Thanks to the other FAQ maintainers.
Q: What is the purpose of this FAQ?
A: The purpose of this FAQ is to answer the more commonly asked questions on this forum, relating to Oriental Adventures or Rokugan.
Q: What is Rokugan?
Rokugan is an Asian campaign setting based on the Legend of the Five Rings trading card game. It is published by Alderac Entertainment Group. The Legend of the Five Rings website can be found > here <.
Q: Are there FAQs more appropriate to my other questions?
A: Yes. The majority of the current FAQs can be found in the Boards FAQ & Archives Forum.
Q: How can I submit new Q&A or corrections to this FAQ?
A: Just reply to this thread with your Q&A or correction, and every so often I will incorporate it into this FAQ.
Q: Where can I get online Errata for these books?
A: The Oriental Adventures Errata is available at the Official D&D Website. As of this moment Rokugan has no online update available.
Q: How is this FAQ organized?
A:This FAQ is organized into 2 sections, one for Oriental Adventures, and one for Rokugan. These sections will progress similarly to the chapters of their books, eg Q&A on Oriental Adventures monsters will be near the end, while Q&A on classes will be near the front.
Q: Why aren’t you doing anything on Kara-Tur?
A: This FAQ does not include a section on Kara-Tur as Rokugan has ‘overtaken’ it as being the ‘standard’ Oriental Adventures campaign setting.
[u]Note:[/u] This FAQ is written for 3.0, as both books are currently printed with that editions rules. However, there is a 3.5 rules update to Oriental Adventures, found in Dragon Magazine #318.
Q: Can Hengeyokai use feats, such as Flying Kick while in animal form?
A: In accordance with other rules, the Hengeyokai may use these feats if the animal would be able to use them. This means that the animal must have appropriate ability scores (such as Strength), and meet any other requirements.
Q: How does Level Adjustment for Hengeyokai work?
A: Basically you are 1 level higher, but instead of having an extra level in a class, you have a bunch of funky racial abilities. If you’re just starting a new campaign, this means that you will either be more powerful (and get less experience) than the other party members, or they will be 2nd level, while you will be 1st. For a more detailed answer please visit the Races Forum. Note: Dragon has released an update containing a hengiyoki without Level Adjustment.
Q: I think there should be a Ninja core class. Why isn’t there?
A: On his website, James Wyatt answers that question [link currently unavaliable]. Basically they wanted any character to be able to be a ninja, so made it a Prestige Class. In Rokugan there is a Ninja core class, and heretic8888 has created a very good Ninja core class, the The Shinobi No Mono.
Q: I want to play a Geisha, how can I do this?
A: There is no official Geidha core class, but there are a number of ways you could use to play one. You could use the Bard in the Players Handbook for this, but that is up to you and your DM.. Sleight modification of the abilities and skills will give you a decent Geisha character. Alternatively, in Rokugan there is a Courtier core class, which works very well for a Geisha.
Q: There is now a Samurai class in Complete Warrior, should I use this or the one printed in Oriental Adventures or Rokugan?
A: You may use either, as both are considered official. However, on a personal note, I prefer the Oriental Adventures version, as it is more flavourful.
Q: Can Wu-Jen and Wizard swap spell lists, and vis versa?
A: The official answer is no, but I like to allow them to do it. It just gives them more options, and why not do it?
Q: Where is the great throw feat?
A: It was accidentally not printed, but it can be found in the Oriental Adventures Errata.
Q: How do I make, say, a Japanese campaign setting?
A: It’s really pretty simple, just chose the core classes, prestige classes, etc that you feel you want in your campaign. After that you can add more if needed. Please refer to the Dungeon Masters Guide for more information, or page 201 of Oriental Adventures.
Q: How does the Shadowlands Taint work?
A: There are two types of Taint, one described in Oriental Adventures, and the other in Rokugan. The Oriental Adventure version has the effects of Taint listed on pages 234-235. The Taint Effects table on page 235 shows some physical effects of the Taint, but there is no mechanic governing this, and you (or your DM) will have to decide what happens and when. The physical effects shown on the table should have no in-game effects. The Rokugan Taint Effects are found on page 137 and have mechanics to govern the physical and mental effects.
Q: In the Families section, each family has a favoured class. What does this mean?
A: Because Rokugan is mostly human dominated, the designers decided to introduce a bit of variety, and so gave each family a different Favoured Class. This class overrules your race’s Favourite Class, and this may affect experience, and multi-classing abilities.
