you “At least.” Ahodo finshed, "no fode” History ‘nal herve withthe a, the Rona have been the historians, the renders of great dod, sd the ones response for keeping the records ‘ofeach bate fought on Imperial sol. Although Some complain that they place too, much tmplasis n the place ofthe Lion within history. texan be cnt that he Thoma rer re the single mos inet sd complete history of the pire. The sol compiled i Shire Ihoma would strech for hundreds of alles paced end ‘wend ‘hough the koma record the histor they are ls flere waters bold acticians and deadly foes. Their bush follow the Akad path kasing tacts and sitegy as well as pial weapon skill in fa ts nt uncommon fran Toma to attend the Ako schoo fo atleast prt of thei training. lesring fram the mases i order to ring that wtning to thet own amy: ‘The Thoma are more peacelal than other Sams inthe Ho Clan Because ofthe nee tn the accurate recrding of history they olen ee cules witha judicious eye, aming from tach incident ater han teatng it 83125 3 Tare Tis allows sled Thoms general to provide a depth of understanding to his Clan le strategy that might have been lost. The bit to ema impart to maintain nestralty ten inthe face of Vent emotions, has abays ‘een the koma’ mast valued trait. ti what eps them at the ight hand ofthe Akad, even tn mes of nerd politic Farther, iis the koma who are sen othe Imperial Cour, 1 bring sense of balance and praca seul to Lon negotiations. To the Thoma th imperil Courts simply another ype of bated, with victories loses, and its ova nique strategy. The opponent 8 wsually the Crane ln. with whom the Lion have ad an mending rivalry. The constant dedication of the Thoma, coupled with her near legendary aby to see all ies of an ise, has brought honor ‘pon thet house numero times ‘Only recent, when Bayushi Kaciko was dkelred the Emperors Advisor, dd the Tkoma Jose their tempers in public Tis los of face resued inthe sit seppuk of the oflending Thoma ambasidor, ad the removal of all Lion plats from the Emperor’ presence for no es than an etre season This tremendous seas vas ferey contested bythe Toma, by tkoma ‘Uj bu ono aval The imperil courtiers led by Kahiko and Kali Yoshi - an unely aliance ~ ket the Lion tba. Te Ikoma RECORDS OF LEADERsiir ‘copy of each ofthe four treatises on warfare ~ ‘Akodo’s Leadership, Kakta'’ The Sword Miumot Nien and Baya Tange’ Lies are kept by the Thoma, recoded in fall wih all smnoalons, cigurs addenda and arguments ‘The Kkoma are sid to have the oly complete, unedited version of Akos Leadeahip 2 has been changed through hislory to sil each Emperors ews on warfare. Care coples fhe hands ofthe other cans are often ‘eed’ by trveing koma hisoians as they uncover more ‘ali sources of nlormation i her raze. ‘The truth i hi the seal text of Akos famous text was Jared heretical by the seventh ante, who claimed tat Akodo would never hve writen teats advocating deception and teacher onthe feof Ble. Sine that time, the koma have seen fo the text a published for theater dans, maintaining 2 complete copy reserved for their eyes only. Only the Lion Champion truly knows) the contents of Leadership, and its said that all obers are Ineopee ncret versions of vay superar work ‘When cach Chammplon retires, they are expected to ofr thet Journals to the ata, in ero have the records of ther btles nade Im Leadership. With ea ne adtion the Lion Clan knowledge of warfare grows and wih ach atl the oak of Leadership is increased Kyuen Ikoma ywden Koma, tbe ancestral home of the ‘koma family, is located at the base of the Mountain of Thunders The scred) mountain within the Seiksu range i sid to have once been the home ofthe mythical isu, progenitors of the Katsu family. Here the koma deal in lis and matary strategy, and keep the peace between the coon Ieuing Akodo and Mates families Often, Kyaden Thoma 1s used as a meeting plac forthe diplomats ofthe Lion to hos the emissares of ber clans partial he ‘eaby Unicon, with whom th Lon matin an easy peace. Once, long ago, Kyun tkoma_ was the farthest each of cz, and the lands of he Unicorn were empty and Barbar her anclent palace in rung and thee vllges empty. Then approcimatly six hundred years ago, the Thoma ‘and Akodo famles ventured westward. They rebull the palace wich is now known as Shio ‘taka, and lived within its walls for. many ‘generons The cy of