Legend of the Path of War (Inactive)

Game Master Crayfish Hora

The Idea:
Adventures within the Japan-like Rokugan, with various characters of different clans working to keep Rokugan safe from within and without. Includes Legend of the Five Rings setting and Path of War for Pathfinder.


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Sczarni

Welcome to this interest check! Here's a brief:

Legend of the Five Rings is basically Japan and Path of War is basically the best for martial characters. The idea is to have the characters be a part of one of the many clans and to partake in the many different scenes that may arise. Samurais and Ronin and honor/dishonor and the Shadowland taint will be most prelavent.

Here's a brief on the Legends of the Five Rings

Here's a brief on the different clans available for characters to be a part of.

Here's the Path of War stuff that characters pick classes from. There are archtypes for normal martial classes such as the paladin, ranger, fighter, etc.

For those wanting to play the court wizard, there's the shugenja. Class and Spells

Couldn't really find a complete list, because DnD tools doesn't change pages for me.

This adventure will be very high in roleplaying, with plenty of combat and honor. Careful roleplaying is going to be your friend, as respect is key in most situations.


As a clarification: It's Legend of the Five Rings setting with Pathfinder (Path of War) mechanics?

Sczarni

Yes, that's absolutely correct. Legend of the Five Rings is the setting concept.

Edit: I found a pathfinder Shugenja and it can be used with this adventure. It will replace the 3.5 version in availability. Divine Weaboo Fightin' Sorcerer Shugenja The spell list probably won't change unless I find a Pathfinder one.

Liberty's Edge

You can check me interested!

Sczarni

Swell. Also, if the Path of War archtype doesn't conflict with another, non-Path of War archtype, then the player will be able to pick the latter up. For example; The Myrmidon Fighter only loses the 2nd and some later bonus feats, which leaves him open to pick up a second archtype like Dirty Fighter.


Welp, I'm in. Phoenix Clan Warder most likely, using Eternal Guardian and possibly Scarlet Throne.

Edit: Yup. Thinking Zweihander Sentinel Sworn Protector Warder, using Eternal Guardian, Iron Tortoise, and Piercing Thunder. Just need to know character creation details.


I love L5R, what level are you starting at and what are you doing for Stat generation. Cane Clan all the way.

Thinking Warlord Bushi Template


I'm definitely dotting and will look into it more. Never had a chance to mess around with the Lot7R setting.


Cool, I'm interested.

Thinking of being a Harbinger, either the Scorpion or Dragon clan seems most likely.

Sczarni

@Ashe; I'm thinking of just having a static erray, though I do like to give my players flexibility. So probably a 25 point buy, as we're going full Romance of the Three Kingdoms stuff here. Or, Toukiden, where's there's a Mitama, whom's father caught a spear in his teeth when he had all his limbs tied up.

My favorite starting level is 3, so we're going to use that.

@Everyone else; Don't forget that there's a trait that allows you to swap one of your Disciplines for another not on your class list. This may influence your liking of the Path of War system to allow more unique characters. I want others to like it as much as I do, you know.


Health/Wealth/Number of Traits?

Sczarni

Maxed hitpoints per die, standard starting wealth for a 3rd level character, 3 with a drawback or 2 normal traits. Path of War traits are also available.

Oh, and Eastern weapons and armor only, unless you're John Manjiro. You can play as a foreigner, it's just...your character will be treated differently depending on where you're from. For instance, there's a foreign Roman Empire (but not) and they want to conquer as much land as possible. Obviously, a foreign invader isn't going to be the guy you invite to tea (unless you're Scorpion Clan and you poisoned the tea).

I'm pretty sure, even with the limited list of Eastern Weapons, there's weapons for each Discipline. But if I'm wrong, you just let me know.


Hey Crayfish! Big fan of L5R here (especially Phoenix shugenjas and Utaku Battle Maidens). Im definitely leaving a dot here :)

Sczarni

Hey Chess, good to see you. Right now, I'm looking over the races. So far, Human, Vanara, and Ratfolk are in. Ratfolk are actually Nezumi who have different bonuses.

Here's some of the Oriental Races that people may want to look over. The Vanara and Nezumi in particular will probably replace the Pathfinder versions.

The Korobukuru replace dwarves, and Hengeyokai can just be added into the list. The spirit folk aren't found in Rokugan, so they're not available to pick sorry.

Sczarni

Alright, now let's group all of this together and move to an actual recruitment thread.


