Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) discussion

[Poh Tun Kai]

So let's talk about Legend of the Five Rings. Doug is thinking of running some sessions - one this Sunday, for a start. Ivan and I would be game. I may speak with my old friend Vince. Dan, Hong Joon, Darren and Eugene and Aaron - anyone interested?

[Ban]

Unfortunately I and HJ have an appointment this coming Sunday that was already postphoned once. I'm interested to try a new system though, especially if Doug is running.

On Thu, May 21, 2015 at 1:21 PM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

So let's talk about Legend of the Five Rings. Doug is thinking of running some sessions - one this Sunday, for a start. Ivan and I would be game. I may speak with my old friend Vince. Dan, Hong Joon, Darren and Eugene and Aaron - anyone interested?

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[Hong Joon Ng]

Ooooh wouldn't mind trying a new system and see how that goes. However, Sun is bad for me.

[Shift244]

I'm open to try.

[Poh Tun Kai]

Yay, a wild Eugene appears.

I asked Sherman as well but he's working. o.o

[Darren Loo]

Can I play a kitsune voiced by John de Lancie?

Put me in as a "maybe"

On Fri, May 22, 2015 at 2:56 PM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yay, a wild Eugene appears.

I asked Sherman as well but he's working. o.o

[Carlos Yan]

What era would this be in?

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

So... that's three for Sunday? :)

and a possible fourth (Darren) :D

On Fri, May 22, 2015 at 2:56 PM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yay, a wild Eugene appears.

I asked Sherman as well but he's working. o.o

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=============================

"She's so many women 

He can't find the one who was his friend 

He's hanging on to half her heart 

He can't have the restless part

So he tells her to hasten down the wind"

- The Late Great, Warren Zevon.

[Poh Tun Kai]

The very start of the golden reign of Rokugan's child empress, I would like to believe.

I play the future power behind the throne, I would like to believe. ;)

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

With onions.

On Fri, May 22, 2015 at 11:38 PM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

The very start of the golden reign of Rokugan's child empress, I would like to believe.

I play the future power behind the throne, I would like to believe. ;)

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[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Hey Carlos...

It's kind of a few editions back... with not a full attention given to events as dictated. :)

[Poh Tun Kai]

Will need to make a new character sheet. How many XP do we start with?

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Good question. o.o 

Don't have the tally on me.   Ivan? Did you keep a tally?

On Sat, May 23, 2015 at 12:29 PM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

Will need to make a new character sheet. How many XP do we start with?

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[Ivan Tam]

I will have to search for it. I may have disposed of all my character
sheets in a fit of despondency at some point...

[Razzman Khaliff]

I still have my mine in my file.

[Ivan Tam]

Attached form fillable character sheet for your perusal

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Thanks Ivan...

And everyone....thank you all so very much for joining. 

If you have a chance... start thinking about how your character got noticed...and what your character feels about this mission. 

Next time.... the adventure begins!

All 7 adventurers must make sure the ring is taken safely to Mordor...oops wrong movie...

See you all soon!

DWL

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[Ban]

How did it go? (is this the right place to ask?)

[Darren Loo]

Mostly character creation. We're an incredibly squishy group consisting of a Scorpion and a Crane courtier and three Shugenja - Crab, Unicorn and Phoenix. We also have a Lion Bushi and a second Scorpion Courtier as NPC companions, the NPC Scorpion having a long-standing rivalry with Kai's Crane Courtier. 

Not a single PC bushi :P 

Other than that, we've just received our first mission from the Princess, to help evaluate the heirs to the local Crane Daimyo and find out which one is worthy of succeeding his/her father. My character kept very quiet, not possessing the appropriate skills in courtliness to question the Princesss further on a remark made and an extremely interesting remark by the Empress was overheard as we left.

Beyond that, it was all squabbling between the Crane and the Scorpion and an argument on how many servants we needed for the journey.

[Shift244]

I found out that there is a large saber or something (I cannot remember the Japanese name for it) that does 3k3. I'm thinking of ditching my 3k2 katana for it; romantic as it may be. BTW, how does Kaiu Airang (sp?) get 4k4 damage?

