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100% found this document useful (2 votes)
219 views128 pagesThe Way of The Lion
Uploaded by
Tsuryth TsuCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
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“Any man can be prepared to kill.
A samurai is prepared to die.”
~ Akodo Toturi
ir of Rokugan,FRPG, and Way ofthe Lion Crettts
WriTTEN By PaTRick KAPERA, REE SOESBEE AND JOHW Wick
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY MancELO FicuERoA. RaymonD L/
JenireR Mane, Jim Pinto, Ros Vaux, Davip Wittiams,
Game SysTEm By Davip WILLIAMS AND JOHN Wick |
Cover Artwork: Ranpy GALLEGos
INTERIOR ARTWORK: AUDREY CoRMaN, Liz Danrortu, Cris Dornavs,
Jason FELIX, CARL FRANK. SCOTT JAMES, SCOTT JOHNSON,
KC Lancaster, Brapiey K. McDevitt, Ramon PeRez, Brian Suoppy
‘Maps: JEFF LANREN
Artwork Prepress: Cris Donnas, Steve Houcn
Line Error: DJ. Tanote
Eprinc: DJ. TRINDLE, REE SOESBEE. JOHN Wick
Inremior Lavoun Steve Hoven. Parrick Karena. Ros Vaux
2ND PrinrinG CORRECTIONS: Ros VAUX
Marcelo wrote The Art of Wir append and was our itary advisor
Jim wrote ate o wo and was a reat Kea trampoline
Jenailer defined igo and tured the Katsu om a nebulous ato something spily
Dave and Ray ou resident tactics) made Lead inprational rather than Jus nstractoal
nally special thanks to the cast and crew of Saving Prcate Ryan. arrived tthe eleventh hour
(ith hit seeds to go) and put us Back on he path
‘This book i epetully dedcate to Dave Willams and Dave Sexy —
"The firs tut Shins eveything he knows aout seaegy and tactics
‘The scan knows mare about courage han any of ws ever will.
Legend ofthe Five Ringsis © and ™ 1998-9 Five Rings Publishing Group Inc
andi ed here under Heese Chagtar Ono Phe Noble Don eee cceee §
Chagtar Tro The Fambws of the Lion ..... 20
Chapter Ther Character... ...eceee eee ry
Chapter Fout: Who's Who... cee cece ee wo
Chapter Five Character Templates ......... 0
Aggondx T: The Art of Wak oes eeee ees 94
Apgendx Th The Wars of the Lion ....... 103
Append THY: The Lands of the Lin ...... tio
Apggendx FV: The Spintual World oo... 116
Appendx Vi Two Lion Clan Decks ....... 124
Map of Sto ARO... cess eens eee 123
Lun Clan Character Sheets .......... 06 125 coh sky’rigt ble expanse A thousand rars
‘choed, all merging ina seeam of war Armies
wth right banners ried a thousand swords to
‘he heavens daring the darkness o oppose them.
ae ak
‘That is where tbepns. It isthe middle and
the end forall things are a cee. anda lesons
«an be sen nthe ftires of our cles
aecak
[A wart, his ej shining, turned io a Lady.
“te wil be glorious, Masa” A thowsand times
Ind been sai, anda thousand times she had
snovered wih 2 tamoltous seam of war and
ride. Akodo looked down, watching his solders
‘march, shaking the earth. His. plumed helm
tiple inthe wind ashe held the reins of his
horse gh Beside him wate a woman wih
ces black as death, her lps sttched In an
expect sale
ae vok
‘Akodo Arana and Mats Tsako stood on 2
Inde the sun shining down on them. His eyes
‘met ers she ghtened the sap of is hel"
wl be a glorious bate” he sd, placing his
‘aan in is bt His eyes were rig with lor
his every movement rumbled with pide and
cnfdence.Thako’s only response was a. ferce
‘nas she turned to the massed Lion fares on
the pai below: The sn rsd thehortzon with
‘blazing fay burning down onthe castle snd is
army. Toshi Ranbo wo Shien Shite Reigiho —
‘the Casle of the Lion - stolen by Crane
plac. By Crane cowardice.
“It ime we took tack the casle of our
ancestors” Arai vole was Gea andthe men
fn the Held cheered ther weapons catdng the
red of the downing sun “Who wil ight at my
‘de
is answer was a thunderous bat cy ed by
‘he woman at his ight hand. Before the sun had
cleared the hortzon, the Bate was joined
ac ek
“To the righ” Akodo howled rom his horse,
charging beside his legions “They Dank 10 the
rie Ske
"Te men charged, ther swords ctingblody
sats in het enemy. The aberrations called up
by Akodot brother, seamed the hard they
were trampled underfoot Akodo ooked south
nd saw Mats followers making abot tnd
again! ised ont ther hands dipping blood
land poison. Matsu was a head above them, a
tremendous sword in er Rand. Shouting, she
charged he largest on Ft othe ight her low
parrying its das, and then scat the beasts
Teg. Sparks flew as the nodacht bit into the
ceatures metal sales, and it eared in pin and
fay.
