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Legend of the Five Rings RPG, 4th Edition
Written by: Shazvn Cannan, Robert Hobart,
jim pinto, & Brian bon
Edited by: Robert Hobarl, Todd Ron-land
Proofreaders: Eoin Burke, Jim Chatham,
Mason Crazcford, Daniel Dimen,
Erykah Fasselt, Laura Harvey,
Daniel Jacobscn, John Merholtz,
Jen Oney-Hoovcn, Todd Stiles,
Ralph Iropeano
RPG Rules Team: Dace, Mason Crazcford,
Aaron Rubman
Art Director: Todd Rowland
Cover Design: David Ardila
Graphic Design: David Ardila
Layout: Edge Studio
Artists: Christopher Appel, Steve Argyle,
Gonzalo Ordonez Arias, Mathew S, Armstrong, Daren Bader,
Drew Baker, Jason Behnke, 7bm BiondolUlo, Leonardo Borazio,
Beet, Manuel Calderon, Mike Capprotti, Paul Carrick,
Miguel Coimbra, Audry Corman, Ed Cox, Edwin David,
Molly Denmark, Thomas Denmark, Randy Elliot, Steve Ellis,
Jason Engle, Anthony Francisco, Carl Frank, Randy Gallegos,
Joachim Gmoser, Anthony Grabski, Troy Graham,
Andrezv Hepzcorth, Jeff Hwwiclman, Quintan Hoover,
David Home, IFS, Paul Prof Herbert, Jonathan Hunt,
Ltyn Hunter, Hugh Jamieson, Michael JCaluta, Michel Koch,
Michael Komarck, Heather Kreiter, Amandine iMbarrc,
Stephanie Lazv, April Lee, Monika Livingston, Eric Lofgren,
Anson Maddocks, Slazvomir Maniak, Viomas Manning,
Britt Martin, David Martin, Malcolm McClinton, Fbtrick McEvoy,
Wer Mohrbacher, William O'Connor, Glen Osterberger,
Jim Fbvelec, Ben Peck, Ramon Perez, Eric Polak, Mark Poole,
Angga Satriohadi, Erich Schreiner, Oiris Seaman,
Douglas Shuler, Steve Snyder, Ron Spencer, Beth Tivtl,
Charles Urbach, Luis Vasquez, Diana Pick, Franz Pbhzt'inkel,
Byron U'hckzvitz, Corene H'erhane, Mario JVibisono, Matt Wilson,
Jarreau Wimberly, Wackzvitz & Daily
Production Manner: David l epore
Sekick Brand Un/\ger: Todd Rowland
Chief Executive Officer: John Zinser
Head Piaytester: Brian Bates
Piaytester: Team 1 (Dave Smith, Patrick Chen,
Aien Elmi, Jason kang, Ki Chang Kim, Roger Uang,
Arthur Nguyen), Team 2 (Lucas Tzvyman, I ee Masheter,
Amanda Martyn, Chad Kirby, Andrezv Flynn, Lauren Murray),
Team 3 (Kit LaHaise, Catherine Pickett, Bret David Hezves,
Francois Martineau), Team 4 (Becca Hobart, lodd Stites,
Will Stampley, Kevin Blake, Lewis Fleak, Daniel Briscoe),
Team 6 (Dace, Erykah Fassett, Iracy Pinkelton, Daniel Walters,
Laura Harvey), Team 7 (Jason Shafer, Xathan Shafer,
LEGEND OE THE FIVE RINGS
AND ALL RELATED MARKS ARE AND AlDERAC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Inc. All rights reserved.
