I

H.
fl
!'ÉI'l
L §§-1614

§
§rlvZ Á

b
.:§

.r.rÍ
bd
*#j w '. -+-"
.-;
..'.&:"É:,§
iF¡.íq

áf'
G,i
Ggg
*7
f
 WeÍcome to t[1e emerald €wrpir'e
This is an era of sudden change and upheaval in Rokugan, where the Emerald Empire has ruled for over a thousand
years. Mortal schemes, natural calamities, and celestial turmoil alike have disrupted the political, military, and
spiritual equilibrium of the land. Long-simmering rivalries and fresh betrayals ripple through the courts and on the
battlefield. The Chrysanthemum Throne is beset by threats from without and within, and the honor of the seven
Great Clans-the families descended from the heroes of legend and sworn to rule their lands in the Emperor's
name-shall be put to the test.

READY TO START?
lf you're already familiar with Rokugan, the clans of the Emerald Empire, and the other cultural aspects of the
Legend of the Ftve Rings setting, then you can skip the remainder of this page and jump straight to the next
page to learn about roleplaying and more about your character.

Utx* tfie
§;fioevrtx
Cfa*,r: f:rpúdeoleurnm
"Master the elements and be reborn." The Way of the Warrior, or Bushidó, e,eva:es samurai
Other clans guard the Empire's borders, even the from the rest of society while a:so c-a ñ'nc us to near-
Empire's future, but the Phoenix guard the Empire! soul. unattainable ideals. When yoL ceco-e a -.'¡urai,
It is our duty to keep safe the myriad religious paths, you must embody Righteousness anc l-{c^ot Loyalty
defining them and arbitrating their differences. Scholars and Duty, and Courtesy and Cor-cass'o^. as rvell as
of the Tao and servants of the spirits are found among Courage in the face of death- Yor, r'¿, : ce exoested to
our ranks more than in any other clan; the wisdom we uphold these virtues in your every vro'o a.c deed, even
have gleaned from both traditions has led us to foster when these ideals conflict with one arotner'. The tenets
peace and understanding among the other clans-even of Bushidó would not be ideals to sL.ive toward, after all,
if it means sacrificing ourselves in the process. if they were easy to achieve.-.
We know that our every step sends ripples throughout The tenet of Ríghteousnessdrivesyou, as we Phoenix
the world, so we must tread lightly and with a peaceful are willing to sacrifice ourselves to ensure the right thing
heart, lest disharmony or even chaos result. is done. We know that when our lands are not governed
justly, the Heavens will voice their displeasure.

Qa*r &h**l: Isqwa €fementalist

LMse WordS
Schools in Rokugan train and prepare us for our role as !o,tr go,rr' Éerrsei...
samurai, such as bushi (warriors), shugenja (priests who Honor and glory are everything to a samurai. Honor
can call on the spirits for aid), courtiers (those skilled in reflects your invrard opinion of how well you adhere
political matters), and monks (seekers of enlightenment). to the tenets of Bushidó, while glory reflects how well
As one of the oldest and greatest shugenja families in known your name is throughout the Empire. ln a perfect
the Empire, we have had centuries to learn to commune world, you couid bring glory to yourself and the Phoenix
with the spirits and the most effective ways to request while maintaining your moral integrity, but in Rokugan,
their blessings. Some might confuse authority with we are frequently tested to see which one we value
arrogance, but at heart, we here at lsawa Elemental more highly.
Academies are a pious and dutiful family that is devoted Know that your life as a samurai will often feature
to ensuring harmony and balance. much turmoil over competing desires-especially over
what you personally want (your nínjó) and what society,
your clan, and your lord expects of you (your gin).
 f:lagi{í t arx (llara¿tet ljour Étog Éo Far'...
You are part of a roleplaying game (RPG), an exciting The recent untimely and mysterious death of the Emerald
cooperative storytelling experience. Like many games, Champion, Doji Satsume of the Crane Clan, has thrown
it has rules, components, and dice to help describe and the Emerald Empire into turmoil. Each of the Great
resolve the action. Unlike most games, an RPG has no Clans suspiciously eyes the others and wonders whether
winner or loser and no opposing teams. lf everyone has the death was no tragic accident, but a dishonorable act
fun, then everyone wins! of murder.
The other players (like you) are hero players. Each of ln these times of strife, a group of youths approaches
you controls one player character (PC)-your character the village of Tsuma for the Topaz Championship and
is lsawa Aki. Hero players make decisions for their PCs, their gempuku, the coming-of-age ceremony that will
describing what they want their characters to do and mark them as fully fledged samurai. Each contestant
how they react to the plot and setting created by the has come from a different clan and dreams of being the
game master (GM) who runs the game. Whenever you highest-scoring contestant in the tournament, earning
want your character to do something, simply tell the the title of Topaz Champion. Despite being pitted
GM what that is; the GM will then tell you the result. against one another, they are all united in their desire to
'.Sometimes, the GM may say a check is needed to see if succeed and bring honor to their clan and family.
you succeed in your request, like if you wanted to leap Not everyone in Tsuma has honorable motives for
over a chasm or attack a foe. You'll learn how to make the contest, however. Personal vendettas, supernatural
checks on the next page. visitations, and deadly sabotage may undermine the
following days-unless the new arrivals stay true to the
Code of Bushidó and act as the honorable samurai they
seek to become.