You might have oni-spawn tieflings too... Probably within spider and crab ranks

Sczarni

Crab definitely uses those that are tainted and that still wish to fight within their ranks. They...they don't usually live long, but you'll have the most spectacular scenes. Oh, and you'll probably stay outside of a lot of buildings, for safety reasons.

Liberty's Edge

Question about the weapons: would a scythe be considered "Eastern" enough? Because it's such a cool weapon that I weep at how hard it is to use in standard play, Path of War seems perfect for it.

Sczarni

A scythe is a farmer's "weapon", so yes, they are readily available. One could carry a sharpened, longer bladed version, but it may be questionable to some that notice. Like inspection officers checking up on a small villa to find they have sharpened their farming utensils. Very questionable and possibly an act of disobedience waiting to happen.

But carrying a scythe is a lot less noticeable than carrying a blade. When some may find a scythe odd, carrying a blade or other weapon on your side makes you a samurai. And if you're not a samurai, you're a ronin. Both big deals.

Sczarni

Recruitment information can now be found on the Campaign Info section. Characters can now be readily submitted, colorful backstories with names and positions of any important people in bold. Ideas and concepts will be reviewed and additions may come to the character creation based on them.


Dotting for interest. Is there space in your game for courtiers?

Sczarni

Absolutely. My wikipedia results say that they are those in attendance in courts, so anything that resembles that is pretty acceptable to me. Its a pretty open-ended position and could mean a lot of things. Like, a retainer, honor guard, scribe, guy who sets up the ceremony tea set. Guy who secretly watches people through confetti outside, while in court. If you can come up with something concrete, you better believe I'm going to use it.

Could be a representative from one of the clans, but you better believe that's not going to be an easy task. The weight of a clan's honor is a heavy burden to carry on your shoulders; aka, you probably shouldn't seduce the daimyo's daughter in front of him. You know, just helpful little hints.

Rokugan is fought not only with blades, but with words as well. And scythes.

Sczarni

Here's some fun facts on Feudal Japan, which is basically what is going to be implemented in the game.

My favorite is: To maintain the distinction between samurai and commoners, the government conducted raids called "sword hunts" or katanagari. Commoners discovered with swords, daggers or firearms would be put to death. Of course, this also discouraged peasant uprisings. Because I called it.


Are you going with Path of War characters for ninja, or does the standard class from Ultimate Combat apply?

Sczarni

See, that's a good question. There's the stalker, the unchained rogue archtype, but I guess there's also the ninja. So the Rogue archtype for Path of War replaces the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th Rogue talents. If you wish to play a ninja, they would lose the corresponding ninja tricks of the same level and use the "Non-martial class initiating archetype progression" chart found here . Note that maneuvers are standard actions, not full attack actions, so you can't spend a ki point to make another maneuver. You ain't no harbringer son, but you are a ninja.

You can select 4 disciplines to draw maneuvers and stances from, just like the rogue. I think that covers all questions that I think can arise, but if you got more, I got more answers.

Liberty's Edge

I will be busy for a couple of days, here's my concept so far:
Human Ravenlord Harbinger, renegade of the Dragon Clan Tamori family. Due to an act of cruel, disproportionate revenge, a kami that had bonded with them has been corrupted into a Hell Raven (the Ravenlord's Dark Messenger). They would use a scythe, focus on Mithral Current or Cursed Razor disciplines (the former taken through the swap trait) and be a bit of a ronin, although they would serve faithfully someone they believed worthy.

Sczarni

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Little Kami is all, "Don't worry, I'll be safe in the Shadowlands! I just have to deliver a message, I must warn the other kami of this strange and untrue happenstance..." Comes back; little Kami was definitely not safe. Little kami tells me terrible things. Little Kami screams "Doom!" to wake me up.

I like the concept. Being a renegade is going to be a blast, that's all I can tell. You'll be glad that you're not a renegade of the Scorpion clan. They gather those that go against the clan and burn them at the stake. Fun times.


I'm considering an Oni-Spawn Tiefling from the Crab Clan, having the traits "Pass for Human" and the "Light In The Darkness" alternate racial traits.

His tainted heritage is a well-hidden secret, one hidden even from his family as he is along the path to earn quite a bit of prestige and rank within the clan. When he gets angered, the shadows grow longer and darker and his eyes burn with like simmering coals. Otherwise, he passes as a shy, unknown human being.

Not sure the class yet, I'm looking at a stalker maybe (specifically the Brutal Stalker or the Soul Hunter). Since we're all proficient in Eastern Weapons, which of those weapons do you believe are okay with Weapon Finesse? Stalker is a very Dex-Based class and I'd like to use a weapon that could utilize it.