4
Matt Strout, Liza Strout, Joe White, Jerry 'Dingo' Moore,
Eric Nezvlin), Team 8 (Robert Knight, Mathieu Brebouillet,
Aaron Rubman, David Whitney, Richard IVhiiney, Stuai't Biggs,
Edward Reynolds, Ryan Gosscns, Jean-PhUUpe Lanfond),
Team 10 (Luke Martinez, Joseph Schuster, Andrew Snozt;
Oiristopher Myers, Michael Neer, Paul Siebuhr, Ryan Flynn),
Team 11 (Cory Mills, Caitlin Mills, Molly Poole, Darren Walters,
Lynne Ahlgren, Jeremy Bullens, Albert Koenig), Jeam 12
(Don Eisele, Kate Adams, Matt Ussary, Janet Bosarth,
Nate Hedrick, Mike Shimek, Chester Decker), Team 13
(Howard Hooven, Jen Oney-Hooven, David Farmer, Scott Smith,
William Hart, Gentry Jnmblc, Kevin Witt), 'leam 14 a
.
(Stephanie Dane, Mikael Broduy Greg Kryzvusha, Bob Martin,
Reginald Garth, Ryan Tteese, Elliot Smorodinsky,
Randy Schneider), Team 15 (Mason Crawford, Allen Cantrell, s
s
Julien UdUtte, Krislof Fbrker, April Hamilton, Mark Butler,
Luis Fernando de Ibsconcetos), Team 17 (Tom Lezvis, Jamie Kipp,
Gavin CfHeam, Shawn MacLean, John Taylor)
Special Thanks:
Shawn thanked everyone in the Foreword, but thanks again
anyway!
Brian \wuld like to thank:
My best friends, who've stayed by my side and fueled my
love of UR and gaming for over ten years. Love you,
guys.
My family, who've always believed that I could do
everytfung I want.
l>
*
The Fourth Edition team, writers and playtesters. Ui've
created something to be proud of.
<9 Angela who listens to me complain about esoteric gaming
,
issues.
Rob WOULD like to thank:
My wife Rebecca, who always believed I would get to write
for UR someday.
My first L5R gaming group - Jamie, Allen, Keith, Jason,
and Tim - especially our GM Jaime, zvho introduced me to
L5R way back in 1997.
< The players writers, and GMs of Heroes of Rokugan, for
,
ten years of glorious samurai drama.
* 9 Shazvn Carman and the rest of AEG, for giving tne the
chance to work on this project.
Johti Wick, for creating such an amazing zvorld and game
for all of us to play in.
JIM WOULD LIKE TO THANK
you - the reader - for taking the time to read this part
of the book.
Todd would uke to thank
My zvife Kathy, who still sits patiently as I talk about
magical samurai.
Mike Webb and the Mungbeasts who ran the first L5R RPG
game I ever played in back in 1st Edition.
Everyone on this credits page, you all went above and
beyond.
Edge Studio wouid uke to thank:
lb ihyoi-san, for her help writing the Kanji.
www.l5r.oom
 V'e Time Saered Substanees 41
Table Tl,c lenets of Bushido 42
The Concept of Face (On) 44
of Oontcnts Shame and Disgrace 44
Seppuku <5
FbUHcs 46
Economics 4i Book of Fire
Crime and Punishment 48
Character Creation 99
Dueling 49
Cliaractcr Creation
Blood Feuds %
liar in Rokugan 52 Quick Summary 99
Character Creation, Expanded 100
Annies and ladies 53
Introduction The Game of licenty Questions . . 100
Sieges .. . 53
Welcome to Rokugan 7 Example of Character Creation. . . .103
The Great Clans of Rokugan 55
fmproving Your Character 104
U 'ehome to the Emerald Empire S The Oab Clan 56 Vie Great Clans 105
IVIiat is a Rote-Playing Garnet . . . .S The Crane Clan 58 The Crab Clan 105