4s go* tr,auel fo lrurna lonr ftle

Isawa €[errevrfal 4«denues...
Ll1 t You know that lsawa Ranmaru, your mentor's husband,
blames you for her death. He may be correct.
You are certain your parents are very proud of you,
though you have not seen them for some years now.
Everything you have studied makes you believe that
the magic used by the Unicorn Clan is heretical, and
should be outlawed. Similarly, the religious beliefs of the
Perfect Land Sect are aberrant and possibly even more
dangerous to Rokugan.
/

Í U
-l

,Ía ta

7
,{

lF-
CHARACTER NAME BIN § r aN ljlls§_yal_u Es
3
Isqwa 4k¡
8
ffion^ix '$& FAT 6UE

Your reaction when you exceed your Composure

6 Wiihdraw into quict eontemplation

5 .2. / ,uoo,,,

w, *p / ,,,*,,, *T I .,,*,,,,

sKrLL§ arYg ry§L UEYéqq___ APPROACHES AND DICE THEY ADD

t.
o\
a<
FññEE'l @ Air Ring: 2tlr
O+
qo Aesthetics: Create visual works ol art 0 I
Graceful, cunning, and precise
bt
.rS
Composition: Compose literature 1I O
p- Design: Fashion and selectclothing OI @ Earth Ring; 1l I
UG
Smithing: Craftweapons and armor 0 I Steady, grounded, and thorough

Fitness: Per{orm feats of physical

I@ prowess 0 I
@ Fire Ring: 3
Direct, ferocious, and inventive
/III
e6 Martial Arts [Melee]: Use c/ose combat weapon O I
oo
po- 2III
Martial Ats [Ranged]: Use rangedweapon 0I @ Water Ring:
.9 o"
\Jq Martial Arts [Unarmed]: Use flsts in combat 0/ Balanced, flexible, and perceptive
a
Meditation: Process and control emot¡onr 1/ O
@ void ning; 2 I II
Tactics: Command and control in a battle 0 / Enlightened, centered, and mystical

Culture: KnowRokuganitradit¡onsandtrends 1I O
l@
Government: Know how the Empire operates 0 /
Medicine: Know the body and how to heal,t 0 / - CONFLICT STANCES
Sentiment: Understand emotions of others o/ Air: Enemies add + 1 to the target
@
Theorogy: Understand religions and rhe spirits 3 /ooo number (TN) of their checks against you

Command: /ssue orders to others @ Earth: Foes can't spend :ji to injure you
Courtesy: Conlrol conversations and arguments I I O (¡ results in
@ Fire: You may count your a
Games: Piay and understand games 1I O successful check as bonus successes
Performance: Entertain and impress others 0/
@ Water: You can perform an additional,
different action that doesn't need a check
ltl¡ bed s Commerce: Buy and sei/ goods {or
Labor: Conduct manual
pro{it
such as farming
0|
0 / @ Void: You ignore strife from (¡ results in
.tasks
II üP
ti <g
Seafaring: Operate boats and subsist at sea OI your check
f Skulduggery: Steal and spy on others 0

