Legend of the Five Rings (L5R) is a world of heroic bushi, elemental priests, and sharp-minded courtiers. In it you play a samurai, sworn loyalty to your daimyo as a member of one of the Clans or you make your own way in the world as a ronin. Regardless, the world of Rokugan will present challenges to you. Will you uphold your honor, or will you betray all you love in the Empire? The choice is yours.
L5R is presented in two ways. First is the card game (CCG), where you represent one of the Great Clans, each with its own unique philosophy on warfare. In the CCG you will pit your wits against your rivals for the glory of your daimyo and the honor of victory. With an interactive storyline that advances each week. The decks you build and the tournaments you win can change the fortunes of your self, your Clan, even the Empire itself.
Second is the role-playing game (RPG), where you take over the role of an individual samurai and, with a group of other like-minded samurai, set forth to explore Rokugan in all its depths. Here the story is yours to tell, history yours to create.
When the Kami first established their place in the Empire, they held a tournament. Hantei was victorious and claimed the title of Emperor. His brother Bayushi however was easily defeated. The other siblings thought him weak for his loss. This was exactly what Bayushi wished.
The Scorpion are a Clan of deceit and misdirection, blackmail and lies. The Scorpion will use any tactic to discredit his enemies, draw them into dishonor, and use their shame to destroy them. However, they do it as part of their duty. Hantei I charged his brother Bayushi with protecting the Empire from the threats the other Clans cannot see: conspiracies, cults, plots against the throne. The Scorpion do their duty with ruthless efficiency. Their shadow war against the unseen forces of evil have afforded them the ability to spy on the other Clans, and use their knowledge as weapon against potential rivals.
The City of Lies, also called Ryoko Owari, was founded by Shosuro Kaneie during the reign of Hantei IX. Although it has changed hands many times, it always seems to come back to the Scorpion. It is the Alantic City of Rokugan, with pleasures and vices to be found for every samurai's pleasure. But it is also a dangerous city, full of political intrigue and strife.
Rebecca Hobart (a.k.a. Cryllia) is a fan in equal parts of both the Crane and the Scorpion clans. She is the wife of Robert Hobart who is on the Design Team for the L5R 4th Edition RPG and general editor for the L5R Roleplaying Game. Rebecca helped run the first official Winter Court (Kyuden Otomo) put on by Alderac, and was in charge of the second one (Kyuden Gotei). She helped write Masters of Court and Freedom and Feality, and is a playtester for 4th Edition. Rebecca is also the Webmistress, Master of Module Distribution, and Imperial Advisor for the Heroes of Rokugan living campaign.