Gorgon Archer - Character Advancement - Legend of Five Rings 5e

At the basic level, character advancement in Legend of Five Rings is very similar to how character Advancement works in another Fantasy Flight RPG: Genesys. The players acquire experience points and spend them to increases abilities and acquire techniques. Experience points are awarded at a rate of 1 point per hour of play with additional rewards of 3 to 5 points for achieving important story milestones.

The interesting part of character advancement in Legend of Five Rings comes in with the School Curriculum. Curriculum are a list of advances that are explicitly tied to the teachings of the school. A curriculum table is split into five ranks, with the 6th rank containing just a school mastery ability. At each rank is listed certain skills, techniques, and categories of techniques. In some cases, a curriculum will give you access to a technique you otherwise wouldn't have available. However, you only have

that special access at that rank. So if you have special access to a technique at Rank 1 but advance to Rank 2 before taking it, you no longer have access to that technique.

In the case of the Kaito Shrine Keeper, they have special access to various Invocations along the path. So, if this character advances to Rank 2, they will lose access to Bind the Shadows and Rank 1 Air Invocations unless they have already purchased them.

Whenever you spend experience points you contribute to advancing in School Rank and improving the power of your basic School Ability. However, abilities listed on the Curriculum for your current rank contribute more than other abilities. If you purchase outside your school curriculum half of the spent XP is contributed toward advancing your rank. If you purchase within your school curriculum all of that spend is contributed toward advancing your rank.

Kaito Shrine-Keeper Curriculum

As a note, Rings, your basic stats, are never on the Curriculum. New Passions can be created for 3 XP, but you can never have more than 3. Some kinds of Distinctions can be earned by increasing your Glory, Honor, or Status. Adversities can be acquired via injury and Anxieties can also be acquired, but you can never have more than three Anxieties.

Glory, Honor, and Status will increase and decrease based on how you behave in game. You can acquire Trifling, Minor, Major, and Massive rewards or penalties based on the extremity of a behavior. This is not an easily predictable attribute to simulate because it will vary heavily from player to player. Increasing Glory adds Fame Advantages. Increasing Honor adds Virtue Advantages. Decreasing those add Infamy and Virtue Disadvantages.

In addition, it is also possible to acquire access to Titles which are a small Curriculum that runs parallel to your School and provides certain narrative bonuses. Gaining a Title on its own increases your Status. I'm assuming you can't start a new Title until you complete the current one and completing the Title grants a special ability. However, XP that goes toward completing a Title does not count towards completing a School Rank and vice versa.

Experience costs are scaling as with Genesys, and the cost of spending experience is as follows: 

• Ring Value +1 = 3 XP times the Value purchased
• Skill Value +1 = 2 XP times the Value purchased
• Techniques = 3 XP or other listed cost.

There are maximum values that can't be passed.

• Rings cannot rise above the total of your lowest Ring + your Void or 5, whichever is lower.
• Skills cannot rise above 5.
• Techniques can only be purchased if they are part of your general access or they appear on your Curriculum as special access.

That said, let's get on to the simulation. I am going to assume 3 to 6 hour sessions, so 1d4+2. I am going to run 18 sessions and I am going roll 1d3 for whether a story milestone is reached. I will start at a modifier of -3 and increase that by one until a milestone occurs at which point it resets to -3. A 1 is a 3 pt story reward, 2 is a 4 pt story reward, and 3 is a 5 pt story reward.

I am also going make a roll each time for determining which character's motivations are primary in a particular session. 1d5 for which character. Evens/Odds for whether Giri or Ninjo.

As for the Social attributes: Glory, Honor, and Status. For Glory and Honor, I am heavily weighting things toward rewards since most players will actively seek out rewards. But this is a very hard to simulate aspect due to how much it depends on player behavior.

I will do a 2d6 roll, 4 or less means a penalty. 5 to 7 is no impact, and 8+ is a reward. Size of reward will be based on a 1d10 roll. 1-4 Trifling, 5-7 Minor, 8-9 Major, 10 Massive

For Status, I am weighting toward no impact as this is far more static than the other two given there's not set methods of acquiring them. I will roll a 1d10 and on a 10 a title is acquired. I will also roll 2d6, 5 or less means a penalty, 6 to 9 is no impact, 10+ is a reward. The magnitude of penalty as per the Glory and Honor.

In both cases, assume that is the total impact of all status rewards and penalties in a single session.

I started to consider that I could have put the stuff for the other characters under their file directly, but decided that having it here will help me with creating a summarized narrative later.

