Types of Bonds
Texto
Different bonds are expressed in different ways, and the connections a character forges vary greatly depending on who shares them.
Family
Family obligation is tremendously important in Rokugan: a samurai is expected to respect their parents and elder family members while offering support and guidance to younger family members. Formal adoption, even in adulthood, is a common practice in many parts of Rokugan, both to secure lines of succession that might have gaps, and as part of treaties and other agreements. Marriage is another way characters can form the bonds of family. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Family bond:
Family generally watch out for your reputation and help with modest favors that promote your well-being (providing you with hospitality, giving you a good character reference, assisting in your training), even if you did not ask for these things. They expect the same from you, and they expect you to uphold the family name.
Allies of your close family members are likely to know all about your most notable successes (but they have suspiciously never heard of your less auspicious endeavors), and they are favorably disposed toward you. Enemies of your family view you as an enemy.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, a family member can be expected to also watch out for your personal happiness. They are willing to take more notable risks on your behalf (such as staking significant amounts of honor or glory on your choices, lending you heirlooms, or trusting you to handle important tasks in their name), and they might ask the same from you.
“Strong Roots Grow Deep” (Bond Ability): Once per scene, you may call upon your bond to treat your composure as increased by your bond rank until the end of the scene.
Comrade
Just as bands of warriors often form friendships on the battlefield, so too do courtiers, priest, and monks find close friends as they go about their daily work. Members of the same army might be comrades, as might members of two different clans who serve in the same court and pursue the same end, such as their sworn lord’s justice, or the preservation of a region. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Comrade bond:
A comrade generally watches out for your interests and be willing to do modest favors for you ( helping you with a task for a few days, getting you home without embarrassing yourself after a night of revelry, lying about your whereabouts to your enemies), and they might ask the same from you.
Allies of a comrade treat you as an ally, and they are favorably disposed toward you unless you give them reason not to be. They might even do you significant favors, especially if the two of you are working together in a deceased comrade’s memory. Enemies of your comrades tend to steer clear of you, or view you as an enemy.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, a comrade can be expected undertake major tasks in your name (such as staking significant amounts of honor or glory on your choices, risking their life on your behalf, or adopting your dependents should you perish), and they might ask the same from you.
“Just Like Old Times” (Bond Ability): When you perform a check using a skill for which the bonded character has 1 or more skill ranks (or if they are an NPC, for which they have 1 or more ranks in the relevant skill group), you may call upon your bond to negate a number of results up to your bond rank.
Lover
Samurai are expected to place romantic love below their obligations to family and clan—but the human heart is not so easily confined. Many samurai who fall in love keep their relationship secret, while others are more overt. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Lover bond:
A lover seeks to spend time with you, writes letters to you, and is willing to assist you in ways that do not require publicly acknowledging your bond (giving you information key to pursuing a desired goal, encouraging you to pursue your personal interests, helping you to deal with emotions you usually must keep to yourself), and they expect you to do the same.
Generally, your lover’s allies do not acknowledge your relationship. Some might be favorably disposed to you covertly if you make their ally happy (and unfavorably disposed if you make them unhappy), while others might be jealous of the attention you receive. Your lover’s enemies might target you to attempt to gain leverage over your lover.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, a lover is more overt about your relationship, allowing them to assist you more publicly (such as giving you letters of introduction to officials above your status, allowing you to use their name to pursue your goals, and even helping you directly), and they expect the same from you.
“With You, the Storm Subsides” (Bond Ability): At the end of a scene involving your lover or reminders of them, you may call upon your bond to remove additional strife equal to your bond rank.
Rival
Not all deep and interesting relationships are completely amicable or totally hostile: such is the case with rivalry. A courtier might find the duplicitous methods of a fellow member of a court repugnant, but agree that both serve their lord well. Rivals are characters who might often come into conflict, but do not hate and may even respect each other. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Rival bond:
A rival generally seeks to oppose you when the opportunity presents itself and is unfavorably disposed toward you. However, their enmity toward you lends gravity to your position, and it makes those outside of your conflict more convinced of your importance.
