Topic: L5R 4th ed interest check

[Pumpkin Seeds]

I would recommend, Blythe, that you start with what you want to play.  Each Clan presents their own challenges and rewards.  Playing safe will probably have you ending up with a character you aren’t all that attached to playing.  There are multiple facets to each clan and each clan has multiple families that can be played as more inept in politics and really there are a myriad of reasons why a character might not be so wonderful at the intricacies of courtly life.  Not even the Crane get it right all the time and even the Scorpion have members that they wouldn’t allow in a polite company.  So I’d first say think of what you want to play and then think of what Clan and family would offer you the greatest possibility.  If you need help, I'd be more than happy to assist.

Hi Muse!  Sorry for the silence.  Even now I’m fighting for computer time with my son who thinks that Mami must be having fun with the keyboard so he can too.

I do think the group is sort of sliding around each other at this point.  We’re all dancing our concepts around each other.  So once a few solid points come into play others will link up together.  I will probably need to buy the main book again as mine is probably back in New Orleans still. 

I will go ahead and put my mark down for an Akodo that is pushing toward being a Kensai.  I have not found the rules for the school yet, but there we have my decision.  Likely the daughter of a Doji mother and an Akodo father so that she is versed in politics along with swordsmanship.  She grew up on stories of Kakita and his sword while also learning about the discipline of military life and practice.  So she has a mixture of heroic fantasy and practical application.

Akodo Narumi will be her name.

[Blythe]

I would recommend, Blythe, that you start with what you want to play.  Each Clan presents their own challenges and rewards.  Playing safe will probably have you ending up with a character you aren’t all that attached to playing.  There are multiple facets to each clan and each clan has multiple families that can be played as more inept in politics and really there are a myriad of reasons why a character might not be so wonderful at the intricacies of courtly life.  Not even the Crane get it right all the time and even the Scorpion have members that they wouldn’t allow in a polite company.  So I’d first say think of what you want to play and then think of what Clan and family would offer you the greatest possibility.  If you need help, I'd be more than happy to assist.

I know I definitely want to play a Crab; the sort of gruff uncouth vibe they give off really appeals to me. I'll stick with bushi then since it was my first choice and it's what I feel most attached to. But overall, I don't much get attached to a character until a game actually starts; I try to be flexible in what I'd play in most groups because I like to make sure I'm making a character that meshes well. ^^

What I'll probably need a lot of help with will be actual chargen; if I'm one of the ones that will get to play in this game, it will be the very first time I've ever made a L5R character and the first time I've played L5R at all (which I am very excited about!  ). It'll probably take a bit before chargen and the rules become ingrained in my memory, so initially I'll probably need assistance with statting up my idea. Learning tone and lore will come easier to me in actual gameplay, because I'll get to see how other people post, which will help me a lot.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Just let me know what you need and I'm happy to help.

[ShadowFox89]

 Well, if Pumpkin is playing a Crane, I'll probably go with Lion.

[Pumpkin Seeds]

:: dies::

[HairyHeretic]

  Are the Sparrow clan around yet? 

Yep, the Sparrow would be around at the moment.

I'll edit the first post with a list of what people are interested in, for quick reference.

[HairyHeretic]

I will go ahead and put my mark down for an Akodo that is pushing toward being a Kensai. 

Great Clans book, rank 4 alternate path

[Pumpkin Seeds]

Have to repurchase that too.

[Drowdeviant]

Yep, the Sparrow would be around at the moment.

I'll edit the first post with a list of what people are interested in, for quick reference.

Harry I'm actually considering a some sort of Scorpion Shinobi/Shosuro Infiltrator/ Shosuro Actor or a Mantis Shugenja. Both to me present interesting oppurtunities (especially if you would allow me to take two shadow brands on her so she can be ultra sneaky but be somewhat haunted by shadow demons ).

[Marie Reynolds]

So would everyone like a second Courtier given the time period and the only other courtier showing up so far is a scorpion clan member.

[Drowdeviant]

So would everyone like a second Courtier given the time period and the only other courtier showing up so far is a scorpion clan member.