Starting Stats

(I forgot to do the narrative stuff, but I'm tired and have work tomorrow)

Session 1 - 4 hour session, no story milestone, 4 XP, Mari's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Major Glory reward(+6), Minor Honor reward(+3) 
• Improves Martial Arts (Ranged) to 2
• Status 30, Glory: 55, Honor: 58, XP 0/4
• School Rank Progress: 4/20
• Akaino - Trifling Glory reward(+1), Major Honor penalty(-6) 
• Improves Composition to 2 
• Status: 35, Glory: 42, Honor: 49, XP: 0/4
• School Rank Progress: 4/20
• Hisatsune - Trifling Glory penalty(-1), Minor Honor reward(+3), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Shuji: Civility Foremost
• Status: 29, Glory: 47, Honor: 48, XP: 1/4
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Mari - Major Glory penalty(-6), Minor Honor reward(+3)
• Saves XP
• Status: 30, Glory: 41, Honor: 43, XP: 4/4
• School Rank Progress: 0/20
• Yugozohime - Nothing of note
• Kata: Striking as Air
• Status: 40, Glory: 49, Honor: 55, XP: 1/4
• School Rank Progress: 2/20

Mari is called on to help officiate a wedding. During the event, Akaino tries to show off with some witticisms though in doing so she ignores proper courtesy. The event is interrupted by an attack by warriors not wearing any clan colors or mon but more well trained than the average bandit. Mutsuyo is very recognizable in fighting off the warriors.

Session 2 - 4 hour session, no story milestone, 4 XP, Yugozohime's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Minor Glory penalty(-6), Minor Honor reward (+3)
• Invocation: Bind the Shadow
• Status: 30, Glory: 49, Honor: 61, XP 1/8
• School Rank Progress: 7/20
• Akaino - Minor Glory reward(+3)
• Shuji: Stirring the Embers
• Status: 35, Glory: 45, Honor: 49, XP: 1/8
• School Rank Progress: 7/20
• Hisatsune - Clan Magistrate
• Improves Government to 2
• Status: 45, Glory: 47, Honor: 48, XP: 1/8
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 4/30
• Mari -Priest
• Ritual Cleansing Rite 
• Status: 40, Glory: 41, Honor: 43, XP: 5/8
• School Rank Progress: 0/20
• Title Progress: 3/24
• Yugozohime - Massive Honor reward(+9)
• Improve Martial Arts(Melee) to 2
• Status: 40, Glory: 49, Honor: 64, XP: 1/8
• School Rank Progress: 6/20

Yugozohime is called on to investigate the wedding attack with aid from the others. Mari is officially granted the title of Priest and Hisatsune is tapped as a Phoenix Magistrate. Mutsuyo is publicly harangued by her lord's retainer for offering her services without clearing it with her Lord. Yugozohime shells out money to pay her fee.

Session 3 - 4 hour session. 3 pt milestone, 7 XP, Hisatsune's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Trifling Glory reward(+1), Major Honor reward(+6), Minor Status reward(+3)
• Improve Void to 2
• Status: 33, Glory: 50, Honor: 67, XP 2/15
• Paragon of Virtue: Compassion, due to Honor 67 
• School Rank Progress: 10/20
• Akaino - Trifling Glory penalty(-1)
• Improve Void to 2
• Status: 35, Glory: 44, Honor: 49, XP: 2/15
• School Rank Progress: 10/20
• Hisatsune - Minor Status reward(+3)
• Improve Air to 2
• Status: 47, Glory: 47, Honor: 48, XP: 2/15
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 7/30
• Mari - Major Glory reward(+6)
• Improve Void to 3, Ritual: Divination
• Status: 40, Glory: 41, Honor: 43, XP: 0/15
• School Rank Progress: 5/20
• Title Progress: 6/24
• Yugozohime - Massive Glory reward(+9)
• Improve Void to 2
• Status: 40, Glory: 58, Honor: 64, XP: 2/15
• School Rank Progress: 9/20

The investigation leads the samurai to a blood magic cult which the group are able to confront and defeat. Mutsuyo downplays her roll in favor of reporting the performance of Mari and Yugozohime.

