What is FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE?

Long before the founding of the Empire, the mysterious founders of the Clans, the Seven Thunders, used the most powerful magic ever cast in Rokugan to banish the elemental master of Evil, Fu Leng, from the mortal plane of existence. The spells used in that effort were enscribed on twelve Black Scrolls which in turn were hidden across the Empire and the Shadowlands, lest their immense power be misused and the mystical barriers contraining Fu Leng be broken. Yugo Junzo who once served the Scorpion Clan as a guardian of one of the Black Scrolls has broken the seals on the Scroll he controls and the omens fortold in the Prophesies of Uikku have begun to manifest. Even to the Shugenja of the Empire, there is some knowledge that should have remained forever undiscovered...

The FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE expansion set to Legend of the Five Rings is the third chapter in the Saga of Rokugan. In the Imperial Edition, the story of the fall of the Hantei Dynasty was told. The great war between the Clans began, and the security of the Empire itself was compromised by the actions of the Crab Clan. In SHADOWLANDS, the forces of evil long held in check by the Crab Clan have poured over the Imperial Borders and now threaten the heartland of Rokugan directly.

The Phoenix Clan Elemental Masters have felt the disturbances in the magical weave which surrounds Rokugan and they know that something terrible has happened. In SHADOWLANDS, they dispatched one of their own, Isawa Tadaka to seek out the horrid undead shugenja, Yugo Junzo and discover what vile enchantments he controls. Isawa learned much in his journey, but the powers he has gained have corrupted him and he is now tainted.

The Clan continues to research the new spells recovered by Tadaka, and they have now mastered the most powerful magic possible - the Ritual. Ritual spells combine the power of multiple shugenja to contain mystic energies that would easily destroy any single shugenja.

Thwarting the intrigues of Bayushi Kachiko, the Crane Clan Iaijutsu Master, Kakita Toshimoko has travelled to the Plains of Otosan Uchi and has won the Test of the Emerald Champion. Now wearing the Emerald Armor of Rokugan, Toshimoko stands as the last hope for justice in the war torn Empire!

The Plains of Otosan Uchi and a dozen other locations have become Regions - new types of cards that define the Provinces are now a part of the basic game. There are Regions associated with the various Clans, as well as famous locations like Beiden Pass!

Those who study the Tao of Shinze and who follow the Way of the Rings will be delighted with several new cards, including Elemental Items which gain benefits for each Ring that you master. Also, Monks become indespensible to Five Rings decks with their enhanced abilities to assist with achieving an Enlightenment Victory.

Fearsome Oni have invaded the Empire, each empowered by the Five Elements. While they manifest terrible powers unlike any seen before, those who have mastered the Way of the appropriate Ring can negate their abilities at will!

The Scorpion Clan have regained their Clan Champion. Bayushi Shoju is of course, dead, having been executed by the Emerald Champion after the failed Scorpion coup. Being mostly dead all game has its drawbacks, not the least of which is a constraint against entering play in the normal fashion. When Shoju appears in a Province, he is immediately placed in the discard pile as Dishonorable Dead. Only through the use of a mysterious Black Scroll Ritual, Return of the Fallen Lord, can Shoju return to the game. Lady Kachiko, however, is not thrilled with the prospect of an undead husband and challenge to her power...

There are new personalities for all the Clans, lots of new actions (including a series of interlocking Shouts based directly on Mushashi's teachings in the Book of Five Rings!), and a half dozen experienced Personalities (including the return of the Super Bad-Ass Ronin, Dairya!)

These events and personalities plus many more surprises are explored in the FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE Expansion. FORBIDDEN KNOWELDGE features 150 new cards.

Who designed it?

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE was designed by the L5R Design Team at AEG and Five Rings Publishing Group.

The Lead Designer is David Williams. The Art Director for the L5R project is Matthew D. Wilson. Editorial assistance was provided by D.J. Trindle. Game mechanics, background materials and storyline development was undertaken by John Wick, Matt Staroscik, John Zinser and Ryan S. Dancey.