Motes
‘Akodo smiled. What a wife she would have
rae! Her swordsmanship was unmatched, end
‘every man in ber command would giv his le
foe het The Lay of Los indeed.
Suddenly, with a roar, ogres burst from a
rocky dg. fling upon Akodo and his men
ae ek
“Tako? Araous shout The dos of dst
rated by the horses ake is wie and robbed
him of sight “oko
Before him, «Daido spear unit charged the
kode; there was no tine for thought Arsou
leapt oto the fa. his faters katana shining
daly through the smoke. The atl was nt
fring well Each tine the Lion harged the caste
the Crane reais with baring pd and daming ol AS Arasou removed the head of his
pponent he saw another Akodo de Hatred tore
through his body, and each blow became more
rage
Asx leap a the Daido searing one man
ox his companion yar and pausing to slice the
Sands from a second. No mer, Arison thougt.
“No mary for hose wha would stand apn me
The igh 2 Melon fell back os
soother hal of tows rained dowa pon them.
Toko and her sald raled and plunged
between the eth of more Dado pears. ner
ye the f of combat bured with ferenes
hat rivaled the explosions of pitch “Mats” She
seamed. She lied her sword, her cy echoed
‘om hundred throats The Mais ashe to
‘ht agin Tet armor Blooded, they followed
Tako forward int te mass of Cane, stepping
‘rer the bodes fhe kamen
‘Arsou pone with his Kafana “There” he
sboued above th our of the Hames. “There is
he breach” Behind him, samara uel ito the
‘2p made by the Mas gating the sears of
‘he wounded apd the pes shstering spear
ae ek
Ako sale ashe wiped the os lod frm
is katana Three brave samural had died
alan, but they ad sen te dark horde die
Ako looked abou rain spatiering his helmet
spony was gone, cut fram beneath him, and be
cool suround by the dead.
“To the Emperor” he erie. and rc tard
be bay ofthe bate It had gone poorly. Akodo
sow aide of wited figures. churing through
chan lke a sor, seating samara ele
em. Near the Empero,Kakit’s men deached
aha swords covered in Blood.
Mats tod alne her honor guard destroyed
er amar was tora, ber face a mask of fay.
‘odo charged tober, breaking trough the fray
th wide seeping bows rom these, en ont
ged him Akodo twisted beneath is grasping
2, ying to die his sword nts ches. It
ws fast and is Blow only sed the sure
ick blod splashed down on. Akodos face,
diag him a the oni laughed. Seing only
adows, Akodo pared any movement,
saipedaling to gain an advantage as he wiped
he arid iui rom is eyes.
He heard grant and scream, and Tange
toward the hung shadow Fis blade met bone
and sine bul was form fom hs hand. Another
‘moment, ut no return stk
‘Akad tried to sce past the pain and blood
Standing above hin was a woman, her hat
tangled and wih Her eyes narowed, and she
lred him is ord
“Mats” Akodo cred, sexing that the demon
had fallen, heads, to the wound. She reached
for his arm and dragged him to is et. eading
hi sft. Many ‘times, be heard the ringing
sound of atl, but is eyes could make nothing
cer, Men rushed pas and he beard Masa
scream orders in his name.
Tinaly, in the safety of the Emperors
encampment healer atended Akos wounds,
You wil see agai ror the right eye. ny ld,
but the ef" the man's voc faded ener.
"Its all ight” Akodo murmured. “I do no
eed two eyes to find my enemy” He paused
"Mas?
“Hire” Her voice had no submision, no
reverence. Only the fae tnge of respect
‘marked her poston as hs vasa
“sould bea your ide” His ce was harsh,
rough with anger and despa “But that canot
happen today. Take the armies" Aer a long
‘moment, You wee right”
“We can never fight side by side, my Lor No
males what you command” Matsa whispered. I
was never meant o be” He ead her laugh once,
‘the ake et fp rased and then there was
‘ony sence. Silence, and the eres ofthe distant
ttl
ack
‘The Daido spearmen fll back behind the
casi’s moat, allowing the Lon archers to
pepper them’ wih deadly arows. Thuko and
‘Arasou didnot fal, and ther charge oo therm
Into the gates.
Back to Back, the Akodo and Mats fought
‘her Katana eting through bone andes. A
hndred solders charged wih them, down the
fale of Toh Rano wo Shlen She Reigisaha
“Glorious” Arasou howled at hs betrothed as
he wily raed his Katana, “There has never
een such a day?
A batleery ripped from Tks ps, and her
stokes matched Arison vicousnes. Together they fought, Matsa and. Akodo, with deadly
efieng Aro of Dad ap fom behind 2
palkade, thie katnas flashing. Tako, with 2
‘ics roa charged the the, leaping though
their guard and sling ove bore they could
reac The other two leveled thelr weapons
seling wala they appoaied.
