The spells on this page are largely non-combat in application, and reflect the traditional roles and duties of a shugenja as a priest, rather than as a D&D wizard. Many of these spells can be researched twice as fast as normal (see Downtime rules).
Peace of the kami
Ring/Mastery: Universal 1
Range: 10 metres
Area of Effect: One kami
Duration: One hour
Raises: Area of effect (+1 kami); Duration (+1 hour per 2 raises)
The targeted kami is pacified, and becomes more peaceful for the duration. In addition to any other effects, it increases the time taken to cast any spell which calls upon that kami by 1 round. Note that this spell cannot prevent an earth kami from causing an earthquake, or lull a storm kami to sleep.
Balance
Ring/Mastery: Universal, 2
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person or object
Duration: Instantaneous
Raises: Special (+1 fact per raise)
This prayer detects the balance of an element within the target. Typically, with people it is used to discover if an elemental imbalance is causing problems for the person, both in a physical and spiritual manner.
When cast, the shugenja selects a Ring (which determines the Ring used to cast the spell) and learns information related to that Ring. They may learn one fact from the following list:
Value of either Trait of that Ring.
Whether a spell of that element is affecting the target, and the name of that spell (if multiple spells are affecting the target, the highest Mastery Level spell is revealed).
One Advantage associated with that element
One Disadvantaged associated with that element
If any kami of that element are paying extra attention to the target.
Whether any diseases or poisons are affecting that element of the target. If knowledge is gained this way, it gives 1 Free Raise to Medicine (Antidote) or Medicine (Disease) rolls to treat the target.
Blessings of the Hearth
Ring/Mastery: Universal, 2
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One home
Duration: One season
Raises: None
The priest blesses a home by performing a complicated ritual requiring prayer, meditation, and gifts to the spirits. Once the ritual is completed, the kami appropriate to the element cast bless the home with their presence. The effects of the spell depend upon the element invoked:
Air: The house is blessed by pleasant breezes, cooling it in summer.
Earth: The house is more likely to survive an earthquake, and requires less upkeep.
Fire: The house is warmed during winter, and is more likely to survive a fire.
Water: The house is peaceful and tranquil, and those living there fall sick less often.
Void: ???
It takes two hours to cast the spell, which cannot be reduced by Raises, as the ritual requires meditation, prayer, and walking the perimeter of the home with sacred ofuda.
Comment: Similar spells exist which offer larger benefits, but these fall under specific rings and are often of a higher mastery level.
Blessing of the Fortunes
Ring/Mastery: Universal, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: One month or Permanent
Raises: Duration (+1 month per 4 raises).
The Festival of the New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Rokugan. Most of winter has passed and people are beginning to look to the coming spring, only a month away. Blessings of good fortune are common and many people make offerings to a specific fortune in hopes of certain types of good luck in the coming year.
This spell takes 30 minutes to cast and can only be cast on New Year’s Day. When cast, the caster decides Fortune to invoke, which determines the Ring used to cast this spell:
Bishamon - Fire
Benten - Air
Daikoku - Air
Ebisu - Water
Fukurokujin - Water
Hotei - Void
Jurojin - Earth
Once cast, the target may either buy the invoked fortune's blessing for 1xp less than it would normally cost, or they may gain the same blessing for one month without having to spend any xp.
Making A Friend
Ring/Mastery: Universal, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One kami
Duration: 1 month.
Raises: None
This spell was crafted by a Kuni looking for a safe way to cast spells in the Shadowlands.
When you cast this spell, you must attract the attention of a kami (e.g. burning something for fire kami, crafting a wind chime for air kami). If the activity pleases the kami, they will remain with you for up to one week, but you must repeat the activity daily. You can only befriend one kami at a time.
At the end of the week, roll Spellcraft (Element)/Rank at TN 20. If you succeed at this roll, the kami will remain with you for one month.
Comment: there are no mechanics for spellcasting penalties in the Shadowlands in the book, apart from a vague note that it's hard to find kami. If this becomes relevant to the game, I'll work out actual penalties; this spell will then let you partially overcome them.
Child of Fortune
Ring/Mastery: Universal, 5
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One newborn child
Duration: Instant
Raises: Special (+1 value of advantage per raise).