Q: What stats for Nezumi do I use? There are stats in oriental Adventures and Rokugan.
A: This is entirely dependant on your DM. However, if you are using the Rokugan version, remember that each of the tribes have different stats and abilities.
Q: Some of the combinations of Void feats make very dangerous abilities. Is this legal?
A: Yes, it is. Void feats (and points) are very powerful, as I once encountered with a certain PC of mine.
In Rokugan there is a Ninja core class, and heretic8888 has created a very good Ninja core class, the The Shinobi No Mono.
W00t!! Mad props f'me!!
Which should be used now as the core class in oriental adventures, specifically Rokugan. Should the one in the Oriental Adventures be used, or should the one from the Complete Warrior be used?
Whichever your DM okays. Personally, and in terms of flavor, I'd use the one in OA/Rokugan.
Laterz.
I also think that personal opinions should be clearly stated as such; like using a bard for a Geisha is purely just an opinion.
Fallentopaz - The OA and Rokugan Samurai are still the official Samurai for the Rokugan setting and OA rules. Rokugan has not been updated to 3.5, but James Wyatt has published a 3.5 update for OA including updating the OA Samurai in #318 of Dragon Magazine. If the DM want to use the CW Samurai instead that is there call to make. CW is a collection of options for using in your campaigns if you want.
Note: many people (myself included) don't like the CW Samurai as it is restricted to one fighting style and would only suit one type of Rokugan Samurai - those of the Dragon Clan.
- the annoying bard
The only "3.5 update" (a la Dragon #318) to the Samurai class is that the Samurai can now receive an Honorable enhancement to his ancestral daisho around level 3 or 4. Everything else in the class is unchanged.
Is Iajitsu focus still there, what changes to the samurai is there?
Yes, Iaijutsu Focus is still there --- although, now a few of the OA skills are obsolete. I suggest picking up Dragon 318 if you want all the details (as well as a horribly written Cheesy Ninjer class).
Laterz.
- Bait
I beleive stats for the goad were also put in the web enhancement, since the weapon was pictured, but no stats were given in the book.
What is this book?
And Drizzit, no clue as to what that book is..
- Bait
Begins humming X-Files theme...
Originally posted by Drizzt Clone
What is this book?
The runner-up cover art for OA?
You know, in case the current cover art cannot fulfill its duties, the runner-up becomes the new cover art.
I'm a d20 player (obviously, hence why I'm on this board), but can't figure out which supplement books on AEG's page are for use with d20. I'm assuming the "secrets of..." books, are d20, while the "way of..." books are non-d20, but I'm probably incorrect.
Any help with this?
However, I have a pretty busy scedule this week, so it will probably be up sometime next week.- the annoying bard
I'm assuming the "secrets of..." books, are d20, while the "way of..." books are non-d20, but I'm probably incorrect.
Hrmmm.... well, I can't speak for the "way of..." books as a whole, but the Way of the Ninja suplement that I have mostly contains material about D20 Oriental Adventures. L5R is only sparesely mentioned here and there.
-the annoying bard
Damn.. ;)
What's implied in that sentance is the currently (as far as I know) Wizards have no plans for making any further publications featuring Kara-Tur. So it has been 'overtaken' by Rokugan ;)
-the annoying bard
Kara-Tur is mentioned in a few FR books, as it is a geographical region in that campaign setting (well outside the borders of most published maps, but it is there).
Kara-Tur is mentioned in a few FR books, as it is a geographical region in that campaign setting (well outside the borders of most published maps, but it is there).
Yes, tha is true, but Wizards arn't about to publish Kara-Tur; the campaign setting. I know its in some books, and is a location, but no books are going to be released specifically around it.
- the annoying bard
A new edition (3rd) of L5R RPG will be released in the summer, using the d10-based Roll-&-Keep System.
No words on reprinting or revising OA.
:D Zeb
or would that be "the annoying Zeb"? :P
:D Zeb
or would that be "the annoying Zeb"? :P
:nono:
Very smoothe there, though I don't think Wizards will take much notice of you
- the annoying zeb?
It appears that Hidden Emperor will be the last [dual-stat] product for Rokugan d20 to be released by AEG (IP owner of L5R).
A new edition (3rd) of L5R RPG will be released in the summer, using the d10-based Roll-&-Keep System.
No words on reprinting or revising OA.
