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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Psion" data-source="post: 2010126" data-attributes="member: 172">Secrets of the PhoenixSecrets of the Phoenix is a book in the "Secrets of" series of books for the Legends of the Five Rings setting by AEG that deals with specific clans in the setting (in this case, the Phoenix clan).As with prior books in the series, Secrets of the Phoenix is a "dual-statted" providing game rules in both terms of the d20 System and the Legends of the Five Rings 2nd edition system. This review only attempts to cover d20 System material and non-system specific material.A First LookSecrets of the Phoenix is a 96 page perfect-bound softcover book priced at $24.95. This is expensive for a d20 System book of this size.The cover of the book follows suit after the rest of the books in the series, with a half-face of a figure from the clan against a dark backdrop. The man depicted on the cover is wearing a stylized Phoenix-crested kabuto and has glowing eyes. The cover art is by Matthew S. Armstrong.The interior of the book is black and white, with some header text and game details set off in blue text. The interior art is by Chris Dornaus, and is generally of good quality, albeit having a rather sketchy penciled appearance.Typical of AEG books nowadays, Secrets of the Phoenix has dense body text and closely spaced paragraphs, somewhat making up for the high price per page exhibited by the book.A Deeper Look(Spoiler warning: This section discusses some of the GM only material introduced in the chapter.)The arrangement of Secrets of the Phoenix is somewhat similar to prior volumes in the series in that it has an introduction with a general cultural and historical details and a rules summary, chapters devoted to major families in the clan, and a chapter detailing secrets of the clan.The introductory chapter touches lightly on some traditions and some important historical events as well as a few mechanical details. Five new feats are introduced (mostly void related), as well as new courtier abilities and a Phoenix technique reference lists.The most significant new feat is Greater Depths of the Void. Similar to the Depths of the Void feat, the feat simply gives you extra void points. However, the amount of void points thus gained is significantly higher. The feat grants four void points plus one additional void point per additional time the feat is taken. This feat will be a much sought out feat for those who wish to maximize their void related abilities.The first through fourth chapter covers the major families of the Phoenix clan, the Agasha family (formerly of the Dragon clan), the Asako, the Isawa, and the Shiba. Each of the family chapters contains a similar arrangement, with details on the provinces of the clan (with adventure seed for each holding), major NPCs and vassal families, and a few mechanical tidbits like feats, magic items, and katas (introduced in Way of the Samurai.)The Agasha are a former Dragon clan granted lands in Phoenix territory after their exodus from the Dragon clan after some repellent actions by the Dragon clan champion. The Agasha clan holdings are small, but significant.New mechanics in this chapter include a new ancestor feat, new spells, and a new prestige class, the Agasha Ikakeya. The class is a magic-based one, with continued spellcasting progression and class abilities that heighten their ability to craft items.The Asako family is a secluded family ruled by ascetic monks, which is an unusual state of affairs for Rokugan. New prestige classes include the Henshin Master, which is a monk related class and improves monk or inkyo abilities. As the henshin master advances, they gain riddles and mysteries, which translate as specific selectable class abilities. The chapter also includes 2 new ancestor feats.The Isawa are a wealthy and well established family in the Phoenix clan. New mechanics include new ancestor feats, new spells, and a new prestige class, the Isawa Tensai. The Isawa Tensai is a shugenja oriented class. The class abilities improve the character's abilities with the element which the character focuses on.The Shiba are the most warlike of the Phoenix clan families, and the only Phoenix family to carry two swords. The Shiba are also known for their academy of artisans. The Shiba also currently control the Last Wish (see below).New Shiba mechanics include new ancestor feats and a new prestige class, the Order of Chikai. The Order of Chikai is a bushi-oriented class. The Order is charged with protecting elemental masters and act as yojimbo (bodyguards). Class abilities of the order make them formidable in combat when protecting their charge.The fifth chapter discusses Gesei Toshi, the "City of Sacrifice". Gesei Toshi is an ancient city created before the time of the Kami's fall. Most of the city was destroyed, but it was secretly rebuilt, and knowledge of it's continued existence is a carefully guarded secret of the Isawa. The chapter includes details on the seven temples that dominate the city, adventure hooks using the city, as well as a map of the city.The sixth chapter, Behind the Veil, discusses secrets of the Phoenix clan. Secrets discussed include a strange and dangerous artifact called the last wish. The last wish was fashioned as an intelligent matrix of energy capable of understanding both kami and humans. The last wish takes different forms depending upon the intent of those trying to use it. Historically, the results of using the last wish have been very destructive unless the intent of the user has been selfless. Other secrets discussed include (another) secret village, this one a secret trading post used to trade with the Yobanjin clans, the henshin mystics, and a powerful oni known as the Nightmare of the Phoenix.ConclusionAs with previous volumes in the series, Secrets of the Phoenix is well written, but spends a lot of time on flavor text as well as minor details of the clan holdings. This may be useful if you run a campaign that spends a lot of time in the Phoenix lands, but otherwise only adds a few little morsels value for actual gaming. Further, as far as the flavor and campaign additions went, I did not find this volume as intriguing as the Mantis book.Overall Grade: C-Alan D. Kohler</blockquote>

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