Ravenloft to L5R RPG (27 Dec '15 - ROUGH DOC UPLOADED)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

CONVERTING RAVENLOFT TO THE RULES OF THE LEGEND OF THE FIVE RINGS RPG (FOURTH EDITION)
by Dion of the Fraternity

Because L5R is now my favorite game system, and "Xanadu" is the best disco song of all time, I decided--hey, what the Hell.

Unless noted, all conversions presented here reference the Legend of the Five Rings 4th Edition RPG, published by AEG.



The basics:

The most basic composition of the Dread Realms are the five elements, but the Dark Powers of Ravenloft manifest in only four forms.



The dark manifestation of Air is MIST, that which is fickle and gives man an insight unto things that should not be.

The dark manifestation of Earth is GRAVE, that which festers beneath the feet of mortals and bestows unnatural endurance on those who tread it.

The dark manifestation of Fire is PYRE, impatient, impetuous and ever-raging, that which stokes men's passions and imposes change.

The dark manifestation of Water is BLOOD, that which pulses and drips, flowing through the living and yet by sight the source of all men's fears.

VOID could neither be touched nor corrupted, even by the Dark Powers themselves; it is everything and nothing, existing only as a neutral force realized in mere glimpses and visions of those who could understand.

Game premise: Characters can, at any time, invoke one dark element to succeed at any roll that corresponds with the element's trait (e.g., a character making a Skill Roll that uses Strength can on declaration invoke the power of Blood). In exchange, however, the character invoking the dark element must make a roll (TN of the original forfeited roll) and add his or her Integrity rank to the total of the roll's result; if the character fails, they pique the interest of the Dark Powers and gain a full Rank of Corruption.

(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

CLASS TAGS



Class tags are basically similar to School tags, as presented in L5R4E, p.226. They are not classes per se, but they indicate certain specific advantages various classes have.

WARRIOR - as the Bushi school tag. Warriors can learn Styles, but cannot become Mages.

DIPLOMAT - as the Courtier school tag. Diplomats can purchase Social Advantages for one point less than normal (to a minimum of 1 point).

MAGE - as the Shugenja school tag. Mages do not commune with sentient spirits, but instead delve into the particle structure of the world. Mages cannot become Warriors or Rogues, but can learn and use Prayers. Also as shugenja, mages must choose one Affinity element and one Deficiency element; unless the mage has the Void Speaker Advantage, he or she cannot choose Void for either.

PRIEST - as the Monk school tag, and the rules for Brotherhood of Shinsei monks. Priests begin play with one additional Void Rank and three Prayers. They gain 2 additional prayers per Class Rank, and can further purchase new Prayers by spending Experience Points equal to the Prayer's mastery level. Additionally, Priests gain only half the normal amount of Glory usually awarded to characters.

ROGUE - as the Ninja school tag. Rogues are specialized Warriors with one or more Low Skills that can be used freely in certain circumstances. They can either learn Styles but can't combine ranks with Mage classes, or learn Prayers (using their Class Rank) but can't combine ranks with Warrior classes.

SCHOLAR - Scholars are specialized Diplomats who study the world around them. In lieu of the Diplomats' Advantage discount, scholars can instead increase Lore Skills for 1 Experience Point less than is normal (to a minimum of 1 point).

(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

EXAMPLES OF CLASS TAGS ON SIX CLASSES CONVERTED TO L5R RULES:



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Knight of the Shadows (Warrior)
Benefit: +1 Reflexes
Integrity: 6.0
Skills: Athletics, Courtier, Duel, Investigation, Stealth, Swords, any one High or Combat Skill

TECHNIQUES
Initiate of the Circle
When engaging in Duel or in melee combat against an opponent, you gain a +1k0 bonus to the appropriate Skill Roll on the first round of the encounter or skirmish. If you maintain an Integrity of 5.0 or higher, you instead gain a +2k0 bonus. You do not lose Integrity for using Stealth for as long as using this Skill relates to your duty as a Knight of the Shadows.

Virtue is its Own Reward
So long as you maintain an Integrity of 5.0 or better, you gain a Free Raise to your Courtier and Investigation Skill Rolls. The bonus is increased to half your Integrity Rank rounded up if you attempt any of these two skills on anyone with an Integrity Rank equal to or higher than your own.

The Hidden Blade
For as long as you begin a round concealed through Stealth, you may make any melee attack on that round as a Simple Action instead of a Complex Action.