So...I...see
Just cause it bears saying whenever there is a stickied thread ;) (really, any thread that mentions it at all) - bring back Kara-Tur! I like my old idea of "Beyond Faerun" and putting Maztica, Al-Qadim (never spell that one right) and Kara-Tur in one nice hardback.
:D Zeb
or would that be "the annoying Zeb"? :P
Oh yeah. That would be sweet!
Three times in Rokugan it mentions a berserker class, and is kind enough to put it in the index. I cannot find such a class and wonder where is it described?
Yes, it is just their word for the Barbarian, if you look near the front of Oriental Advemntures (page 17), it has a little note on Barbarians in Rokuag/OA. Also, on page 29 of Rokugan, thee is a paragraph on Barbarians in Rokugan, and why they're called Berserkers.
Seriously though, as naga are large do they get the +4 to grapple and -4 to Hide that's listed in the MM3.5 size chart?
Also, if a naga constricts an opponent, do they start causing damage right away or the next round?
My only problem is having a 2000+ pound snake-man in a tea house? ;)
If the naga even gets out of the Shinomen forrest without being attacked, he would need to get into town, that right there will be a whole new set of problems. Unlike standard DnD races, the non-human races of Rokugan are met with a great deal of prejudice. If your not openly attacked you will be shunned, though there are certain exceptions with great heros and alliances and Nezumi courtiers in the Emperor's court, the common villager, ashigaru, or outpost samurai aren't going to give a d*mn. Your not human, so you must be an oni.
Seriously though, as naga are large do they get the +4 to grapple and -4 to Hide that's listed in the MM3.5 size chart?
Also, if a naga constricts an opponent, do they start causing damage right away or the next round?
Yes, and yes.
BTW, which part of my constriction question was your "yes" for?
Er, right away.
:D Thanks a million!
To my knowlege, there's been:
Dragon 289 (3.0)
- Black-Clad Assassins: An article about the history of ninja.
- Silent Warriors: Presents 3 ninja prestige classes.
- Leveled Treasures: Rules for magic items that increase in power as you level up.
- Flying Leaps, Deadly Silks: A primer to Wuxia films.
- Thunder and Fire: Creating "Kaiju"-style monsters.
- Playful Pheonix Fist: Arandom name generator for martial arts manuevers.
- Class Combos: Fighter/Monk, Monk/Sohei, Fighter/Shaman & two new martial arts styles.
Dragon 315 (3.0/3.5)
- Kara-Tur: Ancestor Feats, martial arts styles and a brief guide to Kara-Tur.
Dragon 318 (3.5)
- The Ninja: Ninja base class.
- Oriental Adventures Update: Extensive note to convert OA to 3.5.
Dungeon 89 (3.0)
- Honor and Eta: An OA-themed adventure for 1st-level characters.
I haven't bothered listing the 1st & 2nd edition issues (mainly because I don't want to dust them off, and doubt too many people are going to be concerned with them).
I still like Kara-Tur more for a d20 setting. Are there any plans on a d20 version of it. I could also hardly say its over taken Kara-Tur. No one really plays it and if they do they seem to perfer the original version of Rokugan as opposed to the d20 rules, I know I perfer them.
The only thing they have done in respect to Kara-Tur is to publish the Unapproachable East Sourcebook, although from what I have read in it, it doesnt seem to highlight much about Kara-Tur at all.
Anyways... is the a jitte in the equipment section?
Yes.
Q.when determining how many skill points you have to spend when creating a new character what is the class modifier for the samurai class??
thanks =-)
Q: I think there should be a Ninja core class. Why isn’t there?
A: On his website, James Wyatt answers that question [link currently unavaliable]. Basically they wanted any character to be able to be a ninja, so made it a Prestige Class. In Rokugan there is a Ninja core class, and heretic8888 has created a very good Ninja core class, the The Shinobi No Mono.
Here's the link: http://www.aquela.com/roleplaying/OA/ninja.html
Can we add a bit to the FAQ listing Dragon and Dungeon issues with OA material?
To my knowlege, there's been:
I agree. This might be a good idea. I haven't looked at all the articles (recently) that Azzy listed, but it'd be good to have them in the FAQ.
It is probably because geishas are Eta(hinin, non-people), they are entertainers that has the special treatment but that is all. In Rokugan campaign you are playing a samurai(not class) caste character(if you want it other way it is posible but you are ignored or harresed by samurais). The playable version of geisha is generally assasins and spies that pretending to be geisha and they are generally multi class ninja/courier or rouge/courier.(even though it is a core class in Rokugan bards are justified as hinin and they are generally harresed by other people except other hinins)
Q: Has the material in the original Oriental Adventures been updated to 3.5e D&D?
