Tell me about L5R the RPG

[Rechan]

I like Ninja. I like RPGs. So I want to know about RPGs about ninja!

How does the L5R RPG work? What's the setup? Are you all the same clan? Is it mulitple clans doing stuff? How's the system do what it does? I understand they released L5R 4e - are the various editions very different, or...

All I know about the setting is that there are multiple clans that are named after various animals (Crab, scorpion, etc). I'm not sure if these clans are all ninja, or some are samurai and others ninja.

 

[JamesonCourage]

Last I played (probably... 7 years ago?), it was all about samurai. Not ninjas. Not sure if that kills it for you by itself.

 

[Asmor]

I've only browsed briefly the quick start rules they gave out at free rpg day a couple years ago, but the most recent system uses a dice pool system where you roll however many dice, but only keep your X best. It looked kind of interesting; on my 'pick up at some point' list.

 

[enrious]

I like Ninja. I like RPGs. So I want to know about RPGs about ninja!

L5R has a focus on a samurai and honor-based game, but like most games, it can be about whatever the DM and players want.

How does the L5R RPG work? What's the setup? Are you all the same clan? Is it mulitple clans doing stuff? How's the system do what it does? I understand they released L5R 4e - are the various editions very different, or...

First, go with 4e - unless there's an existing group already playing, then go with they have. The flavor is a matter of taste, although 4e gives you a good starting point at the very least.

Secondly, it depends on the campaign setup - you can all be part of the same clan, differing clans, etc.

All I know about the setting is that there are multiple clans that are named after various animals (Crab, scorpion, etc). I'm not sure if these clans are all ninja, or some are samurai and others ninja.

Of the various clans, Scorpion is the only one that really employs ninjas (there may be individual examples in the other clans but rarely if ever) - the whole Scorpion schtick is deception, something that you wouldn't see in Crab or Lion.

Here's some information about the Clans - The Clans | Legend of the Five Rings

 

[darjr]

I've played a few of the living campaign adventures for Heroes of Rokugon III. Those mods are available upon request if your going to run and report them. The II adventures are still available as well if you want to get a taste of what those games are like.
Heroes of Rokugan II - Champions of the Sapphire Throne

 

[Stormonu]

L5R is definitely more about playing the samurai - ninja are boogeymen that you get scoffed at for believing in. "In reality", ninjas are clandestine agents of the Scorpion - and the Spider clan, I believe (I'm pretty much a pre-Scorpion Clan coup fellow, and my knowledge of beyond the Lying Darkness is weak).

Overall, it's a great game. Deadly as hell. It's very much a game that if you've drawn swords, things have gone to hell and someone in the party may very well die.

 

[malcolypse]

Yep, Stormonu nailed the setting and the play style.

Honor is to be cherished and sought out, combat is a poor choice.

Played it several years ago, and I can attest to the brutality of the system. I called out a scorpion samurai over the ninjas he sent after us ("Ninja's are a fairy tale, to scare little Crane children into wetting themselves. Your accusations affront my honor, and I demand satisfaction!).

Iajitsu is particularly grisly.

Good times.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

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[enrious]

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What the hell?

 

[Wednesday Boy]

Aw man, I love L5R. It's one of my top five RPGs, although I haven't gotten a chance to play it in years. I was introduced to it when my roommate ran campaigns for us in college. And he was introduced to it through one of his friends who happened to be getting a degree in ancient Japanese history. So transitively, the style of gameplay that I was exposure to had a historically accurate bend.

The focus on Honor and all of its trappings helped us pay particular attention to what our characters were saying and how because misspeaking could lose you honor or even hasten your death. I've always felt that because it made us think through what we were going to say, we became stronger roleplayers for it.

One thing that I've always admired about the system mechanically is that you level faster if you create non-min/maxed character. And each mental attribute is paired with a physical attribute so I've seen more well-rounded characters.

In our campaigns we were most often given freedom to play whichever clan we wanted to but then we made a conscious effort to explain how the group knew each other and why they were a group. It's not much different than any campaign where the PCs come from different nations.

My favorite edition is 1st but I haven't played 4th. I've heard 4th is very similar to 1st with cleaned up rules. Definitely give it a try and let us know how it went!!