Behind het Aa pt orwar ot eing
‘Toko pans. He eat into the Crane forces
ved sword gleaming with Blood. The Crane
‘ere ft ut he was faster One sack ati
Ieee But he pared Arasou Tept forward
‘wining hs sword as passed ough sotber
The Crane enatined to back away, and
rasa charge fer he cling them altar
cowar, dogs le ct the air as they retreated
Sling where aman had ost soo. A ast thy
dil not retreat ny more and Arasou found
himsl drawn ay. hough th gts, nto the
hart of the Dao fre. One ell under his
Stik, howling athe Lion merce shed
though his chest Another track Aru arm.
Jeaving a bloody gash before his own ead was
remaved by the Lo’ bade.
“Thee more ied befor they coud reac i
ther broken tana chitin 09 the sone
-Arasou gasped his breath short ad faros 38
cach stoke bed another Crane of if."
Are seamed, Tsk”
Bo the rest ofthe Lon were ding around
im, thee charge destroyed by the, Daido
ambush bod poured into the most and more
rane came “Tako The pin robbed hs of
breath of vison Arson stage swinging his
sr ikea yt, hs arm shaking He ke
down. at is chest and the bone whispered
whily up thi.
“Tsu .- ko..." His mouth moved, but no
sound escaped. When the sun ded andthe land
exploded it darkness, Arasou knew nly age
Bec
We are newer meant to fight side by ide my
Lond Her words echoed fn Akodls rind.
watched the monk approach The strange ile
tan would ake Mats int he darkness: Akad
lowered his head wearily and his ings brshed
the puch that covered is lose.
“Tis time for ws og my end” the monk
‘murmured. “Wil jou remember everything 1
have aught you?”
Akodo nodded weary, his hand fling to his
side “a Shine sama Al wl be remembered.
By my wor, I sear
A pause. Ther Do you wih speak wit er
before we go Te monk looked a heal gure
‘Sanding on the hile, her Back bi fanning
kee bane in the isk winter bree
‘Akad looked once mor, then ted way
“Na She koows my heart No words remain”
‘As the tiny man walled aways words rang
in Akod's mind °No pth i 6 naw tht 8
rman. must walk it aloe. Be ope wih your
Droers and stan by then te strength you
vil find your own
Matt” be whispered, bt ty were gone
aa ek
‘huko knelt belo the tone of the Akad
dingo, oth of ety ticking Uh ra Desh
In ber trot Arasous biter sat won 2 be
had todo rm Between his shoulders He had
no grace, no sll with sword, and ite of
‘Arasous Hereness In fact this Akodo seemed
‘more ofa peacraker than a soldier, and his ees
‘wee thse of a scholar
He was afoot
‘The gory Arasou had brought to the Akad
‘bad died wih him. Tks eyes burned as she
murmured the ancient phrases binding her and
her family 10 the new’ Champion. Bing hee
forever to this weakwiled rabbit. Arasou my
rae Arasou ts good tha ou re dead. and
ail nee see what we hee Become.
‘As she rose and bowed formal, the new
(Champion called ober, "Matsa Tks
‘She glanced up at him, and even he ghily
‘nto vl of obedience could not cover the
‘ple hated inher eyes The man on the throne
paused
“You hive sufieed «pest os. We all have”
is eyes caught hers. “Thope tha you and Tan
‘come to an understanding The Clan ofthe Loa
‘mas fight 2s one"
“Tao tard in fry, seeing only th usurpers
face on ee Lands throne. “No, my Lord” She
whispered. with ony the faintest ing of respect.
“We wll never fight as one No mater what you
command” She bowed again, then and turned tog.
“Tsao "he questioned his oie filled with
sm
Ste turned then, nd her je blak eye cat
he bane. “You wil never Be Arson”
a’ the new Champion of the Lion si, his
solce echoing wih sodden strength. “1 wil be
“aur and you wl follow my commands Tals
sll you eed to know
‘ako eyes sarowed, and ber lips cue
back ina feral snart The, with eft she bowed
cry, Behind et, the door sli shut with
‘rhspred ih On the polished throne of his
nce the new Champion ofthe Ado house
ose his weary ees
aevak
Welcome tothe sith book in the Wy ofthe
Clan series. Wy ofthe Lions designed to help
2 Game Master flesh out his own vison af
Rokugan' most honorable clan Devoted 10
has code of behavior called “bushi the
Lon ar the quintessential sameral
How To Use Twis BooK
We donot intend for this toe the “nal word”
regain the Lion Clan. Assaf your Game
‘Master has diferent vision ofthe Lio, expect to
‘meet something emily diferent on the
ated
The first chapier conains aneedotes and
sores fom the other dans regarding the Lion
rng you a fe forth hosapy adele
The second chapter contains information
about the vast history ofthe Lon. Nave of the
ster dans devote mich tention an etal 0
ther history a8 the Lon You wil arn bout
‘Ado One Hy the valiant and tenacious Mas,
the mysterious Kits and the dan historian, the
Toma
‘Te third chaper contains all the rules you
vl ned to crea a Lion character inoding the
famous Matsu bushi cel, ne rls for creating
ama bards, and the ancestor mag ofthe Kis
shugeia
"he fourth chapler deals the most famous
ins in Rokugan, induding ther Tras end
‘Skil.