The caster calls upon a Fortune to bless a newborn child. The child gains one of the Seven Fortune's Blessings (if the child is a PC, they can purchase the Blessing for 1xp less than normal). Rumours exist of a dark mirror of this spell which curses a child. The ring used to cast this spell depends upon which Fortune is invoked using the same list as Blessings of the Fortunes.
Shiba's Final Lesson
Ring/Mastery: Universal, 6
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: Permanent
Raises: None
This spell, developed by an enterprising Tensai of the Isawa, was one of the earliest attempts to create a soul by the Phoenix.
The caster prays to a kami of a specific element, asking that kami to enter a human, and bestow its wisdom to the human. The kami enters the target, bonding with it. The target gains +1 to both Traits of the relevant Ring, and +5 to all Rolls made with that Ring.
The kami will depart from its host when it takes more than 5 points of damage, and will refuse to bond to the same human again. However, the same kami can be called upon the bond to a new target. If this is done, the second target gains all the memories of the first target while the kami was bonded to them.
Playing with the Air kami
Ring/Mastery: Air, 1
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One kami
Duration: One hour
Raises: None
This spell, discovered by a lazy student, is a favourite of the Air Kami. It simply dusts a room, removing all dirt, dust, ashes, rocks, or other earth-related items from above floor level. The kami removes the items from the room, to the nearest outdoor area, and tosses, juggles, throws, or otherwise plays with the items. This spell will not affect any items that cannot be easily lifted with one hand (about 500 grams).
Caution! Do Not use this in the Kitsu Tombs, or other areas where the ashes of Honoured Ancestors are! The Air kami can not tell the difference between what it should move, and the Honoured remains. This is the reason the discoverer of this spell was forced to commit sepukku.
Katana of Emma-O
Ring/Mastery: Air, 2
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One weapon
Duration: One hour
Raises: Area of effect (+1 weapon); Duration (+30 minutes)
Stories of vengeful ghosts abound, and so many samurai make prayers that those they kill in honorable combat will not come back to haunt them. This spell blesses a weapon, so that the spirit of those struck by it do not remember who killed them. However, if the act of killing the person would incur an Honour loss, the spell does not work. A character must have an Honour of at least 1 to be affected by this spell.
Example: Bayushi Jiro kills a bandit using a katana blessed by this spell. The bandit's spirit does not remember that Jiro is the person who killed him, and so will not haunt Jiro. If Jiro slew his daimyo using a katana blessed by this spell, it would have no effect.
House of Contentment
Ring/Mastery: Air, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One married couple
Duration: One season
Raises: None
This spell is used to produce happiness in a new home shortly after a marriage. In a land of arranged marriages it helps a husband and wife to get off to an amicable start. For the duration of the spell both targets gain a Free Raise to social rolls to influence the other. If both spouses genuinely attempt to make their marriage harmonious, they may each purchase Blessed Bethrothal with a 1xp discount.
Blessing of Peace
Ring/Mastery: Air, 4
Range: Sight
Area of Effect: People in a room
Duration: One day
Raises: None
Before many gatherings, a priest will lead everyone in prayer. Often used by a shugenja at weddings where a peace treaty is being secured, this spell directs Benten's favour to those who seek to resolve differences. As long as the gathering or ceremony remains peaceful, those seeking to resolve or avoid conflict gain a Free Raise on social rolls.
Truth in the Bottle
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 1
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: One day
Raises: None
A simple derivative of most anti-poison spells, while this spell is in effect the target may at will dismiss the effects of alcohol, including intoxication, hangovers, and even alcohol poisoning. It sees frequent use by bushi in camped armies, though less than scrupulous Yasuki and Bayushi courtiers have been known to use it to gain an advantage in sake house negotiations.
Blessing of Rice
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 2
Range: 100 foot
Area of Effect: One rice paddy
Duration: One year
Raises: Special (Reduce preparation time by 1 month per raise, maximum 2 raises).
This spell blesses a rice paddy, calling upon benevolent earth spirits and driving out malicious spirits. It takes 3 hours to cast, though if interrupted offerings are made to the kami to request permission to continue where it stopped. Once finished, the shugenja blesses the field and tools associated with it.
Mechanically, the paddy will produce a good crop and be resistant to blight, drought or flood.