Guardian of Innocence
You gain a number of Free Raises equal to your Integrity Rank to each of your Class Skills when engaged against a Corrupted opponent. These Free Raises apply only to a situation where at least one person nearby with no Corruption Ranks is in immediate danger of being harmed by the Corrupted creature.

The Shadowborn’s Blessing
If you are the target of any deliberate action by any creature that results in Corruption, the TN for such an action is increased by 5 x your Void Rank. You can only sustain this ability if you have an Integrity score of 5.0 or better.

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Dirgist (Diplomat)
Benefit: +1 Awareness
Integrity: 3.0
Skills: Courtier, Etiquette, Lore (Ghosts), Lore (History), Perform (Storytelling), any one Lore or Perform Skill, any one Skill

TECHNIQUES
Whispers of the Dead
You gain a Free Raise to any Lore Class Skill Roll you possess to obtain any relevant information about a dead or undead creature within a given area.

Lament for the Fallen
As a Complex Action, you can use any one of your Perform Class Skills to tell of the exploits of a fallen hero, villain or any other great personage, and sustain this action for as long as you wish. Enemies within earshot of you must succeed in a Contested Etiquette/Awareness Roll with a TN equal to your Perform Skill Roll during the first round of your performance or otherwise receive a -1k0 penalty to all Skill Rolls made against you, for as long as you sustain your performance.

Graveyard Sonata
As a Complex Action, you can use any one of your Perform Class Skills to project an unearthly, ethereal voice, and sustain this action for as long as you wish. Undead spirits within earshot of you, as well as ghuls and zombies, must succeed in a Contested Etiquette/Awareness Roll with a TN equal to your Perform Skill Roll during the first round of your performance, or you remain invisible and inaudible to them for as long as you sustain your performance.

Crescendo of Blood
For as long as you sustain either your Lament for the Fallen or Graveyard Sonata, allies within earshot of you gain a +1k0 bonus to all Social or Weapon Skill Rolls and Damage Rolls (to a maximum of +5k0) for each round your performance is sustained.

Requiem for the Ill-Fated
For as long as you sustain your Crescendo of Blood, undead creatures within earshot of you receive a -1k0 penalty to all their Skill Rolls for every Class Rank you possess.

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Dreamcaster (Mage)
Benefit: +1 Awareness
Integrity: 2.5
Skills: Divination 2, Meditation, Lore (Nightmare Lands) 2, Spellcraft, any one High or Merchant Skill
Spells: Sense, Commune, Summon, 2 Air, 2 Water, 1 Earth, 1 Fire

TECHNIQUE
Oneiromancy
You may attempt Divination Skill Rolls even while asleep, but each attempt will cost you one spell slot once you awaken for the day. The rules for succeeding Divination Skill Rolls still apply. During your dreaming state, you get a Free Raise on Social Skill Rolls when interacting with dream creatures such as Abber nomads, dream spawn, or even members of the Nightmare Court.

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Guardian Seeker (Priest)
Devotion: None
Benefit: +1 Awareness, +1 Void
Integrity: 5.0
Skills: Defense, Divination, Investigation, Meditation, Lore (History), Stealth, any one Skill

TECHNIQUE
Subdue the Stain of Corruption
You can use Meditation to cancel the effects of one magical artifact in front of you that would result in Corruption. This effect lasts for an hour, or if the artifact is used for anything before the hour’s end other than for transport or handling. Any artifact larger than a human would require a longer period for Meditation. As a general rule, it would take as many periods of Meditation as the number of times the artifact is larger than a human.

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Scourge of Sans Merci (Rogue)
Benefit: +1 Reflexes
Integrity: 0.5
Skills: Etiquette, Intimidation (Torture), Hand-to-Hand (Improvised Weapons), Knives, Medicine, Sincerity (Deceit), any one High, Social or Low Skill

TECHNIQUES
Profession of Pain
You gain the special ability Fear 1, which increases by 1 for every two Insight Ranks you possess. You do not lose Integrity for using Intimidation (Torture) for as long as such an act is sanctioned by another Scourge with a higher Class Rank.

Pinpoint Agony
If you successfully perform a Called Shot using Hand-to-Hand (Improvised Weapons) or Knives on a target, and at least one die explodes, you can forego the damage on that specific die and instead make the target Stunned.

Extract the Confession
You gain Free Raises equal to your Insight Rank on Social Class Skill Rolls against a person with a Wound Level of Hurt or worse.

