I am rather shocked that there are so many people on this forum who are apologist for the armor system. I completely agree with the 0P, the armor system is jacked and ruins the game. 
 I do not think that striking as earth would need any modification. It would become a unique ability, giving you resistance that is not given in many other places. Therefore, leave it rules as written. 
 Let’s be realistic, striking as water is basically the same as trading opportunity for damage.  True a lightly armored target would be less vulnerable to the technique, but clothing can give you as much as two points of armor!  In short, I would simply change striking as water to increase damage by opportunity, and call it a day. Those that is quite awesome, and water does not need anymore help at being awesome. 
 I also do not think you need to worry about way of the crab.   So what if your raging HIDA does not take wounds?  He will still drop fatigue quickly, and be removed from the fight. Truly, I would question if he would even want to wear that cumber some armor… Except he gets to ignore the cumbersome tag I believe.  Of coarse your heater will lose his big, heavy, expensive armor in just two strikes. Because… 
 One thing you overlooked about armor that is cartoonish, is how easy it is to destroy.  I have a mantis in my game, whose armor reduces all strikes by two.  He has had at least four suits of armor destroyed!  If we are worried about real life – which we should do only sparingly – how many nights survive the destruction of their armor? 
 Now all that said, if armor reduces critical strikes, I believe that it will make it a waste of time to spend opportunity on critical strikes. More of a waste of time than it already is that is.  This would be a sad loss to the game. 
 Also, for as flawed as the rules as written are, they do simulate the fact that heavy crushing weapons are the best way to defeat heavy armor. I like that one aspect of the rules  
 As a bit of a tangent, I think that DND style armor class is actually far better at representing how real armor works than reducing damage. With a single number and a single comparison, it neatly illustrates how you have to strike skillfully in order to wound someone.
FWIW, Friday will be the last day I’m using this game... switching to another system to get my Rokugan fix unfortunately. 

I completely agree that if skirmishes can result in maiming dismemberment on either side, social conflict shouldn't be biased toward only convincing NPCs. The specter of public opinion should not be understated here, and maybe going along with what Magnus said, losing an intrigue should be put in the context of "you can't counter this argument and everyone else knows it (even if you the PC doesn't want to) at the risk of appearing indignant and losing meaningful social status" which should be defined upfront.
In principle, words actually stronger than steel only come into play when it's dramatically interesting, like an argument turning into a duel, or failure resulting in seppuku, retirement, or demotion.. I'm almost envisioning a social critical hit table here where deadliness is based on the winners social rank, net difference of momentum points at the conclusion, and resisting with a culture check.

I have a couple beefs with how armor works.  Let's start with the least important: the purpose of armor is not to prevent fatigue in a fight, it's to protect your precious organs from getting stabbed.  I'm pretty sure the way it works in RAW is an artifact from early beta. In the first version, Fatigue had a different name ("wounds," I think, much like Genesys), and worked much like Genesys wounds and Hit Points in D&D.  That is, they're a combination of superficial wounds and fatigue. Wearing armor protected you from a lot of the little cuts and such, so it made enough sense. Then, they made the (very good, in my opinion) decision to completely separate Wounds and Fatigue.  So now, if you don't take a Critical Strike, you haven't really been hit. But as armor is written, it does very little to protect your organs, but it prevents the fatigue of all those katana strikes that you're blocking. Yeah yeah, "It protects your organs because you have to put less effort into defending yourself, so you're not pushed over your Endurance Threshold." Look, I would happily accept that argument if I thought RAW armor helped streamline the game.  I don't complain about Armor Class in D&D (much), because even if it's not super realistic, it's simple and gets the job done.
 
   BUT!  The way armor works slows the game down.  The first is just resolving an individual strike.  When my players make their attack rolls, figuring out damage goes: Weapon Damage + Successes - TN - Armor.  The Weapon Damage and TN they generally know up front, so it's easier to account for, then I have to pay enough attention to the armor being worn.  And then I have to tell them that their strike for 5 damage is actually only for 1 or 2 damage. That sucks.
 
   It also slows down the fight by dragging out the rounds.  Our Hida got into a scrap with a Lion bushi, and they were both decently armored.  They went back and forth, trading successful strikes, but kept inflicting very little damage because their armor would soak all but one or two of them.  It was mind-numbing, and was only saved by the Hida finally rolling a decent crit and getting the Lion to concede.
 