[Ivan Tam]

A nodachi is 3k3 damage. I don't have 4k4 damage as my strength is not
that high >.>
I have a masakari for 3k2 and a bisento for 3k3

[Shift244]

Oh, my mistake. I thought I heard you had 4k4 and was wondering what weapon you were using or some purchased ability.

Yes, the nodachi. I'm just thinking of making better use of his high STR. 7k3 is better than 7k2.

I do not know how deadly combat is, but I since I repeatedly hear it is deadly, and the party is relatively squishy, I'm going to go for high support and offense. If going to play water, might as well setup both the lapping waves and the roaring tsunami!

[Poh Tun Kai]

IIRC the saber and any other exotic weapons would not be considered proper Rokugani culture. How fortunate, then, that Unicorns routinely use exotic foreign weapons without difficulty or scandal.

[Poh Tun Kai]

So. Doug can run again this Sunday to continue the story? :)

[Ban]

Using a foreign weapon = scandal? Yeesh, these ancient Japs... I mean ancient Rokugani need to ease up lol

On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 11:34 AM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

So. Doug can run again this Sunday to continue the story? :)

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[Shift244]

Yes, a scandal. Why are you not honoring your heritage and using some gaijin weapon?!

In any case, Ivan correctly pinned the weapon I had in mind - the nodachi - no need for risk of scandal even if he's not Unicorn.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Sorry for delayed reply.

We are on for Sunday! Gao gao.

On Mon, May 25, 2015 at 11:34 AM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

So. Doug can run again this Sunday to continue the story? :)

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[Kumiko Yamazaki]

In preparation for Sunday, I'd recommend people start discussing on how you're going toget yourselves accepted and integrated into the area enough to get a good view of the three children.

A few things

1. It is not the main Crane Daimyo's family, but the family of a sub Daimyo..one in charge of the Nodoka area.  

2.  He has the following children:

 - Etsuko - Eldest - only daughter - strong concept of Military tactics and also management skills. Believes she is best fit to run the family

- Seiji - Martial fighter... very good with swords and unarmed combat, likes to be in the battle.  Wants to rule because he is the oldest son after all..and that's what oldest sons do.

- Mariko - Youngest son. - Was predicted to be a girl..so was named before his birth...and the name..well..stuck..despite him being a boy.  And he doesn't care.   He is a courtier type...he loves debates, discussions, gossips and everything else.  Believes he is best to run because he wants peace, while the others only prepare for war.... but he has strong doubts about himself being chosen.  

Think about how you can all go about gathereing information..not just from them..but people who serve under them.

And no...they can not take a walk with Zlatan for this. o.o

[Darren Loo]

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

On Thu, May 28, 2015 at 12:51 PM, Darren Loo <spirit...@gmail.com> wrote:

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

...with onions..

[Darren Loo]

Do I dream?

[Shift244]

Tanabi is more a "champion of the folks". 

He may be able to get information on the support from the middle and lower castes. While their opinions are likely of far less importance, nonetheless, it may be useful to break ties, or a strong point for consideration if they are too strongly aligned against any one of the children. Even though they can do nothing to stop anyone child being chosen, one should seek the harmony and balance between samurai and the rest of the people.

[Ivan Tam]

Cast Jade Strike on each of the children.
Send the survivors to the Wall.
Return sole survivor as heir.

[Poh Tun Kai]

Ivan's suggestion reminds me of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. A bungee-cord arena filled with hammers and chainsaws. "Three heirs enter, one heir leaves."

To that end, we should definitely meet the heirs in order of birth, and we should have our first meetings together, entire party introducing themselves. Also, we'll present some simple humble gifts. Allow me, as the resident Crane Clan member, to ask around and acquire suitable presents before we go (GM, I'd like to use Courtier to make the necessary inquiries and requisition the appropriate gifts from the Imperial Court).

Once we've met them and gotten our first impressions, if we haven't already gotten executed from some breach of etiquette, we can split duties to have different team members speak privately with whichever heir they're best suited to meeting.

[Ivan Tam]

Dunno if "simple" and "humble" gifts exist for Cranes.
We commission a 2x size statue of Hime-sama with Onions in jade.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

With solid gold coated emeralds for her eyes.