M
1,.,
¡i
/
Survival: Travel and endure in wilderness areas 0 I

#skill
Die i
 IN YOUR TURN: YOUR CHARACTER'S
}IO\,v TO PERFORM A CHECK HEALTH AND
Describe to the GM what you want to At the start of your turn, you should set STANDING IN THE
do, and they will determine the check your Stance if you're in a skirmish. This CHAMPIONSHIP
you need to make, the skill to use, and determines which Ring you'll fight with.
the target number (TN)to succeed. Then you can move 1 range band, and Endurance represents your
Refer to the Skill to be used for the can perform one of the following Actions: stamina and willingness to fight,
check, and select the associated while fatigue indicates damage
e Attack by using the Strike action. you have taken. When you suffer
number of Q dice. You'll probably use this frequently
Select the Approach (based on the Ring fatigue, mark it here. lf this goes
in skirmishes. above your Endurance value, you
you're going to use) and the associated
fall unconscious!
number of ! dice. a Move up to 1 extra range band.
4, Rollthe combined dice pool. Critical strikes represent serious
5, Keep a number of dice (of either type) & Use a skill in a check, such as Medi- injuries to your character. lf you
equal to or less than the Ring used in cine to remove fatigue or Fitness to
suffer one, mark it here. Erase the
the check. move a fallen tree out of your way.
mark if the critical strike is healed.
lf you have at least as many Success- You can also use your School Ability as
es (O) on the kept dice as the TN, part of making a check. This doesn't count lf your character suffers any health
you sücceedl as a separate action.
conditions such as becoming un-
conscious, indicate them here.

Composure is your capacity to

endure mental and emotional
pressure, while strife represents
ñ;t- RANCE DAIlAC!
strong emotions that can over-
Martial Arts Fiery red, as befits a Phoenix come your inner control. When
Fists
l9:*!l Travelino pack Usefu' items when on the road,
you suffer strife, mark it here.
When the strife you've suffered
Martial Arts I'ke bedmat and traveling clothes
5taff
lMeleel exceeds your Composure value,
Satchel of Scrolls Var ous texts and tomes ror study
you become Unmaskedl
5 koku (enough money to sustain
Money
You deal damage to the target equal to the weapon's you for five months) Focus represents how fast you re-
base damage plus your bonus successes. You may also act to threats. lt helps determine
spend :j.'9,r from the check to inflict a critical strike!
the order in combat!

Vigilance is your wariness and

overall ability to notice things that
i! could be a threat.
Y_O U Rr E B_S-ONA,L TU,R!V| O IL iii! Y-9_u 8 § c-H o o,l A E tL§Y; Void points will be available for
You are aware of your power, and want to ¡¡
¡l AT ONE WITH THE ELEMENTS you to use after the lnterlude on
gain even more. Your expert researches tii; Once per scene when making a Theology the next page.
have gained attention, though, which i: check, before rolling the dice you may
may mean you are instead destined to be iij,i reduce the TN of the check by '1 .
Honor represents your belief that
you are upholding the values of
only a scholar and never wield real power. i: J
.É éL, Bushidó. Record any changes to
it here.
l Glory reflects your social standing
Y-Qg¡¿D.SN:[A§E-- in Rokugan. Record any changes
Sixth Sense: You are especially in tune to it here.
with the spirit world, and are especially
sensitive to mystical phenomena. Track the contest points you
achieve here. Your goal is to reach
You may reroll up to 2 dice of your
8 points, and thus show your read-
choice when your advantage helps
iness to become a samurai!
you on any check.

