Although no mention of Matsu Gohei is made in either the L5R RPG Core Rule Book or the Way of the Lion sourcebook, Gohei is not entirely absent from the Legend of the Five Rings RPG. He is an important character in the Legacy of the Forge adventure pack, where he fights alongside the player characters in a battle and where his stats as an NPC are given for the first time. The following is a synopsis of the storyline and Gohei's cameo appearance in it. The story takes place before the Scorpion Clan Coup, back when Akodo Toturi was still Lion Clan Champion. Ironically, the book is written by Patrick Kapera, the very same writer that is responsible for Gohei's death in the LBS storyline. General Setting of Legacy of the Forge   "The Lion and the Crane, two of the most powerful clans in the Empire. One rich with gold and cunning, the other powerful with bravery and battle-strength. Their feud has spanned centuries, fueling epic poems and legendary battles. Today, the war begins again.   "Toshi Ranbo, ancient palace of the Lion, was captured three years ago by the Crane. The Lion Champion, Akodo Arasou, met his death within its grey stone walls. Now the Lion return to avenge him and retake the massive keep. Suddenly, among the teeming samurai on the battlefield, spectres of long dead heroes arise, lifting their swords in defiance and anguish. Have the souls of the dead broken free of Jigoku's chains to fight one more desperate battle, or has some treachery commanded them to interfere?" Immediate Setting of Gohei's Appearance   Arriving at a ruined outpost on the Plains of Battle, the player characters scarcely have time to locate the scroll necessary to undo the damage done to the Celestial Order by a Scorpion agent and a Kitsu traitor before they are attacked by a regiment of Crane troops led by Doji Masihine. Outnumbered two to one with no hope of negotiation, the players are faced with certain death as they are engaged by the Crane soldiers.   "The battle at the outpost has continued for almost an hour when a cloud upon the horizon signals the arrival of new forces. The sashimono among them – unclear until they are nearly upon you – is golden with brilliant yellow-red lacing. They are Lion! And spearheading their charge is the famed Matsu Gohei, his defiant call to arms cleaving a path before him as the mythical blade of Akodo himself.   "Unperturbed, the Crane push forward once again, the spirits of Toshigoku guiding their offensive.   "Gohei commands the remainder of a daibutai (currently 60 samurai), all of which are cavalry. From here, the battle continues as in the last Scene, until one force or the other prevails.   "When the fighting is over, the characters have a chance to resume their quest. Gohei can offer Shiro no Yojin as the perfect opportunity [to fulfill one of the requirements for invoking the ritual]. He has been recalled there with his forces by Akodo Toturi, who is sure that the castle will be the focus of the next major Crane border offensive. Shiro no Yojin is the closest fortress to the characters' position, and is one of the likeliest targets along the western Lion-Crane border."   At this point the Act ends and the characters proceed to the next and final Act in the adventure without any further assistance from Matsu Gohei. Other prominent L5R personalities who make appearances in Legacy of the Forge include Akodo Arasou, Matsu Tsuko, and Diadoji Uji.

MATSU GOHEI       EARTH: 5       WATER: 4               Strength 6       FIRE: 4               Agility 6       AIR: 4       VOID: 3       Skills: Archery 3, Athletics 4, Bard 4, Battle 4, Hand-to-Hand 4, Heraldry 3, History 3, Horsemanship 3, Iaijutsu 3, Intimidation 4, Kenjutsu 5, Lance 3, Leadership 3, Lore: Ancestors 2, Lore: Bushido 4, Lore: Military Tactics 3, Oratory 3, Shintao 3       Honor: 3.9       Glory: 6.3       School: Matsu Rank 5       Advantages: Daredevil, Irreproachable       Disadvantages: Bad Reputation (Bragging), Brash, Proud       Weapon: Katana 3k2       Armor: Heavy       Background: See Clan War: The Clans, page 34 or the Lion Clan Expansion, page 36

E-mail: gohei@lowfierce.com