Legend of the

Five Rings
4th Edition Tattoos Book

Balance

This tattoo of the spiritual yin-yang symbol calms the

mind and spirit. While this tattoo is active, the TN of
all Spell Casting Rolls made with you as the target
are increased or decreased by an amount equal to
twice your School Rank plus 5. You determine
whether this is an increase or a decrease when you
activate the tattoo.

Bamboo
The bamboo plant is ubiquitous throughout the
Empire, and is well known not only for the speed with
which it grows, but also its durability. While this
tattoo is active, your Armor TN is increased by an
amount equal to twice your School Rank + 5.

Bear
The bear is a primal being of nature, a force to be
reckoned with even at its weakest moments. Those
who possess this tattoo can summon that same
incredible strength and endurance, although not
simultaneously. While this tattoo is active, you may
choose to increase your Stamina by an amount equal
to your School Rank. Alternatively, you may instead
choose to increase your Strength by an amount equal
to half your School Rank, rounding up.

Blaze
The power and fury of fire is unleashed in the Blaze
tattoo. When activated, this tattoo causes your
unarmed strikes to be bolstered with pure fire. Your
unarmed attacks are accompanied by flickering
flames that inflict an additional amount of fire
damage equal to your Fire Ring plus your School
Rank.

Centipede
The tiny centipede has hundreds of legs working in
unison, and that power can be commanded by the
monks who bear its image. When this tattoo is
activated, you may make a special Complex Move
Action that allows you to move a distance equal to
your Water Ring x 100'. This effect lasts furan entire
day, essentially allowing you to cross the face of the
Empire in a day. If you stop for more than one
minute, the effect ends. When the effect ends, you
collapse into an exhausted state and can take
nonphysical actions for a period of twelve hours.

Cloud
You can call upon the essence of the wind and the
sky, granting you the same ethereal qualities as they
possess.
While this tattoo is active, any melee attack that
successfully strikes you must immediately make a
second attack roll. If the second attack roll fails, the
strike misses. However, while this tattoo is active you
may not make attacks of any kind.

Crab
The tiny crab is resilient beyond all measure for its
size. While this tattoo is active, you gain a Reduction
rating equal to your Earth Ring.

Crane
The crane is a symbol of luck and beauty. When you
activate this tattoo, you gain a number of bonus dice
equal to your School Rank plus your Air ring. These
dice may be spent on any Social Skill Rolls. Each die
contributes a bonus of +1k0. If these bonus dice are
not used within an hour, they are lost. You may not
add more bonus dice to a single roll than your Void
Ring. This tattoo is considered active the entire hour,
and if another tattoo is activated, any unspent dice
from this tattoo are lost.

Dragon
The dragon is a fearsome tattoo, and contains
frightening power waiting to be unleashed. As a
Complex Action, you may breathe fire in a cone,
equal to ten feet plus your School Rank in length,
and five feet wide at the end. This fire deals damage
to all in its area of effect, with a DR equal your Fire
Ring. You take damage equal to your Fire Ring upon
each use.

Hawk

Spider

You may borrow the essence of the hawk, and cover

great distances with ease. As a Complex Action, you
may leap a distance equal to your Watering x 25'.

The spider is quick and dexterous, escaping

predators with its speed and agility. While this
tattooist active, you may move across vertical and
inverted surfaces (such as sheer walls or ceilings)
while making Move Actions. You move at half your
normal rate when doing so.

Ki-Rin
There are few omens of good fortune more
significant than that of the sacred ki-rin. Upon
activating this tattoo, you may immediately re-roll
any one roll per round, keeping the higher of the two
results.

Lion
The lion is a proud and noble warrior. Upon activating
this tattoo, you gain ranks equal to your School Rank
in any Bugei Skill of your choice.

Mantis
The mantis is a fierce and fearless warrior out of all
proportion to its tiny size. Upon receiving this tattoo,
you are completely immune to all Fear effects. This
tattoo is active at all times, and does not prevent the
use of other tattoos.

Mountain
The mountain is eternal and unmoving. When you
activate this tattoo, all your Wound Penalties are
reduced by an amount equal to your School Rank
plus 2.

Ocean
The ocean's boundless depths hold the secrets of life
and rejuvenation. When granted this tattoo, you no
longer have need of food or drink, although you may
still partake of them if you wish. When this tattoo is
activated, you are instantly refreshed as if you had
spent eight hours of sleep, and you regain all spent
Void Points. This tattoo may only be used once every
three days.

Phoenix
The Phoenix can never truly be defeated, rising as it
does from the ashes to be born anew. You must have
at least one unspent Void Point for this tattoo to be
triggered. When you are reduced to the Down Wound
Level or below, this tattoo automatically activates. All
unspent Void Points are lost, and you immediately
heal a number of Wounds equal to your School Rank
x 10. This tattoo cannot be activated more than once
per week.

