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The Four Winds
By Rich Wulf and Shawn CarmanRecently, Rokugan, the d20
Companion for Legend of the Five Rings, was released containing
background for each of the Four Winds and statistics in the d20 system.
The following article presents more information on each of the Winds, as
well as statistical blocks for them in the traditional Alderac d10
system.
New Advantage
Blood of Toturi (Special)
This special advantage is allowed only to members of Emperor
Toturi I's bloodline (i.e. the Four Winds). Under normal
circumstances, a player character should not have this
advantage, though if the GM intends to make significant
alterations to the campaign, he may allow it.This advantage
counts as Ear of the Emperor, and further allows members of
Toturi's house to take any skills, advantages, or disadvantages
that are normally clan specific. They may also attend any school
of their choosing and can take Multiple Schools if they wish.
This advantage also counts as either Great Destiny or Dark
Fate. Only the GM knows which of these two ultimately applies.
In addition, as a member of the Imperial bloodline the character
will be manipulated and monitored by both allies and enemies
seeking to gain an upper hand, so this is as much a disadvantage
as an advantage.
Note that a character need not have this advantage to swear
fealty to the Toturi family, only to be a legitimate heir to the
Steel Throne. The Toturi family bonus is +1 Perception. |
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Akodo Kaneka, "The Bastard"
Earth: 5
Water: 6
Fire: 4
Agility: 8
Air: 3
Reflexes: 6
Void: 5
Techniques: Akodo Bushi 1-5, A Samurai's Fury, Gaze of Sun Tao,
Child of Water
Honor: 3.2
Glory: 7.9
Kata: Fury Without End, Striking as Fire
Advantages: Allies, Blood of Toturi, Social Position (Son of the
Emperor), True Friend (Akodo Ginawa), Way of the Land (Lion, Unicorn,
Imperial lands)
Disadvantages: Bad Reputation (Bastard), Brash, Overconfident, Sworn
Enemy (Hantei Naseru), Unluck (3)
Skills: Athletics 6, Bard 2, Battle 5, Defense 4, Etiquette 3,
Falconry 2, History 4, Horsemanship 4, Hunting 6, Iaijutsu 7,
Intimidation 5, Jiujutsu 5, Katana 4, Kenjutsu 9, Kyujutsu 5, Law 3,
Shintao 3, Weaponsmith 2, Yari 3
Akodo Kaneka is the child of Emperor Toturi and the geisha Hatsuko.
He is the oldest of the Four Winds. Born before Toturi ascended to the
throne, Kaneka and his mother were spirited away from certain death
during the Clan War by the enigmatic Water Dragon, who kept them safe
and ageless until depositing them back in Rokugan shortly before the
Battle at Oblivion's Gate. His parentage was completely unknown to any
in the Empire, Kaneka spent the first half of his life as a ronin.
Akodo Kaneka is a very stubborn, but honorable man. Many see him as a
mirror image of his father, and expect him to fulfill a similar destiny.
Kaneka respects his father, but refuses to disappear into the shadow of
Toturi I. He often acts wildly and unpredictably, usually when others
assume he will follow his father's example. Kaneka is a deadly swordsman
and a skilled duelist who made his living as a mercenary long before he
took the Akodo name.
Shortly after his mother's death, Kaneka announced his heritage in
Ryoko Owari Toshi, causing an uproar throughout the Empire. While Toturi
never officially recognized Kaneka, Akodo Ginawa, daimyo of the Akodo
family, granted the ronin a place within his family. Lion Clan Champion
Matsu Nimuro offered to allow Kaneka to take his place as Lion Champion,
but Kaneka refused, stating that he had not earned the position. The
fact that Toturi took offense at neither Ginawa's nor Nimuro's actions
is proof enough to many in Rokugan that Kaneka is in fact the son of
Toturi as he claims.
New Ronin Technique:
Child of Water
Type: Otokodate
Required Traits: Water 5
Required Skills: Battle 5, Kenjutsu 5
Other Requirements: Must have Honor of at least 3.0
Location: Mobile
Technique: (15 points) The fluid, graceful essence of the
Water Dragon permeates your actions. During the first round of
any combat, you may add double your Water Ring to your
initiative. Additionally, you may add double his Water Ring to
the first attack roll you makes each round, whether it is a
duel, skirmish, or battle.This is single otokodate-style
technique is currently known only to Kaneka himself. While it is
possible that he could teach it to others, Kaneka is very wary
of sharing his secrets. |
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Emperor Toturi's murder occurred en route to a meeting with Kaneka, a
meeting during which many believe the Emperor would have officially
declared Kaneka his heir. Toturi's death prevented that event from
taking place, but Kaede chose to recognize Kaneka equally as a son of
her late husband. Unfortunately, Kaede did not declare Kaneka the heir
and vanished before a successor could be chosen. Now Kaneka finds
himself embroiled in a conflict with his half-siblings to determine who
will become the next Emperor of Rokugan.