But Why
'
The Dragon Clan 60 Vie Crane Clan 109
is it Called 'Role-Playing ? 9
The Lion Clan 62 The Dragon Clan 112
WkyUseDicet 9 The Mantis Clan 64 The Lion Clan 116
What is Rokugan? 9 Tlie Plwenix Clan 66 Vie Mantis Clan 120
Why Bay Vie Plwenix Clan 123
Tlie Scorpion Clan 68
Legend of the Eh-e Rings? 9 Tlie Unicorn Clan 70 Vie Scorpion Clan 126
llltat is in Tins Book 10
Vie Unicorn Clan 129
Skills 133

<4}
Emphases 133
Mastery Abilities 133
SkittUst 133
High Skills 135
Bugei Skills 139
Book of Air Merchant Skills 143
The Emerald Empire 13 Book of Earth Low Skills 144
Tlie Birth of the Universe 13
General Mechanics 75 Advantages & Disadvantages 145
The Fall of the Kami 14 Basic Mechanics:
Subtypes 146
Pre-History of the Empire 14 Advantages 146
Th e Roll & Keep System 75
Tlie History of an Empire 15 ~
Disadvantages 156
Target Xumbers 6
Vie Geography of Rokugan 24 Magic & Spells 163
Social Classes
Rings & Traits 76
" Spell Casting Rolls
Skills ' 9
and the Celestial Order 26 & Spell Target Numbers 163
Raises 79
Rituals of Life 29 Actions & Casting Time 163
Day-to-Day Etiquette 31 Types of Rolls ?5 Affinities & Deficiencies 164
Visiting 32 Skill Rolls, Expanded 80 Spell Descriptions 164
Gift-Giving 33 Vie Combat Round 81
Universal Spells 164
Time and the Seasons 34 Definition of Terms 81 Air Spells 167
Food 35 Sequence of Events 81
Hair 15
Earth Spells 173
Attack & Defense 82 Fin Spells 180
Clothing 35 I'Untnds 82
DzL'ellings 36 mter Spells 1S7
Stances 84
Thml...: 38 Vbid Spells 193
Actions *5 Equipment 198
Men andlibnien 38
Maneuvers 85 Armor 198
Religion and Pliilosophy 39 ~

Kharma and the Celestial Wheel . . 39 laijutsu Dueling 8 lliapons 198

Vie Spirit Realms 40 Grappling 88 Bows 199
Conditional Effects 89 Chain Ueapons 200
Fear 90 Heavy llcapons 200
Honor, Glory, & Status 90 Knives 201
Honor 90 Xiniutsu Ueapons 201
dory. v. to ,;>C iVv. > *JS Fblcanns 202
Status 5S Spears . 7. M.:i..,
Staves 20}
Swords 204
War Fans 205
Miscellaneous Equipment 205
othing & Accesso ries 207

/
 Kata ..... 259 Myths: The GM as Entertainer
Kiho 261 I Vie GM as Adversary 313
Utilising Kiho 2d2 Actions Have Consequences 314-
Air Kiho 262 Vie Rules as a Toolbox 3U
EarStKiho 263 Changing the Rules 315
Fin Kiho 264 Alternate Playstyles 315
mterKiho 2d5 Anime Style 316
Book of Water MidKilw 265 Cinematic Style 317
Advanced Mechanics 211 Maho. . 247 Grim Realism Style 317
Learning Maho 267 Vie GMs Toolbox 318
The Spider Oan 211 Using Maho 267 Creatures of Rokugan 318
The Minor Clans 215 Maho Spells 268 Creature Statistics 318
The Badger Clan 2Z5 Tlie Shadoidands Taint 23
The Bat Clan 216 Special Abilities: 319
Living zcith the Taint 276 Standard Special Abilities . . . 319
The Boar Oan 217
Gaining the Taint Natural Creatures 320
Vie Dwgonfly Oan 218 -
Active Infection 276
The Falcon Clan 218 Protection From the Taint 277 Dog(Imi) 320
The Fox Oan 229
Effects of the Taint 277 Dog, Unicorn U'hr Dog 321
The Hare Oan 220 Levels of Taint Infection 2/ 7 Falcon 321
The Monkey Clan 222 Calling on the Potcer of Jigoku. . . .279 Horse, Rokugani Fbny 322
