Warring samurai clans fight with swords and magic for the Emperor’s favor while protecting their borders from the demonic incursions of the Shadowlands.

The realm of Rokugan is a land of samurai, courtiers, and mystics, of dragons and divine beings – a world of heroism, magic, and steel. Through times of peace and war, the samurai of the seven Great Clans have competed for power and influence. But as the trust between them fractures, those struggles turn ever bloodier. Former allies become fierce adversaries, and unlikely pacts are forged between ancient enemies. While conflict and political intrigue divide the clans, the true threat awaits in the darkness of the Shadowlands, beyond the vast Carpenter Wall. There, in the twisted wastelands, an evil corruption endlessly seeks the downfall of the empire. As the Shadowlands threat grows, samurai from the warring clans must put aside their differences and unite if they are to save the very soul of Rokugan.

Books in the world of Legend of the Five Rings

Interviews and Articles

“Although there are numerous other threats to Rokugan (demons to the south, bloodspeaker cults, secret societies bent on destroying the gods, undead, dark sorcerers, corrupt spirits, etc.) To Chart the Clouds focuses primarily on Clan/Imperial politics, and the friction between various factions, specifically the proud and fractious Lion Clan, the shrewd and ambitious Scorpion Clan, and the Imperial Court attempting to maintain a precarious balance.”
Track of Words

“A comedy of manners masquerading as a forgotten episode of Perry Mason, set in feudal Japan – or the fantasy equivalent thereof.”

– Josh Reynolds

Death’s Kiss interview with Josh Reynolds
Court Games Podcaast,

“I’ve been calling The Night Parade of 100 Demons a supernatural investigation adventure with a side plot of romance – which I fear makes it sound like I chucked everything plus the kitchen sink in there, but I swear it doesn’t read like that.”
Paul Semel, Interview with Marie Brennan, author of The Night Parade of 100 Demons

“‘The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons’ (Hyakki Yagyou) is a concept out of Japanese folklore, and to my surprise, it’s never been used before in Legend of the Five Rings. (Many of the writers for L5R have been thoroughgoing nerds, so there are a lot of references to real things from Japanese history.) I was dying to write something about it.”
Track of Words, Interview with Marie Brennan, author of The Night Parade of 100 Demons

Marie Brennan, Super Nerd and “Avenger” of Aconyte Books with Court Games podcast,

“I wanted to write a Golden Age mystery, I wanted to write characters with a sense of humour, and a lot of word play, and I wanted to do something without a lot of action or violence to it.”
Court Games, Interview with Josh Reynolds, author of Poison River

“Rokugani justice is such that things like evidence and proof mean very little, and I wanted to explore how an investigation into a crime might go in a place where such things are often seen as (at best) a waste of everyone’s time. Can a detective solve a mystery when no one cares about the solution?”
Track of Words, Interview with Josh Reynolds, author of Poison River

“I also really enjoyed the chance to explore everyday life more than the usual game fictions allow for: those focus on samurai drama, since that’s the core of the game, but in the novel my two protagonists are the only samurai present for most of the novel.”
Imperial Advisor, Cover reveal and interview with Marie Brennan, author of The Night Parade of 100 Demons

Court Games podcast interview with David Annandale, author of Curse of Honor

“The setting of Legend of the Five Rings provides some very rich material for the fusion of fantasy and horror.”
Track of Words, Interview with David Annandale, author of Curse of Honor

World News
Legend of the Five Rings: Poison River by Josh Reynolds Begin Your Investigation into Legend of the Five Rings’ Poison River by Josh Reynolds December 23, 2019 A mystery death brings a dilettante detective to life, and drags his long-suffering bodyguard into a nest of intrigue that will test their mettle, and their blades… introducing our second novel set in Legend of the Five Rings’ rich fantasy world: Poison River by Josh Reynolds, released worldwide in August… Read more.
Legend of the Five Rings: Curse of Honor by David Annandale Introducing Legend of the Five Rings: Curse of Honor by David Annandale December 3, 2019 A mysterious city hidden in a snow-choked mountain pass: an opportunity and a threat for the noble Crab clan – it’s the setting for our first revealed novel! Arriving in bookstores in May 2020 is our first expedition into Legend of the Five Rings: Curse of Honor by David Annandale.… Read more.
Incoming – Here Are Our First Titles! November 26, 2019 It’s time to yank the tarps off this intriguing pile that we’ve kept under wraps all this year, and tell you about our first publications. When we launch the Aconyte range of novels based on your favourite Asmodee games in May 2020, all these books are heading your way in… Read more.

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