‘The ith chepter lists five rendy-io-play
Saracters. All you hive to do is photoopy the
character sheet tof the book nd youre ready
om.
Tasty, weve induded 2 whole bunch of
Information on Rokugan's famous bates,
[Akodos book Leadership, the history and
evelopment of Rokupan tactics and strategy,
‘i magi ems Hon ancesiers and more
TCs much easier to speak of Lian poopy
than t Ive i Foe Len there is 0 value in
materia) wealth o& politcal power; thse are
Aeting and temporary. Wht samara owas will
be whated down by the winds of ine, but what
besays and does... thse things Ive on orev
Shins said “Choosing betwen two evils is
sill choosing ev” To a Lin, thee are no truer
‘words The Lon’ path isthe mest demanding the
‘most unforgiving, and. Sometimes, the ost
‘unrewardng of al the dans
Buti you are wing to walk 1 wl show
yon the way,
“And by the end, you wil earn Akos frst
eso:
A samarais rates strength is ot what he is,
ut hat he can be 2 Waal ical
eS) IES IE
The Noble
Lion
rs
=
LS)
C
>
=
3
X\ FROM THE JOURNALS OF SHINO
GAEMon, Daimyo OF THE
Unicorn
For seven weeks the toma have led among.
‘a hearing our stores ofthe Burning Wastes ad
teaching us the ways of combat witha this
foreign nation. We have been ordered by the
Emperor to make peace withthe Lin afer cur
‘ood Dates of recent years It has been a
brather wil cme 10 understand sd e wl
xh wal
ance
1 walked with ott today, a Toshimoko
‘made the arrangements with the Akodo fay
‘or my brother tile here, The Lion Champion
took me to the ret Hall of Ancestors, a sacred
‘lace within the Lon place, which few visors
‘bide their dan have Been pried o ent.
He epoke fo me of each one as we pased thet
statues, ther shining blades of war hanging in
loves, tended by the Mats family. Asif they
‘wee alive, Tot gently touched each tate face
and bowed im honor af dees both brave and
vallant
‘As oked at Tour could see his ancestors
mired in his brown ees: Despite her ware
‘ature, tis dear ome atthe ears poses
‘mote than simple, brats souls AL las, Tour
toad before the great central state its massive
rmable hand outsuetchd asin warning Iwas
the Lady Mats, whose body was never recovered
from the Shadowlsnd. The Lion Champion sid
nothing 1 stood beside him, gazing into ber
proud fae. Her white mableejes laoked at 2
Plat of ight far beyond the palace, never
otng the visors tbe feet seemed as if she
stared to the heavens themselves. ready 10
challenge ther might At that moment sadden
Chil swepthrough me and could almost the
seat tone lips move in benediction. The weight
ff thousand sous pres closet ny ova, and
Tend not move for fear of awakening thet
voles
When we let the hall 1 dasped Tus
Soaldr with my hand “When we soo i rat
ofthe Lady Matus satu, fet something... 2
strange presence”
“Did you, my rend” he sail, and tured his
face aay
"I that what you fel each time you eter the
Hal of Ancestors” asked him awed He looked
up tthe darkening shy for along moment bore
he answered
‘When he spoke agi, his words suck me 10
the beart Many times they have cme tome in
the night and 1 do oot know i 1 can ever
understand the depth ofthe meaning “his what
ee." he sad loys" As the un st below
the mountains ofthe wes ill breeze tugaed
at my white bale andthe sky rew as dark as an
caten om ON A PEDESTAL WITHIN THE LION are things designed to draw your soa! to the
HALL OF AncesToRs surface, make you compliant Thumb screws,
What you ste before you isa sep of silk broken bones; her pain coniwed through the
tained and tor the ater faded aif wom for hous and her screams grew hoarse and col. AL
‘cunts years tn fth and darkness On it las. without a word the Dak Mas had her ed
‘ait the died Blood of am unknown over 2 al pillar of sharpened tron, i point
‘Phoentsis the acounting of on Lion death 11 placed agaist her bel. Her own weight dew
te found onthe steps of Akodo palace Tong ag, hex down upon and her seams soon became
smuggled thereby an wre str srg choked with lod The Man never spoke, and het
‘re uniraceable. The tom remnant les tn agony toe the breath fom ber bd
simple alcove within the Hall of Ancestors the He the there. piecd on the spike yt sill
‘only tribute 10 the last moments of « Lion’ lve, snd tok His ssa to sunt lands far
course howe us When they had gone heard her ery
donot know her name nt know my outa | had never beard bear. singe word ~
wa name anymore ~ but I know that Tam a “Masa she cred. drew my altered courage
baa remember the mage only saw he once, and pressed my facet the cold bars
sae her a they cried ert he chambers of “Tell Him =" I whispered to ee, “Tell Him
the Dark Man beneath the palace. She was as what He wats to know andi wil be ore YOu
beaten 2s rained and pale rom captivity. They wil ve, andthe pain wil end?” hated msl for
tagged her down the all and threw her upon saying the words, but deep in my sou T knew
that butcher table them abe tue.