Mask of the Torturer
You gain a +1k0 bonus to all your Etiquette, Intimidation (Torture) and Sincerity (Deceit) Skill Rolls. You no longer lose Integrity when using Intimidation (Torture) in any situation.

Hands of Agonizing Death
For a number of times per game session equal to half your Class Rank rounded down, when you succeed in using Pinpoint Agony on a living target, you can spend a Void point to automatically bring that target’s Wound Level to Injured if the target has not already reached such a Wound Level.

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Monster Hunter (Scholar)
Benefit: +1 Intelligence
Integrity: 3.5
Skills: Artisan, Etiquette, Investigation 2, any two Lore skills, any one Skill

TECHNIQUES
Studied Foe
You gain a +1k0 bonus to all Lore Class Skill Rolls on Emphases which include the study of nonhuman creatures, such as Ghosts, Lycanthropes and Zombies, among others.

Hunter’s Confidence
Your TN to resist any Fear effect made by a nonhuman creature is reduced by 5.

Worldly Knowledge
You may gain the Sage Advantage for no cost in Experience points. If you already have Sage, you are refunded that many Experience points instead.

Good Luck Charm
Once a day, given 30 minutes of uninterrupted work, you can make an Artisan/Awareness Skill Roll to create a talisman no larger than what could be wrapped around one’s fingers, such as a pendant, a fetish or a bracelet. A talisman crafted out of improvised materials may require a TN of 30, but this can be reduced to a minimum of TN 20 with the appropriate tools. Once finished, the talisman imbues its wearer’s TN with an effective +10 bonus to be hit by a single ability made by a nonhuman creature that relates to your Lore Emphases. Regardless if the creature’s ability succeeds or fails on its wearer, the talisman is instantly rendered useless after the ability resolves.

Resist the Monster’s Compulsion
You gain a number of Free Raises equal to your Class Rank to any Contested Roll made using your Social Skills in confrontations involving nonhuman creatures.

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(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

BASIC CHARACTER CREATION



Creating a beginning Ravenloft character is virtually similar to how a character is constructed using the L5R4E rules:

1 - Set all Rings to 2.
2 - Choose a Domain of origin.*
3 - Choose a Class.
4 - Spend 40 Experience Points to distribute across Skills, Traits and/or Advantages.

(Take note that character creation assumes that your character's race is human; options for the Fey races, the Shadow races and the Vistani would come later.)

*Since Ravenloft depends heavily on domain origins, characters also have the opportunity to choose their domain of origin in lieu of L5R's Clans (or the Factions of the Legends of the Burning Sands supplement). When players choose a domain, they gain a +1 increase in any one Trait specific to that domain, as well as a certain minor ability that could be beneficial or disadvantageous, or both. Additionally, Vistani characters cannot choose a Domain of origin.

GLORY, REPUTATION, INTEGRITY AND CORRUPTION

In deciding some of the most important traits for the Ravenloft to L5R conversion, much of what is written here references not just the main Legends of the Five Rings RPG 4E rulebook, but also others.

GLORY does not change; unless noted, all player characters start with 1.0 Glory. The Infamy Disadvantage still applies to any mechanic that affects Glory.

STATUS is known as REPUTATION (as detailed in the Legends of the Burning Sands 3E accessory). Reputation is the measure of what a character's influence is around them. The mechanics for Reputation, however, do not change, and unless noted characters all begin with 1.0 Reputation.

HONOR is known as INTEGRITY (as detailed in the Legends of the Burning Sands 3E accessory and the L5R Second City Boxed Set), and it is a measure of a person's self-worth and sense of righteousness. Integrity for each character is defined in his or her character class.

TAINT is known as CORRUPTION. Unlike Taint, Corruption is a passive and reactive force that does not seek to "infect" characters simply by mere exposure. Corruption is instead acquired by doing various actions that interest the Dark Powers, such as invoking the Dark Elements, or using Necromancy. Corruption will be discussed in detail in a later post.

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(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

DOMAIN TRAITS



Domains act as "Families" in L5R RPG 4E; a character chooses a Domain of origin and adds the Trait as listed.

(The list below is still incomplete and subject to various additions and revisions.)


