Honour In-Game

There is no official game mechanic to measure or track a character’s honour. Honour functions much like alignment: as a tool for developing your character’s identity. As part of creating your character, you should decide whether you intend to play your character as a paragon of honour, a dishonourable scoundrel, or something in between—perhaps someone who struggles to live honourably but too often succumbs to temptation. An honour score can however represent honour gained and lost during play. As a general guideline, consider these five “ranks” of honour:
Honourless (0-6): This character does not adhere to the principles of bushido, and even mocks them as irrelevant ideals. Such a character cannot be trusted, for betrayal comes as naturally to this person as breathing. An honorless character is usually both chaotic and evil.
Untrustworthy (7-11): The code of bushido is an inconvenience to this character, a tool best used to manipulate others. Such a person would betray anyone in the right circumstances, but can usually be relied on at least to come to the aid of the clan. With self-interest taking precedence above all, such characters are usually chaotic or neutral and often evil.
Honourable Action (12-15): At a bare minimum, an honourable character must at least act in accordance with bushido, even if the character’s heart is not in it. Subordinating one’s own interests to those of the clan is difficult for such a character, and living up to the ideals of bushido is a constant struggle. With each successful bout against temptation, however, the character’s resolve grows stronger. This minimum standard of honour usually represents a neutral alignment, with leanings toward law.
Honourable Thought (16-19): A truly honourable character no longer doubts or questions bushido and its demands. Such a person, while not free from temptation, easily overcomes it. Now, the difficulty comes when the character is forced to bend rules, however slightly—this is a challenge for the exceptionally honourable samurai. Such a character is usually lawful neutral.
Honourable Soul (20+): The paragon of honour cannot be swayed from the call of duty to clan and family. To even question the honour of such a character is unthinkable. Characters so immersed in honour are selfless, completely devoted to their family and clan, and willing to give up their own lives for the safety and security of others. They are usually lawful neutral or lawful good

Honour and Dishonour Examples:

Honourable actions, according to the code of bushido, include:

• Avenging the death of a family member
• Defeating an ancestral enemy
• Saving another person’s life
• Leading a victorious force in battle
• Completing a great quest
• Dying a heroic death

Dishonourable actions include the following:

• Being accused or convicted of a crime
• Being taken prisoner
• Breaking an oath
• Losing a birthright, including an ancestral weapon
• Losing a contest or duel, especially to an inferior opponent
• Behaving rashly or improperly
• Refusing a contest or duel
• Committing treason
• Entering into debt (of money or favours)
• Fleeing a fight
• Leading a losing force in battle
• Using a peasant or ninja weapon
• Disobeying one’s lord