Session 4 - 4 hour session, no story milestone, 4 XP, Mutsuyo's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Minor Honor reward(+3), Major Status reward(+6)
• Kata: Striking as Air, Invocation: Yari of Air
• Status: 39, Glory: 50, Honor: 70, XP 0/19
• School Rank Progress: 16/20
• Akaino - Major Glory reward(+6), Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Improve Courtesy to 2, Take Government 1
• Status: 35, Glory: 50, Honor: 50, XP: 0/19
• School Rank Progress: 16/20
• Hisatsune - Trifling Glory reward(+1)
• Take Sentinment at 1, Shuji: Truth Burns Through Lies
• Status: 47, Glory: 48, Honor: 48, XP: 1/19
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 12/30
• Mari - Minor Glory reward(+3), Major Honor reward(+6)
• Saves XP
• Status: 40, Glory: 44, Honor: 49, XP: 4/19
• School Rank Progress: 5/20
• Title Progress: 6/24
• Yugozohime - Trifling Glory reward(+1), Massive Honor reward(+9)
• Improves Martial Arts (Melee) to 3
• Status: 40, Glory: 59, Honor: 73, XP: 0/19
• Paragon of Virtue: Sincerity via Honor 73 
• School Rank Progress: 15/20

Mutsuyo's lord calls on her to address the issues of a client. During the course of the investigation, it is shown that the merchant who had paid for her services is at the heart of the problems. This is brought to light in front of members of the Imperial family who praise Mutsuyo's lord for deploying his servant and also the investigators themselves.

Session 5 - 6 hour session, no story milestone, 6 XP, Mari's Ninjo

• Mutsuyo - Major Glory reward(+6), Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Improve Martial Arts(Ranged) to 3
• Status: 39, Glory: 56, Honor: 71, XP 0/25
• School Rank Progress: 20/20 - Rank 2, School Rank Progress: 2/24
• Akaino - Minor Honor penalty(-4), Minor Status penalty(-5), Advisor
• Improves Composition to 3
• Status: 40, Glory: 50, Honor: 46, XP: 0/25
• School Rank Progress: 22/20. Rank 2, School Rank Progress: 2/24
• Title Progress: 0/36
• Hisatsune - Major Glory reward(+6)
• Saves XP
• Status: 47, Glory: 54, Honor: 48, XP: 7/25
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 12/30
• Mari - Minor Glory reward(+3), Major Honor penalty(-8), Trifling Status Reward(+1)
• Improve Earth to 2, Improve Skulduggery to 2
• Status: 41, Glory: 47, Honor: 41, XP: 0/25
• School Rank Progress: 7/20
• Title Progress: 9/24
• Yugozohime - Major Glory penalty(-12), Major Honor reward(+6), Major Status reward(+6)
• Shuji: Honest Assessment, Shuji: Slippery Maneuvers
• Status: 40, Glory: 59, Honor: 73, XP: 0/25
• School Rank Progress: 21/20, Rank 2, School Rank Progress: 1/24

More of the blood magic cultists are reported acting nearby. Akaino resorts to underhanded means to acquire for herself a position as Imperial Poet. Mari is nearly exposed as a kitsune and compromises her virtue to avoid discovery. However, she also successfully defeats an undead being that attacks the estate. Yugozohime decides to stay back and comfort her wife, drawing a lot of disrespect from other samurai. Mutsuyo and Hisatsune end up defeating an attack by cultists on their own.

Session 6 - 6 hour session, 3 pt milestone, 9 XP, Mutsuyo's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Trifling Glory penalty(-1), Minor Honor reward(+3)
• Improve Void to 3
• Status: 39, Glory: 55, Honor: 74, XP 0/34
• School Rank Progress: 7/24
• Akaino - Nothing of note
• Improve Earth to 2, Shuji: Dazzling Performance
• Status: 40, Glory: 50, Honor: 46, XP: 0/34
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 5/36
• Hisatsune - Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Improve Earth to 4, Shuji: Prey on the Weak
• Status: 47, Glory: 54, Honor: 49, XP: 1/34
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 21/30
• Mari - Major Glory penalty(-6), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Improve Air to 3
• Status: 40, Glory: 41, Honor: 41, XP: 0/34
• School Rank Progress: 7/20
• Title Progress: 14/24
• Yugozohime - Major Glory reward(+6), Minor Honor penalty(-4)
• Improve Water to 3
• Status: 40, Glory: 65, Honor: 69, XP: 0/34
• Famously Reliable via Glory 65
• School Rank Progress: 6/24

Mutsuyo is deployed to protect a rich merchant during the ongoing wave of cultists assaults. However, she spends more effort on protecting the peasants and her fellow samurai. It is hard to really put a fault on her, but her Lord implies she abandoned her position. Mari's attempts to ward off the undead being used by the cultists starts to crumble as mortal warriors are added to the mix. Yugozohime manages to repel that assault, but does so in a way that makes her uncomfortable.

