Thought Experiment: Clan Duo Campaign Pitches.
L5R 5e notes that one popular campaign style is having all of the PCs come from the same clan, allowing the GM to pitch a campaign that focuses exclusively on that clan's duties.
But what about campaigns that only have PCs from two clans?
What might the campaigns for such alliances look like?
(I'm relatively new to L5R lore, so feel free to propose more informed alternatives in the comments if you like. Some were much harder to come up with than others.)
- Crab/Crane - Alliance Against the Shadows - The Crab have detected a rising threat from that Shadowlands that will demand all seven clans readied to defend Rokugan. Travel the empire convincing daimyo of the urgent crisis as shadowy forces try to sabotage your efforts.
- Crab/Dragon - The Will to Stand Defiant - Though the Crab would never confess it, endlessly starring down the tainted frontier takes a toll on the soul. The Dragon join the defense to calm and fortify the defenders' spirits, while methodically identifying samurai who are too tainted to continue the vigil.
- Crab/Lion - We March on the Shadowlands - Equipped with a secret that could shrink the reach of the Shadowlands' taint, brave samurai armies must drive oni back from the border and reclaim a province beyond the wall.
- Crab/Phoenix - Spirits Defiled - Ordinary people aren't the only ones susceptible to the taint. Elemental kami, or even fortunes, could be twisted by the darkness. One can only imagine how they would use humanity's prayers against them to instill despair.
- Crab/Scorpion - Kansen Hunters - You're a team of grim specialists with total discretion to purge blood magic and tainted entities from Rokugan. As disposable assets, your eventual corruption (and execution) is a near-certainty.
- Crab/Unicorn - Ultimate Rokugan Border Patrol - A campaign totally focused on defense against the outside, both foreign and supernatural. Probably a little xenophobic.
- Crane/Dragon - Just Ends - Find the truth by empirical investigation, then negotiate the testimonials needed to fit the standards Rokugan's courts demand. Whatever it takes in this status quo to ensure the guilty get punished.
- Crane/Lion - The Grand Campaign for Rokugan - The other five great clans fight among themselves, threatening the empire's stability. As the Emperor's left and right hands, forge alliances and quell the rebellion, on the battlefield or in the courts.
- Crane/Phoenix - Art and Soul - The empire is descending into spiritual apathy and empty materialism. Craft and motivate the great works, resplendent shrines, and odes to the fortunes that will inspire and renew empire wide piety.
- Crane/Scorpion - Masterminds of the Courts - Topple provinces and foil ambitions, maybe without ever drawing a sword. The ultimate pairing for courtly role play and devious manipulations, where your voice is your strongest weapon.
- Crane/Unicorn - Ambassadors Abroad - It's time to establish formal embassies in lands abroad. The Crane could leverage valuable Unicorn connections to get in the door.
- Dragon/Lion - Monks and Militants - The Dragon need to raise larger, more proactive armies. The Lion need to learn serenity and calm their fiery passions. Can these clans cooperate to each teach the other the valuable lessons both overlook?
- Dragon/Phoenix - The Quest for Enlightenment - Nurture spiritual life all over Rokugan, teaching fellow samurai faith, piety, and calm serenity.
- Dragon/Scorpion - Expediting Justice - Some unjust samurai are too well connected to ever be accused in Rokugan's courts. Ensure their guilt by the Kitsuki Method so that the Scorpion can punish them confidently outside the system.
- Dragon/Unicorn - Rokugan Cultural Exchange - Open-minded and understanding samurai travel abroad, learning about foreign cultures and fostering neighborly relations.
- Lion/Phoenix - Big Flashy Heroes - Seek out enemies of the empire with sword and spell, and blast the front door open and slay evil. Nothing subtle about it.
- Lion/Scorpion - Mutineers Must Die - Even whispers of disloyalty in Rokugan's great clans must be hunted out and punished, lest any be tempted to turn their arms against the Emperor.
- Lion/Unicorn - The War of Expansion - By order of the Emperor, Rokugan's neighbors are to be conquered and brought under his divine rule.
- Phoenix/Scorpion - The Inquisition - Heretical sects and charismatic blasphemers are leading your fellow samurai astray. They will learn the approved ways to teach, or they will be put down.
- Phoenix/Unicorn - New Magical Frontiers - Travel to foreign nations to study their magics and spirits, bringing new secrets home to the Emperor.
- Scorpion/Unicorn - International Puppetmasters - No neighbors can threaten Rokugan if they're all convinced to fight one another.
Posted Jun 4, 2019, 3:35 PM UTC
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