Allies of your rival treat you with grudging respect and suspicion. Your rival’s enemies might seek your aid in when they face your rival, or might offer you aid in doing so (such as advice for defeating your rival, quiet political backing, or medical attention after fighting the rival).
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, your rival views themself as your true foe, and they look dimly upon anyone else who acts against you. They can be relied upon to attempt to keep other people from harming you (so that they can defeat you on their own terms someday).
“I Will Surpass You!” (Bond Ability): While making a check, you may call upon your bond. Receive strife equal to your bond rank; you may reroll up to that many dice.
Nemesis
Samurai are supposed to be above personal grudges, serving only their lord’s will—a demand few can meet. A nemesis epitomizes the failure of this ideal more than an enemy or a threat; they are a personal foe, whose ends must be thwarted at every turn. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Nemesis bond:
A nemesis tries to undermine your actions, sabotage your works, and destroy you at every turn. If your nemesis is the cunning sort, they might be willing to bide their time, patiently sowing the seeds of your destruction in the weeks, months, or years to come. If your nemesis is more direct, they might oppose you with brute force whenever the opportunity presents itself. Not all nemesis bonds must result in death; forcing a hated political enemy to retire to monastic life, or disproving an intellectual opponent’s unifying theory of the cosmos might be enough for some. However, in many cases, the bond can only be resolved by death.
Allies of your nemesis treat you as an enemy. Enemies of your nemesis are likely to assist you as best they can (such as by saving your life after you are grievously wounded in battle with your nemesis, by explaining your nemesis’s dark secrets and hidden vulnerabilities to you, and by lying about your whereabouts to your nemesis), or they may try to use your mutual foe to persuade you to assist them in their causes.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, allies of your nemesis steer clear of you or spare you even if given the chance to vanquish you, as your nemesis has laid claim to your destruction. Additionally, your nemesis feels a greater need to not just beat you, but completely crush you, whether this takes the form of mocking hints left behind after they act against you, grandiose speeches while you are at their mercy that give you a chance to catch your breath, or eliminating others who threatens you.
“They Were Responsible!” (Bond Ability): You may call upon your bond to determine if your nemesis was involved in a new situation you encounter, a new challenge you face, or new problem that presents itself. You ask the GM, and they should provide you with a clear answer, along with the clue or signature style you can use to determine their involvement. If the GM confirms that your nemesis was behind it, reduce the TN of your next check to address the problem by your bond rank.
Table 3—4: Bonds
BOND RANK | XP COST | ABILITY UNLOCKED
Bond Ability (Varies by Bond) In addition to any narrative benefits of your bond, you call upon your relationship with one bonded character in a manner based on the type of bond (see the bond ability for the relevant bond type on page 136).
Rank 1 | 3 XP
Rank 2 | 4 XP | “Like you always say…”: You count as having one bonded character’s assistance on a check in which the bonded character is skilled.
“A familiar presence draws near…”: If the bonded character is an NPC, you may play that character instead of your own character for the next scene (or in an establishing flashback or other appropriate scene, if that character is unavailable or deceased). Remember to adhere to that character’s giri and ninjō while playing them. Major decisions on the part of that character must be approved by the GM. If the bonded character is a PC, you and that PC’s player may immediately play out an establishing flashback scene that occurred between your characters in the past.
Rank 3 | 6 XP
Rank 4 | 8 XP
“You taught me this!”: Use one bonded character’s ring or skill ranks (or skill group ranks, if they are an NPC) for a check instead of your own.
Rank 5 | 10 XP
“We are bound by this fate we have made!”: Transfer one of your Void points to the bonded character or gain 1 Void point after they spend a Void point.
