Hi folks,

At our request and their instigation, one of our players put together this reference chart for the language of flowers (hanakotoba) in Rokugan .

As with all things Rokugani, it makes no claim to historical or cultural accuracy. Its sources are cited at the bottom.

We've also created a couple relevant house rules:

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Hanakotoba : characters with Aesthetics 1+ are familiar with hanakotoba, the symbolic language of flowers in Rokugani court life. Mechanically, characters with Aesthetics 1+ understand the meaning of each flower listed on the Language of Flowers page . Characters do not need to roll for this information, or to create basic arrangements of flowers that do not complicate their basic meaning. Creating more complex arrangements and meanings requires an Aesthetics (Fire) check, TN 2; correctly interpreting them requires an Aesthetics (Air or Void) check, TN 2. Creators may spend Opportunities (*) in the following ways:

Fire *: Increase the TN (by 1) of checks to decode this complex arrangement of flowers.

Fire *: Characters with Aesthetics 1+ do not need to roll to interpret this complex arrangement of flowers.

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The Language of Flowers : the following custom shuji may be purchased:

1. Name : The Language of Flowers
2. Description : The courtier is fluent in the language of flowers, allowing them to communicate wordlessly through ikebana, cut flower arrangements, or even a stray flower left in an unexpected place.
3. Prerequisites : School rank 1
4. Activation : You may create an arrangement of flowers using Aesthetics (Air) instead of Aesthetics (Fire), TN 2. When making an Aesthetics check to create a basic or complex flower arrangement, you may spend Opportunities (*) in the following ways:

Air *: Convey a secret message that alters the meaning of the arrangement for one character observing it who possesses this technique.

Air **: Convey a secret message that alters the meaning of the arrangement for one character observing it who does not possess this technique.

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Please feel free to use any and all of this content in your own games!