ARAK/SHADOW RIFT: +1 Perception.
ARKANDALE: +1 Reflexes
BAROVIA: +1 Strength.
BLAUSTEIN: +1 Strength.
BORCA: +1 Stamina.
DARKON: +1 Awareness.
DEMENTLIEU: +1 Awareness.
FALKOVNIA: +1 Strength.
FORLORN: +1 Agility.
GHASTRIA: +1 Awareness
GUNDARAK: +1 Reflexes
HAZLAN: +1 Intelligence.
INVIDIA: +1 Stamina.
KARTAKASS: +1 Awareness.
LAMORDIA: +1 Intelligence.
LIFFE: +1 Intelligence.
MARKOVIA: +1 Agility.
MORDENT: +1 Perception.
NEBLIGTODE/THE NOCTURNAL SEA: +1 Stamina.
NOVA VAASA: +1 Willpower.
RICHEMULOT: +1 Reflexes.
SITHICUS: +1 Reflexes.
TEPEST: +1 Perception.
VALACHAN: +1 Reflexes.
VECHOR: +1 Awareness.
VERBREK: +1 Reflexes.
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AMBER WASTES

HAR' AKIR: +1 Void.
PHARAZIA: +1 Agility.
SEBUA: +1 Willpower.

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VERDUROUS LANDS

SARAGOSS: +1 Reflexes.
SRI RAJI: +1 Void.
THE WILDLANDS: +1 Reflexes.

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SHADOWBORN

AVONLEIGH: +1 Agility.
NIDALA: +1 Awareness.

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FROZEN REACHES

SANGUINIA: +1 Awareness.
VOROSTOKOV: +1 Stamina.

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BURNING PEAKS

CAVITIUS: +1 Agility.
TOVAG: +1 Willpower.

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ZHERISIA

PARIDON: +1 Intelligence.

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ISLANDS

BLUETSPUR: +1 Willpower.
DARANI: +1 Strength.
ENDLESS ROAD: +1 Reflexes.
G'HENNA: +1 Stamina.
GRAEFMOTTE: +1 Perception.
HISTAVEN: +1 Agility.
KALIDNAY: +1 Strength.
KISLOVA: +1 Intelligence.
MALOSIA: +1 Willpower.
MONADHAN: +1 Stamina.
NIGHTMARE LANDS: +1 Awareness.
NOSOS: +1 Stamina.
ODIARE: +1 Willpower.
ROKUSHIMA TAIYOO: +1 Void.
SOURAGNE: +1 Perception.
SUNDERHEART: +1 Agility.
STAUNTON BLUFFS: +1 Intelligence.
TIMBERGORGE: +1 Reflexes.

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VISTANI CHARACTERS ONLY
(Vistani cannot choose a Domain of origin, but must instead choose one of three Tasques, or Caravans, listed below.)

BOEM: +1 Agility.
KALDRESH: +1 Awareness.
MANUSA: +1 Void.

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(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

SKILLS



The following skills in the Legends of the Five Rings RPG are available for play; unless stated, the rules for using these Skills remain the same.

HIGH SKILLS
Acting
Artisan
Calligraphy
Courtier
Divination
Etiquette
Games
Investigation
Lore - as a Macro-skill, Lore now includes Dark Powers, Domain (choose one), Golems, Mists, Necromancy (considered a Low Skill), Nightmare Lands, Vampires, Vistani, Werebeasts, Zombies
Medicine
Meditation
Perform
Sincerity
Spellcraft


BUGEI SKILLS - are known as COMBAT SKILLS (as rephrased in the Legends of the Burning Sands accessory)
Athletics
Battle
Cannons - presented as an option in the Imperial Histories accessory, the Cannons skill is a Class Skill for the Black Powder Avenger Class.
Defense
Firearms - presented as an option in the Imperial Histories accessory, the Firearms skill is a Class Skill for the Black Powder Avenger and the Pistoleer Classes.
Horsemanship
Hunting
Iaijutsu - known as Duel. The statistics for Duel remain the same, but participants can choose any one weapon that both participants must use for each duel.
Jiujutsu - known as Hand-to-Hand, as rephrased in the Second City Boxed Set.
Weapons - as a Macro-skill, Weapons retain the same rules as presented on pp.141-143, but Kenjutsu is known as Swords, Kyujutsu is known as Archery, Ninjutsu is known as Assassin Weapons.

MERCHANT SKILLS
Animal Handling
Commerce
Craft - now includes Alchemy, a Class Skill for the Alchemical Philosopher Class; and Explosives, presented as an option in the Imperial Histories accessory, the Craft (Explosives) skill is a Class Skill for the Black Powder Avenger and the Pistoleer Classes.
Engineering
Sailing

LOW SKILLS
Forgery
Intimidation
Sleight of Hand
Stealth
Temptation

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(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

CLASSES



The following Classes have their stats fully described (Alternate and Advanced Paths included); I will be posting the stats for each Class as this thread becomes longer.


