Shugenja

Shugenjas are divine spellcasters from Rokugan who cast spells by attuning themselves to the elements around them and focusing the power of the elements through their bodies to produce magical effects. Like samurai, they are members of Rokugan’s noble class, though they are not as bound by honor and the code of bushido as their warrior counterparts.

Adventurers
Shugenjas often adventure to increase their magical knowledge and personal power. They are particularly drawn to investigate disturbances in the natural harmony of the elements—particularly incursions of the Shadowlands or the activities of maho-tsukai within the Empire. Some shugenjas dedicate their lives to fighting the taint of maho (blood magic), while others crave the power that maho bestows. Still others are drawn to plumb the depths of magic for magic’s own sake, hoping eventually to learn the mysteries of Void, the “fifth element” that binds the others together.

Characteristics
Shugenjas are much more than spellslinging sorcerers. They are the foundation of Rokugan’s religion—priests who teach the rituals of piety, keep the names of the Fortunes, and even measure the passage of time. They study for years to learn even the fundamental elements of their magical practice, and are the most literate class of people in Rokugan. A shugenja’s spells are written on ofudas (nonmagical prayer scrolls) that the shugenja carries with her, serving as a divine focus for casting the spell.

Alignment
While many shugenjas attempt to follow the standards of honor and loyalty, and thus adhere to a lawful alignment, not all shugenjas live up to those standards. There are no alignment restrictions on shugenjas.

Background
Shugenjas are members of Rokugan’s noble class. They learn the practice of magic in schools attached to each clan, like their samurai kin. The shugenja schools of Rokugan include the Kuni school of the Crab clan, the Asahina school of the Crane clan, the Tamori school of the Dragon clan, the Kitsu school of the Lion clan, the Agasha and Isawa schools of the Phoenix clan, the Soshi and Yogo schools of the Scorpion clan, and the Iuchi school of the Unicorn clan.

Races
Almost without exception, all shugenjas are humans from the major clans, though of course other races are occasionally counted among their number.