In Rokugan, it is said that honor is stronger than steel. While even the finest blade can bend and break under the heat of the forge, the Emerald Empire’s society has been folded in the forges of politics and war for more than a thousand years, and it has not yet broken. The society of Rokugan follows a divinely ordered pattern set down by the eight Kami, who shared their celestial blessings with the mortal realm. Rokugan is a land of strict social stratification, where an improper look at the wrong time can mean death.
This is an era of sudden change and upheaval, however. Mortal schemes, natural calamities, and celestial turmoil alike have disrupted the political, military, and spiritual equilibrium of the land. Long-simmering rivalries and fresh betrayals ripple through the courts and on the battlefield. The Chrysanthemum Throne is beset by threats from without and within, and the honor of the seven Great Clans—the families descended from the heroes of legend and sworn to rule their lands in the Emperor's name—shall be put to the test.
The recent, untimely, and mysterious death of the Emerald Champion, Doji Satsume of the Crane Clan, has thrown the Emerald Empire into turmoil. Each of the Great Clans suspiciously eyes the others and wonders whether the death was no tragic accident, but a dishonorable act of murder.
In these times of strife, a group of youths approaches the village of Tsuma for the Topaz Championship and their gempuku, the coming-of-age ceremony that will mark them as fully fledged samurai. Each contestant has come from a different clan and dreams of being the highest-scoring contestant in the tournament, earning the title of Topaz Champion. Despite being pitted against one another, they are all united in their desire to succeed and bring honor to their clan and family.
Not everyone in Tsuma has honorable motives for the contest, however. Personal vendettas, supernatural visitations, and deadly sabotage may undermine the following days—unless the new arrivals stay true to the Code of Bushido? and act as the honorable samurai they seek to become.
These are the circumstances surrounding your first adventure in the Emerald Empire. If this is your first time as a player in Rokugan, the Beginner Game is the perfect place for you to start. Not only do the pre-made characters offer plenty of choice without overwhelming you with mechanics, they also give you all the information you need to play the game. The Game Master will slowly reveal what these stats mean, easing you into the crunchier parts of your adventure. You can also look for helpful reminders of what these stats mean throughout the folio.