Toturi Tsudao, "The Sword"
Earth: 4
Water: 5
Perception: 6
Fire: 6
Agility: 7
Air: 3
Reflexes: 7
Void: 5
Techniques: Lion Bushi 5, Seppun Miharu 3
Kata: Striking as Fire, Sword of the Sun
Honor: 4.0
Glory: 9.9
Advantages: Balance, Blood of Toturi, Daredevil, Higher Purpose
(bring order to Rokugan), Tactician.
Disadvantages: Can't Lie, Idealistic, Soft Hearted.
Skills: Athletics 5, Battle 9, Courtier 2 , Defense 5, Diplomacy 7,
Etiquette 3, Horsemanship 3, Iaijutsu 5, Intimidate 4, Investigation 5,
Katana 5, Kenjutsu 6, Kyujutsu 4, Law 6, Lore: Bushido 5, Shintao 5,
Tanto 3.
Sword of the Sun
School: Akodo Bushi 2 and Seppun Miharu 2
Time: 10
Rank: 4
Cost: 8
Other: This kata must be used with a sword, and only in the
light of the sun.
Effect: This kata was recently developed by Toturi Tsudao
and though she will gladly teach it to any who would learn, thus
far only Kitsu Dejiko has mastered the form. Using this kata,
you may make a complex overhead stroke that reflects the rays of
the sun directly into an opponent's eyes. This opponent must
make a Perception check vs. your Agility X 5 or be stunned by
the brilliance of the sun for 1-10 rounds. If your opponent is
stunned, you deal an extra 1k1 damage with this attack, and all
further attacks you make against him while he is blinded. This
maneuver may only be attempted once per opponent per use of the
kata. |
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Toturi Tsudao is the eldest child of Toturi and Kaede, the second
eldest of the Four Winds. She is a prodigy in the art of swordplay and
battle, having defeated the most renowned Lion sensei even before her
gempukku. She assigned a post in the Imperial Legions soon after she was
given her daisho, and soon rose into a position of command in the
prestigious First Legion. Those critics who assumed her connection to
Toturi was the sole reason for her assignment were silenced when
Tsudao's Legions easily crushed a large group of invading Yabanjin
barbarians. Tsudao proved early on that her cunning tactical prowess and
battlefield charisma combined with deadly efficiency.
If Tsudao has one true weakness, it is that she is only assertive and
confident where the execution of justice are concerned. Away from her
armor and sword, she is shy and uncertain. She tends to rely upon her
brother, Naseru, in such situations and avoids entangling politics.
The current division between the Four Winds pains Tsudao deeply. She
cannot accept that such anger and division has torn her family apart. To
deal with he grief, she has thrown herself into the execution of her
duties, hunting the mysterious Tsuno to the ends of the earth.
Unfortunately, her campaign against the Tsuno means that she is not in
Otosan Uchi taking the throne, where many of her supporters wish she
could be.
Toturi Sezaru, "The Wolf"
Earth: 3
Willpower: 6
Water: 3
Fire: 6
Intelligence: 7
Air: 2
Reflexes 5
Void: 6
School: Isawa Ishiken 5, Tamori Shugenja 3
Honor: 3.2
Glory: 9.4
Advantages: Blood of Toturi, Clear Thinker, Great Potential (Void),
Ishiken-do, Multiple Schools.
Disadvantages: Antisocial (4), Bad Reputation, Driven (Find his
father's killer), Sworn Enemy (Daigotsu).
Skills: Battle 4, Calligraphy 5, Courtier 2, Defense 4, Etiquette 2,
Heraldry 4, Investigation 6, Kagaku 5, Kenjutsu 2, Lore: Maho 5, Lore:
Shadowlands 6, Lore: Spirit Realms 4, Lore: Void Magic 9, Medicine 4,
Meditation 7, Research 5, Shintao 6, Spellcraft 6, Tanto 5, Tea Ceremony
2.
Multiple Shugenja Schools
Although shugenja schools typically have widely varying
theories and techniques regarding the study of magic, all of
them are founded upon the same basic precepts. This means that
while some schools, such as those maintained by the Asahina and
the Kuni for example, are extraordinarily different in their
approach to magic, others, such as the Asahina and the Soshi,
are very similar in theory if not in application.For certain
individuals it is possible, albeit extremely rare, to move
between the different schools and combine the knowledge gained.
For shugenja who attend multiple schools, add the ranks of their
various schools together, as well as all Affinities and
Deficiencies.