Other members of the L5R project include: Dave Seay, The Redoubtable Intern Jen, Rob Vaux and Wayne Wallace.

Digital Rendering was provided by Ron Franco & Dragonlight Designs.

Card artwork was provided by: Rob Alexander, Eric Anderson, Julie Baroh, Tom Biondolillo, David Bollt, Heather Bruton, Matt Busch, John Cadice, Ernie Chan, Kevin Daily, Stacy Drum, Randy Elliott, Richard Emond, Sandra Everingham, Steve Firchow, Stacy Fitz, Carl Frank, Dan Fraizer, Randy Gallegos, Pete Garcia, Daniel Gelon, Anthony Grabski, Bonnie Hill, Bob Hobbs, Quinton Hoover, Mike Kimble, KC Lancaster, April Lee, Nicola Leonard, Anson Maddocks, Craig Maher, Brad McDevitt, Ken Meyer, Steve Morales, Jesper Myrfors, William O'Connor, Margaret Organ-Keen, Ben Peck, Mark Poole, Mike Raabe, Chris Rush, Pamela Shanteau, Alissa Shipley, Doug Shuler, Cline Siegenthaler, Ellym Sirac, Brian Snoddy, Ron Spencer, Mark Tedin, David Trowbridge, Susan Van Camp, Diana Vick, Bryon Wackwitz, Christina Wald, Kevin Ward, Matthew D. Wilson and Robin Wood.

Who manufactures it?

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE is printed under the aegis of Five Rings Publishing Group, Inc.

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE, and all L5R Cards are printed, cut, sorted and packed by Yaquinto Printing Co. of Dallas Texas. FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE and all L5R expansions and basic sets are proudly Made in the USA!

How many displays do I have to buy to get a complete set?

There are 50 rare cards in the FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE set. A Booster Display has 46 packs, and on average, there is one rare card per booster pack. Thus, you'll have to buy slightly more than one full display of FK to have a chance to buy all the cards. After two displays you should have all the commons and uncommons.

Where can I get it?

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE is being stocked by the majority of hobby game distributors. That means that almost every hobby retailer in North America can easily order it. Many will have preordered, and will be getting their first shipments soon.

If your local store did not preorder - DON'T PANIC!

Unlike many CCGs, L5R is never printed to order. We've been continuously restocking the distributors since the product shipped. Your store can order from their distributor and be nearly assured of being able to get as many cards as they wish.

Outside North America supply will be much more spotty. We have shipped to the major European distributors, but with the exception of Ludis International in France, none ordered large quantities. We do ship to all the overseas distributors to order, so if you are located outside North America, just ask your local store to order some cards, and you should be able to get them without too much difficulty.

Remember, if your local store doesn't carry L5R they never will unless YOU ask them politely to stock it. It usually helps to ask the store owner directly. Most stores will be helpful once they know there is customer interest in a CCG, but it sometimes takes several inquiries to get the first order placed. Please be persistent!

How long will it be on sale?

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE will be a limited edition. It will never be reprinted, and no cards with the FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE border will be reprinted.

These factors have combined to generate intense interest in FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE. With all the excitement, plus the explosion in L5R sales we're seeing nationally, we expect the expansion to be a brisk seller, and for supplies to be depleted quickly.

If you are told that the product is "sold out" or "printed to order" please ask for the information to be double checked. We will post a message on the Web Site when the expansion is completely sold out, and until you see that announcement, we will be filling restock orders and new orders!

FORBIDDEN KNOWLEDGE Erratta?

Is the Ancestral Sword of the Hantei supposed to be a weapon?
No! The Hantel Ancestral Sword is a ceremonial item. Nobody but the Emporer would have the gall to actually wield the thing in battle.

Should Return of the Fallen Lord be a Ritual?
Yes.