Tosh sano Kanemecht Kae is ad to have ben founded by the Lions, ‘nd although the Crane and Unicorn maintain the tade route which winds up through the northern mountain It was once the Lion who held ight rip over the pasage tothe dan Burning Sands. The Omovdas ‘The legend of koma and is fst meeting wih Akodo i held in high reverence by the atte Lon Clan. While may sound apocryphal, the Lon regard it as fac To. question the tent of the story 1 questo the validity ‘othe blood of more thas half the dan ~ an insult ‘hat mast be expunged as quickly as possible The story of “Tomas Visor” tls much of the carer of both the Akodo and the koma fais andthe relationship. koma filled many roles for Akndo, eich of them revealing © diferent aspect of the mans complicated keping the Wey of the Lion true to thelr ancesar’s words and deeds The koma Bard (or ‘Omoidass erves very important oe a the Lon Clan. Hei the sion the keeper ofthe law, and = in avery eal way ~ the Clans bear, the only emotion they are lowed to expres THE WARRIOR "You noe bet my eth wot reckon that prety nose of yours” Thoma spent his younger years as a fighter Nota samara uta dirty, lod hiking ‘sos bing, eyegouging pit fighe. He usualy fought for food, but ocasnaly he also fought foe honor. Tales of him ripping apart a sama for despoing a young gis vite are among the moe famous othe oma sales that rast on camps. He was seappet, nd be ad the scars sow it THE REMEMBERER "Ena car ha a stony som Tat shy the Fortunes ge them us You can forthe pai, bu you never frets dat it ef bekind™ Wil toma spect his younger ears ing lor his diane he was i soy “Mankd ‘av oly one fan” be edt end i hat we forget” Thoma rs dedicated o keeping is nemory keen and awake As the Kis each Rakugan’ ancestors fade i hey are oot ernerbered 1 the hoa tt be the ing meray athe dan. and never alow ‘ay tien = brave. cowardly eters 10 be forest THe Law-Keever “But you knoe mthing of me, and know ee As the living memory ofthe Lion Clan, the Thoma are als law-kzepers They are typically found by an Akad or Mass side, quietly reminding them of the laws and. of the consequences of het actions. They are the ‘eeers of bushido and - ina very real seme the eaacene ofthe clan Neatly every Lien daimyo as an thems disor. even those who cary the name “Mats” The Mats recogaize the necessity ofthe Ikoma, pethape even mre than the Akado Many Mats think’ the Akodo are col, heartless and ‘alain, not uke the Sorpions to the oath ‘he Boma, onthe other hand, have the capacty vo remain objective without compromising. the ‘sen that Belongs ina Lins hear. ‘THE MouRNER “The Mats ae no the hor of the Lon they ae the guts We ave the har toma jak ‘Botha ors 3 samura any expression of matin, While e may sek revenge, he cannot Allow anger or ago eter his Beart o he pis ‘he pay of his qaest When «comrade fon ‘he bate everyone knows that was is ae His allo time here was over, and was me for him to move on Emotion is weakness Emotion compromises scipln. A samara as wo rom ia his heart for ‘motion. t eat n pbc The lat oe the oma playin the Lon Clan 4s that of the mournee When a samural overcome with tragedy, the Teoma i there to express the emotion he cannot. He cies, he Sereams, he curses those who he wil wreak ‘vengeance upon, alin the name ofthe Lion who is keep his composure o lose face ae Al a ry ‘A Baro’s TRAINING Becoming an Thoma bard i rigrous work Begining at a ery young age xo even, the ppentce begins stedying the history ofthe can apd Rokugan A the age of twelve hes expected ‘o edt thelnage ofa east the fais. the ses this ts he is allowed o move oni his training, IC nat. ‘be i relegated to the vast braves He is no longer historian, but 2 bran ~ very diferent (and subsericn role ne of koma mos important lessons was “aman forgets bt sory remembers” His sons 1 Akodoabeays evolved around the theme that ne can learnt vod the pial ofthe ature by looking tothe past. Ths, in addtion to learning the Emperor’ law and Ad's bushido, the bard ‘must learn a seis of pie stories ~ each 2 dramatic eteling ofthe Lin Clan’ mast amaus eed ~ and the lessons those sores each. ‘Wile the other cans allow ther histories to become “oruped” by mythology, the toma draw a frm distinction between the ruth of thet hisory and the fo tales tha have sprang up sound it Te dileeace between history anda "Teoma tragedy” s simple: one is tue and the ihe isan exaggeration Hisoians maintain the history and bards tell stories ah has ts pose, ad the Roma do not allow them to ecome contsed ‘As explained above, many Homa ban serve ‘Woo -daimyon, but others have been Known 10 wander okugan or even serve atthe sie of other dan daimyo in rete for favors Whe away from home the bard seks ories.. not for Cnertanments sake, ba 10 learn. “Every story it 3 lesson” Thoma ‘once said “Those who dlsmiss the stories tld to len ave more to leara than cil” "The bards who. wander return once a year tothe School, to tell the sores theyve gubered and. ad them to the Tama stores. ‘ach bard has his own series of sls within the Ubray, all of his or her stories are recoded wahin thelr pees This pracie makes record keeping a bit of a cor however In oder to find “The Story of the Magiiate and the Seven Gold Coins” for lnsance, 2 researcher most Sr nd the bard who od Then, with that name in mind, he must sour the seals of that ba ooking forthe le Fortunately the efforts of Yhoma Kaoky have made referencing the Uhrary east As ce! Mbrarian, Kook has ‘dedicated his Me to balling + reference system tats eser to use. However, osx decades of work have only soatched the surface of nearly one thousand years af history ‘sd stores Many have cried Racks work, ut Tur as lenced hose complaints with a8 ‘eset sanction for in coating. The Kiss i one of the most unusual, ‘oigmate shogenja fame in Rokugan, and the “nly school which forbid entrance fo nonclan embers The Kits fay sere as loekeepers, ‘vhosts and diplomat forte Lon Clan, bt ht tsar greater than the pial shugenia. ‘They ae the keepers ofthe apcestal oe of thei lan, rater than the physal ios of which ‘he Tama ares proud The Kits daty int only 2 ther daimyo andthe Empere, bat to the ‘tows of Lone wo have ved and ded. The ta re the Keepers of thee meron and the protectors of the spits. "To the Ritsu the spe of ther ancestors are sulla binding fare upon Rokogan Trough Kits ‘nag these spits sll have diet influence on the wel ofthe living Kise pilosopy revolves round the ded nerating the sous of the pas. vith those of the ling Te eso that he Kits “hoa slate concerns the iil ound fa the Kieu hose the trv oy of which en ‘sputed between he Kits and Ika. ‘Tue Lost Lions “Wis an anon ale, es and ven af death, tcl ings rue hearts Would you hea it my Son? Would you knows of uw ancestors? For criny, they know of yo...” isu Sone ‘A thousand years ag, the race of men was created rom the ears ofthe Sun andthe blood of the Moon. Before that time strange races wandered the world, creatures whose form Seemed ike that of animals. Many historians believe that this waste time ofthe Naga strange sake-ke beings whose aso resembled those ‘of men. Some Crab historians would also have ws belive that race of Nerul formed «mighty socedy at the same tine, Iving in coperton wi the Nag. these legends ae rit lends ¥en more credence to the myth of Kis and his {our brother. Km tobe believed hind great ace of ceased upon the land while dhe Naga and Nezum! flourished These Beings had the frm of huge eats wth golien manes and ferocious claws These creatures known as they’ were Inighty hunters and the keepers of the sii realm, where ancestors linger to wach the dots tthe descendants ‘Wien th humans were crested, andthe One Who Mast Not be Named fst el om the sk, these ancient races were erated from the worl n which we now ve. The Nag descended Into a reat sleep, or ezame part of the rocky cart fom which they had sprang. The Nera, ‘coring oa heretical Crab Scholar named Kuni Moka, were acted across the earth, losing whatever vestiges of civilization they had achieved The kis chose not to atiempt olive ‘noma the new masters ofthe werd, and tok ‘eluge inthe moantains which would one dy be ‘ued by the Dragan At fst man didnot ecoguize thatthe Kis were a seen race and buted them. The isa took this tobe a dedaraton of war and thei ‘svagery in return caved thm much fear and Inte from the primitive dans of Rokagan. ‘AL las, ordered by Haniel to contain the dangerous beasts Akodobepan the obliteration of the su The reat Hons were hunted and ile, thet bodes burned without knowedge oftheir {mtelgence At the end the ast few survivors of the race gathered together in hidden vay, prepared 1o give ther les in defense of thee Feeder When the humans