GENERAL CLASSES
Alchemical Philosopher (Scholar)
Anchorite of the Mists (Priest)
Anchorite Wanderer (Priest)
Black Powder Avenger (Warrior)
Borcan Court Poisoner (Diplomat/Scholar)
Crypt Raider (Rogue)
Dirgist (Diplomat)
Dementlieu Stage Magician (Mage)
Dreamcaster (Mage)
Forfarian Sword Dancer (Warrior)
Grime Trekker (Warrior)
Guardian Seeker (Priest)
Iron Kontor (Priest)
Highway Rider (Rogue)
Knight of the Raven (Warrior)
Knight of the Shadows (Warrior)
Monster Hunter (Scholar)
Mordentish Lamplighter (Diplomat)
Sentinel of the Realms (Priest)
Scourge of Sans Merci (Rogue)
Stygian Attendant (Priest)
Tepestani Inquisitor (Priest)
White Arcanist (Mage)
Worldbreaker (Priest)
Zelldrow (Priest)


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CLASSES OF THE GREAT FAMILIES
Boritsi Courtier (Diplomat)
Godefroy Accomplished Medium (Diplomat)
Dilisnya Deceiver (Diplomat)
Drakov Raptor Knight (Warrior)
Hiregaard Champion (Diplomat)
Mordenheim Learned Physician (Scholar)
Mordenheim Scientist (Scholar)
Renier Recruiter (Diplomat)
Von Zarovich Crimson Hound (Warrior)
Von Zarovich Tyrant Mage (Mage)

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(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

ADVANTAGES



The following Advantages, as listed in the L5R 4E Rulebook, are available for play by all characters (unless specified). Modifications to names and basic in-game texts are noted as is necessary with the themes and moods of roleplaying in Ravenloft.

Absolute Direction

Allies - Vistani characters can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less (minimum 1 Point).

Balance

Blackmail

Bland - Replace the Lore (Bushido) Roll with Lore (Nobility).

Blissful Betrothal

Clear Thinker

Crab Hands - Rename to Deft Hands.

Crafty

Dangerous Beauty - Characters from Borca can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Daredevil

Darling of the Court - Diplomat characters can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Elemental Blessing - "Most living beings have a random configuration of the elements, but you have a specific pattern weaved within you." Characters from Hazlan can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Enlightened

Fame

Forbidden Knowledge* - Mages can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less. The following examples may be available for play:
Darklords - Choose a Darklord; you gain 1 Rank in Lore (name of Darklord) and gain a bonus of +1k1 on Social Skill Rolls with that particular Darklord.
Necromancy - You may gain 1 Rank in Lore (Necromancy) and may begin play knowing one Necromancy spell.
Secret Societies - Choose a secret society; you gain 1 Rank in Lore (name of Society) and gain a bonus of +1k1 on Social Skill Rolls with known members of that Society.

Friendly Kami - Rename to Elemental Communion. "An element has attuned to you more than the others."

Friend of the Elements - "Though you may not know it, an element aids your endeavors."

Gentry

Great Destiny

Great Potential

Hands of Stone - Priest characters and characters from Valachan can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Heart of Vengeance - Characters from Invidia can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Hero of the People - Characters from Gundarak and Nova Vaasa can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Higher Purpose

Imperial Spouse - Rename to Noble Spouse.

Inari's Blessing - Rename to Bounty of the Earth. Characters from G'Henna can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Inheritance

Inner Gift*

Irreproachable

Ishiken-do - Rename to Void Speaker.

Kharmic Tie

Languages

Large - Characters from Falkovnia can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Leadership

Luck

Magic Resistance - Characters from Lamordia can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Multiple Schools

Paragon*

Perceived Honor - Rename to Perceived Integrity.

Precise Memory

Prodigy

Quick - Rogue characters can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Quick Healer

Read Lips - Characters from Richemulot can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Sacred Weapon*

Sacrosanct - "A Great Family has placed you under its protection." Choose a Great Family. No one from that Great Family with an Integrity Rank of 5 or higher will attack you unless you attack them first. The Integrity requirement still applies.

Sage - Scholar and priest characters can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Sensation

Servant

Silent - Rogue characters and characters from Verbrek and Richemulot can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Social Position

Soul of Artistry

Strength of the Earth - Warrior characters can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Tactician - Warrior characters and characters from Falkovnia and Lamordia can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Touch of the Spirit Realms* - The following spirit realms may be available for play:
The Gloaming
The Grey Realm - You gain a bonus of +1k1 to all Social Skill Rolls with Undead creatures. Characters from Darkon and Mordent can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Virtuous

Voice - Characters from Kartakass can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Wary - Characters from Barovia can purchase this Advantage for 1 Point less.

