Religious Vows
Shinjosentinel's post about the Asahina got me wondering, once again, about what sort of religious vows exist in Rokugan. I know of the kitsune (and shape-changer) taboos, but it seems that the other monastic and shugenja orders would also have some sort of vows to help reflect their differing natures. Upholding ones vow in trying times would obviously qualify for the "Fulfilling a promised despite great personal cost" Honor gain, while violating the vow could be treated as "Enduring insult to your ancestors*." *or some other suitable loss for betraying a sacred trust, as there is no specific honor loss for breaking a vow. KUNI ASAHINA TAMORI KITSU MOSHI YORITOMO ISAWA AGASHA SHIBA SOSHI SOSHURO YOGO IUCHI IDE HORIUCHI SEPPUN KITSUNE KOMORI

My basic thought for the Asahina is that they would need to take a vow of non-violence. Any violent act would cause the Asahina to lose honor for Instigating Unwarranted Violence (unless the asahina knows the target to be tainted, in which case the violence is warranted) Several other shugenja families would have similar vows. At the very least, the Iuchi and Kitsu would lose honor for Instigating Unwarranted Violence whenever they used magic to directly harm another. The Horiuchi might have a vow to never harm an orphan nor leave an orphan without someone to care for it. Does anyone have other thoughts, or ways to clean these vows up so that they mesh into the Honor Table seamlessly?

Well the Kuni would have no end of vows about not embracing the taint... The seppun would have vows to defend the emperor and the empire The soshi and yogo would include vows of loyalty to the scorpion and empire. Also consider the Kuroiban and Asako inquisitors

Personally, I think these oaths are a good idea, but exceptions to the rule should be applicable as well. For instance, if an Asahina Shugenja has joined the secret Sohei group for the benefit of Crane, I am not sure I would apply as many honor hits (or at least offset the honor losses with some honor gains). Likewise, I remember reading that the Kuroiban tend tell their operatives to kill any who possess the knowledge of their group's existence. However, the Kuroiban as a group has made exceptions, when the ally is too useful or powerful to take down.

Kitsu: 1. Always venerate the Ancestors. 2. Family, Clan , and Imperial Ancestors always are accorded greater respect and veneration than any other spirit or ancestor. 3. Always aide a lost Ancestor or Spirit find it's right place in the Celestial Order. (Bascially helping hauntings and wandering spirits find peace) 4. Maintain all Ancestral Shrines. (Not personally, but as an order, always take care of Temples to Ancestors. Could also mean stopping and cleaning any small shrines they find along the road).

Originally, I thought that there should be some mechanical effect for vow, like the Asahina vow of passifism. Then I considered the Scorpion's vow to the First Hantei and realised that a mechanical component to a vow would throw the system into chaos. Vows should be some added flavor to a character, like an Ise Zumi that takes a vow of silence.

I still want to make a Vow list similar to taboos that shugenja must take X points of and if they violate them they cannot cast spells until they rectify their lack of piety.

Asahina Shugenja claim to be pafcists, and their vows should reflect that. However, use on shadowland creatures is the exception from this rule, as it states a hate for shadowlands in the asahina shugenja 3rd ed profile. Should a Asahina join Sohei, they needn't keep these vows but a new set instead.

As much as I like this idea (heck I'm the one who made the OP), I think that coming up with point costs will be a very difficult operation. Remember, when an Animal Spirit breaks a taboo they lose their spirit powers and must revert back to animal form (which may cause them to violate aditional taboos). Also, it would be nice to come up with a way to link vows up to consequences other than 'loss of all magic.' Cast Out, seems like a reasonable consequence for breaking vows. So do many of the curses of the fortunes. These have nothing to do with losing the ability to communicate with the Kami.

I thought the point of these vows was honour loss?

Another taboo that the Asahina hold are that they are expressly forbidden to ever, ever, ever create magical weapons of war. I can't remember if this came into being because of Yajinden or if Yajinden was already breaking an ages old vow when he created his infamous swords.

Thus asahina cannot cast biting steel or immortal steel.

I would think the effect of breaking the taboo would depend on where it came from. If it a social taboo- You're a pacifist/vegatarian/teatotaler because that is what your Clan expects of you, then the effects would be social- Honor hit. If the taboos are made with the kami, to show devotion, to seal a comact, because they are bored, if the taboo is broken the effects would be magical- anything from no spells to Rank reduction to Ugly boils on uncomfortable parts of you. So, going against my better judgment I'd say either choose one way it works for all Shugenja/Monks or put a modifier on any taboo, like with advantages. Social/Spiritual.