Session 7 - 6 hour session, no story milestone, 6 XP, Akaino's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Major Glory reward(+6), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Improve Theology to 2
• Status: 38, Glory: 61, Honor: 74, XP 0/40
• School Rank Progress: 11/24
• Akaino - Massive Glory reward(+9), Trifling Honor reward(+1), Minor Status reward(+3)
• Improve Courtesy to 3
• Status: 43, Glory: 59, Honor: 47, XP: 0/40
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 11/36
• Hisatsune - Minor Glory reward(+3), Minor Honor reward(+3), Trifling Status reward(+1)
• Improve Martial Arts(Melee) to 2, Kata: Coiling Serpent Style
• Status: 48, Glory: 57, Honor: 52, XP: 0/40
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 28/30
• Mari - Massive Glory reward(+9)
• Improve Theology to 3
• Status: 40, Glory: 50, Honor: 41, XP: 0/40
• School Rank Progress: 7/20
• Title Progress: 20/24
• Yugozohime - Major Glory penalty(-16), Minor Honor penalty(-4), Major Status reward(+6), Emerald Magistrate
• Take Fitness to 1, Improve Fitness to 2
• Status: 61, Glory: 49, Honor: 65, XP: 0/40
• Loses Famously Reliable
• School Rank Progress: 6/24
• Title Progress: 6/30

An Emerald Magistrate appears and Akaino reports them the exploits of her various comrades, this garners Glory for most of the troop but Mutsuyo's Lord does punish her with a loss of some salary. Yugozohime's prior dishonorable actions are exposed publicly, though her good intentions are recognized, and she is conscripted as an Emerald Magistrate, where it is expected that she will avoid further misbehavior. (Note to self, I should probably have made her a Yoriki, who are assigned to serve magistrates, instead...that fits the story better, but given I'm writing the story after doing the simulation. At this point it would be a headache to walk this back. Also, given how high her status gets, it is actually still fitting.)

Session 8 - 6 hour session, no story milestone, 6 XP, Hisatsune's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Minor Honor reward(+3), Trifling Status reward(+1)
• Saves XP
• Status: 39, Glory: 61, Honor: 77, XP 6/46
• School Rank Progress: 11/24
• Akaino - Minor Glory reward(+3), Minor Status penalty(-6)
• Save XP
• Status: 37, Glory: 62, Honor: 47, XP: 6/46
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 11/36
• Hisatsune - Minor Honor reward(+3)
• Improve Command to 2
• Status: 48, Glory: 57, Honor: 55, XP: 2/46
• School Rank Progress: 3/20
• Title Progress: 32/30, Complete: Justice of the Champion ability
• Mari - Major Glory reward(+6), Major Honor reward(+6), Massive Status penalty(-24),
• Take Games to 1, Take Performance to 1
• Status: 16, Glory: 56, Honor: 47, XP: 2/46
• School Rank Progress: 7/20
• Title Progress: 24/24, Complete: Servant of the Kami ability
• Yugozohime - Minor Glory reward(+3), Massive Honor reward(+9), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Take Commerce to 1, Improve Commerce to 2
• Status: 60, Glory: 52, Honor: 74, XP: 0/46
• School Rank Progress: 6/24
• Title Progress: 12/30

The group continues in an attempt to root out the source of the blood-magic cultists. Akaino costs herself some social position in an attempt to garner more fame. Someone has spread rumors about Mari that have resulted in her losing a lot of her official status as a priest, though she still has the respect of the kami and thus can still fill the role spiritually even if she is no longer recognized for it by the courts. Mutsuyo goes out of her way to aid a traveler who turns out to be important, forcing her lord to restore the minor demotion she'd received. If her lord had not done so, he would have been embarrassed.

Session 9 - 3 hour session, 4 pt milestone, 7 XP, Mutsuyo's Ninjo

• Mutsuyo - Trifling Glory reward(+1)
• Improve Air to 3, Kata: Pelting Hail Style
• Status: 39, Glory: 62, Honor: 77, XP 2/53
• School Rank Progress: 19/24
• Akaino - Major Glory reward(+6), Major Status reward(+6)
• Improve Fire to 4
• Status: 37, Glory: 68, Honor: 55, XP: 1/53
• Famously Witty via Glory 65+
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 17/36
• Hisatsune - Major Glory reward(+6), Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Improve Martial Arts (Melee) to 3, Kata Striking as Fire
• Status: 48, Glory: 63, Honor: 56, XP: 0/53
• School Rank Progress: 12/20
• Mari - Minor Glory reward(+3), Minor Honor reward(+3), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Improve Martial Arts (Unarmed) to 2, Shuji: All in Jest
• Status: 15, Glory: 59, Honor: 50, XP: 1/53
• School Rank Progress: 15/20
• Yugozohime - Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Save XP
• Status: 59, Glory: 52, Honor: 74, XP: 7/53
• School Rank Progress: 6/24
• Title Progress: 12/30

Investigations into the cult are starting to make Mutsuyo believe that her Lord is involved somehow. A number of the targets have either been rivals or else became allies to him soon after. Mari continues to suffer from the rumor campaign, though most of the damage has already been done. Akaino recovers some of her lost Status with the release of an impressive new poem and Hisatsune wins a duel against a suspicious Crane who had been disowned by his family.

