The Four Winds

*The Four Winds
*By Rich Wulf and Shawn Carman

Recently, Rokugan, the d20 Companion for Legend of the Five Rings, was released containing background for each of the Four Winds and statistics in the d20 system. The following article presents more information on each of the Winds, as well as statistical blocks for them in the traditional Alderac d10 system.

+————————–+
*New Advantage
Blood of Toturi (Special)*
This special advantage is
allowed only to members of
Emperor Toturi I’s
bloodline (i.e. the Four
Winds). Under normal
circumstances, a player
character should not have
this advantage, though if
the GM intends to make
significant alterations to
the campaign, he may allow
it.

This advantage counts as
Ear of the Emperor, and
further allows members of
Toturi’s house to take any
skills, advantages, or
disadvantages that are
normally clan specific.
They may also attend any
school of their choosing
and can take Multiple
Schools if they wish.

This advantage also counts
as either Great Destiny or
Dark Fate. Only the GM
knows which of these two
ultimately applies. In
addition, as a member of
the Imperial bloodline the
character will be
manipulated and monitored
by both allies and enemies
seeking to gain an upper
hand, so this is as much a
disadvantage as an
advantage.

Note that a character need
not have this advantage to
swear fealty to the Toturi
family, only to be a
legitimate heir to the
Steel Throne. The Toturi
family bonus is +1
Perception.

* New Ronin Technique:
Child of Water
Type*: Otokodate*
Required Traits*: Water 5*
Required Skills*: Battle
5, Kenjutsu 5*
Other Requirements*: Must
have Honor of at least
3.0*
Location*: Mobile*
Technique*: (15 points)
The fluid, graceful
essence of the Water
Dragon permeates your
actions. During the first
round of any combat, you
may add double your Water
Ring to your initiative.
Additionally, you may add
double his Water Ring to
the first attack roll you
makes each round, whether
it is a duel, skirmish, or
battle.

This is single
otokodate-style technique
is currently known only to
Kaneka himself. While it
is possible that he could
teach it to others, Kaneka
is very wary of sharing
his secrets.

* Sword of the Sun
School*: Akodo Bushi 2 and
Seppun Miharu 2*
Time*: 10*
Rank*: 4*
Cost*: 8*
Other*: This kata must be
used with a sword, and
only in the light of the
sun. *
Effect*: This kata was
recently developed by
Toturi Tsudao and though
she will gladly teach it
to any who would learn,
thus far only Kitsu Dejiko
has mastered the form.
Using this kata, you may
make a complex overhead
stroke that reflects the
rays of the sun directly
into an opponent’s eyes.
This opponent must make a
Perception check vs. your
Agility X 5 or be stunned
by the brilliance of the
sun for 1-10 rounds. If
your opponent is stunned,
you deal an extra 1k1
damage with this attack,
and all further attacks
you make against him while
he is blinded. This
maneuver may only be
attempted once per
opponent per use of the
kata.

*Multiple Shugenja Schools
*Although shugenja schools
typically have widely
varying theories and
techniques regarding the
study of magic, all of
them are founded upon the
same basic precepts. This
means that while some
schools, such as those
maintained by the Asahina
and the Kuni for example,
are extraordinarily
different in their
approach to magic, others,
such as the Asahina and
the Soshi, are very
similar in theory if not
in application.

For certain individuals it
is possible, albeit
extremely rare, to move
between the different
schools and combine the
knowledge gained. For
shugenja who attend
multiple schools, add the
ranks of their various
schools together, as well
as all Affinities and
Deficiencies.

Full rules for using the
Multiple Schools advantage
with shugenja will be
included in the
forthcoming supplement Way
of the Shugenja.

* Naseru’s Technique (New
Path)
School*: Doji Courtier 3
or Bayushi Courtier 3*
Technique Rank*: 4*
Path of Entry*: Doji
Courtier or Bayushi
Courtier 3*
Path of Egress*: Doji
Courtier or Bayushi
Courtier 1 (may not enter
a school already
attended)*
Technique: *You are adept
at reading the emotions
and desires of others. By
making a successful
Perception check (opposed
by the target’s Willpower)
you can determine what the
subject desires most at
that moment. This may be
very general (“he seems to
be looking for something”)
or very specific (“he
wants the Lion to remove
their troops from his
territory”) at the GM’s
discretion. This technique
provides only information;
useful application of this
information is up to you.
+————————–+

*Akodo Kaneka, “The Bastard”
Earth:* 5*
Water: *6*
Fire: *4
Agility: 8*
Air: *3
Reflexes: 6*
Void:* 5*
Techniques: *Akodo Bushi 1-5, A Samurai’s Fury, Gaze of Sun Tao, Child of Water*
Honor: *3.2*
Glory:* 7.9*
Kata: *Fury Without End, Striking as Fire*
Advantages: *Allies, Blood of Toturi, Social Position (Son of the Emperor), True Friend (Akodo Ginawa), Way of the Land (Lion, Unicorn, Imperial lands)*
Disadvantages: *Bad Reputation (Bastard), Brash, Overconfident, Sworn Enemy (Hantei Naseru), Unluck (3)*
Skills:* Athletics 6, Bard 2, Battle 5, Defense 4, Etiquette 3, Falconry 2, History 4, Horsemanship 4, Hunting 6, Iaijutsu 7, Intimidation 5, Jiujutsu 5, Katana 4, Kenjutsu 9, Kyujutsu 5, Law 3, Shintao 3, Weaponsmith 2, Yari 3

