House Rules

Listing of various house rules. Crossover Rules should also be read to see how we're importing rules from L5R.

## Beats

Beats are considered periods of handwaved downtime between periods of high activity or the closing of one story and the beginning of another. These will be fast-forwarded through so long-term game-time projects and similar time-intensive concerns can be completed (or consequences suffered) without years of real-time having to pass first. Beats last anywhere from a month, to a season, to years of in-game time. Naturally, if a Beat is forthcoming, it will be announced with plenty of time for players to wrap up their current affairs and prepare for the next period of narrative game time. In general, these will represent 'day in the life' periods where not much is going on.

Standing real-time projects (such as character advancement and Holding projects) will be evaluated in the context of beat lengths and be credited an appropriate amount of time so those projects don't seem like they take longer than they should IC. If any refresh times are required (such as with advancement slots), those with stay locked until they would have completed originally, and otherwise follow normal procedure.

## Stats

### Youkai Curse Background

Youkai are powerful creatures with unique magics they do not hesitate to use on individuals who earn their ire (or their blessings). These curses are rare, and often the result of intentional maleficence, "blessings" either given in the form of a trick or with truly benign intentions, or the result of some kind of pact or agreement. Whatever the case, Youkai magic is the stuff of Yomi, and as such never gels well with the mortals of Kuniumi; even Ōmijin are not immune to their effects (unless they have charms that say so). Thus, even Youkai "blessings" usually have a particularly bitter counterweight that often far overshadows any benefit, and true curses can be downright horrifying. These curses are not considered Fuhai unless the curse specifically intends that. Curses are considered majors taboos and are scandalous if found out in polite society even if the curse is relatively minor.

This background can be purchased at character generation to represent past interaction with some Youkai. When purchased in this way, normal background costs apply if any benefit is derived form the curse. PCs may choose, however, to bestow a curse upon themselves for free: this background costs nothing if the subject is receiving no compensatory benefit.

* 1 dot: Meager curse. The Youkai was likely annoyed or only passingly invested. Any dice penalties/benefits are limited to +1/-2 and are very specific. Any non-dice effects should be very mild and are likely very specific. (If you cross this particular river without saying a prayer to the local Kappa, your foot will always get stuck in the mud.)
* 2 dots: Minor curse. The Youkai was moderately displeased or more than marginally invested. Any dice penalties/benefits are limited to +2/-4 and are fairly specific. Any non-dice effects should be noticeable and come up at least occasionally. (Due to your disagreement with a Tengu, whenever a bird of prey passes overhead, you will get shat on unless you've made your regular obeisances.)
* 3 dots: Moderate curse. The Youkai was particularly disagreeable or directly interested. Any dice penalties/benefits are limited to +3/-6 and are more general than specific. Any non-dice effects should be meaningful and happen with some frequency. (If you attempt to cross a hole of any meaningful size, you must roll to resist the curse or fall in it. Every. Single. Time.)
* 4 dots: Major curse. You done made the Youkai angry (or enamored). Any dice penalties/benefits are limited to +4/-8 and are fairly broad. Any non-dice effects should be increasingly troublesome and happen with irritating frequency. (You received a cursed item from a Youkai. Holding on to it grants you some kind of special power, but relinquishing it means you will be permanently cursed with an inverse of that power. However, keeping it and being found with it invites a scandal of political proportions. Alternatively, whenever someone views your image in a reflective surface for some time after you make any Manipulation roll, they see you in the form of a Youkai.)
* 5 dots: Legendary curse. You have a storied grudge with a particular Youkai or are an enemy to a great many. Alternatively, you may have a Youkai that loves you, a powerful bargain, or some other intense connection. Any dice penalties/benefits are limited to +5/-10 and are very broad. Any non-dice effects should be a daily issue and concern. (The Youkai has taken a personal interest in you and stalks you. Maybe it wants to destroy you. Maybe it wants your undying devotion. Whatever the case, you can feel its hand in your daily routine. Alternatively, the curse has so dramatically altered your life, your life revolves around managing it.)

## Equipment

Fine and Exceptional weapons can be made as printed; Perfect weapons do not exist and were errata'd out. For clarification, fine weapons are the stuff of officers; exceptional weapons are reserved for exceptional people such as clan favorites, champions, generals, and lords. In either case, the weapons are known by the name of their smith, or the location of their creation if made by several smiths, and referred to as such: "Yamakawa steel," which everyone would know as Fine quality steel or "Amatsu-Kyo steel," etc. Feel free to describe **why** the craftsmanship is extraordinary (for a real-life example, see Damascened Steel).

## Magical Materials

These have been renamed and reworked into the setting, but otherwise function as printed. Only Ōmijin can make full use of these materials.

