L5R 4th ed interest check

[HairyHeretic]

The Crab in my old City of Lies campaign (a Hiruma scout) almost started a war with the Lion clan through a poor choice of words :)

The party had been passing through Beiden Pass, the single most strategic piece of real estate in the Empire, and for the last few sessions a mysterious black rider had been following them. They thought it was something from the Shadowlands, but weren't sure. At any rate, they weren't going to get through the pass before night fell, so they were going to have to set up camp. They're maybe a couple of miles away from a Lion army encampment, which sends out regular patrols.

Not wanting to get attacked by the black rider at night, they lay a few trip wires and things around the camp. They decide they ought to let the Lion know about this, as having a patrol run into them isn't going to be a good scene for anyone. The Crab says he'll go tell them and wanders off to the Lion camp, where he gets challenged by a sentry.

Hiruma: "I just wanted to let you know, we've set up fortifications in the pass."

Setting up fortifications means pretty much staking a claim to the territory. Laying claim to what another clan sees as their territory is generally called an invasion, and the Crabs do SERIOUS fortifications.

The sentry has his hand on his sword and is about to call the alarm when the Crab goes on to explain the nature of the 'fortifications', and why they're there.

About another 5 seconds and things would have been very different :)

[Drowdeviant]

For me Scorpions require a lot more subtly to play, and you have to know the different clans and how they behave in order to properly deal with them. If you know the game and the setting, that's one thing, but coming in for a first time game I don't think Scorpions are the best clan to play. And I say that as someone who does favour playing Scorpions.

Well I'm not that adept on some clans as others. Unicorns to me are weird...though that is saying something coming from a person who fancies the clan that was actually exiled after the clan wars and wandered the desert for a good while before returning and redeeming themselves. xD

I might go Crane or Mantis if you don't think Scorpion is a good fit for me Hairy. Both have interesting possibilities. ;)

[HairyHeretic]

I was suggesting not Scorpion for Blythe, not for anyone else :) And again, it's only a suggestion, not an instruction.

Generally speaking, I'm okay with whatever anyone wants to play, unless it's something that doesn't exist within the setting, or is something that is going to present them with a lot of problems fitting in within the game. Everyone should have an opportunity to have fun with what they want to play.

[Drowdeviant]

I was suggesting not Scorpion for Blythe, not for anyone else :) And again, it's only a suggestion, not an instruction.

Generally speaking, I'm okay with whatever anyone wants to play, unless it's something that doesn't exist within the setting, or is something that is going to present them with a lot of problems fitting in within the game. Everyone should have an opportunity to have fun with what they want to play.

HMMMMMMM Honestly I'm split between a crane courtier or bushi, a scorpion courtier or bushi or a Mantis Shugenja. xD

[Blythe]

I think I'll go with a Crab bushi!  :-)

[Chulanowa]

If I join I'm going scorpion. Literally all lore in regards to their relationships with other clans are half smugfest, half exposing the moral weaknesses of the other clans.

Crabs are bull-headed and can be manipulated if it is done with a skilled hand

Crane depend too much on vanity and feelings of nobility

Dragons are cowards that hide behind a mask of sagely wisdom

Lions are arrogant and prideful, both which can be exploited to help the scorpion

Phoenixes are book worms but have little practical hands-on knowledge

Unicorns are optimistic and naive to the ways of the world.

They're the assholes but they do tell the hard truth. >:)

Man, the original clan book sure put the "ug" in smug, didn't it? That thing was like a 1st edition VTM clan book.

[Drowdeviant]

Man, the original clan book sure put the "ug" in smug, didn't it? That thing was like a 1st edition VTM clan book.

That it did. It also served it up as children's fairy tales about a Scorpion who was essentially a troll to the rest of the clan animals. xD

[HairyHeretic]

So, have the decisions around characters firmed up any?

[Pumpkin Seeds]

My books are so scattered.

[HairyHeretic]

I can probably help if you're looking for something specific.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Probably a Kakita duelist, though I  am wondering if an Akodo might be fun.   I tend to play  Crane a lot.

[ShadowFox89]

Are you still recruiting? What clans are currently nabbed?

[AmberStarfire]

I'm considering a phoenix shugenja, but the more I consider it, the more I'm also considering other clans. I'll let you know when I have more.