Scorpion
The scorpion is silent and deadly. While this tattoo is
active, you roll additional dice on any Stealth Skill
Roll equal to your School Rank. Also, during this time
your unarmed attacks automatically Daze your
opponent if any dice explode on your damage roll.

Storm
The storm is nature's fury, and few can stand against
its raw power. While this tattoo is active, your
unarmed attacks require only one Raise to use the
Knockdown Maneuver.

Void
This ink black kanji represents oneness withal. When
this tattoo is activated, you gain awareness of all life
around you. You know the location and rough details
of all living things within a radius of your School Rank
x 10', even if you cannot seethe. You know only
rough details, such as "two warriors" or "a pair of
rabbits," not specific identities. You can recognize
individuals well-known to you, however.

Volcano
While this tattoo is active, the skin of the monks
torso and upper limbs takes on the appearance of
lava, a surface of searing-hot blackness riven with
brightly glowing fiery cracks. Any flammable object
which strikes the monks body including wooden
weapons and arrows will sear to ash within
moments, and consequently the monk is considered
to have Reduction of 5 against such attacks (due to
their burning up before they can deliver the full
impact of their blows). Metal weapons inflict normal
damage, but the wielders of such weapons must
succeed in Contested Fire rolls against the monk or
be forced to drop their weapons due to the intense
heat (Sacred Weapons and nemuranai are immune to
this effect). Unarmed attacks (including the Strike
option while grappling) inflict normal damage and
suffer no ill effects, since their impact does not crack
the fiery surface of the lava.

Wave
This tattoo invokes the mighty power of the tsunami
to resist enemy force and drive your opponents to
their knees. While this tattoo is active, you gain a
+Xk0 bonus (where X is your Insight Rank) to the
Contested Strength Roll used to determine the
success of a Knockdown maneuver you perform with
an unarmed attack. You also gain an identical bonus
to resist all enemy Knockdown attempts, regardless
of whether they are made unarmed or with weapons.

Whisper
This very rare tattoo usually takes the form of a
person turned aside, hand held to the mouth as if
silencing someone or masking something being said.
When invoked, the tattoo allows those who bear it to
send brief silent messages over long distances. When
this tattoo is active, as a Complex Action you may
send a whispered message to anyone within a
number of miles equal to 10x your School Rank. You
cannot receive messages from the target unless they
share the same tattoo or have some other means of
transmitting such information.

Wind
The wind is swift and moves without hindrance. While
this tattoo is active, you gain an additional Simple
Action per round, which may not be used to make an
attack. Your maximum total movements not limited
to your Water Ring x 20.

Wolf
The wolf is the great tracker of the wilds. When you
activate
this
tattoo,
your
senses
become
superhumanly sharp, allowing you to perceive small
details and even individual scents. You gain a
number of Free Raises on Hunting (Tracking) Skill
Rolls equal to your School Rank. This tattoo's effect
lasts number of hours equal to your School Rank.

Cat (Unofficial 3rd Edition Conversion): The cat is a

symbol of wealth, comfort and good fortune. When
you activate this tattoo, you gain a number of Free
Raises equal to your School Rank. These Free Raises
may be spent on any Social Skill Rolls. If these Free
Raises are not used within an hour, they are lost. You
may not add more Free Raises to a single roll than
your Void Ring. This tattoo is considered active the
entire hour, and if another tattoo is activated, any
unspent Free Raises from this tattoo are lost. (Similar
to Crane Tattoo)
Source: 3rd Edition pg131

Chameleon (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): Grants

the monk the ability to change their appearance, as
the chameleons, to that of another human they have
encountered. Make a Willpower + School Rank roll to
determine if the transformation is successful. The
duration for which the monk had known that person
determined if the tattoo was successful in altering
the monk's appearance.
TN 5: Someone youve known your entire life
TN 10: Someone youve known for years
TN 15: Someone youve known for months
TN 20: Someone youve known for weeks
TN 25: Someone youve known for a few days
TN 30: Someone youve known for a few hours
TN 35: Someone youve only just met/seen
TN 40: Someone you never met/seen.

Arrowroot (Unofficial 3 rd Edition Conversion): While

Active, you may heal yourself or another character
by Touch. When you heal another you suffer half the
wounds healed and these wounds may only be
recovered by natural healing. You may only heal
yourself once per day. (Decide how much it can heal)

The transformation takes ten minutes and lasts until

the monk drops the effect of the tattoo. Your voice
does not change while with your under the effect of
the Chameleon Tattoo. While altered the monk lose
some sense of his own identity and cannot use VOID
POINTS.

