Space exploration only became possible through the efforts of the Phoenix Clan, as they’re happy to remind the other clans at every possible opportunity. They not only pioneered Opening the Way, the spell that allows faster-than-light travel, but also discovered radiant energy and many other forms of technology which combine esoteric knowledge with mundane aspects. While Phoenix Clan samurai are not the richest or the most numerous, their equipment is quite often the best, and this gives them an edge in many confrontations. The curiosity of the Phoenix has led them to many strange planets, and they are heavily involved in other Clans’ efforts to sanctify new worlds and study new life forms.
True to their nature, the Phoenix try to approach both alien animals and the far rarer sentient beings as peacefully as possible, assisted by the extensive use of magic. When peace fails, the Shiba step in with their small but powerful fleet and army, able to use radiant energy as a hammer or a scalpel depending on the need. The clan’s largest dreadnought, the Katana-class Tsukune, is rumored to have superior firepower to any other save perhaps the Emerald Champion’s own Emerald Blade, although the Tsukune has rarely been deployed. The Phoenix seem content with exploring the galaxy and further advancing their technological and magical prowess – as long as the other clans remember to acknowledge who got them there in the first place.
The Phoenix Clan does not control many systems, having a lower population than any other Great Clan (even the Dragon), so they instead focus on a select few worlds of great potential. The largest concentration of their forces can be found in the Tadaka system, where they have built numerous orbital stations to monitor the various planets located their. Their seat is Ujimitsu, a magnificent capital world renowned for its many beautiful natural and magical phenomena, such as mountain ranges made entirely of jade or crystal and geysers of water reaching seemingly impossible heights. The only other system the Phoenix own is called Aikune, a relatively young system. Its five solid planets are all in their infancy, most of them still being shaped by the raw Elements. Unsurprisingly, this has caught the attention of the Agasha family, who have based all of their holdings on stations and ships within Aikune as they delve further and further into the science of terraforming, hoping to one day unlock its secrets.
Families: Agasha, Asako, Isawa, Shiba
Naval Philosophy: The Phoenix have the smallest fleet among
any Great Clan – even smaller than the Dragon – but they have one advantage their erstwhile neighbors do
not: they are by far the most technologically advanced clan, a fact reflected by their starships. Phoenix
ships have better engines, better shields, better everything than other clans, and the abilities of the
Isawa Chief Engineers see to it that they travel faster and more accurately in warp travel than anyone else.
The Phoenix may not win stellar wars on their own, but no one wants to face a Phoenix craft in one-on-one
space combat.
Ship Bonus: May use the Overcharge action twice per day
instead of once.
New Family: Kaito
Kaito Family Bonus: +1 Reflexes
In the early 14th century, the scattered Yobanjin tribes united to launch an attack on the Phoenix,
decimating their northern lands with their powerful wyrm riders and strange gaijin magics. They might’ve
threatened the entire empire were it not for the defection of one of their own: Princess Kaito, the leader
of the Sting Tribe, betrayed them to side with Rokugan. Her efforts helped turn the tide, and as she was now
exiled from her people, the Phoenix petitioned for her tribe to join the clan of Isawa as the new Kaito
family. The Kaito quickly became the protectors of the many far-flung Phoenix shrines, blending their
magical archery abilities with the Rokugani cosmology to create an entirely new order of monks.