Texto do livro
Courts of Stone · Chapter 3: Games of Discourse › Bonds › Types of Bonds · p. 136 p. 137 p. 138 p. 139
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Different bonds are expressed in different ways, and the connections a character forges vary greatly depending on who shares them.
Family
Family obligation is tremendously important in Rokugan: a samurai is expected to respect their parents and elder family members while offering support and guidance to younger family members. Formal adoption, even in adulthood, is a common practice in many parts of Rokugan, both to secure lines of succession that might have gaps, and as part of treaties and other agreements. Marriage is another way characters can form the bonds of family. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Family bond:
Family generally watch out for your reputation and help with modest favors that promote your well-being (providing you with hospitality, giving you a good character reference, assisting in your training), even if you did not ask for these things. They expect the same from you, and they expect you to uphold the family name.
Allies of your close family members are likely to know all about your most notable successes (but they have suspiciously never heard of your less auspicious endeavors), and they are favorably disposed toward you. Enemies of your family view you as an enemy.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, a family member can be expected to also watch out for your personal happiness. They are willing to take more notable risks on your behalf (such as staking significant amounts of honor or glory on your choices, lending you heirlooms, or trusting you to handle important tasks in their name), and they might ask the same from you.
“Strong Roots Grow Deep” (Bond Ability): Once per scene, you may call upon your bond to treat your composure as increased by your bond rank until the end of the scene.
Comrade
Just as bands of warriors often form friendships on the battlefield, so too do courtiers, priest, and monks find close friends as they go about their daily work. Members of the same army might be comrades, as might members of two different clans who serve in the same court and pursue the same end, such as their sworn lord’s justice, or the preservation of a region. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Comrade bond:
A comrade generally watches out for your interests and be willing to do modest favors for you ( helping you with a task for a few days, getting you home without embarrassing yourself after a night of revelry, lying about your whereabouts to your enemies), and they might ask the same from you.
Allies of a comrade treat you as an ally, and they are favorably disposed toward you unless you give them reason not to be. They might even do you significant favors, especially if the two of you are working together in a deceased comrade’s memory. Enemies of your comrades tend to steer clear of you, or view you as an enemy.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, a comrade can be expected undertake major tasks in your name (such as staking significant amounts of honor or glory on your choices, risking their life on your behalf, or adopting your dependents should you perish), and they might ask the same from you.
“Just Like Old Times” (Bond Ability): When you perform a check using a skill for which the bonded character has 1 or more skill ranks (or if they are an NPC, for which they have 1 or more ranks in the relevant skill group), you may call upon your bond to negate a number of results up to your bond rank.
Lover
Samurai are expected to place romantic love below their obligations to family and clan—but the human heart is not so easily confined. Many samurai who fall in love keep their relationship secret, while others are more overt. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Lover bond:
A lover seeks to spend time with you, writes letters to you, and is willing to assist you in ways that do not require publicly acknowledging your bond (giving you information key to pursuing a desired goal, encouraging you to pursue your personal interests, helping you to deal with emotions you usually must keep to yourself), and they expect you to do the same.
Generally, your lover’s allies do not acknowledge your relationship. Some might be favorably disposed to you covertly if you make their ally happy (and unfavorably disposed if you make them unhappy), while others might be jealous of the attention you receive. Your lover’s enemies might target you to attempt to gain leverage over your lover.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, a lover is more overt about your relationship, allowing them to assist you more publicly (such as giving you letters of introduction to officials above your status, allowing you to use their name to pursue your goals, and even helping you directly), and they expect the same from you.
“With You, the Storm Subsides” (Bond Ability): At the end of a scene involving your lover or reminders of them, you may call upon your bond to remove additional strife equal to your bond rank.
Rival
Not all deep and interesting relationships are completely amicable or totally hostile: such is the case with rivalry. A courtier might find the duplicitous methods of a fellow member of a court repugnant, but agree that both serve their lord well. Rivals are characters who might often come into conflict, but do not hate and may even respect each other. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Rival bond:
A rival generally seeks to oppose you when the opportunity presents itself and is unfavorably disposed toward you. However, their enmity toward you lends gravity to your position, and it makes those outside of your conflict more convinced of your importance.
