L5R Distant Thunder

Introduction

Legend of the Five Rings, 4th Edition. A game starting pre-Scorpion Clan Coup, the default setting for the 1st edition of the RPG.

This is the wiki page for L5R Distant Thunder, a Play-by-Post that will be run on the rpg.net PbP forum. I'm Waiwode, the GM. We're at barebones right now, but more will be added as things get rolling.

Player Characters

Kakita Doijin

Crane Clan, Kakita Bushi, played by **lordmcdeath

Hiruma Jun'Ai

Crab Clan Hiruma Bushi, played by **ClassDunce**

Akodo Kumiko

Lion Clan, Akodo Bushi, played by **Angwa**

Yoritomo Uji

Mantis Clan, Yoritomo Shugenja, played by **Amaraxis**

Kuni Daisuke

Crab Clan - Kuni Shugenja, played by **Nick The Lemming**

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Imperial Families

The Emperor

Hantei XXXVIII has, for the most part, kept the Empire at peace. His Miya heralds work tirelessly across Rokugan to diffuse tense situations, the Otomo carefully balance Clan against clan with a web of favours and debts, and his Seppun guards secure the Imperial City and lead a small standing army, the Imperial Legion.

Married four times, and four times a widower, despite the attentions of a number of Imperial concubines he has one heir, Hantei Sotorii.

The Miya

Daimyo Miya Yoto is an aging courtier, and a strong proponent of Imperial Edict enforced Peace. As Master of Heralds and Couriers he is one of the best-informed men in the Imperial City. His hunting birds are the envy of all, second in scope and pedigree only to the Emperor's birds.

The Otomo

There are no unkind words said about Daimyo Otomo Sorai. As he is one of the most powerful courtiers in the Empire, responsible for maintaining the treacherous balance of Clan power, and a confident of Hantei XXXVIII, this is a good measure of exactly how well he mixes cunning and charm.

Otomo Sorin - Topaz Championship Host

Otomo O-Hana - Topaz Championship Host

Otomo Setsura - Topaz Championship Host

The Seppun

Daimyo Seppun Daiori is a vigilant warrior, befitting the master of the Imperial Bodyguard. he is haughty and distant, known to shun mere buke and keep only the company of other kuge. He is regarded as one of the finest Go masters in the capital.

The Great Clans

The Crab

For the past several years the Shadowlands have grown quiet. Although oni still infest lost Hiruma Castle, they rarely approach the Kaiu Wall in great numbers anymore. With warriors idling, the eyes of the Crab Clan now turn north.

Champion: Hida Kisada, the Great Bear

Hiruma Daimyo: Hiruma Yoshi

Kiau Daimyo: Kaiu Suman

Kuni Daimyo: Kuni Yori

Yasuki Daimyo: Yasuki Taka

The Crane

The Crane have defeated the Lion, but Doji Satsume, Master of the Crane Clan and Emerald Champion, seems unwilling to press the advantage. He has handed his young son, Kuwanan, over to the Akodo as a hostage.

Clan Champion: Doji Satsume, Emerald Champion

Asahina Patriarch: Asahina Tomo is "senior Shugenja" -- as close as the Asahina come to Daimyo.

Daidoji Daimyo: Daidoji Uchida

Kakita Daimyo: Kakita Yoshi

Sensei Asahina Hisao, the Crane Clan master of Kaze-do

The Dragon

With the death of Mirumoto Satsu in a duel with Hida Yakamo, the Dragon withdrew from the rest of the Empire, hiding behind the diplomatic services of the Dragonfly Clan. Now, it is said, they have emerged again.

Clan Champion: Togashi Yokuni, an enigmatic armoured monk.

Agasha Daimyo: Agasha Tomori

Kitsuki Daimyo: Kitsuki Genjiro

Mirumoto Daimyo: Mirumoto Shosan

The Lion

Akodo Arasou was in the vanguard when they shattered the gates of Toshi Ranbo. What should have been a Lion victory was snatched from their hands by a crashing roar and foul smoke. The Lion are without a Champion, and the Matsu Daimyo Tsuko, Arasou's betrothed, is furious that the Council accepted the Imperial Peace Edict, and Crane hostages.