Akodo Kaneka is the child of Emperor Toturi and the geisha Hatsuko. He is the oldest of the Four Winds. Born before Toturi ascended to the throne, Kaneka and his mother were spirited away from certain death during the Clan War by the enigmatic Water Dragon, who kept them safe and ageless until depositing them back in Rokugan shortly before the Battle at Oblivion’s Gate. His parentage was completely unknown to any in the Empire, Kaneka spent the first half of his life as a ronin.

Akodo Kaneka is a very stubborn, but honorable man. Many see him as a mirror image of his father, and expect him to fulfill a similar destiny. Kaneka respects his father, but refuses to disappear into the shadow of Toturi I. He often acts wildly and unpredictably, usually when others assume he will follow his father’s example. Kaneka is a deadly swordsman and a skilled duelist who made his living as a mercenary long before he took the Akodo name.

Shortly after his mother’s death, Kaneka announced his heritage in Ryoko Owari Toshi, causing an uproar throughout the Empire. While Toturi never officially recognized Kaneka, Akodo Ginawa, daimyo of the Akodo family, granted the ronin a place within his family. Lion Clan Champion Matsu Nimuro offered to allow Kaneka to take his place as Lion Champion, but Kaneka refused, stating that he had not earned the position. The fact that Toturi took offense at neither Ginawa’s nor Nimuro’s actions is proof enough to many in Rokugan that Kaneka is in fact the son of Toturi as he claims.

Emperor Toturi’s murder occurred en route to a meeting with Kaneka, a meeting during which many believe the Emperor would have officially declared Kaneka his heir. Toturi’s death prevented that event from taking place, but Kaede chose to recognize Kaneka equally as a son of her late husband. Unfortunately, Kaede did not declare Kaneka the heir and vanished before a successor could be chosen. Now Kaneka finds himself embroiled in a conflict with his half-siblings to determine who will become the next Emperor of Rokugan.

* *

*Toturi Tsudao, “The Sword”
Earth:* 4*
Water: *5
Perception: 6*
Fire:* 6
Agility: 7*
Air: *3
Reflexes: 7*
Void:* 5*
Techniques:* Lion Bushi 5, Seppun Miharu 3*
Kata:* Striking as Fire, Sword of the Sun*
Honor:* 4.0*
Glory: *9.9*
Advantages:* Balance, Blood of Toturi, Daredevil, Higher Purpose (bring order to Rokugan), Tactician.*
Disadvantages:* Can’t Lie, Idealistic, Soft Hearted.*
Skills:* Athletics 5, Battle 9, Courtier 2 , Defense 5, Diplomacy 7, Etiquette 3, Horsemanship 3, Iaijutsu 5, Intimidate 4, Investigation 5, Katana 5, Kenjutsu 6, Kyujutsu 4, Law 6, Lore: Bushido 5, Shintao 5, Tanto 3.

Toturi Tsudao is the eldest child of Toturi and Kaede, the second eldest of the Four Winds. She is a prodigy in the art of swordplay and battle, having defeated the most renowned Lion sensei even before her gempukku. She assigned a post in the Imperial Legions soon after she was given her daisho, and soon rose into a position of command in the prestigious First Legion. Those critics who assumed her connection to Toturi was the sole reason for her assignment were silenced when Tsudao’s Legions easily crushed a large group of invading Yabanjin barbarians. Tsudao proved early on that her cunning tactical prowess and battlefield charisma combined with deadly efficiency.

If Tsudao has one true weakness, it is that she is only assertive and confident where the execution of justice are concerned. Away from her armor and sword, she is shy and uncertain. She tends to rely upon her brother, Naseru, in such situations and avoids entangling politics.

The current division between the Four Winds pains Tsudao deeply. She cannot accept that such anger and division has torn her family apart. To deal with he grief, she has thrown herself into the execution of her duties, hunting the mysterious Tsuno to the ends of the earth. Unfortunately, her campaign against the Tsuno means that she is not in Otosan Uchi taking the throne, where many of her supporters wish she could be.

