The Lion Clan
The lion is the king of beasts due its battle-worthiness, courage, and death wish. Its samurai have proven him/herself to be the most trusted warriors of the Emperor, fearing failure more than death. As such, the Lion feel the presence of their ancestors closely, as even in death the Lion hunger for warfare. Interestingly, the matriarchal Matsu family has contributed some of the fiercest warriors, shattering some of the old gender stereotypes in Rokugan. Thus, the Lion have specific thoughts on the role of women… it thinks they are good fighters. What is the gaijin phrase of a woman scorned?
As mighty and regal as their chosen animal, the samurai of the Lion are as proud as their name implies. They are the right-hand of the Emperor, his sword-hand. This often puts them at odds with the Crane, their ancient rivals. The Lion are known as the finest tacticians in the Empire, and claim the largest army of any clan. It is no wonder they are so favored by the Hantei.
Colors: Gold on Brown
Daimyo: Matsu Tsuke
Personalities: Akodo Toturi (former Daimyo, now Ronin and goes by Toturi the Black), Akodo Kage (master of the Akodo War College)
Families:
- Akodo
: An Akodo mind is both passionate and calculating. Akodo samurai seem to be born with Bushido in their blood
- Matsu
: When the Akodo stop to think, the Matsu take action. The fierce Matsu are quick to anger and quicker to battle
- Ikoma
: With so much passion in a clan, the Lion are in need of a means of venting their emotions honorably. If the Akodo the clan’s mind and the Matsu its heart, then the Ikoma are the soul of the Lion. They allow themselves to vicariously feel what their brethren cannot, and therefore allow the Lion to act with clear thought
- Kitsu
: This oft-overlooked family was originally born from the original kitsu, a mystical race of felines that was nearly wiped out by Akodo. The descendants still carry the kitsu’s strong karmic connection to their ancestors
Dojos:
- Akodo Bushi Dojo
: An Akodo Bushi knows his every action is guided by his ancestors. Because of this, and their duty to the Emperor, the bushi knows that there is no such thing as failure
- Akodo War College
: A companion to the Akodo Bushi Dojo, the War College produces Rokugan’s most brilliant strategists and soldiers
- Matsu Bushi Dojo
: The Matsu Bushi believe in the value of a quick, unrelenting strike. The Matsu are so fearless on the battlefield that it is said they let their enemies feel their fear for them
- Ikoma Omoidasu Academy
: The Ikoma Omoidasu (bards) are both historians and storytellers. Through their tales they can make and break heroes, and through their emotional poems and songs they provide their fellow Lion with a catharsis to clear their minds
- Kitsu Shugenja Dojo
: Probably the most traditional shugenja dojo in the Empire. The Kitsu do not approve of such radical methods of magic practiced by the Dragon or Unicorn. As the Lion do not often make use of shugenja on the battlefield, the Kitsu have much time to study their old-ways
- Kitsu Sodan-Senzo Dojo
: Those who possess strong ancestral ties in the Kitsu line sometimes learn to use that connection to perform powerful magic. The Soden-Senzo (spirit walkers) can commune with ancestor spirits and, some say, even travel to the realms of the dead
Special Notes:
- After the Emperor cast out Toturi, the Akodo line fell. It no longer exists. This goes back to a phrase in the Prophecy of Uikku, "When the last Akodo falls, so shall the Empire." Unlike Toturi, the remaining Akodo became parts of the remaining Lion families. Though Akodo Bushido is still taught, it is called Ikoma Bushido. The War College is taught under Matsu control, though Akodo Kage is still the master of it.
- Akodo Kage is the only Akodo that is allowed to keep his name, his honor is so far beyond reproach that even the Emperor would dare besmirch it. As a GM note, Akodo Kage is actually dead and has been replaced by a Kolat spy.
- Akodo Bushi are strong-willed and calculating. The Bushi Dojo and War College work together to train some of the most powerful warriors in the realm. All Akodo Bushi learn large-scale battle tactics as well as how to use a sword. To reflect this, they must have skills as such. One skill required of any Akodo general is that of Strategy. Additionally, they favor Military Construction and Artillery as well.
Strategy
Base Cost: 100
Attribute: INT
Skill Type: Warrior
Extra Dice: non
The ability to lead vast armies across battlefields miles wide is a skill the Lion could not survive without. This skill allows a general to not only determine appropriate actions by his troops, but also to control them and make sure orders are carried out.
This is not to say that an unskilled general cannot accomplish this, it is just that a Lion is much more accustomed to it.
- The image of an angry and fierce Lion lives in the Matsu Bushi. They are fast on the attack, and usually do not care for the consequences. The Matsu are amazing warriors, but lack of the skills required for military leadership. One particular type of Matsu Bushi is the Death-seeker. These dishonored samurai are the first line of attack in any Lion campaign. They live only to die honorably in battle. The rival clans all fear the Death-seeker for they would rather take a blade in the gut that give one inch of ground
- The Ikoma are unlike most other Lion, in that they are usually not fighters. They dedicate their lives to relaying history through tales of glory. The Omoidasu are the action of this dedication. In game terms, they are Augers with several different Nomad skills (such as Acting, Dancing, Musical Composition and Singing).
- Kitsu Shugenja are traditional and typical mages. They have no restrictions or bonuses. There only true fault is that in a clan of warriors, they are not. This generally makes them outcasts in their own Clan.
- The Sodan-Senzo are some of the most unusual samurai in all of Rokugan. They use the powers granted to them by their ancestors to accomplish many marvelous things. For all intents and purposes, they are Nomads. Unlike most Nomads, these have no problems with religion. In Rokugan society, ancestral spirits and religion go hand in hand. These Lion (and those like them) have taken the role of priests for Rokugan.