"L5R" stands for Legend of the Five Rings, a game where you represent one of many factions vying for the Imperial throne in a medieval Japanese world. The Empire of Rokugan is a world of samurai (armored swordsmen) and shugenja (elementalist sorcerers), where a single whispered word can be just as deadly as the sharpest blade. This is a place where dishonored ronin (masterless warriors) can work for level-headed diplomats, where pacifist mages can battle monstrous oni, and where wily traders can rub noses with anyone from Imperial magistrates to ninja spies.

Figuratively, however, L5R is a game played by two or more players using nothing more than two decks of about thirty or forty cards each. With these cards, however, opponents can raise armies, reinforce their political standing, and even simulate the esoteric search for enlightenment.

CCGs 101

L5R is part of the first generation of collectible card games (CCGs), games with playing-card-like components that operate under a distinctly different set of rules. Instead of using a fixed deck of 52 cards, players construct their own personalized decks out of a random pool of cards.

The ramifications of this are threefold: First of all, you'll find that you'll never play the same game twice. This is because every player has a different deck, and if they're not continually adjusting the contents of their decks, chances are that you're adjusting yours as well. This is a huge factor in terms of player interest - it's very difficult to get tired of the game when you're never getting bored with it.

Second, there's the fact that these games are called collectible for a very good reason. The cards are never fixed - you purchase them in random packs. It's therefore easy to run into a situation where you need a particular card for your deck, but don't have any copies of it. The solution? Find a person who has copies of the card you want and arrange a trade. You give him a card he wants, and he gives you the card you want. In this way, you can go around trading the cards you don't want for the cards you do want - allowing your deck and playing style to develop in the process.

Finally, this concept turns the game into a more social activity. Single players tend to associate with a larger group of players for playing and trading. A gathering of CCG players tends to do everything from discussing general strategy, to experimenting with new deck ideas, to organizing a formal game tournament.

Players First

While other CCGs were primarily constructed as singular pastimes, L5R was first created as a story. This gave its designers a well-developed background that the game could be based on, and gave players a motivation that lay beyond winning games.

Each player in L5R takes on the role of a warlord in a world much like medieval Japan. These "warlords" are organized into strict groups known as "clans", with each clan having their respective strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, this "clan structure" fosters great familiarity among players - it's easy to relate and "talk shop" with players of the same clan as you.

Taking these concepts a few steps further, L5R was eventually organized to allow players the chance to affect the outcome of the story. Almost every major tournament now includes a "story prize" - should a player from a certain clan win, all members of his clan would receive the story benefit. This could be anything from an advantageous plot twist to a stronger set of cards to be published in the future.

In addition to this, the twists and turns of the L5R story do not hinge on tournament victories alone. Past storyline writers have even based a number of events on the long-time dedication, out-of-the-ordinary activities, and personal ethics of L5R players. While winning is still a factor, it is not a centralized factor in L5R - the whole point of the game has been to play, have fun, and watch the story unfold.

Parting Words

All in all, L5R is a CCG that encourages players to take part in a greater story rather than act as a simple profit-oriented product. As evidenced by its loyal following, it is a game that teaches that there are other motives beyond winning, and that sometimes there is nothing more powerful than a tale well told.

Whether you're a determined newcomer or a seasoned veteran, the message is always the same: Fight to maintain your honor in a time of troubles, or throw it all away for a single chance at greatness. Tell the story. Live the tale.

Welcome to Rokugan.