Session 10 - 5 hour session, no story milestone, 5 XP, Mutsuyo's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Nothing of Note
• Take Performance to 1, Ritual: Divination
• Status: 39, Glory: 62, Honor: 77, XP 2/58
• School Rank Progress: 24/24, School Rank 3, School Rank Progress: 0/32
• Akaino - Trifling Honor penalty(-1)
• Shuji: Feigned Opening,  Shuji: Stonewall Tactics
• Status: 37, Glory: 68, Honor: 54, XP: 0/58
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 23/36
• Hisatsune - Trifling Honor reward(+1), Minor Status penalty(-6)
• Save XP
• Status: 42, Glory: 63, Honor: 57, XP: 5/58
• School Rank Progress: 12/20
• Mari - Massive Glory reward(+9)
• Invocation: Cloak of Night, Invocation: Blessed Wind
• Status: 15, Glory: 68, Honor: 50, XP: 0/58
• Famously Lucky via Glory 68
• School Rank Progress: 21/20, School Rank 2, School Rank Progression 1/24
• Yugozohime - Nothing of Note
• Improve Void to 3
• Status: 59, Glory: 52, Honor: 74, XP: 0/58
• School Rank Progress: 6/24
• Title Progress: 18/30

Mutsuyo's redeployed to investigate something else, making her suspicions that much stronger, but she is unable to make much effort in either direction. Akaino's bad habits resurface while Hisatsune suffers a major loss of resources when he insults someone who does a lot of business with his estate. Mari very publicly destroys a small nest of zombies that had been concealed in preparation for another attack. The others help, but most people remember Mari's actions.

Session 11 - 4 hour session, 3 pt milestone, 7 XP, Akaino's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Major Glory penalty(-14), Massive Honor reward(+9), Trifling Status penlaty(-1)
• Invocation: Strike the Tsunami
• Status: 38, Glory: 48, Honor: 86, XP 6/65
• Paragon of Courage via Honor 80+
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Resolve Corrupt Lord: Replace with Whispers of Treachery
• Akaino - Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Save XP
• Status: 37, Glory: 69, Honor: 54, XP: 7/65
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 23/36
• Hisatsune - Trifling Glory penalty(-1), Minor Status penalty(-6)
• Improve Air to 3, Shuji: Stirring the Embers
• Status: 36, Glory: 62, Honor: 57, XP: 0/65
• School Rank Progress: 20/20, School Rank 2, School Rank Progress 0/24
• Mari - Minor Glory reward(+3), Trifling Status reward(+1)
• Save XP
• Status: 16, Glory: 72, Honor: 50, XP: 7/65
• School Rank Progression 1/24
• Yugozohime - Major Glory reward(+6), Minor Honor penalty(-1)
• Kata: Iron Forest Style
• Status: 59, Glory: 58, Honor: 73, XP: 4/65
• School Rank Progress: 6/24
• Title Progress: 21/30

Akaino begins to pen a letter to her lord in the Ikoma archives. Mutsuyo refuses to perform a commanded action that she found immoral and suffers public humiliation and flogging as a result. She feels justified in her action, but the damage to her reputation is severe. Hisatsune continues to suffer financial problems while Mari and Yugozohime rally the local forces to cleanse the village of cultists.

Session 12 - 6 hour session, no story milestone, 6 XP, Mari's Ninjo

• Mutsuyo - Massive Honor reward(+9), Trifling Status reward(+1), Witch Hunter
• Improve Water to 4
• Status: 49, Glory: 48, Honor: 95, XP 0/71
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 6/45 
• Akaino - Major Glory reward(+6), Minor Status penalty(-5)
• Improve Composition to 4
• Status: 32, Glory: 75, Honor: 54, XP: 5/71
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 27/36
• Hisatsune - Massive Glory reward(+9), Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Save XP
• Status: 36, Glory: 71, Honor: 58, XP: 6/71
• Famously Successful via Glory 65+
• School Rank Progress 0/24
• Mari - Massive Honor reward(+9)
• Improve Void to 4
• Status: 16, Glory: 72, Honor: 59, XP: 1/71
• School Rank Progression 7/24
• Yugozohime - Nothing of Note
• Improve Martial Arts(Melee) 4, Take Performance to 1
• Status: 59, Glory: 58, Honor: 73, XP: 0/71
• School Rank Progress: 6/24
• Title Progress: 31/30, Complete: Voice of Authority

Mari and Yugozohime retreat to train together and recover from recent activities. Mutsuyo recovers from her flogging but is contacted by a Kuni witch hunter who recognizes her value. Hisatsune defeats the champion of his recent economical rival in a duel. Akaino composes a well-received poem at the cost of not paying attention to her money and squandering many resources.