Her hair was long and golden dity and "She sid nothing. trying otto move otto
twined_with its of straw. Her hands were drive the on bar deeper ito he stomach, but |
Deeding. and her fae id been shed and heard her weep. A Lion ears. | have heard ears
‘lsd. Sil, she fell upon thei able with no belore I ave beard weeping, walling Dogging.
sured and they chine er tothe sod rock the true ples of men dying in ways 0
dung tothe brs of my cage and watched as they horrible to remember. But her tears... 1
fees the sting of the whip acoss her back swallowed my words For hous, twas the oaly
‘tearing through the lst remnant of her knena, sound ia the bod vere chambers 1 bar het
‘Preparation. Iti all preparation for the Dark gasp oce, te tht night as sbe sid downward,
‘Man. Thave ben there myself - wating for Him. and held ry head i my hands and vocked ox
‘She didnot scream, oly groaned asthe pain the coll stone foo of my’prisn ell.
Janced through her She saved er seam forthe” When He returned te burly tartare ited
sal the placed upon her besding gsbes aller her from the pillar of sharpened io, and nd
the whipping. was done. When He came, the hea the wet sound of blood sping upon the
torturers threw ber upon the flor before Him, low. People can Ive for days with a wound {0
ad she strug to ise thet belly = T kaw his Taw my rather de
‘They lnughed at er lo, and kicked her legs that way. Was he my brohe? Ino longer knox.
‘rom beneath ber But they dragged he, insides dipping upon the
ound, before the Dark Man
“Speak "He whispered, and elt my own
lips wanting to answer “ell me wha I wish to
Koow, and the pin wil be ove® A moan escaped
ors pased beneath the watchful gaze of the me, but the Lian was sent keeling o the Hoe
Dark Man, the Master ofthese chambers His In ont of the finely dressed soreee.
fe alone makes my wracked body sake, and She raed her ead the, and looked nt is
Should He have passed near my’ cage I would ees. saw her face, and! knew that she ad once
ave allen tomy knees. hd been tsined well been beau -belre the pain, beloe the dit.
snd I despise mpl! or it and blod before the trae of ving nis foul
Her screams = high pitched and anguished ~ place. Within her eyes I coud sil ee ber bent.
rocked the sone cords Ech hot ion was a “Why do you inst on continuing thi tle
memory to me, a familar pain Every sading Akodo?” the Master suid. “There is nothing 10
ow and piercing ct -I know them well These gain frm defiance save your own deuh. Even
e
Bie
i
a at Lean gre you The song 1
not ge ou, iyo ony do | ak”
ne was cl athe to omy
ad ney eared hit
Tea ber hand cing ea
ely ait bold er.
Sane bared es
a8 to aighen Soy
yer ds Med
pa
cohen dl fr he
rk Man. ar ae led wih
rg
“hs your at cane” he
sed oa dae ad
menor st hope forte. Do
Tk ad Th ge oe Saying you wich
“ying: isn etd a on ued er
acted ek" men: alm Ms oF
toed ny fet el hil al be oes
Aaphig you wih cn be ous
‘het ep nh ed lak eT
wh Wi nh ord my body soe
arp pen mon forts
eat Hs pve Her ret oked nd
rv Then wala eer she
Sd be ad alt nt a"
wh wre bck ee”
She ded theron on of th
atarts teat. Bol she beet
‘cme gt neve pred er
‘rd The spe ol san ne Mites
per era ar 8
suttnoe wy Iw a tno howl
veel Ber eb lm
‘ol and oe dy pas esa wil nd ret
ie org i en yO th oe id
felon te guar prating Te Det
Mn hse of oy
T el rer ern th il. Be if hey
te nya ea ear opt eh yo
Sneeaelenpas
The itr soc aps of Rue
‘tm by on sk urd ho brow
inmate of te Lin Sea
1 aay har ner bon pron loogh te
‘Da Me ofthe of he design of te
Bodie Soe nc crm scien
The om rent of oh nw hs on snp
pol te hen of tee fa
Mata inthe tnd ofthe Sacred Hal of
‘lies
A LETTER WRITTEN BY AKODO
RuJO TO WIS YOUNGER BROTHER
Huu at THE site OF THE BATTLE
‘OF BLooD AND SNOW
My brother
Tam on al ill ovedoaking the remains of
the bated our army has sucesso acquired
Irom the Senrpin I lic for met believe
tha only five Jers ago, was where you are 0%,
reading alee rm my older betes. writen on
2 batik Reading the sare words Tam about
Think bck now, ememberig the voles of
‘our ancestors, singing i my mind: 0 beatiful
0. powerful, so overwhelming. ‘There are countess numbers of them, a pret chorus, ad
thei words sem s frightening and yet. there
‘8 something ese. Something 1 could not find
Something Vou nt expres. Atleast nt unt
this very momenta wile these wor to you
‘The bate agains th Scorpion wasnt as we
‘planed it The valle fered uit cover from