Crayfish Hora wrote:
I like the concept. Being a renegade is going to be a blast, that's all I can tell. You'll be glad that you're not a renegade of the Scorpion clan. They gather those that go against the clan and burn them at the stake. Fun times.

Despite my current plan being a Phoenix Yojimbo, Scorpion's always been my favorite. 'I can swim' is easily the most badass motto I've heard in a very long time.

Oh, for those looking for a shorter, more tongue-in-cheek summary of the setting and clans, this may be of interest. Gives more details on preferred fighting styles and personalities.

Sczarni

Any light weapon is and there's this cool weapon finessy feat in the path of war section. I suggest looking them over.


Yeah, I saw the Deadly Agility feat. It is pretty amazing and I like it. I was hoping for more, maybe I'll work on a two-weapon fighting build then.


Crayfish Hora wrote:
I like the concept. Being a renegade is going to be a blast, that's all I can tell. You'll be glad that you're not a renegade of the Scorpion clan. They gather those that go against the clan and burn them at the stake. Fun times.

They don't burn them at the stake. They tie them up in a special grove and stab them with magic knives that bind their souls to the trees for an eternity of torment. WAY less brutal. ;)


Another question! Are we doing Background Skills at all? I'd love to take some Craft: Calligraphy or something similar.

Sczarni

Background skills? Absolutely. I'll update the character creation stuff with it.

Sczarni

Oh yes, way less brutal and just as justified. Scorpion clan sure does a lot of gardening and pulling out weeds.


Quick question: What kind of skill would be best for boardgames? Knowledge?

Sczarni

Most board games are either gambling or strategy. Depends on what game your after; a game of vice or a game of chinese checkers.


Dot


So are the Katana and Wakizashi still exotic? Using the Bushi template I give up my Level 1 and Level 6 bonus feat but pick up Exotic Weapon Katana and Wakizashi, but if they were just going to be martial in this setting it is kind of a waste, How about Weapon Focus in them instead or just the Katana would that be fair? Thanks.


Alrighty, I'm firmly set on a rather lithe and agile member of the Crab Family. Quiet, almost unassuming, and a travelling gambler, he is a hunter of corruption behind the Walls and serves as a scout when he is on his duty. With a sense of self-loathing at his own hidden corruption, he eliminates his enemies quickly and viciously with a pair of kukri and violent tricks. His family has hidden his corrupted nature, since it is so well hidden and he has been commended for his actions and skills time and time again. Calm and collected, he keeps his anger in check since that is when his facade fades.

Working on the crunch now, am pretty excited for the idea. Should have him up tonight or tomorrow.


Crayfish Hora wrote:
Most board games are either gambling or strategy. Depends on what game your after; a game of vice or a game of chinese checkers.

Strategy, the equivalent to chess/go/shogi/etc.

Sczarni

I don't recall stating that the katana or wakizashi are martial weapons. I did state that Eastern weapons are key, so your template is still good. Not many can wield the fabled katanaruuu. And don't worry fellas, you don't need to be proficient with the wakazashi to commit seppuku. There are those that carry the blade as a show of status, and then there's those that wield the blade.

And knowledge strategy is probably going to be your friend for discussing tactical chess playing. Or you can take up profession strategist and suddenly, its no longer a hobby.

Sczarni

Tablet ate my post. I will hand out exotic weapon profiecenies depending on what clan the character is from.

Sczarni

New update to the Character Creation info on the Campaign section; Weapon Profs. for the clans. Huzzah, Scorpion can use the Scorpion Whip and Bich'Hwa (Scorpion's Tail). Scorpion puns galore.

Nezumi clan fixes: Removed the Level adjustment for one and lowered the Int more. So the total looks like +2 Strength, +4 Con, -2 Charisma, -2 Wisdom, and -4 to Int with the original Nezumi bonuses thrown in.

Hengeyokai also lost their Level Adjustment. Pathfinder has much crazier races than these.


Cool, just checking :)

Should have build and backstory done tomorrow.


Stalker looks like a better choice. I'm thinking spider or scorpion at this point, probably human or oni-spawned tiefling.


Most likely an infiltrator or part of the Spider Clan that wants to maintain their elite status in the Empire without getting purged by crazed Unicorn and Dragon samurai and Phoenix shugenjas.

Liberty's Edge

Ah, the Double Kama would be amazingly good for a Broken Blade/Thrashing Dragon character as well, oh, choices, so many choices...


As an aside, are you using 3.5/OA spells for the Shugenja since the conversion doesn't have a list of them?


The Mystic and Kineticist would also make intriguing variations on the Shugenja, if necessary.

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