Session 13 - 3 hour session, no story milestone, 3 XP, Hisatsune's Ninjo

• Mutsuyo - Nothing of Note
• Save XP
• Status: 49, Glory: 48, Honor: 95, XP 3/74
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 6/45
• Akaino - Minor Honor reward(+3), Major Status penalty(-10)
• Improve Courtesy to 4
• Status: 22, Glory: 75, Honor: 57, XP: 0/74
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 35/36
• Hisatsune - Major Honor reward(+6)
• Improve Sentiment to 2, Iaijutsu: Rising Blade
• Status: 36, Glory: 71, Honor: 64, XP: 2/74
• School Rank Progress 7/24
• Mari - Massive Honor reward(+9), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Save XP
• Status: 15, Glory: 72, Honor: 68, XP: 4/74
• Paragon of Duty and Loyalty vis Honor 65+
• School Rank Progression 7/24
• Yugozohime - Trifling Glory reward(+1)
• Save XP
• Status: 59, Glory: 59, Honor: 73, XP: 3/74
• School Rank Progress: 6/24

Hisatsune is tempted to take underhanded means to acquire the province he very much desires, but resists the temptation. Akaino is still bleeding money and respectability at a severe rate. Mari comports herself to ignore the rumors and loss of people seeking her services, and in doing so puts herself at heavy risk in order to perform her duty. Mutsuyo is still recovering.

Session 14 - 6 hour session, no story milestone, 6 XP, Yugozohime's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Nothing of Note
• Ritual: Blessing of Steel, Ritual: Commune with Spirits, Ritual: Craft Shikigami
• Status: 49, Glory: 48, Honor: 95, XP 0/80
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 15/45
• Akaino - Massive Status reward(+9)
• Take Commerce to 1
• Status: 31, Glory: 75, Honor: 57, XP: 4/80
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Title Progress: 37/36, Complete, Skilled Attendant
• Hisatsune - Minor Honor reward(+3), Minor Status penalty(-5)
• Save XP
• Status: 31, Glory: 71, Honor: 67, XP: 8/80
• Paragon of Honor via Honor 65+
• School Rank Progress 7/24
• Mari - Major Glory reward(+6)
• Improve Water to 3
• Status: 15, Glory: 78, Honor: 68, XP: 0/80
• School Rank Progression 12/24
• Yugozohime - Massive Honor reward(+9)
• Take Command at 1, Improve Command to 2, Shuji: Feigned Opening
• Status: 59, Glory: 59, Honor: 82, XP: 0/80
• Paragon of Compassion vis Honor 80+
• School Rank Progress: 6/24

Akaino stops her bleeding money as she starts to see funds coming in from patrons and impressed samurai. Hisatsune's choice to avoid stepping up to a province means he is continuing to lose money. Yugozohime steps up in a prickly situation while Mutsuyo learns several rituals from her new mentor. Mari continues to act as an exorcist and priest.

Session 15 - 5 hour session, 5 pt milestone, 10 XP, Hisatsune's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Improve Earth to 3
• Status: 49, Glory: 48, Honor: 96, XP 1/90
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 15/45
• Akaino - Major Honor reward(+6)
• Improve Sentiment to 2
• Status: 31, Glory: 75, Honor: 63, XP: 10/90
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Hisatsune - Trifling Glory penalty(-1), Trifling Honor penalty(-1), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Improve Void to 3
• Status: 30, Glory: 70, Honor: 66, XP: 9/90
• School Rank Progress 13/24
• Mari - Major Honor reward(+6), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Save XP
• Status: 14, Glory: 78, Honor: 74, XP: 10/90
• School Rank Progression 12/24
• Yugozohime - Minor Honor reward(+3), Major Status reward(+6)
• Save XP
• Status: 65, Glory: 59, Honor: 85, XP: 10/90
• Paragon of Compassion vis Honor 80+
• School Rank Progress: 6/24

Hisatsune is reprimanded for his lackluster investigation into the cult. As much as he and his comrades have been getting results, his lord feels that he has not been treating the threat with due respect. Akaino seems to show a new leaf as she resists certain temptations. Yugozohime's star continues to rise and Mari continues to rise above her detractors. Mutsuyo begins to learn more patience.