*Toturi Sezaru, “The Wolf”
Earth:* 3
Willpower: 6*
Water: *3*
Fire:* 6
Intelligence: 7*
Air:* 2
Reflexes 5*
Void:* 6*
School: *Isawa Ishiken 5, Tamori Shugenja 3*
Honor:* 3.2*
Glory: *9.4*
Advantages: *Blood of Toturi, Clear Thinker, Great Potential (Void), Ishiken-do, Multiple Schools.*
Disadvantages:* Antisocial (4), Bad Reputation, Driven (Find his father’s killer), Sworn Enemy (Daigotsu).*
Skills: *Battle 4, Calligraphy 5, Courtier 2, Defense 4, Etiquette 2, Heraldry 4, Investigation 6, Kagaku 5, Kenjutsu 2, Lore: Maho 5, Lore: Shadowlands 6, Lore: Spirit Realms 4, Lore: Void Magic 9, Medicine 4, Meditation 7, Research 5, Shintao 6, Spellcraft 6, Tanto 5, Tea Ceremony 2.

*Spells:* (Note: As one of the most respected shugenja in Rokugan, Toturi Sezaru has access to any spell scrolls he desires at any time he desires them. The following are the scrolls he typically carries with him when he travels. Spells marked with “*” are memorized) Benevolent Protection of Shinsei, Burn the Soul*, By the Light of Lord Moon, Castle of Fire, Commune*, Depth of the Void, Divine the Future*, Drawing the Void, Essence of Void, Evil Ward*, Fires From Within*, Hands of Jurojin, Katana of Fire, Moment of Clarity, Path to Inner Peace*, Reflective Pool, Rise From the Ashes*, Rise, Flame*, Secrets on the Wind, Sense Void*, Sense*, Silent Waters, Strength of the Crow, Summon*, Sympathetic Energies, The Fires That Cleanse, Tsuke’s Call of Heaven, Wings of Fire.

Toturi Sezaru is the eldest son of the Emperor Toturi I and Isawa Kaede, their second oldest child, and the third eldest of the Four Winds. Even as a child, he displayed an incredible talent for summoning the kami. He began training with the Phoenix as an Ishiken at a very early age, and underwent his gempukku as the youngest shugenja in record to achieve that distinction. Even further, he attacked and killed an oni summoned by the Bloodspeakers to assassinate him during the ceremony. Afterwards, Sezaru adopted the nickname “the Wolf” for reasons known only to himself.

Following his tenure with the Phoenix, Sezaru requested and was granted permission to study magic with the Tamori family of the Dragon, and later was educated in the organization of the Spirit Realms by the Kitsu family. Though he is still young, he has proven himself to be one of the most powerful shugenja in the Empire, a rival for any of the Elemental Masters. Taking the throne holds little interest for Sezaru, despite his enormous popularity among Rokugan’s religious community.

Sezaru can be an incredibly cold and distant person. His great magical power has altered his perceptions of reality, and he sometimes has difficulty relating to “ordinary” people. Despite this fact, the Wolf has a strong sense of duty and sees it as his responsibility to protect others. He is currently absorbed in a lonely quest to punish the person or creature responsible for his father’s murder.

*Hantei Naseru, “The Anvil”
Earth:* 3
Willpower: 5*
Water: *3
Perception: 6*
Fire:* 6
Intelligence: 6*
Air: *5
Awareness: 9*
Void:* 5*
School/Rank:* Doji Courtier 3, Bayushi Courtier 3, Miya 1, Naseru 1*
Honor:* 3.2 (2.2)*
Glory: *9.9*
Advantages:* Allies (various), Perceived Honor (2), Benten’s Blessing, Blackmail (various) Blood of Toturi, Cadence, Heartless.*
Disadvantages:* Missing Eye, Contrary, Meddler.*
Skills:* Battle 4, Courtier 9, Defense 4, Diplomacy 8, Etiquette 8, Forgery 4, Go 7, Gossip 6, History 5, Iaijutsu 4, Investigation 6, Kenjutsu 5, Law 6, Shintao 4, Sincerity 9, Stealth 3, Tessen 4.

Via a treaty that peacefully ended the War of Spirits, one of Toturi’s children was to be apprenticed to the Hantei XVI, the wicked Steel Chrysanthemum, and take the Hantei name. That child was Hantei Naseru, son of Toturi and Kaede, youngest of the Four Winds. Though Naseru spent a great deal of time training with Hantei XVI, his loyalties were never bent to the Hantei’s will.

Instead, the cruelties Naseru suffered during his education to the old spirit molded Naseru into a cold, cunning, and patient man. Naseru recognized that his lessons were a necessary evil, done for the peace of the Empire. Rather than simply suffer and bemoan his lot, Naseru learned everything he could from the manipulative old Hantei. When Hantei XVI later died under mysterious circumstances, it was no surprise that Naseru was able to conceal all connection between himself and the incident.

Hantei Naseru has come to be regarded as one of the most cunning and capable politicians in Rokugan. Before his father died, Naseru was an indispensable to Toturi. The young courtier often caught nuances of politics that even his perceptive father missed.

With the death of his father, Naseru sees it as his responsibility to seize the throne for himself. In his opinion, neither Sezaru nor Tsudao are truly qualified to rule the Empire and Kaneka is an upstart ronin whose very existence sullies Toturi’s name. While Naseru would not willingly allow harm to befall his siblings (with the exception of Kaneka) he is ruthlessly efficient, and has made plans to remove each of them from his path to succession.