Way of the Land

Wealthy

* These Advantages possess sub-advantages that need further tweaking; the list for each is subject to various additions and revisions


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(to be continued)

[DannWyrm]

This is a really cool endeavor, and I approve of using one of my favorite systems for one of my favorite settings. Chocolate in my peanut butter, this is!

edit: Not that you'd need my approval

[Dion of the Fraternity]

Thanks! L5R needs the approval; a lot of times it does seem like L5R's Roll and Keep system is underrated and unappreciated by a lot of tabletop gamers. This could be because of the Asian bent of the game (and the REALLY heavy emphasis on near-diceless sessions); well, being Asian myself it's nice to see a game that's inspired by cultures closer to home.

On a side note, L5R isn't entirely Asian-inspired; the Legends of the Burning Sands accessory for L5R3E features cultures inspired by Arabia, Egypt, Romania and the Roman Empire. Also, the entire L5R RPG frequently mentions the existence of at least two European-inspired cultures: the Thrane (Denmark) and the Merenae (Portugal). For instance, take a look at this L5R card from around 15 years ago:



And of course, my all-time favorite L5R troll card, mechanics and art-wise:



Legends of the Five Rings is now for me the best tabletop RPG system out there, surpassing both Pathfinder and D&D (and even World of Darkness!).




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Now for a new update:

DISADVANTAGES



The following Disdvantages, as listed in the L5R 4E Rulebook, are available for play by all characters (unless specified). Modifications to names and basic in-game texts are noted as is necessary with the themes and moods of roleplaying in Ravenloft.

Antisocial

Ascetic

Bad Eyesight

Bad Fortune*

Bad Health - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Nova Vaasa, Nosos and Paridon.

Bitter Betrothal - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Great Family characters.

Blackmailed

Black Sheep - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Great Family characters.

Blind

Brash - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Gundarak and Invidia.

Can't Lie

Cast Out

Compulsion

Consumed*
Knowledge - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Lamordia.
Perfection - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Borca.
Strength - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Falkovnia.

Contrary - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Great Family characters and Diplomat characters.

Dark Fate

Dark Secret - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Rogue characters.

Dependent

Dishonored

Disbeliever - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Lamordia.

Disturbing Countenance

Doubt

Driven

Elemental Imbalance - "You are favored more by one element, creating a distinct disharmony within you."

Epilepsy - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Borca.

Fascination - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Dementlieu.

Failure of Bushido - Rename to Failure of Virtue.

Forced Retirement - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Priest characters.

Frail Mind

Gaijin Name - Rename to Unusual Name.

Greedy

Gullible - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Barovia and Tepest.

Haunted - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Darkon, Forlorn and Mordent.

Hostage

Idealistic - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Gundarak, Mordent, Nova Vaasa and Richemulot.

Infamous

Insensitive - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Borca and Dementlieu.

Jealousy

Lame

Lechery

Lord Moon's Curse - Rename to Lunatio. This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Vistani characters.

Lost Love

Low Pain Threshold

Missing Limb

Momoku - Rename to Denial of Void

Obligation

Obtuse - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Warrior characters, as well as characters from Falkovnia, Invidia and Valachan.

Overconfident - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Falkovnia.

Permanent Wound - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Warrior characters.

Phobia - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Barovia.

Rumormonger - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Diplomat characters, as well as characters from Borca, Dementlieu and Richemulot.

Seven Fortunes' Curse* - Rename to Divine Curse*

Small

Social Disadvantage

Soft-Hearted

Sworn Enemy

Touch of the Void - This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for characters from Hazlan and Nidala.

True Love - Rename to Blinded by Passion

Unlucky

Weakness

Wrath of the Kami - Rename to Wrath of the Elements. This Disadvantage is worth 1 point more for Mage characters



* These Disadvantages possess sub-disadvantages that need further tweaking; the list for each is subject to various additions and revisions


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(to be continued)

[Dion of the Fraternity]

SPELLS



Only Mage characters can cast spells. Due to Dion being too lazy to write all the Spells down, only Spells that have changes are listed below. These Spells work the same way as written in the L5R4E Core Rulebook, but some Spells have been renamed to fit the Ravenloft paradigm.