Session 16 - 6 hour session, no story milestone, 6 XP, Yugozohime's Giri

• Mutsuyo - Nothing of Note
• Save XP
• Status: 49, Glory: 48, Honor: 96, XP 7/96
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 15/45
• Akaino - Major Glory penalty(-16), Minor Status penalty(-1)
• Improve Void to 3
• Status: 30, Glory: 59, Honor: 63, XP: 4/96
• Loses Famously Witty due to dropped Glory
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Hisatsune - Major Glory reward(+6), Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Improve Earth to 5
• Status: 30, Glory: 76, Honor: 67, XP: 0/96
• School Rank Progress 21/24
• Mari - Minor Glory penalty(-8), Massive Honor reward(+9), Massive Status reward(+9)
• Improve Void to 5
• Status: 23, Glory: 70, Honor: 83, XP: 1/96
• Paragon of Compassion per Honor 80+
• School Rank Progression 20/24
• Yugozohime - Trifling Glory reward(+1), Massive Honor penalty(-20), Minor Status penalty(-8)
• Improve Water to 4
• Status: 57, Glory: 60, Honor: 65, XP: 4/96
• Lose Paragon of Compassion per Honor Drop
• School Rank Progress: 12/24

Yugozohime learns of Mari's nature and in the initial shock avoids her. However, she feels greatly conflicted about her instinctive restriction, especially as her avoidance of Mari put her wife in risk. Mari ends up having to defend a house almost on her own and she and the family are forced to flee. Akaino avoids a public challenge from another poet and word of the event spreads. Hisatsune leads several soldiers to rescue Mari and the family she is protecting. Mutsuyo is there but not seen to be doing much. Yugozohime comes late enough that word of her presence spreads.

Session 17 - 4 hour session, no story milestone, 4 XP, Mari's Ninjo

• Mutsuyo - Nothing of Note
• Improve Martial Arts (Ranged) to 4
• Status: 49, Glory: 48, Honor: 96, XP 3/100
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 23/45
• Akaino - Minor Glory penalty(-6), Massive Honor reward(+9)
• Save XP
• Status: 30, Glory: 53, Honor: 72, XP: 4/100
• Paragon of Courtesy via Honor 65+
• School Rank Progress: 5/24
• Hisatsune - Trifling Glory penalty(-1), Massive Status reward(+9) 
• Shuji: Rallying Cry, Take Medicine 1
• Status: 32, Glory: 69, Honor: 83, XP: 0/100
• Paragon of Righteousness per Honor 80+
• School Rank Progression 24/24, Rank 3, School Rank Progress: 0/32
• Mari - Nothing of Note
• Improve Performance to 2
• Status: 23, Glory: 70, Honor: 83, XP: 1/100
• School Rank Progression 24/24, Rank 3, School Rank Progress: 0/32
• Yugozohime - Minor Glory reward(+3), Trifling Status reward(+1)
• Save XP
• Status: 58, Glory: 63, Honor: 65, XP: 4/100
• School Rank Progress: 12/24

A small army of undead and cultists lays siege to the small town. Akaino has listened to Mutsuyo's suspicions and moves to watch the corrupt Yasuki lord at a cost of being viewed as a coward. Hisatsune's household finances are set to improve if they live as he finds a new trading partner. Mutsuyo and Yugozohime are active in the defense of the town as Mari recovers from injuries and entertains local children.

Session 18 - 4 hour session, 3 pt milestone, 7 XP, Mari's Ninjo

• Mutsuyo - Major Glory penalty(-12)
• Improve Theology to 4
• Status: 49, Glory: 36, Honor: 96, XP 2/107
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Title Progress: 31/45
• Akaino - Minor Glory reward(+3), Massive Honor penalty (-16)
• Improve Composition to 5
• Status: 30, Glory: 56, Honor: 56, XP: 1/107
• Loses Paragon of Courtesy due to Honor loss
• School Rank Progress: 10/24
• Hisatsune - Major Honor reward(+6), Minor Status penalty(-5)
• Take Culture to 1, Improve Culture to 2
• Status: 27, Glory: 69, Honor: 89, XP: 1/107
• School Rank Progress: 6/32
• Mari - Trifling Glory reward(+1), Trifling Honor reward(+1)
• Invocation: Dominion of Suijin, Invocation: Heart of the Water Dragon
• Status: 23, Glory: 71, Honor: 84, XP: 1/107
• School Rank Progress: 3/32
• Yugozohime - Major Honor reward(+6), Trifling Status penalty(-1)
• Improve Sentiment to 3, Take Martial Arts (Unarmed) at 1, Kata: Open Hand Style
• Status: 57, Glory: 63, Honor: 71, XP: 0/107
• School Rank Progress: 23/24

Mutsuyo calls out her lord as a traitor to the Empire and a heretic after they all break the siege. She is correct, but the damage to her reputation is severe. Yugozohime admits to her shock to Mari and the distance between them is healed. Akaino opts to minimize the role of her companions in her reports to the Lion to such a degree that she cannot deny to herself that she is maligning them, but the reports and poems garner her some minor glory. Hisatsune fails to negotiate his trade deal so the money he hoped to gain is less than it would have been.