Fukurokujin’s blessing
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 2
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One scroll
Duration: One year
Raises: None
This spell, a favourite among the Asako and Ikoma, prevents a scroll from feeling the effects of time's passage for a period of time. It prevents aging, yellowing, weakness, and fading. After the spell expires, the item enters the flow of time again. After the spell expires, there must be a year before the spell can be cast on the same item again.
Blessing of the Smith
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 2 (Craft)
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One sword
Duration: Permanent
Raises: Special (grant an additional Free Raise, 2 raises only)
The katana is a vital part of the bushi's life. This spells blesses a sword, infusing it with the strength of earth kami, helping to ensure that a sword will be passed down each generation. This spell can only be cast during the final parts of forging a blade and must be cast before it is sharpened. This spell grants the blade a free raise to resist breaking or chipping.
Blessing of Ekibyogami
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person or field
Duration: Instant
Raises: None
As the Fortune of Plague and Pestilence, Ekibyogami is a fortune that most Rokugani peasants would like to keep placated. This blessing gives a bonus of +1k0 on the next roll made to resist or recover from illness. When cast on a blighted field, the spell will cure that blight and restore the crop to full health.
Lord Kaiu's Blessing
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 3 (Craft, Defense)
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One 10 metre stretch of wall
Duration: Permanent
Raises: Area of effect (+5 metres of wall per Raise); Special (+1 Reduction per 3 Raises)
This spell is named for the monumental Kaiu Wall. It may only be cast when a wall or side of a house is being built, or more than 50% of it is being repaired, and takes two hours to cast. It makes the wall act as though it is of a harder material than it really is. Mechanically, the Reduction of the wall is increased by 5.
Sense of Kenro-Ji-Jin
Ring/Mastery: Earth, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One landmark
Duration: One season
Raises: Special (+1 Free Raise per 2 raises)
As long as this spell is in effect, anyone attempting to locate the landmark gains one Free Raise to their Navigation check. A landmark can only be under the effect of one such spell at any time, but castings made with more raises will supersede previous castings.
Asako's Greatest Blessing
Ring/Mastery: Fire, 1
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One room
Duration: Instant
Raises: Area of effect (+1 room per 2 raises).
This spell is considered a librarian's greatest blessing. It allows the librarian to find a single scroll in a room. The fire kami cannot find a deliberately hidden scroll, but will find a scroll 'lost' in a disordered pile. The caster must know exactly what scroll he is looking for, by title or author, or with a copy present that he has. Many libraries are warded against fire kami, which prevents this spell being cast.
Quiet the Fire
Ring/Mastery: Fire, 1
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One house
Duration: Instant
Raises: None
When a house is constructed, the blessings of a shugenja are highly sought after. Under the direction of the shugenja offerings are made to the various kami present by the family. The process takes 1 week involving various offerings and purification rituals. As fire is one of the biggest dangers to a home, many offerings are made to kami of that element in hopes that their home will be spared.
The spell protects against malevolent spirits and fire for one year. The house gets two free raises to resist damage from fire. This spell cannot be used to renew these benefits. More powerful spells exist which allow existing buildings to be targeted.
Fukurokujin's Guidance
Ring/Mastery: Fire, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: One hour
Raises: None
In times of war young samurai are often thrust into battle before their training is complete. Though this spell cannot grant knowledge it does make learning easier. If a teacher is available, the target gains the benefit of a single season of tuition immediately. However, the target must pay back the xp granted by this teaching (unlike normally teaching) - half of all the xp the target earns must be spent on the 'xp debt' until the full amount is repaid. No character may benefit from this spell more than once per year.
Example: Shinji is taught Juijitsu by Ikoma Gendo. Gendo has Juijitsu 6, and so Shinji gains 3xp in Juijitsu. However, Shinji must put half of all the xp he earns into paying off this 3xp of debt.
Festival of the New Year
Ring/Mastery: Fire, 3
Range: Sight
Area of Effect: 100 people
Duration: One year
Raises: Area of effect (+25 people per raise)
The Festival of the New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Rokugan. Most of Winter has passed and people are beginning to look to the coming Spring, only a month away. Blessings of good fortune are common and many people make offerings to a specific fortune in hopes of certain types of good luck in the coming year.
This spell takes an hour to cast and can only be cast on the first day of the year. All targets must be ritually cleansed and pray during the ceremony. This is the most basic of blessings for the New Year, but some might say it is also the holiest. After going through the ceremony, the recipients gain a small amount of luck. At any point during the next year, they may reroll any one roll.