found them, Akodo ims! leapt to the foreront of the bate teaming the leader ofthe isu im a mighty ‘leu Using daring and everness the kis ‘scape and his tremendous roa shook the walls of the hgh valley. Akodo was stared fling to his knees asthe round row up beneath hs et He expected the lon to atk, to teat his head from his sours wth its awed paws ~ bat the eu didnot I simply stared at Akado with tremendoas hatefilled eyes and wate fr the rman 1 re wo his fet “Hold” eed Akodo, and his warriors backed cevay from the combat. For «Tong. moment, ‘Akad anid he kts stared tone another, Thea ‘Akado bowed to the kisi and the great lon narrowed eyes and nodded its head twas simple mater to make peace with the strange Jamil read tentae teaty was formed Althoagh communkaton was diel, the hse soon learned how to speak rough phrases in the Rolugan tongue. For years terest. the Kis shugeja say, Akodo teed to that valley and stoned forthe sanocent creatures he smassced Bath the Akodo nd the Kis were ware, tut one the treaty was made, nether ever broke 1 However, the Kis did ot theve~ pepsi was the wil ofthe gods, ot perhaps the same lsease which struck the Jogendary Naga bad ‘weakened their ace No new clea were born fd he ks dined to five. At the end of his Me, Akodotavled to thei hidden vay, and found only bones and empty rubble Hee fs where the myth grows strangest ts said andthe Kis challenge anywho can that this not the tut that five men returned with ‘Ako from his nal rp othe Ks valle. The tai wasa magnificent bronze-gold clo rately seen in Rokugan. Akndo aimed that they were the last of the Kis, transformed by the Sun Goddess ito aman form a a boon to her bold son, The men swore thei fealty to Akada, and took his daughers as thelr wis. The Kisu family descends from these five mex, and all clam wo have lao ies othe ancient ace whose catlke form has given the Lion Cla its name Whether thse myths ae tue of nt the fay Seems to hae a emendous pit for spt mage ranted by their blood and. posed only by purebred members ofthe Kis. Tel grasp of ‘modern Rokuga sorcery is weak, and tet traditional ways are fen scold at by the aber shugo ofthe Empire but they have mags al thet own which they do aot share with thse not ‘ol hr Blood. ‘Some say i not posse fr them to share thee mics wih ober, tat tha the spins hich hey call wl respond only oa descendant ‘ofthe its This may Be tr and it may explain their connection othe ancestors so revered by the Lion Clan The Ais, by all accounts, were ‘honorable beasts whose ality to dwell in the ‘pint realm as well a the moral world may ‘coun! or ther slow vanishing. Perhaps the Jets were unable to separate themselves from the spiritual word if so perhaps thei ancient soul sil linger in that rai ready tas hee descendants when they cll History Enbedéed in tradition, steeped in culture and formabiy, the Kisu maiiain thir rituals for erly a thousand years sepping, moving. and chanting exacly as their ancestors did How do {hey know the rituals ve not changed?” Because thelr ancestors tl them 5. ‘The Kitsu do. move than worship thelr venerble ancestors as the shugeja of ther Glas profes. They actully travel he lnds of the dead, seeking wisdom and knowledge fom the spre of the pat. The Kise donot merely speak their on ancestors in hope of gidance, but in facto the ancestors ofall the Cans is said that Jigoku, the Land ofthe Dead ied ith ret and emotion, yet many ofthe spis ‘ofthe past come fo the Kisu without preface. ‘hey se in the Kis 2 chance to ale what has been done. The Kisu teat the dead wih the ilimate respec, walking in heir shadowy real, si ato ad pee Sometimes the Kis can even bring back the spin ofthe dad fo a ew moments of precns lie Wits thine gis they can speak with the ancestors voce. allow them to sce rough ther eyes or acl Incrate within the Kits, es. Soch mags might be seen as aot, the cealn ofthe Dead didnot so veneate Kiss magic Any shageja who cites a Kits ‘methods might fd Masel n pei ot without the guidance his own ancestors. Kits lr reno aad of the dark They do ot ry at areas ad are always ava the realty of death They se spirits ta otis friends and recount knowlege of things which ‘cxcurted long before they were born. This Instinct! understanding of the spit rea i the mark ofa trucbora Kis Although some

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