   So, I've been considering changing Armor so that its Resistance adds bonus successes to resist Critical Strikes.  The effect on Minions will be pretty negligible (but who cares?), while fights between important folks will go much more quickly (perhaps too quickly?  I may need to adjust some weapon damage down by a point or two). But that armor is still going to go a long way to saving your life.
 
   Of course, my big problem is the ripple effect this will have on other parts of the game.  Way of the Crab (already pretty strong) is almost the exact same effect, while Striking as Earth and Striking as Water (and also some related Opportunity options) don't make a whole lot of sense.
 
   There are probably a lot of other strands I'd be disturbing by playing with this spider web, so yes, I know it's a potential mess.  But I really feel if the designers had considered their "Hit Point" system to be "fatigue, not wounds" from day one, this is how armor would work.  And I'm not exaggerating when I say that this one drawn-out fight killed a lot of interest for this game among the players at my table.
 
   Does anyone have ideas of how Way of the Crab, and those elemental kata and Opportunities could work with such a change? Are there any other glaring oversights I'm missing?

Generally I like what you’re going for. 
1. Have you played with minis yet? 
The RAW itself states that the game will play different on hexes vs abstractly. Trying to make the two match is admirable, but is it worth the hassle and head-space? For my part, the differences between range 2 and range 0 weapons almost never come up. 
I’m planning to use maps in my next session Friday. Because the nuanced melee ranges are rarely an issue in actual play, I plan to use the RAW grid rules (except maybe with hexes, to avoid the diagonal issues). I think and then characters will find an advantage with their reach 2 weapons. And that is about my experience without grids so it should be fine. 
3. Avatar has a house rule which basically says “all wound effects for each ring are cumulative.” That pretty well covers the issue in my book, though there are some nuances that need to be addressed.
4. I too have thought shields are pretty powerful. However, keep in mind that you’re sacrificing a hand for that resistance. 2 handed weapons are better than 1 handlers by a decent margin. 
Also, shields are cumbersome. This will become especially relevant when using maps, I suspect. Though it may be irrelevant if you don’t make cluttered maps. 
Long story short, are shields really better than having heavy armor? 
I probably wouldn’t allow prayers while carrying a shield. 
5. I love that you love Usagi Yojimbo. The guy I think of that thrashes people with his scabbard is Haohmaru from Samurai Showdown. Though that is actually how sword pommel isn’t it???
6. I agree. This is a serious peeve of mine. Though with such a large number of ninjitsu now, should the Shosuro Infiltrator pose rituals or Shuji? 
7. If you are the GM and you control unmasking, isn’t this rule... pointless? 
8. I have issues with NPC Void points. Give them and NPCs feel “fair.” But be sure to describe their use. If all you do is spend Void for boosts, the PCs will never know the difference and this rule becomes invisible. And generally speaking, invisible rules are useless rules. 

Looking through the core book again, a probably better example for a 'shock cavalry' technique is Heartpiercing Strike.
That's also Attack and Movement, the severity of the resulting critical strike is increased by bonus successes (so the fire stance  bonus and your Utaku Steed's air ring will both contribute), and it has an  spend to move a range band before the strike lands. If you move 2 range bands and successfully hit, that's a severity 10 critical strike even before counting any  or surplus , , or  (which still count with most classic Utaku weapons since both a scimitar and a naginata are razor-sharp and can spend  to increase deadliness).
It's risky, because Heartpiercing Strike is TN4 and disorients you if you miss, but if you hit you're pretty much going to turn most targets to a fine mist.
Which, since we're talking about a headlong charge with all the strength of a Shiotome elite and the weight of an Utaku destrier behind it, is pretty appropriate, frankly.
 
