Phoenix Schools

The Henshin are found throughout the Asako lands at nearly every shrine and temple. They are a unique monastic order, and have their own extremely closely held secrets. Because of this, the henshin cannot simply train at assorted temples, like the Brotherhood does. The Asako have their own school within Kyuden Asako (Formerly Shiro Asako; Morning Glory Castle for simplicity) that train those chosen to learn their mysteries.

Schools Taught: Asako Henshin
Social Advantage: Students trained in the Henshin Academy are unusually in tune with the Celestial Order. They may make a free raise on any roll that involves the kami, the Fortunes, or anything else in the realm of the supernatural.
Training Advantage: None.

In addition to the Henshin, the monks for which the Asako are infmaous throughout Rokugan, the family is also host to the only political schools in Phoenix lands. The Asako Courtiers are the only trained courtiers in the Phoenix. The Shiba and Isawa are cultured enough to pass, especially when the Crab and Unicorn are present, but the specially-trained Asako are generally better suited for delicate situations. And while the Asako Courtiers are at times a rarity, the other Asako school -- the Asako Inquisitors -- are known and feared throughout Rokugan. Along with the Kuni Witch Hunters, the Asako Inquisitors have relatively free reign throughout the Empire in their quest to rid Rokugan of all traces of evil. Both of these schools train in the Dojo of the Light Flame, within Kyuden Asako.

Schools Taught: Asako Courtier, Asako Inquisitor
Social Advantage: Students of the Dojo of the Light Flame are trained to handle themselves exceptionally well in difficult social situations. These students receive a free raise on any contested non-physical roll.
Training Advantage: None.

In the northern Isawa Woodlands, the School of Air is located, among the swaying trees and blissfully quiet terrain. Unlike the near-constant howling of the wind around the Temple of Air near Kyuden Isawa, the ancient Masters who laid out this school chose a more serene setting for their instruction, probably so they could ensure their students would have no excuses for not hearing their teachings.

Schools Taught: Air Tensai
Social Advantage: All students from the School of Air receive a free raise on any Awareness roll.
Training Advantage: None.

Deep beneath Kyuden Isawa are an extensive series of caverns that are the School of Earth. The Masters of Earth have taught in these caverns as long as there have been Masters. The School was established by Isawa Ouno, brother of Isawa and the first Master of Earth, and has been the training ground for the Earth Tensai ever since.

Schools Taught: Earth Tensai
Social Advantage: None.
Training Advantage: The student of the School of Earth has become imbued with the essence of the element. While wounded, the Tensai may make a Willpower check, TN 20, to reduce the effects of his wound rank by one level for the next round. Each successful Raise reduces the effects by one additional wound level.

High on the slopes of Sleeping Thunder Mountain lies the School of Fire, a large stone building actually resting on a vent in the side of the volcano. Here, among the occasioanl rumbling of the dormant mountain, the Master of Fire trains his Tensai.

Schools Taught: Fire Tensai
Social Advantage: The Masters of Fire are seen throughout the Empire as violent, often monstrous people, and with examples like Isawa (Kitsu) Taiko, Isawa Tsuke and often even mistakenly Isawa Asahina, it is very easy to see why. Students of the School of Fire receive a free raise on any Intimidation roll.
Training Advantage: None.

In the western phoenix lands lie Firebird Falls and the Shrine of Uikku, two of the most sacred places in Phoenix territory. Atop the Falls sits the School of Water. This school is actually firmly in the Asako lands, and unlike the School of Fire on Sleeping Thunder, Firebird Falls is a location that the Asako treasure. From the School of Water, one can walk to Shiro Gisu, an Asako palace built at the bottom of the Falls, and vice-versa. Fortunately, the students of Water are a relatively peaceful lot, and the inter-family rivalry rarely comes to a head here.

Schools Taught: Water Tensai
Social Advantage: Students of the School of Water often practice diplomacy with their Asako neighbors as much as they do their magical studies. Because of this, they receive a free raise on any Diplomacy roll.
Training Advantage: Likewise, the students also receive a free rank in Diplomacy.