How It Works

Object of the Game
Each Clan is trying to seize the throne and rule Rokugan. To do so, the Clans must achieve dominance in five Spheres of power: Military, Economy, Politics, Knowledge, and Spirit. During the course of the megagame, the clans accumulate points in each Sphere, and are ranked in the Sphere based on point totals compared to other clans. The Clan at the end with the best combined rankings (adding all five Spheres together for each Clan) will take the throne at the end of The Samurai Championships.

Participating Clans
Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Spider, and Unicorn.

The Prize of Power
At the end of the megagame (marked by the Samurai Championships), there will be a story prize for the top ranked Clan in each Sphere, regardless of overall winner. The prize for each sphere, the dominating clan will place a member in a major court position, as follows:

• Military: Shogun
• Economy: Imperial Treasurer
• Politics: Imperial Chancellor
• Knowledge: Imperial Advisor
• Spirit: Voice of the Emperor
• Highest ranking total in all Spheres combined: Emperor

Note: A tie will be broken by which tied Clan has the highest points in individual Spheres, in this order:

• Military
• Spirit
• Politics
• Knowledge
• Economy

So, if two Clans are tied for the Imperial Advisor position, we will first look at their Military points. If they are still tied, then we look at Spirit, and on down the line. Should the overall winner be a tie, we will also break using this same order of priority.

Sections of the Race
The race begins in January 2007. There will be seven legs of the race. At the end of each leg we will calculate to see who is leading in each category. There will be prizes for each leg’s best Clan in the different Spheres.

It is important to win the legs because the top Clan in each Sphere of a given leg will receive a point bonus during the next leg in that Sphere.

If a Clan is dominant in at least three Spheres at the end of any given leg, they will put a Clan member up as the leading contender for the throne, giving them a large advantage over other Clans not currently in power. The actual Emperor will be decided at the Samurai Championships. If a Clan has the leading contender (3 Spheres or better) at the end of a leg they will gain an additional point bonus for all spheres during the next leg.

1st Leg Preseason: Kotei 2007, March - May
2nd Leg: June 1, 2007 - September 30, 2007
3rd Leg: October 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007
4th Leg: January 1, 2008 - March 31, 2008
5th Leg: April 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008
6th Leg: July 1, 2008 - Just before Samurai Championships
7th (and final) Leg: Samurai Championships, featuring a major point prize for competitions in all five Spheres

Story Prizes for Winning Legs
Along with the bonus mentioned above, during each leg there will be a prize for top of Sphere during that leg - and a penalty for being at the bottom! Sometimes, the two will be tied together and sometimes they will be separate.

Temptations
Any time a Clan either tops a specific Sphere two or more legs in a row or tops two or more Spheres in a single leg, members of the Imperial Assembly registered to that Clan will have a chance to accept or refuse a temptation by popular vote from those registered to that Clan. An example of such could be a box of boosters sent to all members of the Clan, or special promo cards which only registered members of that Clan will receive. Whatever form it takes, the price for accepting is always the same: the Clan will only receive half the points in its top-ranked Sphere during the next leg, and loses any additional bonuses in other Spheres for that leg.

For example, if Crane top Politics and Military in the 3rd leg, they could receive an offer for a special alternative art card for every Crane Assembly member. If they do not accept, then all points they win in Military and Politics during the 4th leg will gain the point bonus. If they take the temptation, then they get no bonuses, and all points in their best Sphere during the 4th leg are cut in half.

Gaining Points In Each Leg
In each Sphere there will be pre-scheduled events or contests where players will gain points for their Clan in that Sphere for winning. There are also some methods of earning points that do not adhere to a specific schedule and that players may be involved in or organize at any time.

Ways to earn points in each Sphere:

Military
Your victories at CCG events translate to victory for your Clan on the field of battle in Rokugan.

Scheduled Major Events. These will be on the schedule on the AEG web site. These events include Kotei, Gencon Indy, European Championships, Jewel Championships, etc.

Economy
Your use of Koku will help your Clan dominate the markets and trade routes of Rokugan.

Scheduled Events. These will include: Koku Auctions, Largest Kotei, Best Samurai Fund Promotion, Store Makeover Contest, etc.

Koku Redemption. Points will be earned during each leg for koku sent and redeemed at the AEG offices. All koku sent to the AEG offices after January 1 can be pledged to a specific Clan. Points will be awarded to the Clan that sends in the largest total amount of koku and for the single largest koku purchase. Keep an eye on the AEG site for special Race for the Throne koku offers.

Politics
How you present yourself in words, attire, and character will sway the courts of Rokugan in your Clan’s favor.

Scheduled Events. These will include: Winter Court, Secret Votes, Best Kotei Vote, L5R Attire Contests, Clan Courts, Fan Site Contests, etc.

Court Intrigue. Players will have the ability to earn regular points through RPG events and through long-term in-game loyalty to a specific Clan.

Knowledge
Your knowledge of the traditions, lore, and history of L5R will give your Clan control over secrets, spells, and other information in Rokugan.

Scheduled Events. These will include a L5R Scavenger Hunt, L5R Biggest Fan Contest, Fan Fiction Contest, Hidden questions on the web, etc.

Walking the Way. Points will be earned for each leg through regular trivia quizzes and Imperial Assembly contests.

Spirit
Your generosity and sportsmanship will win the hearts and minds of the people of Rokugan.

Scheduled Events. These will include Charity Events, Food Drives, Challenge Booths, and more.

Imperial Gift. Players and Clans will be able to gain points in the Spirit Sphere for food and charitable donations made in the name of their Clan and verified by the charity receiving the donation.

Winning the Legs and Accumulating Points
At the end of each leg the Clans will be ranked in each sphere from first to last and gain points in the overall race as follows.

First	10 points
Second	9 points
Third	8 points
Fourth	7 points
Fifth	6 points
Sixth	5 points
Seventh	4 points
Eighth	3 points
Ninth (Last)	1 points

Clarification
If there is a tie for a Sphere during a Leg, it will be handled as in the following example:

Lion wins the Military Sphere and earns 10 points.
Three Clans tie for 2nd place. The total points possible for the next three places are 24 (9+8+7), those 24 points are divided equally among the tied Clans, giving each 8 points.
The next Clan below that tie would earn 6 points, being the 5th Clan down the line.

If a division of points would leave a remainder, such as 27 points divided between 6 Clans, the remaining points, in this case 3, are not awarded. Each of those 6 Clans would earn 4 points.

Samurai Championships 7th Leg
The Samurai Championships count as leg unto themselves with bonus points in the overall race being available in all the spheres.

Bonus Points
If your Clan wins a sphere in a leg they will gain 4 bonus points in that sphere to start the next leg unless they accept a Temptation.

If your Clan accepts a Temptation they will not gain the bonus points in the spheres they won, and their points in the highest-ranking sphere will be halved at the end of the next leg.