Allies of your rival treat you with grudging respect and suspicion. Your rival’s enemies might seek your aid in when they face your rival, or might offer you aid in doing so (such as advice for defeating your rival, quiet political backing, or medical attention after fighting the rival).
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, your rival views themself as your true foe, and they look dimly upon anyone else who acts against you. They can be relied upon to attempt to keep other people from harming you (so that they can defeat you on their own terms someday).
“I Will Surpass You!” (Bond Ability): While making a check, you may call upon your bond. Receive strife equal to your bond rank; you may reroll up to that many dice.
Nemesis
Samurai are supposed to be above personal grudges, serving only their lord’s will—a demand few can meet. A nemesis epitomizes the failure of this ideal more than an enemy or a threat; they are a personal foe, whose ends must be thwarted at every turn. The following are suggested narrative effects for a character with a Nemesis bond:
A nemesis tries to undermine your actions, sabotage your works, and destroy you at every turn. If your nemesis is the cunning sort, they might be willing to bide their time, patiently sowing the seeds of your destruction in the weeks, months, or years to come. If your nemesis is more direct, they might oppose you with brute force whenever the opportunity presents itself. Not all nemesis bonds must result in death; forcing a hated political enemy to retire to monastic life, or disproving an intellectual opponent’s unifying theory of the cosmos might be enough for some. However, in many cases, the bond can only be resolved by death.
Allies of your nemesis treat you as an enemy. Enemies of your nemesis are likely to assist you as best they can (such as by saving your life after you are grievously wounded in battle with your nemesis, by explaining your nemesis’s dark secrets and hidden vulnerabilities to you, and by lying about your whereabouts to your nemesis), or they may try to use your mutual foe to persuade you to assist them in their causes.
If your bond rank is 3 or higher, allies of your nemesis steer clear of you or spare you even if given the chance to vanquish you, as your nemesis has laid claim to your destruction. Additionally, your nemesis feels a greater need to not just beat you, but completely crush you, whether this takes the form of mocking hints left behind after they act against you, grandiose speeches while you are at their mercy that give you a chance to catch your breath, or eliminating others who threatens you.
“They Were Responsible!” (Bond Ability): You may call upon your bond to determine if your nemesis was involved in a new situation you encounter, a new challenge you face, or new problem that presents itself. You ask the GM, and they should provide you with a clear answer, along with the clue or signature style you can use to determine their involvement. If the GM confirms that your nemesis was behind it, reduce the TN of your next check to address the problem by your bond rank.
Table 3—4: Bonds
BOND RANK | XP COST | ABILITY UNLOCKED
Bond Ability (Varies by Bond) In addition to any narrative benefits of your bond, you call upon your relationship with one bonded character in a manner based on the type of bond (see the bond ability for the relevant bond type on page 136).
Rank 1 | 3 XP
Rank 2 | 4 XP | “Like you always say…”: You count as having one bonded character’s assistance on a check in which the bonded character is skilled.
“A familiar presence draws near…”: If the bonded character is an NPC, you may play that character instead of your own character for the next scene (or in an establishing flashback or other appropriate scene, if that character is unavailable or deceased). Remember to adhere to that character’s giri and ninjō while playing them. Major decisions on the part of that character must be approved by the GM. If the bonded character is a PC, you and that PC’s player may immediately play out an establishing flashback scene that occurred between your characters in the past.
Rank 3 | 6 XP
Rank 4 | 8 XP
“You taught me this!”: Use one bonded character’s ring or skill ranks (or skill group ranks, if they are an NPC) for a check instead of your own.
Rank 5 | 10 XP
“We are bound by this fate we have made!”: Transfer one of your Void points to the bonded character or gain 1 Void point after they spend a Void point.