Comment: I don't know what element to put this spell under - fire doesn't entirely match up with luck.
Seeking Lady Shinjo
Ring/Mastery: Water 1
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: 5 mile radius
Duration: Instant
Raises: None
This simple spell determines if there is an accessible source of water within the casting radius. It tells the caster which direction to travel, which may not be the fastest path.
Cleansing Waters
Ring/Mastery: Water 1
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: 60 people
Duration: Instant
Raises: None
There are many ways for the soul to be impure. This spell helps remove those impurities and bring a person back to their holy self again. This spell is only useful against minor non-permanent impurities such as the touching of dead flesh. It is often used after battles or by those who are fortunate enough to have regular access to shugenja.
The spell takes two hours to cast and those receiving its blessing must be present during the entire ritual. The first half of the ritual consists of prayers and preparing the water. The second half deals with the actual cleansing. Each person receives a short stick, with several strips of white cloth or paper tied to one end. The strips of cloth are dipped in the blessed water and each person then brushes themselves with them. The sticks are then burned after the ritual is completed. A single casting of this spell can affect up to 60 people.
Hujokuko's Blessing
Ring/Mastery: Water, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: One year
Raises: None
This spell is often used either at the beginning of a marriage, or if difficulties are present in the marriage. It calls upon the water within a woman to increase her fertility, giving her a +1 bonus to all Childbirth rolls for a year. It is common for a woman to make such prayers and seek out such blessings from priests.
Open the Clouds
Ring/Mastery: Water 3
Range: One mile
Area of Effect: One mile
Duration: One hour
Raises: Duration (+1 hour per raise), Area of effect (+1 mile per raise)
This spell calls for clouds that produce rain. This can be an extremely important spell during a drought, though due to the absence of the water kami it becomes increasingly difficult. The rain produced is a gentle rain that lasts for 1 hour. For every week that it has not rained in this area, the TN to cast increases by 5. Casting this spell is taxing on the kami. For every casting of this spell in the last month in an area, the TN to cast increases by +5.
These spells do not invoke the kami, and instead rely on ancestors to invoke their effects. To cast an Ancestral spell, a Kitsu shugenja rolls Theology/Void against a TN of 5 + (5 x Mastery Level) of the spell. Non-Kitsu shugenja can only cast Ancestral spells with the Basic keyword.
Ancestral Shrine
Ring/Mastery: Ancestral, 1 (Basic)
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One shrine
Duration: One month
Raises: None
Family shrines are always highly revered and locations where samurai often pray. A shrine blessed by a shugenja is considered to be particularly holy. Such a shrine draws the attention of your ancestor's spirits and helps them hear your prayers without having to use a shugenja as an intermediary. Only the ancestors that the shrine is dedicated to gain this benefit.
The prayer does not compel the ancestors to act in any way, it only helps them listen. It is up to the ancestors themselves, whether or not they will actually take interest in their descendant's lives. The prayer also does not help the ancestors speak to you, it only allows them to hear.
Non
Revering the Ancestors
Ring/Mastery: Ancestral, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: One day
Raises: Duration (+1 day per 3 Raises); Area of Effect (+1 target, maximum of 3 targets).
The shugenja and the target must meditate at a shrine to a specific ancestor for half an hour. Then, the shugenja calls on the aid of that ancestor on behalf of the target. The ancestor will watch out for the target for the rest of the day; mechanically, the target gains the benefits of an Ancestor advantage for a day. The same target may not be blessed by the same Ancestor more than once per month, and the same shugenja cannot petition the same Ancestor more than once per week.
This spell can also be used to atone if an Ancestor is lost. The insulted ancestor will name a task which must be completed, and if this is done, the Ancestor will bless the character again.
Celebrating the Bon Festival
Ring/Mastery: Ancestral, 3
Range: Touch
Area of Effect: One person
Duration: One hour
Raises: Area of effect (+1 person per 2 raises); Duration (+1 hour per raise).
This spell may only be cast during the Bon Festival, and allows an ancestor to speak with a living person. The ancestor is visible to the target of the spell, and may be spoken with for one hour. If the target of the spell is a descendent of the ancestor, they gain a Free Raise to all social rolls made to talk to the ancestor.
Unlike testimony from the kami, Rokugani courts do permit testimony from ancestors.