'A Falcon hunting phantoms through the trees of Shinomen Forest. A Lion trying to heal the wounded and avenge an ancestor’s death. A Unicorn riding out to free the spirits of corrupted kin from the shadows that have swallowed them. A Phoenix desperate to redeem his bloodline and himself before it’s too late. The land of Rokugan thrives in the light of the sun, but shadows creep in, and someone must stand against them. We’re telling another tale in the Legend of the Five Rings from Fantasy Flight Games with this haunted but ready-to-play party of samurai seeking honor and glory in the Shadowlands!'

Toritaka Mai , a Phantom Hunter with a bone to pick with the Kuni and a ghost looking over her shoulder.

Moto Ganzorig , an Avenger with friends among the Nezumi, ancestors among the fallen, and a wound that won't fade.

Kitsu Tae , a Medic whose connection to her ancestors is a little more persistent and talkative than most.

Asako Kenzan , an Inquisitor who hunts down Mahō-Tsukai . . . while concealing that he used to be one himself.

After reviewing Emerald Empire, I made sure to grab a copy of Shadowlands (and Courts of Stone, and so on going forward), but reviewing it in turn didn't quite hook me as much. "Here's a ton of cool setting knowledge, and also some cool character options, I like it" could have summed it up. But I still wanted to get some use out of it, so I've fallen back to making more ready-to-play L5R characters, complete with starter backstories.

So, whether you take on the role of Mai, Ganzorig, Tae, or Kenzan yourself or simply use them for inspiration, I hope they come in handy. Thanks for reading!