Full rules for using the Multiple Schools advantage with
shugenja will be included in the forthcoming supplement Way of
the Shugenja. |
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Spells: (Note: As one of the most respected shugenja in
Rokugan, Toturi Sezaru has access to any spell scrolls he desires at any
time he desires them. The following are the scrolls he typically carries
with him when he travels. Spells marked with "*" are memorized)
Benevolent Protection of Shinsei, Burn the Soul*, By the Light of Lord
Moon, Castle of Fire, Commune*, Depth of the Void, Divine the Future*,
Drawing the Void, Essence of Void, Evil Ward*, Fires From Within*, Hands
of Jurojin, Katana of Fire, Moment of Clarity, Path to Inner Peace*,
Reflective Pool, Rise From the Ashes*, Rise, Flame*, Secrets on the
Wind, Sense Void*, Sense*, Silent Waters, Strength of the Crow, Summon*,
Sympathetic Energies, The Fires That Cleanse, Tsuke's Call of Heaven,
Wings of Fire.
Toturi Sezaru is the eldest son of the Emperor Toturi I and Isawa
Kaede, their second oldest child, and the third eldest of the Four
Winds. Even as a child, he displayed an incredible talent for summoning
the kami. He began training with the Phoenix as an Ishiken at a very
early age, and underwent his gempukku as the youngest shugenja in record
to achieve that distinction. Even further, he attacked and killed an oni
summoned by the Bloodspeakers to assassinate him during the ceremony.
Afterwards, Sezaru adopted the nickname "the Wolf" for reasons known
only to himself.
Following his tenure with the Phoenix, Sezaru requested and was
granted permission to study magic with the Tamori family of the Dragon,
and later was educated in the organization of the Spirit Realms by the
Kitsu family. Though he is still young, he has proven himself to be one
of the most powerful shugenja in the Empire, a rival for any of the
Elemental Masters. Taking the throne holds little interest for Sezaru,
despite his enormous popularity among Rokugan's religious community.
Sezaru can be an incredibly cold and distant person. His great
magical power has altered his perceptions of reality, and he sometimes
has difficulty relating to "ordinary" people. Despite this fact, the
Wolf has a strong sense of duty and sees it as his responsibility to
protect others. He is currently absorbed in a lonely quest to punish the
person or creature responsible for his father's murder.
Hantei Naseru, "The Anvil"
Earth: 3
Willpower: 5
Water: 3
Perception: 6
Fire: 6
Intelligence: 6
Air: 5
Awareness: 9
Void: 5
School/Rank: Doji Courtier 3, Bayushi Courtier 3, Miya 1, Naseru 1
Honor: 3.2 (2.2)
Glory: 9.9
Advantages: Allies (various), Perceived Honor (2), Benten's
Blessing, Blackmail (various) Blood of Toturi, Cadence, Heartless.
Disadvantages: Missing Eye, Contrary, Meddler.
Skills: Battle 4, Courtier 9, Defense 4, Diplomacy 8, Etiquette 8,
Forgery 4, Go 7, Gossip 6, History 5, Iaijutsu 4, Investigation 6,
Kenjutsu 5, Law 6, Shintao 4, Sincerity 9, Stealth 3, Tessen 4.
Naseru's Technique (New Path)
School: Doji Courtier 3 or Bayushi Courtier 3
Technique Rank: 4
Path of Entry: Doji Courtier or Bayushi Courtier 3
Path of Egress: Doji Courtier or Bayushi Courtier 1 (may not
enter a school already attended)
Technique: You are adept at reading the emotions and desires
of others. By making a successful Perception check (opposed by
the target's Willpower) you can determine what the subject
desires most at that moment. This may be very general ("he seems
to be looking for something") or very specific ("he wants the
Lion to remove their troops from his territory") at the GM's
discretion. This technique provides only information; useful
application of this information is up to you. |
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Via a treaty that peacefully ended the War of Spirits, one of
Toturi's children was to be apprenticed to the Hantei XVI, the wicked
Steel Chrysanthemum, and take the Hantei name. That child was Hantei
Naseru, son of Toturi and Kaede, youngest of the Four Winds. Though
Naseru spent a great deal of time training with Hantei XVI, his
loyalties were never bent to the Hantei's will.
Instead, the cruelties Naseru suffered during his education to the
old spirit molded Naseru into a cold, cunning, and patient man. Naseru
recognized that his lessons were a necessary evil, done for the peace of
the Empire. Rather than simply suffer and bemoan his lot, Naseru learned
everything he could from the manipulative old Hantei. When Hantei XVI
later died under mysterious circumstances, it was no surprise that
Naseru was able to conceal all connection between himself and the
incident.
Hantei Naseru has come to be regarded as one of the most cunning and
capable politicians in Rokugan. Before his father died, Naseru was an
indispensable to Toturi. The young courtier often caught nuances of
politics that even his perceptive father missed.
With the death of his father, Naseru sees it as his responsibility to
seize the throne for himself. In his opinion, neither Sezaru nor Tsudao
are truly qualified to rule the Empire and Kaneka is an upstart ronin
whose very existence sullies Toturi's name. While Naseru would not
willingly allow harm to befall his siblings (with the exception of
Kaneka) he is ruthlessly efficient, and has made plans to remove each of
them from his path to succession.
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