-:§I
;sa_.
p-il
STO
-ffi=- Don't turn the
Fpage unt¡l the GM
instructs You to'
ft -
 8t§Er ANp_tsLN E _yá E§
I
CHARACTER NAME l- U
I
4ki
Is¿wa
I
f;ftoerrix ,r.$ I
EAT
6UE

Your reaction when you exceed your Composure:

6 sIR FE
Witheirar"¡ !nte q:.:i*1: cer:ier::p!ati*n

i
&

{§ F. fligE
t §
Void
E¡.
t-S 2 .kÉ
rral ri r¡ á a, oor*,

F _s-,(i_L-t§4§p,p§-e-1uEy_óp"P_
*p / ,,,*,*,
II
*7t
APPROACHES AND DICE THEY ADD
il

.\G
o-
A)

I Aesthetics: Create visual works of art

@ Air Ring;
Graceful, cunning, and precise

I
0<

o 99-Tp":iti9i :,c-g y P ? :? l!!" :!":

P
Design: Fashion and s9-l,ec} g!9t!¡!9 @ Earth Ring;
U Direct, ferocious, and inventive
Smithing: Craft weapons and armor

Fire Ring:

§,
a"

e5
l;it Martlal Arts [Melee]: Use close combat we.apon
Direct, ferocious, and inventive
oo
./"",t, $J o- Martial Arts
lngnggd]:
Use ra19ed we-ap2n @ Water Ring;
xo
\JC Martial Arts [Unarmed]:
l-tse l1¡ts
in combat Balanced, flexible, and perceptive
a
Mefltation: rgcess. a2d e
P
991ty2l 19;ti9 1s @ void ning:
Tactics: Command and control in a battle
Enlightened, centered, and mystical
E

U Culture: Know Rokugani traditions and trends

b ,.[
ic Government: Know how the Empire operales
OC
CL Medicine: Know the bgdy and how to heal it
CONFLICT STANCES
vo
-o J
Sentiment: Understand emotions of others
@ Air: Enemies add +1 to the target
Theology: L)nderstand religions and the spirits
number (TN) of their checks against you
5OtiAr
o Earth: Foes can't spend 9¡ to injure you

@ Fire: You may count your (¡ results in a

successful check as bonus successes
Performance: Enteftain and impress others
@ Water: You can perform an additional,
different action that doesn't need a check
9grr-"j:1 -?'v-
g"! '91 99".d:
r:l p-:or:'
c-o.n!yc-! t.?:k' u? r?.'y,¡ls @ Void: You ignore strife from (¡ results in
\9boy: -rygly?t 'u-'l ,
o-pg!":? at. your check
.lg?iu,i!g, :ybs'jt :e?
.b:.:1,.31-d
a1d sg.t ?i
!iyl9,,sq..-ry, .st:1t -?t!?!2
Survival: Travel and endure in wilderness areas

success Explosive success opportunitr

* Rins A § §}
Die I DiéEl
 INTERLUDE: SPENDING ExPERIENCE PoINTS (xp) You can now use Void points,
which allow you to call on your
During the lnterlude, you gain 4 XP! You can spend XP to... ¡nner strength and overcome im-
s lncrease one or more Rings: lncreasing a Ring value costs XP equal to twice the possible odds. While making a
new value. So advancing from 1 to 2 costs ó XP, from 2 to 3 costs 9 XP, and so check, when assembling the dice
on. Each upgrade must be done separately, so increasing a Ring value from 1 to pool you may spend 1 Void point
3 would cost 15 XP (ó XP + 9 XP). You can never increase a Ring vaiue greater to Seize the Moment! This allows
than your lowest Rings value + your Void Ring value. Mark the new value in the you to roll 1 additional I ring
entry space for that rtng. die and then keep 1 additional
a lncrease one or ¡'nore Skills: Buying +1 rank in a skill costs twice the new rank die (of any type) when resolving
the check.
value. So going from 0 ranks to 1 rank costs 2 XB from 1 to 2 costs 4 XP, etc.
Each upgrade rnust be done separately, so going from 1 rank to 3 ranks would
Techniques represent advanced
cost 10 XP (4 XP + ó XP). Mark the new value in the rank entry for that skill.
training that let you act in unex-
e Purchase a Technique-Path to lnner Peace (2XP) This technique allows com- pected ways or exploit openings
mune with water kami to you heal yourself and those around you. lf chosen, see that others would overlook. You
the rules below on this paEe and place a check next to its title. have two techniques available to
* Purchase a Technique-Tempest of Air (2XP) You beseech the air spirits to lash purchase during the interlude.
o'üi at your foes with powerful gusts! lf chosen, see the rules below on thís page and
place a check next to its tit/e.

