Making a Difference: Mass Battle for small Groups
Armies In Conflict
A battle occurs when two or more armies meet on the field to contest over one or more goals.
To prepare for a mass battle, the GM must first describe each Army in the contest by its Composition, Size, and Morale. Then the GM must determine each army's goals in the battle.
Clan and Composition
Each army has a Clan or Realm affiliation which provides information about how it is described – the color of the armor and banners, the ordering of the soldiers, their equipment and tools.
This description is not mechanically relevant but helps to shape the narrative of the battle.
Size
The size of an army is relative to the era. In some eras a group of a thousand samurai is a mighty force; in others it represents a splinter of an army which broke apart before an even larger force. The size of an army is compared with the size of the opposing force to determine how much Advantage the army (and specifically the Player Characters) must achieve to achieve its goals.
In 5th Edition L5R, Size corresponds to the Army's relative Strength.
A battle occurs when two or more armies meet on the field to contest over one or more goals.
To prepare for a mass battle, the GM must first describe each Army in the contest by its Composition, Size, and Morale. Then the GM must determine each army's goals in the battle.
Clan and Composition
Each army has a Clan or Realm affiliation which provides information about how it is described – the color of the armor and banners, the ordering of the soldiers, their equipment and tools.
This description is not mechanically relevant but helps to shape the narrative of the battle.
Size
The size of an army is relative to the era. In some eras a group of a thousand samurai is a mighty force; in others it represents a splinter of an army which broke apart before an even larger force. The size of an army is compared with the size of the opposing force to determine how much Advantage the army (and specifically the Player Characters) must achieve to achieve its goals.
In 5th Edition L5R, Size corresponds to the Army's relative Strength.
Rank |
Relative Size |
Strength |
1 |
Insignificant: The force is too small to be a serious threat on the field. A skilled general and heroes may be able to win a few battles with such a group but it simply cannot expect to survive an extended campaign |
1-20 |
2 |
Weak: The force is large enough in the era to count as an army but not a powerful one. If ensconced behind a fortification with supplies, a force of this size can stand off a larger foe for quite some time. |
21-40 |
3 |
Average: The force is what samurai in the era would call an army. |
41-60 |
4 |
Strong: The force is recognized as being larger, better organized, and better trained than its contemporaries. The Lion and Crab Armies are generally the mighty armies of the era. |
61-80 |
5 |
Overwhelming: The force is so powerful it is nearly impossible to overcome. Even a poor general can do well with such an army, although maintaining it in the field may prove difficult without extraordinary measures. |
81-100 |
Morale
Size matters when it comes to armies, but so too does logistical support, training, and fighting spirit. Morale is a mechanical measure of these intangible things.
Each battle turn, an army loses 2 Morale. When either army reaches 0 Morale, the battle ends and the army with Morale remaining converts that Morale into Advantage.
In 5th Edition L5R, Morale corresponds to the Army's relative Discipline.
In a set-piece battle (one which takes place during an adventure not focused in a military campaign), an army’s Morale is set as follows:
Size matters when it comes to armies, but so too does logistical support, training, and fighting spirit. Morale is a mechanical measure of these intangible things.
Each battle turn, an army loses 2 Morale. When either army reaches 0 Morale, the battle ends and the army with Morale remaining converts that Morale into Advantage.
In 5th Edition L5R, Morale corresponds to the Army's relative Discipline.
In a set-piece battle (one which takes place during an adventure not focused in a military campaign), an army’s Morale is set as follows:
Morale |
Army Condition |
Discipline |
1 |
Harried, exhausted, and starved |
1-20 |
4 |
Militia, well supplied and rested |
21-40 |
6 |
Samurai, well supplied and rested |
41-60 |
10 |
Within a supplied fortification |
61-80 |
12 |
Oni, Shadowlands Madmen, and Undead, Supernatural beings who know no fear. |
81-100 |
Special Abilities
In 5th Edition, Armies may have special Army Abilities, which alter the abilities of the individuals or of the army in some fashion based on the Leaders of that army and their abilities. If using 5th Edition rules, you may retain those Special Abilities if you wish. However, since this system focuses on the actions of the Player Characters, not the Army Leaders, this system does not require or use Leader Special Abilities.
In 5th Edition, Armies may have special Army Abilities, which alter the abilities of the individuals or of the army in some fashion based on the Leaders of that army and their abilities. If using 5th Edition rules, you may retain those Special Abilities if you wish. However, since this system focuses on the actions of the Player Characters, not the Army Leaders, this system does not require or use Leader Special Abilities.