thei rows, as they eld the hl that now i
‘pon. As our fst ie marched orm aling
thelr shields up again the arow fire, tht
shagenja sen down fire that blasted them bock
‘neki many ofthe men nto the ground Eves
‘more were seared fom thet arma, and heard
the nap of bons andthe screams of young men
~ younger even than myself = asthe bes were
‘burned bythe mystical fire
“Then the second rank advance, th spears
leveled and thee ips as Upht as taps. As they
‘marched, the arows fll I saw one man 50
fiddled wih rows that is fae was ppd rs
‘is shall Another was faling backward towards
‘his movements pushing the arrows even
‘deeper ino his boy. His seams echoed in my
‘At that moment heard the gener cll our
Ttaons ame. On pure ining 1 fell into
prston, bu then looked tothe le the row of
ten who sod with me. For five years T have
trained and fought with these men, and as we
Tooke up a the hil at those who had fallen
‘efor el something surge inside of me.
Twas fea, Pre, hat! fea, pling at my
‘its and my legs uring me to stand til
lsd though my body ikea disease cling me
2 fool, teing me that po man woud be stupid
enough to charge up a hill where hundreds of
hers had already fallen. Bt I looked at those
‘men who stood beside me, and 1 suddenly
reaaed they were loking a me
"They were looking a me
‘They were looking at me
Swddeny[remembered who I was. Not who
va at home, wih ou and mother and fae, but
tho {vaso them And what Imesat other
"ead the generals order for charge, but even
though heard the words Il something ese 1
fet my soul fl wth a song A beat and
tere song Iwas a sang of wars long gone, and
of deaths tat no man wil eve ember twas
song of fatty and of pain. So many dead. So
litle accomplished
heard the song of Akodo Jing, and the
three handed men who ded to hold 9 mountain
pas 0 a hand of Scorplon spies could pass
through onthe way o paso lachbas’ sesad
ewesant
ea the sng of Mats Hak, ad the two
‘thousand Matss who cared agains the gaijin
at the Bale of White Stag ll en, ke by
‘magic we ell do nt understand.
"ear he sng of Akodo Rina. andthe five
tuned who cared against the Uniorn and
es ll poet he villages om a thea they
(id ot wnderand.
‘And al the songs made oe great Song. and it
sang o me this
We have blad
We have sfered
We have burned
Ana we did this all,
Foryou
‘Avhunded thousand souls al singing. alin
puna walching I is «Song whose words are
foo much for any man to heat A Song whose
demand i too much to as any man.
‘But Ta not aman.
am a older
ook athe men next ome, the men who call
me fuse. Who folow my orders obey my
‘mmands and lok to me for the courage they
‘anor nd
‘eannot show them my fea cannot el them
my fear If they fel even a hit of what is
ubling through me, we will never make i up
‘hat hl and we wil ein our brobers bleding
and dying and seaming
Tok them and let my eyes show them the
fre they Know is there The Song resonates
‘trough my su and int my vice as call ut
the command Isnt my ve that Speaks:
the Song The hundred thousand vies that they
all hearin their own hears resonating om the
‘teil They hear that Song and thei own
ye shine wi the same bilance ee growing
in my stomach,
‘he Song fils the air and echoes in thelr
voices. And sudden 1 cannot contol my ow
heart pounds beneath my chest wih paint,
ache, My feet move without any command! fom
‘me My hands grip my spear and the man beside
‘me lifts our alors high into the smoky ac They
Soar out above us and our ey is in wisn; the
‘oes of every Li hat has eer ved cries with
‘Ad we care remember the sand sipping beneath my feet
and remember clawing tthe earth with my let
hand wie pushed myself with he spear in my
righ Men ell hind us and men fl beside ws,
bat whenever ne of ws fell another was threo
standin his place The Song filed my hea, and 1
‘hough my ears wou bled with the sound
fet two arows hit my boy but the Song would
bot etme all Nor wou 1 et me fal
The clin led forever. For evry step we
ook it seemed the Seorpions aed two more to
our aseat We pushed, we fought. we screamed
tach others names. fl tears volng down my
cheeks. Even fed er even if my soa were
ured hy the Scop fis, {knew thes ght
then that would never again ve a moment ke
‘his one. Death was there before me, ooking me
inthe face and hee wee fears In my eyes and
1 Sangin my bear And the Song wast preter
than the et
Bat | was
ight then, a that moment | was.
