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This is one of the better books in the series. It gets the point across to the reader that the Scorpion Clan is not a bunch of Crane wannabees. They're evil, they're villains, and they like it. That's what they're suppossed to be, so don't try to change them.

So why would you want a villain in your group? Because, if you're a smart samurai, you'll want to make him *your* villain- and that's an asset far more valuable than a mighty army or a magic sword. You'd like having a friend so ruthless that, if you wish it, he will gladly disguise himself as the enemy of your enemy and rape your foe's little girl just to get revenge on your behalf. He's dishonored, his girl dies, and that other enemy takes all of the blame while you suffer nothing more than a bout of insomnia now and again- after you take his lands and assume his titles, of course. This is the Scorpion way, in a nutshell; in practice, it's far worse than this.

The book has all of the usual information about clan history (not very reliable), clan ethics (see below), and clan ambitions. It has the usual slew of stats for the key NPCs, including Yogo Junzo. It has the usual handful of schools--Shosuro Actor, Shosuro Shinobi(ninja), Bayushi Courtier, Yogo Shugenja--for players to exploit, and all of them are a useful bunch.

It has the usual round of new spells, abilities, skills, etc. and most of them are balanced or tipped against the PC. (Five points to get a conditional extra keep die is rather steep.) The redefinition of a few skills (ninjutsu) is fine by me. "Dangerous Beauty" and "Junshin" were damned good additions, and fit well with this clan.

What didn't I like? The usual suspects are present--contradictory history, not-so-optional rules, clunky allusions to metaplot elements (The Shadow), and dubious assertions to back up design decisions--but nothing got my goat like the ninja section. I don't object to the desire to do ninja as something other than black-clad commandos, but the Shinobi school is too much. Joe Gamer doesn't give a damn about how the black suit came about, or whether all of this is really some BS routine by Hatsumi. He wants his Jubei-From-Ninja-Scroll, and he wants it now, or at least something from "Tenchu", and this is not it.

But that's the only major problem I have with it. Wick wants L5R ninja to suck harder than a farmer, unless they're Shadow agents or Kolat assassins (the Shapeshifer and Hiroru), so either you've got to change it, get witty, or live with the unlikelihood that your PC will see Rank Two. Meanwhile, badger AEG for a second edition or convert it to a better system; there's one for Feng Shui in progress, and you can also work a Fusion conversion via "Usagi Yojimbo" or "Sengoku". You might get lucky- it worked for White Wolf.

The best part is the "How to be a Villain and Make the Players Love You" bit in the Appendices. That's required reading for any and all who like to be the villainous antihero; the rest of we gamers will thank you to read and apply that article's advice immediately.

Should you get it? If you're in L5R, yes. Like the rest, you can't avoid it. Look for a used copy if you can.

Style: 2 (Needs Work)
Substance: 3 (Average)

The Way of the Clans, Book Five: The Way of the Scorpion
Author: John Wick Category: game Company/Publisher: Alderac Entertainment Group Line: Legend of the Five Rings Cost: $14.95 (US) Page count: 120 pages ISBN: n/a SKU: AEG 3008 Playtest Review by Bradford C. Walker on 07/21/99. Genre tags: Fantasy Asian/Far_East	This is one of the better books in the series. It gets the point across to the reader that the Scorpion Clan is not a bunch of Crane wannabees. They're evil, they're villains, and they like it. That's what they're suppossed to be, so don't try to change them. So why would you want a villain in your group? Because, if you're a smart samurai, you'll want to make him your villain- and that's an asset far more valuable than a mighty army or a magic sword. You'd like having a friend so ruthless that, if you wish it, he will gladly disguise himself as the enemy of your enemy and rape your foe's little girl just to get revenge on your behalf. He's dishonored, his girl dies, and that other enemy takes all of the blame while you suffer nothing more than a bout of insomnia now and again- after you take his lands and assume his titles, of course. This is the Scorpion way, in a nutshell; in practice, it's far worse than this. The book has all of the usual information about clan history (not very reliable), clan ethics (see below), and clan ambitions. It has the usual slew of stats for the key NPCs, including Yogo Junzo. It has the usual handful of schools--Shosuro Actor, Shosuro Shinobi(ninja), Bayushi Courtier, Yogo Shugenja--for players to exploit, and all of them are a useful bunch. It has the usual round of new spells, abilities, skills, etc. and most of them are balanced or tipped against the PC. (Five points to get a conditional extra keep die is rather steep.) The redefinition of a few skills (ninjutsu) is fine by me. "Dangerous Beauty" and "Junshin" were damned good additions, and fit well with this clan. What didn't I like? The usual suspects are present--contradictory history, not-so-optional rules, clunky allusions to metaplot elements (The Shadow), and dubious assertions to back up design decisions--but nothing got my goat like the ninja section. I don't object to the desire to do ninja as something other than black-clad commandos, but the Shinobi school is too much. Joe Gamer doesn't give a damn about how the black suit came about, or whether all of this is really some BS routine by Hatsumi. He wants his Jubei-From-Ninja-Scroll, and he wants it now, or at least something from "Tenchu", and this is not it. But that's the only major problem I have with it. Wick wants L5R ninja to suck harder than a farmer, unless they're Shadow agents or Kolat assassins (the Shapeshifer and Hiroru), so either you've got to change it, get witty, or live with the unlikelihood that your PC will see Rank Two. Meanwhile, badger AEG for a second edition or convert it to a better system; there's one for Feng Shui in progress, and you can also work a Fusion conversion via "Usagi Yojimbo" or "Sengoku". You might get lucky- it worked for White Wolf. The best part is the "How to be a Villain and Make the Players Love You" bit in the Appendices. That's required reading for any and all who like to be the villainous antihero; the rest of we gamers will thank you to read and apply that article's advice immediately. Should you get it? If you're in L5R, yes. Like the rest, you can't avoid it. Look for a used copy if you can. Style: 2 (Needs Work) Substance: 3 (Average)

The Way of the Clans, Book Five: The Way of the Scorpion