* Sungold (**orichalcum**); also known as burnished iron or bright steel. The rarest form of gold, this material shines with an inner light, but does not shed enough light to see by or ruin stealth. Its occurence in nature is infrequent enough to be the stuff of legend, and was normally made through complex rituals by alchemists and Imperial shugenja in the time of the Sakura Empire. Their methodology is currently lost.
* **Moonsilver**; also known as lustrous iron or echo steel. The rarest form of silver, this material glows with a soft aurora, but does not shed enough light to see by or ruin stealth. It occurs in nature only during auspicious times of transformation, and is otherwise created by obscure occult rituals only known to those thought driven insane by the mysteries of the twin moons.
* Black Platinum; also known as crying iron or **soul steel**. A blasphemous material, one is thought to be able to see the tortured faces of the souls used to forge this metal. How or why it is made is unknown; only the darkest and most twisted of people are thought to be able to wield it.
* **Jade** has been altered to the following, and typically occurs by proximity to the Eternal Pillars.
	+ Frozen Azure (air); also known as iron glass or clear steel. An ice-cold, semi-translucent crystalline material that comes in iridescent hues of blues, purples, and occasionally, orange. It is often mined from the tops of mountains and other high elevations where large crystals are exposed; occasionally chunks are found in mountain streams. As a luxury item, it is carried around in hot weather to cool the wearer.
	+ Mountain Root (earth); also known as bleached iron or pale steel. A solid, heavy, stone-like material of dull white, silver, or (rarely) copper; occasional impurities include a variety of color, from which agate is the major culprit. It is mined from the hearts of mountains and deep within the earth where it grows in veins. Structures made of this material are known for their endurable foundations.
	+ Dragon's Blood (fire); also known as liquid iron or blood steel. A usually liquid, red-silver metal that absorbs heat quickly and expels it slowly; it also comes in shades of yellow and orange where the silver sheen can turn to gold. It can only be mined from areas active with volcanism where it is found in small pools; the smithing process involves cooling it sufficiently to harden. As a luxury item, it is carried around in cool weather to heat the wearer.
	+ Deep Abalone (water); also known as sea iron or dark steel. A flexible, iridescent, and shadowy material produced from the shells of a particular kind of sea snail known to frequent deep areas of the ocean floor. Catching them is a trial, but their flesh and pearls are both known to incite dreams and visions, not all pleasant.
	+ Splinter Scale (wood); also known as iron amber or sap steel. An amber-like substance that leaks from a particular kind of eastern tree and forms bark-like scales that splinter as they age and can be pried free. This is a light, durable material that varies from greens and yellows to browns and oranges. In its liquid form it is often used to preserve items of great importance, as it is extremely durable and semi-transparent when hardened.

Additionally, these metals are storyteller fiat and need permission to appear:

* **Starmetal**; also known as Lantern iron, or Sentou steel. This metal can not be found or created (or at least, no one has found it or found a way to make it yet). It is the stuff Kami are thought to wield in their heavenly battles. In the off chance it is found (or gifted), any Ōmijin can wield it, but often becomes a pawn of fate in doing so. It functions as printed.
* Tempered Lightning; also known as storm iron, or tempest steel. If there is a way to create this material, it has yet to be discovered. It is thought to only be made when Susanoo's wrath strikes the world with sufficient power and in just the right place to create a small vein. Forging it is a dangerous prospect, as refining Susanoo's rage mixed with the stuff of earth is considered an act of hubris, and even master forgers would be wary of doing so. Wielders of the stuff must too be cautious, lest their emotions betray them and power the material enough for it briefly come again to life. Mechanically, this material functions as pre-errata'd Perfect quality equipment; more importantly, it is the only magical material of any meaningful use to mortals, as it can be powered by Void.

## Mass Combat

As L5R rules with following additions.

As given, a roll is made between generals to determine who is winning or losing. This roll is an opposed Military Rating roll. A Military Rating is calculated by adding the sum of the following.

* The total Military Holdings sent to the battle, including any additional bonuses from those Military Holdings.
* Any Infrastructure, Clan, etc. Holding bonuses that might apply.
* The General's **War** rating.
* The total of Insight and Essence amongst PCs that are participating (excluding the general), who could/would reasonably be at the attacked location.
* Any random bonuses or reductions from other Holdings (including enemy units).

Remember that bonuses are only added from Military Holdings present at **this battle**. The Defender is always guaranteed to have at least the military force assigned to the attacked Holdings. Any additional forces they wish to assign must have the ability to **move** to that location. Generals can't simply declare that they are grabbing a military force on the other side of their province without another Holding that allows them to do that (usually roads via Infrastructure Holdings). Even adjacent Holdings to the one being attacked that have a military presence can't join in unless some other Holding allows them to do so (or they have some ability that allows them to do so, like being cavalry).

Once the rolls are made, mass combat continues as written.

## Lunar Exalted Tattoos

Lunar Exalted Moonsilver tattoos only exist in this setting as a nonessential background. All of the benefits Lunars receive from their tattoos in the Exalted setting are applied to Lunars in this game simply by nature of being a child of the two moons. Having the tattoos is not necessary.