We were
‘We bit the Scorpion wal ike stm. They
ropped ther bows and picked up thelr swords
and steel seed through Tesh ad men fe,
szasping atthe eal ht bois shy id
so The Solos reteated a ep and we pushed
on. The Song tn my head burst through my ips
and T heard my men’ ees miror my own. The
‘Song it the Scorpions, basting them back ke
the shugenj fre. My katana sliced throw
tree men before anther ow fund my svord
arm. I seamed and charged the man wth the
‘ow, the ear making his ves gle ike the skin
falls One slic He el 1 never pas
More bland More bodies The hugena thew
hier again Half my men were consumed.
But then the Scarpion lines broke and they
‘wee divided Th men behind us aged up the
Hl and the men tothe left and right flanks
followed thir moverent in 2 mater of minats,
itwas over. The Scorpions fell under our Blades.
Then. a sudden as it entered me, the Song
as gone. Gone
fel my hoes asthe carnage continued
round mT felt hands on my shoulders and
‘ny lp. “Drink hs it” T heard vloe
say and I looked up. 1 Sew Masu.Uinoko
nel abore me, er eyes mois “You rest
hook my head. No, Call an oma Now”
‘That was nearly fve minutes ogo
have reed all of hs o him a he Hslened
tnd nodded He will remember my words that smack know. Then, he wil waite them down for
you toread
Tum almost inshed now, Ales read o join
the Sog that cated me here. Almost,
have ane at hing ty. One last git to
sire you my brother. You ae almost ready to
become a man. Almost ready. But even afer the
ceremony, you wil not have achieved tht. No
there is mach more. C8 » mach longer ourney
than ha
The Seng. Someday, you too will add your
sole fo the corsa our ancestors When you de,
yu wl ela do now thal what you ais ot
enough The vie you bring with you wl sound
leeble and ipoter when compared othe great
horas tha sings ous ram beyond his word of
tes
‘But alo remember this No man could have
linbe tht. What Ii hs dy was gree
‘han anything I hae ever done nd its because
the men sanding beside me woud not show me
‘hat fear They loved me too much
‘When you bring your viet the Song. i wil
sound ikea erik chirp But when you sing
vith i. my brother there so sand in
‘he world that cam compare
"go now. My ast breaths
1am so pov of you
Do not ogee
am watching ~
‘And waking =
Foryou
The House o¢ the
Loon
‘he Lion Clan was founded neal thousand
‘years ago, whea the Kani fl fom the sk. At
that time, the numberof men and women
"okugan was smal and the sven Kam! searched
‘among them fr "the fest Shiba chose the
‘wisest da the stongest and soon but Akodo
‘Hood alone“ do nt look forme fort follow
tm” e sid.“ look for men worthy to standby
ny side”
"Te fais of the Lien derive ther names
from he men who std beside Akodo. The
stories of the founders of each family are
heralded in the Clan histories ~ from the
Inslgha hona othe bold Mats — but al Lions
‘hose to est thei tee against the daimyo of
hel fay onthe day ofthe gmp Fr
them te moe han a i eran of
the courage in thelr eats and a pat of
becoming tre Lee
For owsand yer he Lin Cl bas been
the wet hand of he Enpea rerng the
pola od tary inracions between ane
Farber the ole she rest standing ay in
Ratngan as gen them ttle prowess
tk ay oer an in the pe, Whe
the Aloo an the Mab gain yon he Bel
ofa te a eco all eves and the
es all th the power he ances sd
the clan in times of need.
“othe Lon thee ancestors are mare than
spits of pact they ae ging ein tet
trey be, wang bese thr denn,
Shopng er deinen They are more han
igen roe than yh or parle They are
tore han pat ol the ca past ty a so
2 profs prea and fate
"he fans of te on dee det ames
fom he lowes Aon OF hem al ey the
Mats can cam that Ado asked the on
tis cn Alfie al alles sere the
tanner with qual devoton and fro he Ma
tose bes bre remained te Ak swt
Second Behind th Akad sad he at the
Sect ying deve ty reais ae
‘Axopo AND Marsu
‘Akad went oti the wold to seek men to
stand esd him 0 Deme sama those who
were wailing to dle to protect the Emperor. Far
every man who stood up to Akodds challenge.
there were one hundred who met tht ate atthe
dof his blade
Unsortiy
Weak
ovary.
ach man who ded beneath Akodvs blade
became a testament tothe rigors of bat. For
realy te years. Akodo traveled though the
Jands testing each mortal who came to him ye
‘ne were worthy in his yes
"Those who watched Akodot blondy search
‘wee sid to ave chastised him inthe Emperors
‘ort procaiming him a scourge wpon the land
ach year, Akado woul return to the palace for
ns hrethers coronation anniversary No llwers
came with him, mo generals to Fad the armies
‘which waited for bis command. "Ido not sek he be would yo those who dared mention
itm is presece. They must eek me”
‘Slowly, Akodos can pew. Led by Doma and
ts his troop began frm an amy of great
proportion Ye Akodo sill was sais. Alter
A is searching and vals ded, the Cady
ats, poly the pretest moral war ithe
land ad il not come ob ese by is ade
When be od covince her fo ih, ho bat
a aldo hae shaken teeth and he ky.