[Shift244]

Why would you coat emeralds with gold instead of gifting solid gold eye balls? Trying to disgrace us with lightweight gifts?

A simple gift of a humble katana, made by folding a gold x platinum bar 5,000,000,000,000 x to create an incomparably hard yet flexible yet beautiful blade of exquisite and fine beauty.

Or a crude blade forged from the gaijin land of Damask using unrivaled "star metal".

[Shift244]

Bad news: I have to be on standby this weekend, and am now unsure if I want to commit to the session. 

The best case scenario, all does well and Sunday is fine. 

Worst case, I will be physically present but otherwise not playing much dealing with issues.

I'll know more after Sat, but am in Limbo now. 

Regardless, I would encourage to keep the session - since my wife will be returning home next weekend and Kai is away anyway; making two persons unavailable.

If the session may be mainly courtly bowing, then I could risk it and be less enaged - Tanabi is more folksy than courtly.

[Poh Tun Kai]

Sorry to hear that, Eugene. Best of luck with your work. Don't worry about us, we'll keep going I think.

[Shift244]

On the bright side, there's a work to complain about means a job. Which is a good thing.

L5R peasants? Life sucks, and then you die!

[Poh Tun Kai]

Thanks again for Doug, our host and GM for L5R.

Once again Hantei Ningenko-hime has sent forth her troubleshooters. Once again some foolish bandits managed to squander a perfectly good ambush, although that was partly due to some support from shugenja spells and ninja shuriken-type weapons. Our manly Akodo bodyguard proved quite capable of kicking butt, and we are most grateful.

The group arrived at Atarashii Nodoka and presented themselves and their gifts to the local daimyo and his lady. Isako began setting up a little reference board to keep track of the important figures in the family. In addition to Lord Doji Ichijiro and Lady Achiko (the one-eyed), we met the household overseer Asahina Koji and the senior shugenja Asahina Kaeru, as well as the lady's maid Honda Ueda. 

Before dinner, our Shiba shugenja was able to discern a vision of a hot flame blowing out a cold flame and engulfing another hot flame. It could be a premonition of sibling-on-sibling murder...or it could be a vision of a steam boat meal. Who knows? Isako didn't care as she was eager to spread rumours of the Phoenix's prescience in hope of triggering a response from conspirators.

At dinner, Isako made silent approaches toward Etsuko. Seiji was tempted by the Scorpion ladies. And Tanabi set the groundwork for a very interesting conversation with Misako, who turned out to be a bespectacled philosopher with very liberal ideas. I like him already.

To be continued...

[Shift244]

Misako. He is a thinker, but Tanabi is concerned that his ideas may be too advanced for most to fall behind. It does seem Tanabi has appealed to the him somewhat, with his equally liberal outlook. But two man does not a government make.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Just doing some name confirmation for all. :) More posts soon.

Patriarch 

     Doji Ichijiro 

Matriarch 

    Doji Echiko

Children

 - Etsuko - Eldest - only daughter

- Seiji - Martial fighter

- Mariko - Youngest son

Unicorns who befriended Mariko  - Shinjo Shiho (Female), Utaku Tomo (Male) 

Head Maid  - Honda Uera

Head Overseer - Asahina Koji

Shugenja head for Atarashi Nodoka -  Asahina Kaoru

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[Poh Tun Kai]

Thanks for the name corrections.

I also want to raise the topic of security to the group. We got attacked on the road today at very close range with only one bushi to defend us. We were lucky - very lucky. One slip-up and we could have been slaughtered. We should make sure we never get into this kind of situation again - the kind where ten bandits materialise at FIVE YARDS. That's like Shermans crashing through the bocage and getting bushwacked by PaK 40s at point-blank.

The easiest way to do this is to plan out our journeys to only use major imperial trade roads. As long as we're visiting proper, civilised people like the Cranes, this should not be a problem. We shouldn't ever take a short cut through woods when there are clear-cut wide roads which have been swept of heavy brush or concealment for the security of trade caravans.

