The Clans of Rokugan
Imperial Edition/Emerald
Edition
Crab Clan
For generations the Crab have held back the horrors of the Shadowlands,
but times have changed. Now they have embraced that which they have fought
against for so long, turning their mastery of warfare against the Empire
they sword to protect.
"You are always blind to your truest enemy, for he is behind
your eyes." -The Tao of Shinsei
For generations, the Crab have held back the horrors of the Shadowlands,
but times have changed. Now they have aligned with the dark forces they
have fought against for so long, creating an army of tactical mastery and
bloodthirsty rage. The power of the Shadowlands may give them the strength
they need to win the Empire, but it may also foretell the beginning of
their downfall.
Crane Clan
Their ambassadors are in every court, their merchants in every city
square. They are not masters of war or magic, but their skill in the civilized
arts is unmatched by any. No Clan can claim the wealth and prestige of
the Crane.
"When I have a voice in the Emperor’s ear, I need no general
in the field." -The Tao of Shinsei
For a thousand years the Kakita Castle has been the proud symbol of
the wealth of the Crane Clan. However, the recent invasion of the Crab
Clan has forced the Crane to move to the home of the Doji family and re-fortify
their position there. With the aid of the Phoenix Clan and a small army
of ronin, the Crane have managed to secure their borders and begin to formulate
a counterattack against the encroaching Crab army.
Dragon Clan
Weaving steel and sorcery into a mighty force, Clan Dragon is the most
versatile in battle. With their secret rituals and ancient magic, they
are an enigma to the other Clans. Isolated in their lands, they avoid the
politics of Rokugan.
"What you do not understand can kill you." -The Tao
of Shinsei
For centuries the Dragon have remained silent, practicing their esoteric
philosophies in their vast mountain keeps. But even with their armies being
led by the fallen lion Toturi, rumors whisper that their Champion has disappeared,
and that the inheritor of the Ancestral Sword has turned against her Clan
and joined with the dark forces that conspire against her kin.
Lion Clan
One of the oldest families in the Empire, Clan Lion is known for its
rigid discipline and respect for tradition. They hold the warrior’s code
of bushido above all things. Money and sorcery are toys, for honor can
only come from the courage shown in battle.
"Lose your fear, and you gain the world." -The Tao
of Shinsei
They are fearless warriors, the traditional defenders of the Emperor,
noble warriors whose hearts are free from fear. But recent upheavals within
the Clan have caused many to question the old ways. Some flock to the fallen
warrior who once led the mighty Clan, while others retain their fealty
to the dying Emperor. Once, they were united in their devotion, but they
are united no more.
Phoenix Clan
Of all the Clans, the Phoenix best understand the mysteries of the
Five Rings. Their Elemental Masters are the most powerful in Rokugan. They
prefer peace and solitude to the madness of war and will do what they can
to bring the violence to an end.
"You cannot conquer the elements. You must learn to dance with
their harmony." -The Tao of Shinsei
Despite their attempts to restore peace to the Empire, the Phoenix Clan
have been drawn into the war for the Emerald Throne. With the opening of
the Black Scrolls, ancient and forbidden magics have been released., and
only the shugenja of the Phoenix Clan have the knowledge and wisdom to
curb their terrible power. But one by one, the Elemental Masters are finding
themselves corrupted by the Black Scroll’s power.
Unicorn Clan
You can hear them thundering across the hills. Unicorn is one of the
youngest Clans, but has achieved great honor in a short time. They are
devoted to the welfare of the Empire and putting a Unicorn on the Emerald
Throne.
"The art of war is to put your enemy in a position that he cannot
fight from." -The Tao of Shinsei
They left the Empire a thousand years ago and have returned with horses
of the West Bringing with them the strategies of foreign lands, the Unicorn
Clan stands alone without allies, and while their naivete may make them
vulnerable to wily words and silver tongues, their mighty steeds and unorthodox
tactics have proven to be worth a thousand footmen on the battlefield.
Shadowlands
The Naga
A thousand years ago, the great civilization of the Naga fell into
a deep meditative slumber. Nearly a millenium has passed, and they have
awakened to find their self-glorifying civilization in ruins, and the Empire
of men in the midst of war. Now they must rise against the evil of the
Shadowlands before both Empires fall under its destructive power.
"The strength of an Empire does not lie in the stone of its
walls, but the hearts of its people." -The Tao of Shinsei
Scorpion Clan
Surrounded by blackened earth, scorched by sorcerous reprimand, the
ruined House Bayushi is the only testament to the once mighty Scorpion
Clan. Now they have returned, striking back at the Empire with subterfuge
and sabotage. Theirs is not a path to victory, but a path of revenge.
"Do not be distracted by the pincers when it is the tail that
can kill you." -The Tao of Shinsei
Anvil of Despair
Junzo’s Army
From the high towers of the Imperial Palace, the guards can hear the
mad laughter of their Emperor. The undead shugenja, once known as Yogo
Junzo now commands the Emperor’s armies, and his dark sorceries twist and
corrupt the samurai into mockeries of their former selves. Soon they will
stand rank and file next to the madmen and oni of the Shadowlands, and
crush the Clans under their feet, bringing victory to their evil lord,
laughing on his Emerald Throne.
Toturi’s Army
Across the hills and fields of Rokugan, word has spread among the peasantry
that the Emperor’s greatest tactician has returned. His army’s armor is
tattered, and their weapons unpolished, but their eyes show a fire of devotion
that no man can question. Unconcerned with honor or glory, Toturi has cast
away all allegiances to his former Clan, choosing rather to lead his band
of followers against the Empire’s greatest enemy: the dark armies of the
Shadowlands.
Crimson & Jade
Brotherhood of Shinsei
Theirs is the way of peace, solitude and tranquility. For a thousand
years, they have been the councilors of samurai and shugenja, lord and
peasant. But the armies of Yogo Junzo have assaulted the mountain temples
of the Shintao, searching for the rumored descendant of Shinsei who will
fulfill an ancient prophecy. Armed with only their wisdom, the Shintao
monks fight against the darkness, waiting for the time when the Seven Thunders
will gather again, to face Fu Leng one last time.
Yoritomo’s Alliance
For a thousand years the Great Clans have dominated every aspect of
Rokugan politics and culture. That time has come to an end. The minor clans
have gathered under the banner of Yoritomo, the Mantis Clan Champion, to
join the conflict that rips at Rokugan’s heart. Inspired by the deeds of
the ronin Toturi and fueled by Crane koku, Yoritomo has seized the moment.
In Rokugan’s hour of darkness, he and those who follow him fight, not for
the Throne, but for their own chance at greatness.
This text is from the various starterdeck
boxes from FRPG's collectible card game, Legend of the Five Rings. These
are owned and copyrighted by Five Rings Publishing Group, Inc.