Give a shout out to Legend of the 5 Rings.

Li Shenron said:

@gamerprinter 　日本語も分かりますか？　 (snip)

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It's been 29 years for me... but shouldn't that be nihongo GA rather than nihongo MO?

Scrivener of Doom said:

It's been 29 years for me... but shouldn't that be nihongo GA rather than nihongo MO?

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I'm still trying to figure that out... I wanted to say "do you also speak Japanese?" in this case.

That might be: Anata wa nihongo ga dekimasu ka. I think the also is superfluous in Japanese but, after 29 years, I could totemo wrong.

As stated, part of my goal was to better represent Japan, and in my opinion, much of what makes given setting and culture to most resemble Japan requires an island nation vs. a land-locked one. Because Japan was an island, being so provided a buffer to help isolate Japan from the rest of Asia and to develop its own unique qualities. Only large scale invasions by sea provide an adequete enough threat due to its isolation. Land-locked nations on the other hand are subject to every skirmishing raid that crosses its borders, and mitigates any opportunity to the empire's unique development.

Being on an island means, one's everyday experience and interaction with all things natural are generally limited to a small region. So concepts outside the normal become much more significant. The Japanese view on the supernatural, in general, is that of horror rather than wonder. The dreadful concept of the 'other' is greater to peoples isolated on an island vs. a land locked nation. For this reason, Rokugan, IMO, is not ideal to create a believable Japan analog.

With this in mind, here is a map of the empire and archipelago of Kaidan:



Here's an older map of the island of Yonshu (east central main island on the previous map), one of the 3 great isles of Kaidan, and the location for our introductory trilogy of modules set in Kaidan, The Curse of the Golden Spear. Note the use of ukiyo-e Japanese print art for the objects in this map - mountains, shrines, structures.

I LOVE L5R. That was the system and setting that helped my gaming friends and I mature the most as gamers. Because the setting places importance not only on what you say but how you say it, we found ourselves being more conscious during roleplaying interactions. This was further advanced because of the deadly (1st Edition) combat. You certainly can deal with threats with katana drawn but the risk of dying is higher than in other games we played at the time (D&D). This helped us consider other approaches instead of "kill it".

I would say my favorite clan is the Scorpion. I think too often they are incorrectly caracaturized as consummate underhanded backstabbers that could betray the party if that serves their ambition. To me they're more characterized by loyalty. They're willing to do something shady, make themselves look bad, or take the blame as long as it makes their companions look good and allows them to complete their task. I like that devotion to the greater cause at the sacrifice of their own glory and honor.

My only exposure to L5R was a very brief experience with two starter decks quite a while ago and one novel in the setting. I've never been able to garner interest in it so we've never gotten RPG-deep into the setting at all.

I do like L5R. And for me it's the Roll and Keep system or nothing. (Well I could play it in HERO but that would require far too much conversion.)

Favourite Clan is Crane without a doubt. I like most of the Great Clans, the Phoenix and Lion coming close after the Crane. Not fond of the Mantis and find the Crab a bit one-dimensional. I must also say I don't think I'd actually play a Scorpion. But I do like them.

I was running a short campaign last year. The intent was a 2 part campaign. First part in the Imperial Court in Winter (as young aides to the Crane ambassador) followed by a Summer military campaign. The game was going well then I had to go out of town for about 6 weeks for work. When I got back the players had just lost interest.

But I will say I do NOT like the L5R "living history." The one based on the card game. It's puss. It may make sense for the card game, but surely the RPG can do without some of the stupidity that has come out of it. Of course, it's not like I have to use it but it does limit the usefulness of some of the supplements.

EDIT: Wednesday Boy, I agree with your take on the Scorpion. I think it makes them a very interesting thing to play.

I'd love to play some L5R, but you guys keep your living games behind an archaic email for adventure plan. I emailed before and didn't get a response. I know you guys are not "official" for the L5R guys, but you have their blessing. If you could either have me pay to get them when I would or post online for free, I'd jump on that in a heart beat!

biotech66 said:

I'd love to play some L5R, but you guys keep your living games behind an archaic email for adventure plan. I emailed before and didn't get a response. I know you guys are not "official" for the L5R guys, but you have their blessing. If you could either have me pay to get them when I would or post online for free, I'd jump on that in a heart beat!

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Who are you talking to?

I've never played L5R. What makes it tick? What are the coolest bits?

PS