IN YOUR TURN:
!VEAPON sKttt RANGE DAN,1A6E . Iaq At the start of your turn, set your
Martial Arts
0 Robes Fiery red, as befits a Phoenix Stance if in a skirmish.
Fists I
IUnarmedl
Use'¡ tems wnen on the road,
Then you can move 1 range
Travelino pack
l\lañial Arts like bedrat and t'avel rg clothes band, and can perform one of the
Katana 1 4
lMeleel
Satchel of scrolls Various texts and toles for study
following Actions:

ñr^_^..
tvtonev
5l,o(¡ (erough money to süsra;n
e Attack using Strike
You deal da-age to the LargeL equal to tl-e weapon's yor,'o'five montl^s)
base damage plus your bonus successes. You may also & Move 1 extra range band
spend :jr:jr from the check to inflict a critical strike!
& Use a skill
I Use one of your new
Techniques, if it is described
as an action
YO U R F EF§S-!_§AL TU§rVr O! !- Yo,U_R §_CHooL Ap!TY¡ You can also use your School
You are aware of your power, and want to AT ONE WITH THE ELEMENTS
Ability as part of making a check.
gain even more. Your expeft researches Once per scene when making a Theology This doesn't count as a sepa-
have gained attention, though, which check, before rolling the dice you may rate action. You may also use a
may mean you are instead destined to be reduce the TN of the check by 1. Technique if it isn't described as
only a scholar and never wield real power.
an action.

Y*UR ATVéRJTAüT
Sixth Sense: You are especially in tune PATH TO INNER PEACE
with the spirit world, and are especially
sensitive to mystical phenomena. As a Support action, you may make a TN 2
Theology (Water) check targeting yourself
You may reroll up to 2 dice of your or another character at range 0-2. lf you
choice when your advantage helps succeed, each target heals 2 fatigue plus
you on any check. your bonus successes. You may spend:jr
to target one extra character per lji spent
this way. You cannot use this on someone
more than once per scene.

TEMPEST OF AIR
As an Attack action, you may make a TN 3
Theology (Air) check targeting everyone
at range 2-3. lf you succeed, each target
suffers 2 damage. You may spend :jr 9;
to exclude 1 character from these effects.
You would be wise to select this character if you want to:
x Be an expert at calling upon the spirits to lend you elemental aid

;* Belong to a clan that focuses on harmony and relrgious matters

x Solve your problems with ingenuity and passion

It would be unwise, however, to chose lsawa Aki if you desire a play a character who
excels at diplomacy or the use of weapons, or who uses the inner power of ki to empower
their martial arts.

Tsawa4k¡'s Étog
Aki showed her ability to hear and speak with the kami-the mystical nature spirits of
Rokugan-at a young age and was soon apprenticed to lsawa Juriko, a powerful shugenia
who some suggested might someday be the next Master of Fire. Aki took to her studies
with great passion, and found a kindred soul in her mentor. lndeed, soon Aki was making
contributions to Juriko's work, urging the elder shugenja to press further in her studies and
understanding of the kami.
L)nfortunately, something went wrong, and Juriko died in a horrible fire. Since then, Aki
has been without a proper mentor, completing her studies on her own at the temples and
libraries of the lsawa. Here she learned more of the heretical Perfect Land sect, and she
firmly believes their teachings of false equality are dangerous and can only bring ruin to
the Emerald Empire.
Now, Aki is ready to undertake her gempuku trials and become a full, adult samurai. As
is only proper given her extensiye natural gifts, Aki has been se/ected to travel to Tsuma
and jointheTopazTournament Aki is certainthatJuriko'sfateisnotwhatawaitsher.Soon,
Aki will not only reach her old mentor's level of mastery, but exceed it. Becoming Topaz
Champion is only the first step.

l? trE -