UNIVERSAL
(no significant changes to the three Spells)

AIR

Air 1

Legacy of Kaze-no-Kami - rename to Voice in the Breeze
Yari of Air - rename to Spear of Air

Air 2
Benten's Touch - rename to Aura of Friendship
The Kami's Whisper - rename to Message Across the Mists

Air 4
Netsuke of Wind - rename to Capricious Illusion

Air 5
Cloud the Mind - if you cast this Spell, you gain two Corruption points regardless of success.
Slayer's Knives - if you cast this Spell, you gain one Corruption point regardless of success.

Air 6
Wrath of Kaze-no-Kami - rename to Baleful Tempest



EARTH

Earth 1
Courage of the Seven Thunders - rename to Ancestral Courage. The restriction given on non-Clan characters does not apply.
Jade Strike - rename to Touch of the Innocent
Jurojin's Balm - rename to Balm of Cleansing. This does not work against supernatural diseases such as lycanthropy or vampirism.
Tetsubo of Earth - rename to Mace of Earth

Earth 2
Embrace of Kenro-ji-Jin - rename to Earth as Water

Earth 3
Bonds of Ningen-do - rename to This Mortal Coil
Earth Kami's Blessing - rename to Skin of Stone

Earth 4
Armor of the Emperor - rename to Ancestral Protection
Tomb of Jade - rename to Bound by the Grave

Earth 5
The Kami's Strength - rename to Strength of the Earth
The Kami's Will - rename to Absolute Will of the Earth

Earth 6
Essence of Jade - rename to Heart of Stone


FIRE

Fire 1
Fury of Osano-Wo - rename to Hunger of the Storm
Katana of Fire - rename to Blade of Angered Flame

Fire 3
Fist of Osano-Wo - rename to Fists of the Storm


WATER

Water 1
Bo of Water - rename to Staff of Water
Reflections of Pan Ku - rename to Revelations Clear as Water

Water 2
Cloak of the Miya - rename to Herald's Cloak
Inari's Blessing - rename to Arcane Nourishment

Water 4
Dominion of Suitengu - rename to Realm of the Nocturnal

Water 5
The Final Bond - This Spell cannot locate anyone across closed Domain borders
Suitengu's Embrace - rename to Drowning Oblivion. If you cast this Spell, you gain three Corruption points regardless of success.

Water 6
Peace of the Kami - rename to The Great Purifier.


VOID

Void 6
Unmake the World - If you cast this Spell, you gain one Corruption Rank regardless of success.

[Dion of the Fraternity]

PRAYERS



Prayers are the means by which Priest characters can channel the will of their Deity in the mortal world. In L5R, they are more known as KIHO.

Prayers work virtually the same way as Kiho, as stated on p.261 of the L5R RPG 4E. An Atemi attack is now called a Smite, which can be channeled into the Priest's holy symbol (if it were used to physically touch a target).

The following Prayers have changed, as indicated:

AIR
Flee the Darkness - This does not work if you deliberately do an action that inflicts Corruption upon yourself.
Stain Upon the Soul - If you succeed in using the Smite ability of this Prayer, it automatically inflicts a number of Corruption points upon yourself equal to your Insight Rank plus your Air Ring.

FIRE
Falling Star Strike - If you succeed in using the Smite ability of this Prayer to kill a person, it automatically inflicts three Corruption points upon yourself.

WATER
Buoyed by the Kami - Rename to Buoyed by Water.
Chi Protection - Rename to Harmonic Restoration.

VOID
Death Touch - Killing a living being with this Prayer inflicts one Corruption Rank upon yourself.

[Dion of the Fraternity]

CLASS: CRYPT RAIDER



The Crypt Raider's motives are detailed on page 88 of Van Richten's Arsenal.

Crypt Raider (Rogue)
Benefit: +1 Agility
Integrity: 2.5
Skills: Athletics, Investigation, Knives, Lore (History), Sleight of Hand, Stealth, any one Skill
Outfit: any 1 weapon, knife, light or peasant armor, sturdy clothing, traveling pack, 8 gold.

TECHNIQUES
Way of the Crypts
A Crypt Raider begins his career learning how to enter the resting places of the dead and confront the restless unliving creatures found within. You gain a +1k0 bonus to your Weapon Skill Rolls if used against any Undead creature. You do not lose Integrity when attempting a Low Class Skill Roll within any location where the dead are deliberately interred. You can also attempt a Sleight of Hand/Agility Skill Roll at TN 20 to grab any unattended item within 5’ of you as a Simple Action.