The Oriole Oan 222 Shadozdands Horse, Unicorn Riding Horse. 322
The Ox Oan 22J Fbii'crs and Mutations 279 Horse, Utakn Battle Steed . . . 323
The Snake Clan 23* Lion 323
The Sparrow Oan 2M Ox 323
The Tortoise Oan 225
mif(Ookami) 323
The Imperial Families 22/ Monsters and Xonhunian Races. . .324
The Miya Family 227
Tlie Otomo Family 227 Bog Hag 324
Gaki(Shozai-Caki) 325
The Seppun Family 227
Tlie Brotherhood oj Shinsei 2J2 Gliost (ybrei) 326
Monk Schools 231 Goblin (Bakcmono) 327
Book of Void
The Four Temples Monk 231 ' Kappa 327
the Game Master s Oiapter
The Order of Heroes Monk. . . 232 Ogn 32S
The Shrine Running an L5R Campaign 255 Oni (Ugulu no Oni) 328
of the Seven Thunders Monk 232 Playing a Samurai 285 Ratling (Nesumi) 329
Tlie Temple Types of Campaigns 286 Tsuno (Tsuno Warrior) 330
of Kaimetsu-uo Monk 232 Magistrates 286 Undead Revenant 330
The Temple
Imperial Legionnaires 256 Zombie 331
The Shadozdands Campaign.... 256 Fbison 332
of Osano-liv Monk 233 Arbiters/Regents (Shikken) 257
The Temples Dripping Fbison 332
Imperial Cartographers/Scouts . . . 287 Hn Biter 333
of the Thousand Fortunes Monk . . 233 Otokodate(Band of Brothers) ... 255
Ronin 233 Night Milk 333
The Restricted Campaign 255
Clan Ronin 234 Ihiom 333
Tlie Rank 0 Campaign 259
True Ronin, Option 1 234 Emerald Empire location Guide . . . .334
Tzi'o-Player Games 259
True Ronin, Option 2 234 Provinces of the Crab Oan 334
Tlie Sun and Moon: Balancing
Optional Systems 236 Provinces of the Crane Qan 337
Characters and Campaigns 292
the Mass Battle System 236 Adventures and Structure 292
Provinces of the Dragon Clan . . . 340
Heroic Opportunities 238 Vie Provinces of the Uon Oan . . .343
Writing Your Ozz'n Adventure 29i
Ancestors 242 Fyovinces of the Mantis Clan. ... 346
Types of Adventures 293
Crab Ancestors 242 Provinces of the Phoenix Oan . . . 348
Starting the Adventure 297
Crane Ancestors 242 Adventure Structure: Act Tcuo ... 297 Provinces of the Scorpion Oan. . . .351
Dragon Ancestors 242 Vie Shadowlands and the
Plot Constraints 295
Lion Ancestors 242 Rewards for Success:
Provinces of the Spider Clan 354
Mantis Ancestors 243 provinces of the Unicorn Oan . . . .357
Experience Points 300
Phoenix Ancestors 243 Building Stories:
Minor Clan Holdings 59
Scorpion Ancestors 243 The 36 miter Plots 301 Unaligned / Imperial Holdings. . . 363
SpiderlShadoidands Asian I'ersus Geographical Features 566
Ancestors 2H Western Storytelling 309 Sample Adventure Seeds:
Unicorn Ancestors 244 The Hero in Asian Stories 309 Oiallenge, Focus, Strike 369
Alternate Means Death and the Samurai 310 A Complete Sample Adventure:
Vie Role of Tragedy 310 Tournament of the Samurai 372
of Rank Progression 245
Advanced Schools 245 Making Villains: Resources and Inspirations 384
Black and White in Rokugan 311 Non-Fiction 384
Alternate mhs 26
Great Clan Advanced Schools .. . .247 Honor, Glory, Fiction and Stories 384
Great Clan Alternate Paths 252 Infamy, and Status 312 Film and Television 384
Miscellaneous Alternate Paths. . . 256 The Art of Being Charader Sheet 559
Basic Crafting Rules 255 a Good Game Master 313 Index 394