Allowed schools can be found here. The changes to schools and new schools can be found in the pdf document (rules 1.51) that is available on the Banner discord channel. The discord also hosts a fluff document that details the Rokugan of 32nd century, its society, technology and clans.
To simplify matters, returning characters do not lose Glory.
It is highly recommended that you check the rulings and rules board found here when making your character, as the Banner of the Stars setting will likely be different from some previous games run with Legend of the Five Rings, 4th Edition. This may affect your character build choices.
Some of the Schools presented in the PDF are from the book not otherwise officially included, and have been added for the sake of completeness. If a school is missing from the here, it is not allowed for this game. Many schools have been edited to reflect the changes of many centuries. Please take this into account when creating your character, as many families and Minor clans no longer exist, or exist in altered forms, and their schools have shifted or vanished along with them.
Guidelines
-All characters must be at least 16 years old.
-No reincarnated kami or outlandish spirits. Your character must be human.
-No double agents or infiltrators. Your character serves whom they seem to serve.
Note the following optional rules, which we will or will not be using, as follows:
-Characters should not exceed a Status of 4.0. Implications of status can be found here
-A number of Minor Clans have died out, been absorbed, or been created during the past centuries. Badger, Ox, Tortoise, Oriole and Monkey no longer exist. The Tonbo have become part of the Dragon. The Komori have been absorbed by the Mantis, while the Kitsune split away from them. The Firefly, Osprey, and Shark are all new minor clans.
-We will not be using the Ancestors mechanics in this game.
-We will not be using the Honour Roll mechanic in this game.
-We will not be using the Crafting Rules in this game.
-Kata will be allowed.
-Kiho will be allowed. Shugenja and Ninja may both learn kiho, but ninja must spend an additional +2 xp for each kiho they wish to learn. Henshin monks are allowed to learn kiho, but cannot benefit from a kiho while they are under the effects of a mystery or riddle. Non-Brotherhood characters may never know more kiho than their total Monk, Shugenja, or Ninja school rank.
-Character may never leave Brotherhood School using Multiple Schools Advantage. Once you join an Order, you are a member for life. Entering a Brotherhood School using Multiple Schools Advantage is allowed.
-Shadowlands Powers and Maho will not be allowed for Characters.
-Your character cannot start the game Tainted.
-You can only get credit for 10 points worth of Disadvantages, no matter how many you actually take.
-Your sheet should show your Math. It is highly encouraged that it is shown with each trait, skill, advantage, and disadvantage expenditure. A character sheet submission example will be found below.
Background Considerations
Please refrain from forming any major connections with other PCs in your character's background unless it is a relationship that can work independently without the other PC. Sometimes, the situation changes through play, or real life happens. It would be very unfortunate if a character concept cannot work if the other player is unable to commit to the role. For example, it might be fine if your character was acquainted with another. However, if your character is serving as a yojimbo to another, that role is particularly attached to the other character's active presence.
Please keep that consideration in mind and also be understanding if any such circumstances should arise. Characters are their own characters, players have their own lives.
Application Process
Character submission opens on the 26th of October. Characters submitted before that will be ignored. Once the character is finished, send the completed character sheet and background to kunioharu@gmail.com Then, register an account on this site under your character's name.
To better understand what has happened within the Emerald Empire since the previous game, please refer to the collected timeline over several games here.
Once we've looked over your character, we'll activate your account and send you an email. We won't be starting the game until November 1st (pregame) with the actual game starting on November 4th. We'll open up the OOC Boards on 26th of October so that everyone can get settled into place. You will also be given a private forum, which will contain a copy of your character sheet for your own reference.
Your private forum is yours to use as you see fit. It is the easiest way to contact and hold discussions with the GMs, but it can also be used to make notes about the game in general.
Signatures
Your signatures should include your Status, Glory, and current Honour Rank (ie, Untrustworthy, Exceptional, etc).
It should also note Clan and their role (i.e. Phoenix clan • Shugenja )
You should also include any obvious advantages or disadvantages that would be readily noticeable by other characters, such as Lame or Missing Arm, though you are free to include non-noticable advantages or disadvantages at your discretion. Flavour traits are also perfectly acceptable. This keeps things transparent during role-playing.
Finally, please include a list of items that your character carries around with them in your signature, so that we might easily determine which items your character may or may not have on their person at any given time. This may matter if the character finds themselves in an awkward situation.
Note that nearly all samurai (including courtiers and shugenja) may carry their wakizashi with them wherever they go, as it is symbolic of their honour as members of the samurai caste. Whereas the katana and any sidearm are removed upon entering home or courts, the wakizashi is acceptable to be carried by a samurai if they should so choose, and is one of the few weapons that can be worn in court or in the presence of the Emperor.
If you wish to show your Clan colours in your signature, please refer to the table below.
Clan colors
Code: Select all
[color=#0000BF]Crab - #0000BF[/color]
[color=#00BFFF]Crane - #00BFFF[/color]
[color=#00BF00]Dragon - #00BF00[/color]
[color=#804000]Lion - #804000[/color]
[color=#004000]Mantis - #004000[/color]
[color=#FF4000]Phoenix - #FF4000[/color]
[color=#BF0000]Scorpion - #BF0000[/color]
[color=#808080]Spider - #808080[/color]
[color=#BF00BF]Unicorn - #BF00BF[/color]
[color=#FF40FF]Imperial - #FF40FF[/color]
[color=#FFBF00]MCA - #FFBF00[/color]
[color=#bf6d1a]Ronin - #bf6d1a[/color]
[color=#00e6e6]Other - #00e6e6[/color]