Sometimes that's not possible, and it's obvious that this land still suffers a major bandit problem (in addition to the Shadowlands incursions, the various ninjas and bloodspeakers and conspiracies, and the occasional corrupted Phoenix seer). Because of the security problems, I think it is justified for all samurai in this group to travel in armor, and we should get some before we set out again.

Finally, we need advance scouts for future journeys. Someone to ride ahead and check for heavy vegetation or cover where bandits could hide in.

[Darren Loo]

And set it on fire

[Shift244]

More servants? Or Tanabi is OK riding up front, in any case.

[Ivan Tam]

Well a pragmatic Crab samurai would suggest, give them what they want.

Seiji wants Glory in Battle. Suggest he find his calling on the Wall
or the Unicorn borderlands.
Mariko can find some posting at Unicorn or Mantis trading posts.
Etsuko well, no one left to contest the claim. Problem solved.

[Shift244]

Based on Mariko's conversation, he may actually be interested in the role, but is outwardly not showing it. Partly (at least) due to uncertainty that his governance would fit with the other influential families. Tanabi is all for putting the best fit in place.

[Darren Loo]

There are three interpretations I can make out of my vision, but the one we have to be especially wary of, I would think, is of Seiji being the one who destroys his siblings. 

Of the three, he is the most "conventional", as we can see so far. Both Etsuko and Mariko are... oddballs. In a highly conservative society, both of them are vulnerable. And Seiji has the potential of being a dupe for outside powers. If the two are "betrayed", if someone rats them out, then that would leave only our outside choice as Daimyo.

We must be alert to either Mariko or Seiji. The more I think of it, the more I suspect that Etsuko is the one who will be consumed. We'd assumed that Mariko was the passive one (and thus the "cold flame") in the vision, but now I'm not so sure. Traditionally Men represent Yang to a woman's Yin. If we follow that interpretation more literally, then the task will be to figure out if Mariko is plotting a quiet takeover or if Seiji is going to "cleanse" his family of its two oddballs.

[Shift244]

There were 2 hot light and 1 cold light. On a meta level, Doug confirms one of my guesses - the interpretation should be that Etsuko, being female, is Yin, the cold light. 

So, she gets "consumed". However, it may also mean that she becomes the adviser to her brother, but never officially holding the title, since the light was not "snuffed out". 

Being conservative and with references to feudal Japan means that Etsuko's position is actually quite strong. As the eldest daughter and being upper caste means that she is expected to be able to support her family in roles greater than home-maker. This, plus a world female samurai is literally accepted and is norm, should place females in the L5R world in a stronger position than real-life Nippon.

Estuko is likely capable and makes a good candidate. Being personally skilled in the ways of the courtesan is a bonus. Both she and Mariko has their own secrets to guard. Deadly secrets if used wisely against them - more so for Etsuko than Mariko. Of course, Tanabi will keep his silence on this hint (at least, for now). Need to know more about her. She will get married, and depending on the rank of our mystery groom, may as possibly she marry away as he marry in.

Seiji has only one claim: that he is the eldest son. This is a weak claim, since if it bore any real weight, the PCs would not be called and he would be ceremonially appointed as next in line already. Plus, unless he reveals more character than current, seem to have the least capability as well. He may likely server best in position of Military adviser.

Initially, I had place Seiji as the aggressive light, but I'm wondering if it is not Mariko who may be planning a coup; being, on the obvious face (at least), apparently the least likely candidate. He is seems ambitious, intelligent, and very willing to challenge customs and traditions. Great attributes, but also potentially dangerous ones (to himself and others), if not checked by the wisdom of experience. He keeps his quiet counsel for the moment. But he has friends which we should get to know more about as well to see the real extent of this capabilities - both in defense and to also consider this as a point for putting a vote in his favor, or against.

[Poh Tun Kai]

"Estuko is likely capable and makes a good candidate. Being personally skilled in the ways of the courtesan is a bonus."

Did you mean courtier or courtesan? Big difference. But don't worry, Isako hopes to be in a position to test both these skill sets...