I might not go courtier Marie. I'll probably be our stealthy infiltrator/rouge-type. Honestly I'm puzzled why 4th edition gives ninjas a daisho when A) they are supposed to be a myth and B) having one essentially means your prepared to defend yourself (which if in broad daylight utterly screws over infiltrators/ Ninjas cause most of their shit deals with surprise attacks and ambushing people).  xD

Honestly we do need a good diplomat to round us out. :3

[Muse]

  Always seemed pretty silly to me to have ninja samurai anyway.  ^_^;; 

[Drowdeviant]

  Always seemed pretty silly to me to have ninja samurai anyway.  ^_^;;

Well the really funny part about them is that they basically do really shady shit and not lose honor for it. Fail to seduce or bribe the local governor, no problem. Caught trying to extort the peasantry, all water under the bridge. xD

[Marie Reynolds]

It is because the Shosuro are regularly disguising themselves as courtiers or aides to courtiers so they are considered still samurai. Even a courtier is allowed to carry the Wakiashi as a sign of her station as  a member of a clan and apart of the same caste as Samurai. That is why the Shosuro are given a daisho to maintain appearance in polite society.

[Chulanowa]

Okay. So. Now I can maybe devote some time to this  ...Only to notice that I seem to have lost all my PFD copies. Gol-dangit, Bobby.

I got this. It's cool, it's all good.

[HairyHeretic]

Harry I'm actually considering a some sort of Scorpion Shinobi/Shosuro Infiltrator/ Shosuro Actor or a Mantis Shugenja. Both to me present interesting oppurtunities (especially if you would allow me to take two shadow brands on her so she can be ultra sneaky but be somewhat haunted by shadow demons ).

I'm not remembering shadow brands in 4th ed. What book are they in, do you know?

[Drowdeviant]

I'm not remembering shadow brands in 4th ed. What book are they in, do you know?

Enemies of the Empire, mechanics starting on page 140

Basically after you go past having just two shadow brands (which combined give you your first "shadow rank") you risk major corruption by the nothingness in exchange for crazy shadow based powers. Each brand gives you a stacking 1k1 boost to stealth rolls, though even with one shadow rank you're more vulnerable to the influence of the nothingness and its' agents. xD

[HairyHeretic]

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.

I'm not sure the parents would be tortured for that, but having to serve the clan interests is enough of a reason to pull her out of her training. Perhaps a sibling was supposed to be married off, but for whatever reason that couldn't happen and she was told she would getting married instead. Bitter Betrothal disadvantage.

[Marie Reynolds]

So I am going to go with a member of the Unicorn clan of the Ide family and be of the Ide Emissary School. If anyone else decides to play a Unicorn clan member and wants to make ties let me know.

[HairyHeretic]

Enemies of the Empire, mechanics starting on page 140

Basically after you go past having just two shadow brands (which combined give you your first "shadow rank") you risk major corruption by the nothingness in exchange for crazy shadow based powers. Each brand gives you a stacking 1k1 boost to stealth rolls, though even with one shadow rank you're more vulnerable to the influence of the nothingness and its' agents. xD

Cheers. I think I'm going to say no to the shadow magic for the moment. It doesn't look like it's especially common, so I suspect it wouldn't be granted to someone before they'd proven their worth to the clan. Down the line, maybe, but not right now.

[Drowdeviant]

Cheers. I think I'm going to say no to the shadow magic for the moment. It doesn't look like it's especially common, so I suspect it wouldn't be granted to someone before they'd proven their worth to the clan. Down the line, maybe, but not right now.

Alright. I'm still making her a Shosuro Infiltrator or Actor.

She most likely will be amused in mixed company and might be a bit of a playful tease. I was pondering making her a former geisha but the concept kinda doesn't make that much sense in terms of how long training usually takes and how it would most certainly prevent her from being trained as a Shinobi.

[HairyHeretic]

The Infiltrator could probably come across as a bushi okay. What would you want to do for the actor? Geisha wouldn't likely be sent out anywhere to represent a clan.

[Drowdeviant]

The Infiltrator could probably come across as a bushi okay. What would you want to do for the actor? Geisha wouldn't likely be sent out anywhere to represent a clan.

I just said the concept for either was she was a former geisha, meaning her contract was bought from her okassan either by someone from the scorpion or she bought it back herself before returning home.

I might just go infiltrator. We could do with someone stealthy who doesn't exactly need to worry about being honorable 100% of the time. :3

[HairyHeretic]

Of the two, I think the infiltrator would be easiest to work.

An Actor could have a Geisha as a cover identity, but a Geisha wouldn't be sent to represent the Clan at a wedding.

[Drowdeviant]

Of the two, I think the infiltrator would be easiest to work.

An Actor could have a Geisha as a cover identity, but a Geisha wouldn't be sent to represent the Clan at a wedding.

Well she will have a good dual nature as an infiltrator. She'll look beautiful in court and fearsome on the battlefield. :3

Only shame is she'll only get to do simple action attacks with the most fragile sword in L5R (it literally shatters if you do over 40 wounds with it in a single attack). xD