Yasuki Mutsuyo

Clan: Crab

Family: Yasuki

School: Kaito Shrine Keeper

Heritage: Wondrous Work: Design 

Title: Witch Hunter 31/45

School Rank: 3

Giri: To perform the tasks my Lord was paid for me to do.

Ninjo: To find a worthy lord.

Status: 49

Glory: 36

Honor: 96

Air 3

Earth 3

Fire 2

Water 4

Void 3

Commerce 1

Design 2

Fitness 2

Martial Arts (Melee) 1

Martial Arts (Ranged) 4

Meditation 1

Performance 1

Survival 1

Theology 4

Techniques: Kata, Rituals, Shuji

Kata: Hawk's Precision, Pelting Hail Style, Striking as Air

Invocation: Bind the Shadow, Strike the Tsunami, Tempest of Air, Yari of Air

Rituals: Blessing of Steel, Cleansing Rite, Commune with Spirits, Craft Shikigami, Divination, Threshold Barrier

Distinctions: Jurojin's Blessing, Paragon of Virtue: Righteousness, Paragon of Courage, Paragon of Compassion

Adversities: Whispers of Treachery, Maimed Visage

Passions: Animal Bond (Small snake friend)

Anxieties: Softheartedness

Quirks: Unkempt, ropy hair. Hisses when emotional.

Relationships: Hostile relationships with the Phoenix and especially the Kaito.

Gear:

10 Koku

Yumi (bow)

Wakizashi

Knife

Quiver of Arrows

Sanctified Robes (Crab colors, Kaito cut)

Scroll Satchel

Pillow Book (Kaito Philosophies and Wisdom)

Traveling Pack

Additional Thoughts

When I first saw how much experience it needs to advance school ranks, I was worried that it wouldn't take long to push through them. However, the fact that the progress to the next School Rank resets to 0 alone eases that worry. Even more than that, however, is the aspect of the Titles which create an alternate advancement track. What I really love about the Titles is that they introduce the necessity to make a choice between social advancement and advancement in one's personal skills and abilities. In addition, some of the titles have rather high completion costs such as the Witch Hunter title the gorgon ended up getting, which is the only title I ended up not completing.

As a note, with all of my characters, I ended up prioritizing advancing the titles over the school rank. The reason for this was the desire to get that extra ability for completing the Title. This is a bit in the way of meta-thinking, but this is part of why I like this mechanic, the meta actually parallels with the narrative as the character would also want the increased authority or techniques that come with proving worthy of a new title.

I also like how easy it is to pick up new Techniques. It is possible to either load up on tons of techniques the way I did with the archer and the kitsune, or you can build more skills to make better use of those techniques, such as we did a bit with the Bard. As a note, I didn't look too closely at the skills associated with each ritual, so I'm not terribly sure that I advanced all the skills that best fit the various characters' abilities. For example, I had the bard narrow focused on improving Composition. Given her apparently inconsistent competency through the campaign, this makes some sense.

The thing I'm not all that satisfied with is the randomly determined Glory, Honor, and Status rewards. It was the closest way that I had to simulate the unpredictability of player action though. It did come up with interesting results. For example, the least ambitious character of the lot is the one with the highest Status somehow. I also have fun imagining the kitsune repelling attacks by undead and cultists using her illusions because, I realized eventually that I didn't give her pretty much any attack Invocations.

A note about the Social attribute gains and losses are that gains are fixed numbers at 1, 3, 6, and 9 for Trifling through Massive, but losses are based on how high in the ranks you are in that Attribute (I assumed the bottom level was 0 Rank because I couldn't find any thing stating for certain.) This pretty represents the effort it takes to claim and how easy it is to fall, especially once you've reached a high level.

All in all, the character creation of this fifth edition is a good successor to the system in the earlier editions. The choices between social and personal advancement as well as between specialization and broad knowledge have continued to persist. While scaling costs is still a thing here, it still remains easy to advance a character in meaningful ways even without much experience points available.

Traveling Companions

• Matsu Akaino, Ikomo Bard (Courtier)
• Shiba Hisatsune, Shiba Guardian (Courtier, Bushi)
• Kistuki Mari, Kitsune Impersonator (Courtier, Shugenja)
• Kistuki Yugozohime, Kitsuki Impersonator (Courtier, Bushi)

Character Creation and the Gorgon Archer