"the rary between Akola and Mats bss
long ben poplar theme in plas and ong. The
kama historians tel the ‘le each year o the
fa day of wine Frm Mati refs o fight
Alo, to her violet rection of his wedding
propos and final, wen she turned to leave
fim aod follow Shins, Masa hasbeen
prayed sanding alone sacrcing her Me for
the fate af the Clan Akad, on the ther hand,
‘rollen sown wh is men sanding among
Iya feilower and sory companions
THE Liow THUNDER
‘When the fat bate wih the forces of Fa
Leng was fought the ist monk Shins gatheed
seven men and women 10 follow him no the
bear ofthe Shadowiands. Their purpose was 1
Ske atthe el within is a and each cans
sat have sens greatest mori: When the
‘on Clan was fist asked koma stepped forward.
efor e coud follow the monk, te Lady Mats
felled him with tothe face She stood blo
‘Ako and Shins! wih fein er ep, daring
‘snyone eet deny ber right Nove id
Saco
Dawn cred the peaks ofthe southern il
seting eigen no Otaku ablaze with the
trilance of another dy. Akodo One ye hated
‘moment to exhale in rele! ~ no ost fom the
naturally cold night, but lo from the plague
spreading across Rokugan behind him.
a Leng had survived his plummet ito the
Festering Pit and made an uly pac wth the
fore that he had discovered there. Now. under
his wile leadership they swep cos the fice of
the wrld with all the contagion of the worst
tpidemic ever known. Akodo himself had seen
hs rind host in at, only to ise again beside
his allen bother
‘Death isl had berayed the Empl
Niko Akos wile, was sequsred at an
wtp hat had been besieged by the foes of
‘he Shadowlands sce one week ef Ako
‘ad returned and engaged them hoping to stave
the ff ong enough fr Cb rnforement
ative Bt nal to ys pri, that ay hope
tes exiguel Word hd ce at the Crab
tad been ambushed en rote and would no
se met do any ad.
ne ls raat fort Akodo and is
remaining bokagered ops cared no the
tna des etwen the and the dvi
ion the post Sere of the corps they eat
down wre the omer een, compaions =
ve overs Hono ed nthe ac ch ato,
bat Akodo would no be denied. Those win
tea ie within the pst woul be ave ot
he woud de othe ater
1a ayes hh are upon the on
thelr brethven and many ofthe weaker races
‘owes in feat of deste the sone enti,
‘nly fo be saghered by the stoner beast.
‘Akio spate uit shed ough hem wih
‘be pres of te es tan ane by man
Seater monsters on all ie, Ako and
‘he few ale Boies tht had sured with fim
post and cast rant ares
af the yojinbo ly horebly
rounded a he tesa and » handle
dled efesiey sear the cares Newly
denen women md dient fans of se
‘ho now fought te fr of He Wo NT
BeNamed Manly gazed back at their savor,
shock ro dep nth sah etre.
‘Woot «word Niko wrested to and the
ture fe Monn bel fgg to weigh
er down Her yoimbo made to gasp ber
shoul. but her peng countenance cused
im to pas. Ut, be stood tation
etre edo as be appeoched hs sponse wine
Stvging trea shuddered Uowgh tie rom
‘hth slow meandering oa dg sma.
Turing at he all foe of his men. Akado
soddenly realized how quit had become
king pst thse gathering atthe dove be
ocd that the legions of Pu Leng, were
fevsng. ol the ds of te pang vale
‘end tht cage Step out rr bodies tht
ad oo jel ere. Abdo winced.
hy” was the only response he could
ae ae ek
Soon, he thought. Very soon. they would be
forest to stand thelr ground. and allow the
women their rest. ive were hear with cil
Niskthe worst o al. Ako shoal! have fered
forthe hie a his unborn son, and thse of the
fons of his clansmen arms. He should have
feared forthe ves af all Brn into this dark age.
He should have feared the Tle of all the
groans 1 ene
But he was a Lon, and be euld not afford to
fea He eould ot stand down even if they tok
‘is son. is le, and his dan. He wou fight
‘ntl his blood stained thei bes and his ast
‘ath crept nt ther eats and possned them,
"et his ert was a burdened his we, and
‘ne haped forthe a ofthe Fortunes in ths gave
time. He bad a few’ more hours to plan. The