My son has recently fallen in love with Rokugan after playing a few sessions of the second edition game that I ran for a game store. But he wanted the latest edition, and finally whittled us down to pay for the new Beginner's Box Set I, myself, was always stuck running the games since I started playing in 2001 and made a condition be that he ran the game and let me play as a character only helping a little with the rules. (He's just turned 14)

So our usual gaming group got together this past weekend and picked our characters, with me picking Isawa Aki. At first I thought it strange the Shugenja didnt have access to any spells, but was intrigued with the role-playing aspects of the character as we entered the town. I decided to play her as overly talkative, very arrogant, sweetly condescending, and superior in every way. As the other characters scrambled to help this poor peasant upright his cart, I stood to the side and questioned him and examined the road for what must have done this terrible thing that would inconvenience us in such a way. To learn this was a servant to the house of the recently deceased Emerald Champion was very concerning.

Next, we watched as a Mantis attempted to bully the local innkeeper into renting him a room. While he may have been Samurai, he was merely a minor Clan representative. Doji-san, however, had a personal stake in the matter. He truly did not wish to share a roof with such a man. There may have been some personal malice involved, not that Isawa Aki would have been interested in such petty matters. But we were later visited by an honored spirit who tasked us with watching out for the young mantis, and perhaps even protecting his life. Such is the way of things I suppose. I was grateful for the opportunity myself.

Then came the trials themselves, and of course the first would be a display of physical skill and intense personal combat. We were given advice from our judges, but when Aki stood across from the well-fed monster that stood across the ring she understood she could either lose gracefully or give her all and try to shock her opponent into a misstep. So she charged with all she was worth, screaming "BANZAI!!!" in a very unseemly manner... truly, it caused her much embarrassment but did succeed in unnerving her opponent who staggered back at the sight of the frail shugenja charging toward him. Though she gave her best during the trials that relied on her skill and superior approach, she fell back on pure moxie to overcome her perceived weakness.

Emotionally drained after the contests, Aki and her companions found themselves in a nearby Sake House where the charming Phoenix toasted to the lasting friendships that would be born through these trials and struggles. Unfortunately some ill mannered Ronin approached their table, and after a series of personal insults the proud Phoenix could no longer bear the strain of the days activities. Falling silent, tears spilling from her features, Aki was the first to lash out violently and smashed her staff into the teeth of the offending Ronin. With nothing but pure pluck and a distinct lack of true skill, she next sent her staff into a crippling blow that took out another Ronin's knee. The rest threw down their weapons at the command of the Lion, and the Samurai were able to retire for the evening.

:::

I truly enjoyed the new system and found a lot of potential in it. I guess finding additional dice sets for the other players will be difficult as we had to share the single set among five players and a GM. None of us took damage so we're a little confused regarding how that will work when it happens, but it feels mostly straightforward. While Aki seemed to be focused on casting spells, she had no spells to cast until we were told to level up our characters. My son, who has struggled to run a few previous game systems found this one fun and easy to maintain pacing on. So we're looking forward to later sessions, which I will try to post here from the point of view of my take on Aki.

A really good write-up! Glad you enjoyed the game and are looking forward to more.

One note - if you enjoy The Topaz Championship, there's a beginner game follow-on called In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion you can snag off the FFG web page. It's a good story and a nice follow-up.

3 hours ago, redcapjack said:

I decided to play her as overly talkative, very arrogant, sweetly condescending, and superior in every way.

So....Phoenix Clan, then.

3 hours ago, redcapjack said:

None of us took damage so we're a little confused regarding how that will work when it happens, but it feels mostly straightforward.

Using the beginner rules, it's pretty simple. Fatigue is essentially 'hit points' - you take damage in excess of resistance, you lose hit points. You get hit when you have more fatigue than your endurance, or by someone spending , take a critical strike.

Each critical strike messes you up further, and three critical strikes basically incapacitate you indefinitely unless you get healed. The 'core book' version is more convoluted.

3 hours ago, redcapjack said:

While Aki seemed to be focused on casting spells, she had no spells to cast until we were told to level up our characters

The Isawa School ability is focused on invocations, but don't underestimate the usefulness of skills like theology in non-combat situations, too.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I look forward to how your character's further adventures go.

I also gravitate towards Miss Isawa as well, though I play her a little differently. Sweet as you said, but more demure; the passive-aggressive type. So I like seeing you play her differently than I would. That is what makes every adventure with the same characters but different players so entertaining. And your strategy for winning the match, while unorthodox, certainly fits with your vision of the character's personality. Bold, and so I salute you.

Interesting that the girl managed to cold-cock the ruffians in the brew house. Talk about girl power! Me thinks few people will be willing to trifle with a Phoenix shugenja anytime soon.

Again, keep us updated on your further adventures.