[Shift244]

Courtier. Hahaha. My grave mistake.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Calling a courtier a courtesan may be a GRAVE mistake in Rokugan. :D

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[Poh Tun Kai]

I looked up the etymology. "Courtesan" used to mean "courtier" but it evolved to become "call-girl" at some point. Interesting.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Me talk to you LOOONNGG time.

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[Shift244]

I'm not surprised seeing as the root of the word would have been "court", and as humans, we love to have "politically correct terms" that "sounds nicer despite inferring the same nasty thing". Interestingly, while my mind is aware of the difference, it also somehow linked both words in a way, as to result in the OOC error I made in the earlier post. On some level, I must have personally see both as somewhat interchangeable (if used loosely)... or  I need a break from work.

[Shift244]

I'm sorry. But I have bad news. This applies to the major games I'm involved in.

I'll be working in Sabah between Jun 14-27, and thus will be unavailable. 

Further travel may be impending, but I have no fixed nor tentative information on the dates.

[Poh Tun Kai]

Sorry to hear that, Eugene. We may do Thule or some sort of board game while you're gone. Battlestar Galactica anyone?

[Darren Loo]

mrrr. I'm going to commit my self to not sucking at Flames of War. I've thrown three games, two of them close that I could've/should've won and I'm very upset. I intend to win three games straight by October or quit.

On Sun, Jun 7, 2015 at 11:18 AM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

Sorry to hear that, Eugene. We may do Thule or some sort of board game while you're gone. Battlestar Galactica anyone?

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Dear fellow Rokugan heroes...

These next three weeks will see me QUITE busy..especially on the weekends.  I will be travelling to Thailand, Langkawi and well..everywhere around Peninsular Malaysia. Some for pleasure, some for work.

However sadly, this may mean that I won't be available for gaming.  

Please don't lose hope...as soon as this stretch is done..we shall continue the intrigue.  Until then, I will slot in some blue books for you to read as background story.

Princess Ningenko ....with Onions.

[Shift244]

Onions... have layers. Orges,.. have layers. Cakes... have layers too.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

In Rokugan, the cake is definitely a lie...and perhaps the onion as well.

Ogres, however, tend to be quite honest.   Violent..but honest.

[Poh Tun Kai]

Doug is free on Sunday! Can we do L5R!?

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Consider yourselves summoned for glorious seppeku at Lord Larke-a-mon's castle! 

^_^

On Wed, Jun 10, 2015 at 10:08 PM, Poh Tun Kai <ptik...@gmail.com> wrote:

Doug is free on Sunday! Can we do L5R!?

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[Poh Tun Kai]

Who can make it? Is Eugene gone on Sunday? He just had a major scene...so maybe we can just get the other characters caught up on their parts of the investigation in the meantime.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

Ill just have Eugene's character horribly murdered on the way back to his quarters.    Then when Eugene comes back, his character can return as a revenge zombie.  Which is cool, because then he gets his own hit TV series called "Revenge Zombies: Rokugan"!

p.s. the incriminating evidence will be one single onion.

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[Ivan Tam]

whut

[Shift244]

But zombies have no honor! They only have Humanity points.. oh wait. That's a different undead.

Zombies are like onions too. Not because they have layers, but they reek and make you cry.

Please go ahead with the L5R session. I cannot make it as I will be en route to KK for my assignment over the next two weeks. 

As noted, I just had a big chunk of play, so I'll unlikely be missed. I will miss the cools stuff you guys will be doing tho...

[Ivan Tam]

I think it would be better if all players were present but what do I
know about RPGing >.>

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

So... what do all the others think?

[Poh Tun Kai]

I'm good for the game on Sunday, although I can't provide transport for as I have a Father's Day dinner later. We're doing it a week early.

[Poh Tun Kai]

I haven't really had time to comment, but Sunday's game was good fun. Interviews with the other heirs, the murder of Doji Ichijiro, and more intrigue!

We should post up some notes before we forget. What was the established info we got from our crime scene investigation, interviews with local spirits, etc? What movements of suspects have we established?

[Ivan Tam]

That Guy did it.

[Kumiko Yamazaki]

On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 9:42 AM, Ivan Tam <fellow...@gmail.com> wrote:

That Guy did it.