The Winter Court’s Art of Giftgiving
Presenting the 2025 L5R Holiday Gift Guide
With the gift-giving season arriving soon, we’ve consulted with the tastemakers of the Crane Clan to help you pick out something for even the most discerning recipient on your list. The charming diplomats of the Doji family know that a carefully selected gift, offered with sincerity and wrapped with care, can cement new alliances or thaw even the iciest heart. Or, in our case, bring a smile and delight to a friend or loved one.
Whether you’re a huge fan of Legend of the Five Rings yourself or giving a gift to someone who is, you’ll find the perfect present in our curated list below! These gifts also appeal to lovers of anime, manga, samurai cinema, and Japanese folklore who already own every volume or who’ve watched every episode in their favorite series, and are looking to discover something new.
For someone who’s never read a Legend of the Five Rings novel before…
A charming slacker aristocrat discovers a talent for detection and is drawn into a web of conspiracies in Poison River by Josh Reynolds. When a case of poisoned rice threatens the brittle peace between the competing clans, the Imperial Governor drags Crane Clan wastrel Daidoji Shin from his indolence and orders him to find the culprit. A murder with no body and a missing actress present a distraction that could finally make Shin put in a full day’s work, and maybe even save the city from tearing itself apart. This is the first in a series, so there are many more Daidoji Shin mysteries to enjoy. The eBook edition is 30% off on DriveThru through December 24 using this link.
For someone looking to escape into an epic fantasy adventure…
A Throne Betrayed takes readers to Rokugan in the aftermath of the Emperor’s murder, as the rōnin Toturi and his followers fight to protect the fracturing Emerald Empire. As infighting divides the Imperial Court, and the Great Clans prepare for war against each other, another threat rises from beyond the empire’s borders. A great horde of demonic horrors is massing, determined to crush the clans and wipe them from existence. Written by New York Times–bestselling author Julie Kagawa and J.T. Nicholas, this is the first installment in the definitive story of the Clan Wars. And through December 24, the eBook edition is 30% off on DriveThru using this link.
For someone who loves board games…
River of Gold is perfect for two to four players looking for a competitive strategy board game that combines luck, skill, and strategic planning. In this easy-to-learn Eurogame with a 90-minute playtime, players take on the role of river merchants allied with legendary samurai clans, each vying to exploit the river to earn wealth, glory, and wisdom. They’ll invest in trade ports, markets, and shrines; build influence with manor houses; and deliver valuable contracts to amass wealth and rise above their rivals.
Available from: Office Dog Games
For someone looking to decorate the inside of their new castle…
The Legend of the Five Rings Poster Book collects twenty-four breathtaking art pieces for L5R fans and lovers of fantasy art to savor or pull out as posters measuring roughly 11” x 15.75”. Subjects of the art include many of the great leaders, warriors, and spiritual characters from the games, as well as iconic maps, landscapes, and architecture of the Emerald Empire.
Available In: Paperback
For someone with a selection of art and scrolls worthy of a Winter Court…
Rokugan: The Art of Legend of the Five Rings features stunning art and illustration from the roleplaying and collectible card games. The 192-page hardcover takes the game’s many fans and lovers of fantasy art on a journey through the extraordinary fantasy world of Rokugan. You can preview several sample pages here for a taste of what lies in store, and use this link to snag a 30% discount at DriveThruRPG on the PDF edition through December 24.
For someone with an impressive collection of d20s already…
Pick up Adventures in Rokugan (AiR), the roleplaying game set in the world of Legend of the Five Rings using the ever-popular ruleset of the 5th Edition SRD. AiR lets players step into the role of a Great Clan samurai or one of Rokugan’s mythical beings using bespoke classes that evoke the uniqueness of the world. The full-color, 424-page book also includes an adventure scenario to help players take their first steps as wandering heroes undertaking quests and exploring the Emerald Empire.
For someone who relishes a challenge and collecting cards…
Shadowveil: Legend of the Five Rings is an epic, single-player roguelite video game available for PC. You play as the Commander, a Crab Clan samurai responsible for guiding your expedition’s journey through the Shadowlands and customizing your party of samurai. The game combines strategy, roguelite runs, RPG mechanics, and dynamic deckbuilding. Each defeat opens new strategic skill tree options and more powerful cards to face the growing threat of goblins, ghosts, mahō-tsukai, Lost samurai, and more.
Available On: Steam
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, don’t miss the Black Friday deals on most of the Aconyte Books back catalog at DriveThruRPG. And even after Black Friday has passed, you can use the following special links to purchase the digital editions of Poison River, A Throne Betrayed, and Rokugan: The Art of Legend of the Five Rings with a 30% discount on DriveThru through December 24.
