Characters will begin the game with 40 xp (total).
New characters should be constructed using the 4th Edition Core Rules. Emerald Empire and Great Clans are permitted books.
Playable Clans and Families
The game begins as a major war between the clans is winding down. Most of the Empire has been brought back under control of the Hantei, but several clans and families have been destroyed or are still in revolt.
Crab - playable, excluding Toritaka family and school, who are not Crab in this timeline
Crane - playable, excluding Daidoji family and school, who are in revolt against the Crane
Dragon - not playable due to being in revolt against the Emperor, except for Agasha family and school, who are still in the Dragon but have declared loyalty to the Emperor
Lion - playable, excluding Akodo family and school, which have been disbanded for dishonorable actions. (You may play a ronin who is a former Akodo.)
Phoenix - playable, excluding Agasha family and school, who are Dragon in this timeline.
Scorpion - not playable due to being recently destroyed in this timeline. (You may play a ronin who is a former Scorpion.)
Unicorn - playable, no change.
Badger, Hare, Sparrow, Tortoise - playable, no change.
Centipede, Falcon, Fox - these clans declared for Yoritomo during the war, but have been defeated and occupied. Members of these clans may train in Yoritomo schools without taking Different School, but must take the Hostage disadvantage.
Dragonfly - not playable due to being recently destroyed in this timeline. (You may play a ronin who is a former Dragonfly.)
Mantis - not playable due to being in revolt against the Emperor.
Wasp - not playable due to being recently destroyed in this timeline. (You may play a ronin who is a former Wasp.)
Spider, Bat, Boar, Monkey, Oriole, Ox, Snake: not playable due to not existing in this timeline. (May not be played as ronin either.)
Ronin - playable. With numerous clans and families having been destroyed in the recent conflicts, ronin are a common sight in the Empire. You must take Social Disadvantage: Ronin.
Monk - playable (excluding Togashi tattooed monks). Most monks in the Valley of the Centipede are dedicated to the worship of Amaterasu.
Not allowed
You may not gain more than 10 character points from disadvantages.
You may not take more than 1 rank of Social Position.
You may not buy new advantages or buy off existing disadvantages.
You may not play nonhuman characters.
You may not use Ancestors, Honor Rolls, Heritage Tables, Crafting, Kata, Kiho, Maho or Shadowlands Powers.
Power balance
The power level is low. Most TNs will be 15 or 20. You won’t benefit very much from optimizing your character for combat, dueling, or any other single focus.
Application Process
Send completed character sheets to erythrinaeq AT yahoo DOT com. I am not going to be strict on format, as long as it is readable and it’s clear how you spent your XP. Character backgrounds are optional, but feel free to write one if desired.