[HairyHeretic]

Are you still recruiting? What clans are currently nabbed?

Yep, still got room. Most people have tentative ideas for a character, but I think the only firmly chosen one is a Crab Bushi. That being said, I have no issue with multiple characters from the same clan, or people playing minor clans / vassal families if they want to.

[ShadowFox89]

 Cool. I was thinking a Crane Duelist or Dragon Bushi. I'll have to give it more thought....

[Drowdeviant]

Cool. I was thinking a Crane Duelist or Dragon Bushi. I'll have to give it more thought....

Well you might have to talk with Pumpkin about the first option fox, last she said she was thinking of playing a crane. xD

I'm thinking of playing a scorpion personally. Maybe a bushi or a shinobi/infiltrator (mainly cause I don't know much about how court in L5R really works so I shouldn't be trying to play a courtier...though it would give me interesting RP'ing options ;) ).

[Chulanowa]

So, have the decisions around characters firmed up any?

Not yet. I made the terrible mistake of starting a recruit for the most popular Pathfinder AP, so I've been just a little swamped  ;D But I've got the entire weekend free, so it shouldn't be a problem.

[Drowdeviant]

Not yet. I made the terrible mistake of starting a recruit for the most popular Pathfinder AP, so I've been just a little swamped  ;D But I've got the entire weekend free, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Anyone want to start as a friend/rival/enemy/ex-lover/etc. of my gal? I'm thinking she could do with people to talk with at this wedding. xD

Still pondering whether or not she's married and what sort of samurai she is (though she'll be a scorpion none the less). Infiltrator is good cause they can't lose honor for using low skills and are very good at being stealthy, but courtiers are interesting cause they essentially manipulate people through blackmail, seduction and other dirty tactics. >:)

[Blythe]

I'm seeing a lot of interest in bushi--Hairy, would you mind terribly if I changed what I'd like to play to a Crab shugenja instead? ^^

[AmberStarfire]

I have a bit more of a concept for my character though I'm still uncertain about her clan.

Her parents sent her to train as a priestess with the Temple of Amaterasu (I believe they take some samurai caste, don't they?). However, her parents didn't seek proper permission from their lord and she was forcibly brought back from the temple. Her parents were either tortured or dishonoured for their disobedience (or their lord simply changed his mind), and she was told she must serve the clan's interests. She chose the path of a shugenja but she has rebellious feelings toward her own clan, because it wasn't the path she would've chosen.

[Drowdeviant]

I'm seeing a lot of interest in bushi--Hairy, would you mind terribly if I changed what I'd like to play to a Crab shugenja instead? ^^

But Blythe you are playing a crab. Crabs must pinch! xD


Honestly I still might go mantis for their awesome shugenja school that get air AND fire spell affinity during the day time. Plus it would balance out Blythe's Shugenja cause they would cover my Shugenja's lack of earth spells to combat shadowlands and otherwise tainted creatures. xD

[Drowdeviant]

I have a bit more of a concept for my character though I'm still uncertain about her clan.

Her parents sent her to train as a priestess with the Temple of Amaterasu (I believe they take some samurai caste, don't they?). However, her parents didn't seek proper permission from their lord and she was forcibly brought back from the temple. Her parents were either tortured or dishonoured for their disobedience (or their lord simply changed his mind), and she was told she must serve the clan's interests. She chose the path of a shugenja but she has rebellious feelings toward her own clan, because it wasn't the path she would've chosen.

Hmm well based on that I might recommend the Agasha Shugenja school of the phoenix clan since they're the only ones that have affinity with fire spells (kinda Amaterasu's native element to my knowledge).

[AmberStarfire]

Hmm well based on that I might reccomend the Agasha Shugenja school of the phoenix clan since they have affinity with fire spells (kinda Amaterasu's native element).

One of my last characters was an Agasha fire shugenja (the Agasha belonged to the dragon clan at that point in the timeline), but that would likely help jog my memory with L5R as well.

[Marie Reynolds]

If there is still room I would like to jump in.

[Muse]

  Are the Sparrow clan around yet? 

  Suzume  Kyou would love anohter chance to swing his sword and spin his tales. 

  Pumpkin!  *pounce!*