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AEG's commitment to creating a living and breathing Rokugan shines through in every one of their L5R RPG supplements. In this case, it may have been taken a little too far, but here's the case: you be the judge.

As in most real world societies, Rokugan hunkers down in winter. The fighting season is over, the sowing season has not begun: it is a time for reflection, for regrouping - and for politics. In the winter court of the Emperor, this is a season of intrigue and art, conquests not by katana but by marriage, honour won not on the battlefield but at the tea ceremony. This sourcebook presents the Imperial household, with family details and schools for upright Seppun Imperial Guards and scheming Otomo emissaries, as well as stats for Emperor Hantei XXXVIII and his closest allies. But above all, it is a discussion of high Rokugani culture and society, from the etiquette of bathing to the year's festivals.

Here is its strength and also its weakness. Personally, I like general background material, when it is credible and interesting. Ree Soesbee has done a fine job of grafting in more and more details of Japanese culture into the Rokugani context. Furthermore, there are some typically well-written pieces of fiction between chapters, episodes in the relationship between the beguiling Scorpion courtier Bayushi Kachiko and the thoughtful Crane heir Doji Hoturi.

Yet here is also the potential weakness. Efforts are made to give the material a more directly game-related edge, including cameo adventure hooks and some new skills, disadvantages and advantages (including the interesting Gentry, which gives a samurai land and responsibilities). Even so, the overwhelming bulk of the book is much more rarified, from the history of the Rokugan to funeral ritual. As I say, I'm happy with this, but I have friends (especially players rather than GMs) whose response was along the lines of 'very nice, but so what?'

Well, ignore them: there is always a place for deep background, especially when this well put together, even if just to give the GM the information with which to texture the playing world. Rokugan is, after all, a culture in which tradition, society and clan identity is all, so anything fleshing this out is a good thing. Besides, imagine how much fun you can have with tough, rough samurai, who have laughed at anything the Shadowlands can throw at them, when they hear from their daimyo that a marriage is to be arranged for them? Or to have your adventurers arrive at a village on Shouting Day, when the population vent a year's frustrations by bellowing complaints and abuse at the sky god, Osano-Wo.

In short, unless you are looking for a quick 'plug-and-play' supplement, well worth buying - but expect to do a good bit of reading and thinking to use this book to its fullest potential.

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Winter Court
Author: Ree Soesbee Category: game Company/Publisher: AEG Line: L5R RPG Cost: $19.95 Page count: 120 ISBN: 29220 30016 Playtest Review by Mark Galeotti on 04/18/99. Genre tags: Fantasy Asian/Far_East	AEG's commitment to creating a living and breathing Rokugan shines through in every one of their L5R RPG supplements. In this case, it may have been taken a little too far, but here's the case: you be the judge. As in most real world societies, Rokugan hunkers down in winter. The fighting season is over, the sowing season has not begun: it is a time for reflection, for regrouping - and for politics. In the winter court of the Emperor, this is a season of intrigue and art, conquests not by katana but by marriage, honour won not on the battlefield but at the tea ceremony. This sourcebook presents the Imperial household, with family details and schools for upright Seppun Imperial Guards and scheming Otomo emissaries, as well as stats for Emperor Hantei XXXVIII and his closest allies. But above all, it is a discussion of high Rokugani culture and society, from the etiquette of bathing to the year's festivals. Here is its strength and also its weakness. Personally, I like general background material, when it is credible and interesting. Ree Soesbee has done a fine job of grafting in more and more details of Japanese culture into the Rokugani context. Furthermore, there are some typically well-written pieces of fiction between chapters, episodes in the relationship between the beguiling Scorpion courtier Bayushi Kachiko and the thoughtful Crane heir Doji Hoturi. Yet here is also the potential weakness. Efforts are made to give the material a more directly game-related edge, including cameo adventure hooks and some new skills, disadvantages and advantages (including the interesting Gentry, which gives a samurai land and responsibilities). Even so, the overwhelming bulk of the book is much more rarified, from the history of the Rokugan to funeral ritual. As I say, I'm happy with this, but I have friends (especially players rather than GMs) whose response was along the lines of 'very nice, but so what?' Well, ignore them: there is always a place for deep background, especially when this well put together, even if just to give the GM the information with which to texture the playing world. Rokugan is, after all, a culture in which tradition, society and clan identity is all, so anything fleshing this out is a good thing. Besides, imagine how much fun you can have with tough, rough samurai, who have laughed at anything the Shadowlands can throw at them, when they hear from their daimyo that a marriage is to be arranged for them? Or to have your adventurers arrive at a village on Shouting Day, when the population vent a year's frustrations by bellowing complaints and abuse at the sky god, Osano-Wo. In short, unless you are looking for a quick 'plug-and-play' supplement, well worth buying - but expect to do a good bit of reading and thinking to use this book to its fullest potential. Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Winter Court