A: Yes. Official updates from James Wyatt was published in the 318 issue of Dragon Magazine. Back issues may be available upon request from paizo.com.
I just got a copy of OA, and I'm hoping you can add to the FAQ which 3.5 books have the updated base classes and PrCs, ie. Complete Arcane for the wu jen, Complete Divine for the shugenja and void disciple, etc. Curious, how significant are the updates?
They have no bearing whatsoever on Oriental Adventures.
Laterz.
I have Dragon #318; don't have Complete Adventurer.
Is the ninja class in 318 identical to the ninja class in CA?
Question:
I have Dragon #318; don't have Complete Adventurer.
Is the ninja class in 318 identical to the ninja class in CA?
More or less, yes. It got Jesse Decker's prints on both of them.
But the ninja class in #318 is not an update to OA. It's a separate article, along with the pirates and dinosaur in that issue.
I also like the Shinobi-no-bushi class.
I like it when you go looking for the answer to a question, and you find a better answer
than the question you originally asked (i. e. the shinobi-no-bushi).
Domo arigato, Ranger-san.
I also like the Shinobi-no-bushi class.
I like it when you go looking for the answer to a question, and you find a better answer
than the question you originally asked (i. e. the shinobi-no-bushi).
Can someone explain this to me, since I would have expected the Samurai, whose life devotion is to war, should at least be equivalent to a fighter in battle.
Thanks
Can someone explain this to me, since I would have expected the Samurai, whose life devotion is to war, should at least be equivalent to a fighter in battle.
A samurai's life is not always devoted to war, only to achieve glory and honor for himself and his family. In peacetime they don't war as much, so they pursue other interests, usually in government positions or improves one cultural refinement in arts, poetry, calligraphy, etc. ... or simply freeloads at their local fire squad-house.
That's not to say a samurai cannot multiclass to a fighter, especially if he's not into arts & craft. He can then improve his combat skills (through weapon specialization and stuff).
All he cares about is bringing great honor to his line of ancestors as well as his descendents. War is just one method. Of course, there was a time when samurai are simply farmers who fight. Then I believe someone like Nobunaga brought samurai out of their farming root and make professional armies out of them.
Thanks
where can i find it again!
Does anybody know if (NDA's notwithstanding) such a book is planned?
Does anybody know if (NDA's notwithstanding) such a book is planned?
Doubt it. The chance of having a 3.5e OA book is about the same as having a 3.5e Deities and Demigods book.
Are there any parts of the OA book that are under the OGL?
No.
More specifically, the martial arts styles?
No.
Could I make my own styles if it isn't under the OGL?
Sorta. For you home games, and for sharing on these boards, etc., no problem. If you wanted to publish them, on the other hand, you'd have to call it something else (say, "combat style," or something) and describe it a bit differently. Anyone else want to chime in?
It doesn 't appear that there is any limit on how much taint one can acquire by casting blood spells and thus decreasing one's Wisdom to 0 and effectively immobilizing oneself. Is this talked about anywhere?
I mean come on 90% of the stuff in the book isn't even FOUND in Rokugan!
I just got the Oriental Adventures book and I'm surprised by how much I like it. Since the characters in my campaign are adventuring in the Forgotten Realms near Kara-Tur, I'm think of using Rokugan as Kara-Tur in my FR campaign. However, I have a question about taint as discussed for Rokugan.
It doesn 't appear that there is any limit on how much taint one can acquire by casting blood spells and thus decreasing one's Wisdom to 0 and effectively immobilizing oneself. Is this talked about anywhere?
Having only read the 'taint' rules once, I can't say with certainty. However, one's Wisdom score is the limiting factor. If you are willing to sacrifice Wisdom, then you can cast more of those spells.
That said, here is an answer to a question you didn't ask. AaronDireBear makes a good point. There really is no need to simply drop Rokugan into Forgotten Realms. If you strip all the Rokugan-specific stuff out of the OA book, that leaves 75-90% of it. All of which is based on the original AD&D OA material which itself was defaulted as Kara-Tur. Such classes as Wu Jen and races as spirit folk were and are part of Kara-Tur.
So, by ignoring (or adapting) Rokugan material, you already have what you need to be relatively faithful to Kara-Tur. This is what I would recommend, but it is your world regardless. So, enjoy whatever you do with it!