A Tale of Ten Thousand Leaves

Enter a mythic vision of feudal Japan, evoking classic tales of honor and sacrifice, and inspired by a specific samurai role-playing game from the late 90s. A Tale of Ten Thousand Leaves pays homage to those roots but stands apart through its nuances.

As a Samurai, you will navigate the delicate tension between personal ambition and collective duty. Your internal struggles are reflected in the dual-sided traits called the Seven Heavenly Virtues, which drive your character’s choices.

The dice system is designed to reward tactical restraint, ethical complexity, and memorable storytelling. Players are encouraged to challenge themselves for greater rewards, but achieving beyond necessity carries unexpected consequences. The system simulates the unpredictability of life and the moral dilemmas faced by a Samurai.

Honor is your currency, gained through noble deeds and spent to accomplish the impossible, or conceal dishonor. Cling too tightly, and arrogance follows; lose it all, and your Samurai risks spiritual ruin.

Suffering is power, yet it comes at a heavy price. As your character endures hardship, they grow stronger but push too far, and they must decide: retreat peacefully from worldly bonds, or meet their end with glorious purpose.

Oaths define your character’s narrative, driving your character’s story and progression. Honoring them elevates your legend, but betrayal risks dishonor, adding meaningful consequences to every choice.

There is no predefined setting, allowing you to adapt these rules to your favorite samurai-themed worlds. 

Download it. Read it. Swear your oath.

Then suffer with honor.

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Designer Note: The PDF is 101 pages long and in full color. I set the Suggested Donation Amount at $0.0005 per word, rounded to the nearest dollar.

AI Use: No generative AI was used in this project.