Sepulchral Savvy
As caches of wealth for the final journey of the soul, tombs are often deliberately designed to be treacherous, and the Crypt Raider possesses the ability to overcome such hindrances. You gain a Free Raise to any Skill Roll that allows you to avoid traps, hazards or any other physical obstacle that exists within any place where the dead are deliberately interred, with the exception of mass graves and battlegrounds.

Nimble Feet on Sour Earth
Whether being a Crypt Raider is a profession or a hobby, he nevertheless needs to be quite literally on his toes. You gain the Quick Advantage for no cost in Experience points. If you already have Quick, you are refunded that many Experience points instead.

Slippery Soul
The Undead are powerful, but a Crypt Raider knows how to protect himself against their wrath. Whenever a spell is used against you, your effective TN to be hit is increased by 2 x your Class Rank. Your TN is instead increased by 3 x your Class Rank if the source of the spell is an Undead creature.

Witness to Horror
To a Crypt Raider, a tomb and its Undead inhabitants both no longer stand as a bastion of horror. If you spend a Void point to augment a Raw Willpower Roll to resist an Undead creature’s Fear effect, you add +3k2 to the roll instead of the usual +1k1.

[Dion of the Fraternity]

CLASS: HAUNTED BLADE



The Haunted Blade's motives are detailed on page 14 of Dragon Magazine #416.

HAUNTED BLADE (Warrior)
Benefit: +1 Strength
Integrity: 0.5
Skills: Athletics, Battle, Defense, Duel, Intimidation, Swordsmanship, any one Combat or Low Skill
Outfit: any 1 weapon, light or heavy armor, short sword, sturdy clothing, traveling pack, 4 gold.

TECHNIQUES
Blade of Nightmares
When a Haunted Blade wields a weapon, he envelops it with a sinister darkness that briefly terrifies his foe. You gain a number of Free Raises to all your Combat Class Skills equal to 1 + the number of Corruption Ranks you possess. For a number of times a day equal to your Void Rank, you may choose to halve the Wounds inflicted on a successful melee attack and also leave your target Stunned. Additionally, you gain Corruption points equal to half the number of Wounds you inflict using this technique.

Blade of Dark Whispers
A Haunted Blade becomes a vessel of the fear felt by his previous victims. You gain Fear 1. When you successfully Stun a target using your Blade of Nightmares technique, you immediately inflict Fear on that target and any of its allies within striking distance of you; they do not add their Integrity Rank to resist this effect.

Blade of Quick Coercion
The weak of will often fall before the fast movements of a Haunted Blade. You may make melee attacks using your Blade of Nightmares technique as a Simple Action instead of a Complex Action.

Blade of Black Wind
A weapon wielded by a Haunted Blade begins to howl with a hollow and spine-chilling wind. The value of your Fear ability increases to 2. When you succeed in an attack with your Blade of Nightmares technique in the Center Stance, you inflict additional Wounds on the target equal to your Corruption Rank, and you also knock it prone.

Blade of Flickering Shadows
At the peak of his abilities, a Haunted Blade can call upon the shadows of those he has felled, forcing them to protect him and guide his blade. Once per encounter or skirmish, when you succeed in using your Blade of Black Wind technique, you momentarily gain the Swift special ability until the end of the skirmish, with a Rank of 1 + the number of Corruption Ranks you possess.

[Dion of the Fraternity]

CLASS: HALLOWED WITCH



The Hallowed Witch's motives are detailed on page 96 of Van Richten's Arsenal.

HALLOWED WITCH (Priest)
Devotion: Hala
Benefit: +1 Awareness, +1 Void
Integrity: 4.0
Skills: Divination, Lore (Nature), Lore (Theology), Meditation, Spellcraft, Stealth, any one Skill
Outfit: dagger, drinking cup, scroll satchel, staff, stone disk, sturdy clothing, traveling pack, 5 gold

TECHNIQUE
Weavecraft
A Hallowed Witch knows how to tap into what she calls the Weave, the unseen latticework of magic that permeates all things. You can learn and cast Mage spells. Knowing a Spell requires an Experience Point expenditure of twice the Spell’s Rank, but you cannot learn any Spell that is higher than your own Class Rank. As with Mages themselves, you cannot learn Void Spells unless you have the Void Speaker Advantage. The TN to cast a Spell you know is reduced by 2 (to a minimum of TN 5) for each Hallowed Witch and Mage present within the immediate vicinity who is also casting the same Spell.