Clan Champion: none.

Akodo Daimyo: none.

Ikoma Daimyo: Ikoma Ujiaki

Kitsu Daimyo: Kitsu Omi

Matsu Daimyo: Matsu Tsuko. It is expected that she will be declared Clan Champion by the Emperor soon.

The Phoenix

All the signs and portents point to a great disaster, the likes of which have not been seen. Yet the Empire is at peace, there are no serious external threats. Could the wisest sages, most learned astrologers, and the very Elemental masters be mistaken? The Phoenix search Rokugan for answers.

Clan Champion: Shiba Ujimitsu

Asako Daimyo: Asako Togama

Master of Air: Isawa Eju

Master of Earth: Isawa Rujo

Master of Fire: Isawa Tsuke

Master of Water: Isawa Kaiyoko

Master of Void: Isawa Ujina

The Scorpion

With Bayushi Kachiko as Imperial Hatamoto and Emperor's Favourite, the Scorpion may finally be in position to break the centuries-long Crane stranglehold on Imperial Favour. Are the Scorpion gloating? Who can say, behind those masks?

Clan Champion: Bayushi Shoju

Soshi Daimo: Soshi Bantaro

Shosuro Daimyo: Shosuro Hametsu

Yogo Daimyo: Yogo Junzo

The Unicorn

Part of the Empire, yet apart. The Unicorn have recently had several key appointments to the Imperial Legion (all in the Cavalry). Their caravans visit every major city. Yet to many they remain foreigners still.

Clan Champion: Shinjo Ujimitsu

Horiuchi: Horiuchi Shoan, a Family of one.

Ide Family: Ide Tadaji

Iuchi Family: Iuchi Daiyu

Moto Family: Moto Terumori

Utaku Family: Otaku Tetsuko

The Minor Clans

The Mantis

Despite being a minor clan, the Mantis control enough wealth to rival any Great Clan. Every year merchants fill the holds of Mantis ships with mainland silk, paid for in fresh silver, and sail it to the islands, returning with spices and the finest teak. (Secret: The Mantis trade with Gaijin merchants, with Imperial blessing. And taxation.)

Notes

Links

Distant Thunder IC Thread

Distant Thunder OOC Thread

House Rules

Spell Scrolls

Spell Scrolls are copies of ancient spirit contracts. Each clan's contract is different. Without the ability to commune with spirits a spell scroll is nothing but paper filled with confusing and often meaningless symbols. Holding the scroll in the caster's hand acts as a "spiritual legal reminder" and provides a free raise to any spell the shugenja has memorized.

Heavy armour

Anyone with Heavy armour can chose to wear parts of it only, and have it count as Light Armour. This mostly comes into play when time is of the essence.

Kyujutsu and Bows

3. Master of Kyu-jutsu have used a daikyu on foot without penalty to accuracy for centuries. There is no accuracy penalty to using a daikyu while dismounted. Due to it's unique shape, it cannot be used inside single story buildings, however.

Scorpion Shadow Brands

Scorpion Shadow Brands, or Kage Yakiin.

1. Cap Void (1 brand limits Void to 5, 2 to 4, etc). 2. Add +1k0 to Stealth or attacks from Stealth in dim light. But not "every action" 3. Incur a +5 TN "Pain" penalty when exposed to sunlight.

The Topaz Armour

Each year's suit is unique (but has to be sized after the competition), and the winner can keep it, although it is custom to "retire" a set after one year. Only one person should wear Topaz Armour.

It is high quality (no mechanical benefit) Heavy Armour (but see my notes on the game world: partial heavy suits count as light armour).

Minor nemurani: The spirits of the sacred event, which goes back to the dawn of Rokugan, fill the armour. For one year the wearer may add their Glory to their TN to be hit or to any skill roll involving invoking authority. At the end of the year the spirits return to Tsuma, leaving the armour.

Oh. Also, you're utterly damned. You will never be admitted to Tengoku (Celestial heaven) and will never be reincarnated.