This is mainly house rules I've developed for my Legend of the Five Rings campaign... and a little campaign info, as well.
Latest Update: 29 January 2003: The new site, even though I've not updated in about four years.
The following are reports about certain unusual or advanced items developed by one of the clans or someone else, or strange creatures encountered in my travels. This information is gathered in hopes that it forwards the interests of the Empire. I even include some items from my own clan -- my duties to the Emerald Champion must be regarded above all else.
It is hoped that all loyal samurai might benefit from these reports, which are now in rough alphabetical order.
The Crab Signaling System: A method of rapid communication employed by the Crab, again made possible by the Kaiu.
Dark Champions of Iuchiban: Creatures of legend involved in the fight against Iuchiban 300 years ago.
Datura: A rarely used medicinal plant, perverted by the Scorpion clan.
Floating Globes: The Dragon Clan's counterpart to the Kaiu kites.
Henshingu: The Gaijin "kenjutsu" style.
The Kaiu Battle Kites: One of the engineering marvels created by the Crab clan's Kaiu family.
Kenkujutsu: A kenjutsu style derived from the teachings of the Kenku.
The Manticore: A creature from either the islands of the Mantis, or the Shadowlands. Who can say which?
Mujina Bombs: More a theoretical item than one in widespread use, made possible by the Kuni family of the Crab clan.
Pankuratsu: An unarmed fighting style brought back to Rokugan by the Unicorn Clan.
Paper Armor: A curiousity coming into use by the Scorpion clan.
The Roc: Avians presumed to be creatures encountered by the Unicorn in their wanderings.
Reports are in the works for: the Crab Clan's war transports and paddleboats utilized by the Crane (mainly waiting for the Clan War miniatures rules for these), and a collection of minor, mundane items.
Please send any comments about the page to me at alberich@iglou.com.
I would like to acknoledge a small debt of inspiration for some items: the book Ancient Inventions by Peter James and Nick Thorpe (Ballantine: New York, 1994). Several of the things mentioned above found actual use in a variety of pre-classical, classical, and medieval cultures, as noted in this book. I highly recommend this book.
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Also, please not I will not be posting d20 versions of these items, but feel free to extrapolate.
Mark Kinney / alberich@iglou.com