Source: Way of the Dragon pg45, 3rd Edition pg131

Source: Way of the Dragon pg45

Bat (Unofficial 3rd Edition Conversion): +1k0 x School

Rank to initiative rolls, This tattoo is active at all
times, and does not prevent the use of other tattoos.

Cherry Blossum (Sakura) (Unofficial 1st Edition

Conversion): Unknown.something to do with honor.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg45

Source: Way of the Dragon pg45, 3rd Edition pg131

Bellflower (Unofficial 3rd Edition Conversion): While

active, you may substitute your VOID RING for any
other trait.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg45, 3rd Edition pg131

Butterfly
(Unofficial
1st
Edition
Conversion):
Unknownmaybe something to do with awareness.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg45

Crow: (Unofficial 3rd Edition Conversion): The Crow

tattoo was named for the faithful companion of
Shinsei. Once the crow had been a brightly colored
bird, but after it followed Shinsei into the
Shadowlands on the Day of Thunder it returned with
blackened feathers. The power of the crow tattoo
makes the monk completely immune to the
Shadowlands taint unless you willingly subject
yourself to it (example: using maho). The Lost and
any creature of the Shadowlands hates the crow, and
can sense a monk with the crow tattoo from a mile
away, and will prefer to attack monks with the tattoo.
This tattoo is active at all times, and does not
prevent the use of other tattoos.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg45, 3rd Edition pg131

Chrysanthenum (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion):

The Chrysanthemum tattoo was named for the
chrysanthemum, which was also known as the "sun
flower", the blessed blossom of Amaterasu (The Sun
Godess). The tattoo naturally heals a number of
wounds equal to your School Rank every hour while
the tattoo is exposed and in direct sunlight. You do
not heal naturally with rest as usual. Magical healing
cannot effect you when the sun is below the horizon.
This tattoo is active at all times, and does not
prevent the use of other tattoos.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg45

Monkey (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The

Monkey tattoo grants the monk the rapscallion
characteristics of the monkey, a creature often seen
as a cunning trickster. While active the monk gains a
number of unkept dice equal to their school rank for
any rolls like stealth, sleight of hand, jumping or
climbing (GMs discretion to what constitutes the
spirit of the monkey).
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Dragonfly (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The

Dragonfly tattoo emulates the abilities of the
dragonfly. When a monk draws upon the power of
this tattoo their reflexes are increased, + School
Rank to Reflexes to determine the monks TN to be
hit. The tattoo tends to make but the monk's muscles
tremble slightly due to the rapid movements they are
now capable of. It becomes very hard for a monk to
relax or concentrate. While the tattoo is active, the
monk cannot stand still and must attack or take a
free move action every round. (Similar to Bamboo
Tattoo)
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Eagle (Unofficial 3rd Edition Conversion):

the Hawk tattoo does now.

Did what

Source: 3rd Edition pg131

Moon full: (Unofficial 3 rd Edition Conversion): The Full

Moon tattoo grants the monk the ability to interfere
with the flow of chi in other people. After successfully
striking an opponent while this tattoo is active make
a contested Willpower roll. If successful the target
loses 1 Void Point.
Source: 3rd Edition pg131

Nightingale (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The

Nightingale tattoo was named for the nightingale,
which was the bird that brought Togashi the plum
blossom the day that he ended his fast. The tattoo
can miraculously heal the monk when activated.
Make a meditation skill roll as normal to trigger the
tattoo after regaining VOID POINTS. Spend all VOID
POINTS to heal all wounds suffered so far. The monk
cannot regain or spend VOID POINTS for 24hours.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Pine: (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The Pine

tattoo draws upon the power of the pine tree, a
symbol for longevity and stamina. The Monk gains a
number of wounds per wound rank equal to their
School Rank. This tattoo is active at all times, and
does not prevent the use of other tattoos.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Sun: (Unofficial 3rd Edition Conversion): The Sun

tattoo draws upon the blessings of the Sun, but only
during the day. At night the monk was completely
separated from the powers of this tattoo and cannot
activate it. When activated the Sun Tattoo grants a
number of Free Raises equal to your School Rank + 2
that may be used on any roll(s) made while the
tattoo remains active. The power of the sun is bright
and radiant, when activated the monk must keep it
active for a number of rounds equal to his School
rank x 2.
Source: 3rd Edition pg131

Falcon (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): Did what

the Mantis tattoo does now. (3rd Edition Conversion):
Honor is considered +1 and allows a second Test of
Honor per session. ***
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46, Masters of Magic
pg42

Unicorn (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The

Unicorn tattoo draws upon the power of the unicorn,
a symbol of swiftness and good fortune. The monk
who draws upon this tattoo will find himself blessed
by the fortunes with good luck. (Effect: Unknown: KiRin Tattoo grants rerolls already)
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Moon crescent: (Unofficial 1 Edition Conversion):

The Crescent moon tattoo allowed the monk to take
the form and substance of shadows. This does not
allow him to pass through objects such as doors, but
objects will pass through you. The tattoo could only
be activated in a place where there were possibilities
for shadows (i.e. a dimly lit room etc), and when
walking in a room the monk must stay close to walls
like a true shadow. The tattoo may remain active for
a number of hours equal to the monks VOID.

Wasp (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): 1 extra

simple action per round that can only be used to
move or attack. The simple action can be combined
with another simple action to make a complex attack
action.

Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

st

Tiger: (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The Tiger

tattoo draws upon one of the most fearsome
predators in Rokugan, the tiger. When drawing upon
this power the monk becomes unable to speak, only
communicates with furious roars and is unable to
hold anything in their hands as they had taken on the
appearance of claws. Create a FEAR effect equal to
your School Rank+1.

Vine (Unofficial 2nd Edition Conversion): The vine is

nature's most resilient plant, which quickly
overcomes any damage done to it and thriving in
even the most inhospitable environments. The vine's
power allows a tattooed monk to recover from
damage quickly, and even regrow limbs. Double the
monks natural rate of wound healing, regenerating
even lost limbs in the process. This tattoo is active at
all times, and does not prevent the use of other
tattoos.

Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Source: Secrets of the Dragon pg80

Tortoise: (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion) The

Tortoise tattoo draws on the wisdom of the Tortoise.
When using the power of this tattoo the monk selects
a Lore Skill and gains a number of ranks in it while
the tattoo remains active.

Bone (Unofficial 2nd Edition Conversion): The Bone

tattoo is an extremely rare and terrifying tattoo. This
tattoo is depicted as a pure white skeletal bone. Most
often, this was seen as a skeletal spine and ribcage,
a skull painted on their face, or in the most
disturbing cases, the entire body of the monk was
adorned with art of their own skeleton. This tattoo
granted a bizarre mastery of the undead, which could
be commanded by the Tattooed Monk. You may
attempt to take command of a number of simple
minded undead creatures equal to your willpower x
School Rank. The undead will follow simple
commands while the tattoo is active. You may also
attempt to take control of undead creatures with a
sense of self-preservation but this requires a
contested roll of the monks void against the targets
Shadowlands Taint. The monk may only command
one such creature in this manner.

Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Whitemask (Unofficial 1st Edition Conversion): The

White mask tattoo appeared as a laughing Porcelain
Mask upon the monk. The tattoo grants the monk the
ability to hide his thoughts from even magic scrying.
His thoughts and emotions cannot be read, and as
such he appeared to be emotionless and cold to
others. This tattoo is active at all times, and does not
prevent the use of other tattoos.
Source: Way of the Dragon pg46

Source: Secrets of the Dragon pg80

Rising Sun Tattoo (Unofficial 2 Edition Conversion):
The Rising Sun Tattoo creates a brilliant burst of
sunlight erupted from the tattoo, which is loathed
and feared by the minions of Fu Leng. All tained
creatures within 20 x School Rank must make a
Reflexes roll (TN = Monks School Rank x 10) or be
blinded for 2k2 rounds. Furthermore Tainted
Creatures within the affected area must make an
Earth roll (TN = Monks Void x 5) or be Stunned for
one Round. The Sun Tattoo can only be used once per
day and only during daylight hours.
nd

Source: Secrets of the Dragon pg79

Air Dragon Tattoo

Earth Dragon Tattoo
Water Dragon Tattoo
Fire Dragon Tattoo
Void Dragon Tattoo
Thunder Dragon Tattoo
Celestial Dragon Tattoo
Shadow Dragon Tattoo

Panther Tattoo (Unofficial 2nd Edition Conversion): The

Panther tattoo shares the animal's uncanny knack for
stealth and silence with the monk. The monk gains a
number of unkept dice for stealth rolls equal to their
School Rank while the Tattoo is active. The monk also
does not loose honor for using the stealth skill.
Source: Secrets of the Dragon pg80

Jade Dragon Tattoo

Obsidian Dragon
Cricket
Dove
Hare
Hummingbird
Inro
Lizard
Naga
Night Sky
Orochi
Scarab
Snake

Snow Crane Tattoo

Bee

Storm

Avalanche : Bonus to strength and maybe water.

Torii

Tsunami

Viper

Hurricane: Masters of Magic pg43

Wave

Moth: : Masters of Magic pg43

White Dragon

Carp

Owl
Shark
Salamander