Flowing Water Strike is also Attack and Movement, but since it doesn't use bonus successes for anything, it's less relevant. Pin the Fan is also Attack and Movement, but it's also Rank 5. By the time you get Rank 5 kata.....you're already terrifying pretty much regardless of what path you've gone down. It will make for a terrifying mounted archer, though, with a horsebow firing a flesh-ripper arrow causing 12 damage whilst mounted and moving plus any bonus successes you actually roll, and  giving you a deadliness 18 critical strike if you incapacitate the target with that shot. "Nailed to the !!?"%$!ing wall" doesn't begin to cover it. That's in the same league as siege ballista designed to kill giant oni storming the Kaiu Wall. As with Heartpiercing Strike, it's not an easy shot (because the TN is the target's vigilance and most serious adversaries you need to be worried about by the time you're rank 5 have a vigilance of at least 3), but do bear in mind that a compromised target's vigilance does drop to 1. Pin the Fan pairs well with Pelting Hail style for that reason to try and throw lots of  at an opponent to generate an opening for Pin the Fan if you're trying to build a super-cavalry-archer.  
Paired Attack and Movement subtypes also pops up in Mass Battles:
Lightning Raid is one, with bonus successes adding panic to the enemy army. The basic Assault action is one, with bonus successes adding attrition, (and Lightning Raid can 'chain' into an Assault for the cost of  - funnily enough) and for a samurai cavalry cohort also causes panic equal to your ranks in survival  (which as the 'horsemanship' skill is likely to be high for Unicorn characters). Apparently being charged by a massed formation of elite heavy cavalry led by a Shiotome commander hurts a lot and is very scary. Who knew?

Most of it has 5E conversions. The main thing is the TNs. Everything else is fairly System agnostic. 

Take Avatars concerns with a grain of salt. He armchairs a lot of things that he claims are “wrong” with the system. 

Take Avatars concerns with a grain of salt. He armchairs a lot of things that he claims are “wrong” with the system. 

Take Avatars concerns with a grain of salt. He armchairs a lot of things that he claims are “wrong” with the system. 

Back in the 3rd edition the Ronin schools also doubled as Generic XYZ schools, where "the schools simply represent a more intuitive path that a samurai has chosen to follow rather than an established style" (quote directly from the 3e rulebook) so there's precedent for treating the Worldly Ronin as such.

I will throw a curveball in here and say that the cards "stats" do not match the rpg. You cannot always assume a character with high military strength in the card game will have a strong "martial" stat in the rpg.
The card game's stats represent a broad number that even includes outside factors. For exemple, Sotorii is a 4 military in the card game, but he is probably a 1 or 2 melee in the rpg, if even. His 4 military in the card game also represents other factors like his bodyguards and his status. Sure, the military stat also represents the character's own prowess, but that isnt the "only" factor.
As other examples, check the new Shoju with a "dash" for military. It doesnt mean the guy is garbage with a sword (he isn't), but more like "he wont fight or can't be fought" due to his current duties.
Same goes for Ryoku, a mere 1/3 in the card game, but a beast in the rpg with 5s everywhere. Her card stats represent the fact that she isnt imperial advisor anymore and doesn't have as much pull.
Or Kakita Yoshi with a 2 military, but the guy never lifted a sword.
Anyway, food for thought!

I like fan and sword. The capstone ability doesn’t make sense to me though. 
I don’t personally like abilities that are restricted to 1/scene, like Magnus said. I think the ability would be pretty slick if, instead of 1/scene, you could only transfer strife to fatigue if your strife exceeded your fatigue. And vice versa. Perhaps reduce the transfer amount to (school rank) instead of twice that amount. 
Either way, they’re badass dualists. 

regarding the new Courts of Stone "bonds" rule;

are the XP cost cumulative, or total.
ie: if rank 1 bond cost 3xp, and rank 2 bond cost 4xp. Do you need to spend only 1xp to go from rank 1 to 2, or you need to spend 4xp?

If it is the total, then it means a rank 5 bond would cost a staggering 31xp. Which is basically a school rank with all it includes.
If the cost is only 10xp for rank 5 though, it makes bonds too strong.

So, I wonder, what are your opinions on that? because I find myself thorn by either finding them too weak, or too strong, whatever the interpretation I use.

edit: on an other, but similar topic. are they even fun things to spend XP on? or shouldn't that just be narrative bonuses you gain by roleplaying such "bonding" interactions with an NPC ?

the rank 4 bonus is the one that strikes me as less fun. especially since you can use their "rings". dunno, just find that very gamey and eventually would start to feel quite "redundant and spammable" in a narrative sense when you can do that four or five times per session. if a session is 3 or 4 scenes (if even), bonds can become omnipresent, obscene, and lose their "flavor" I feel.

It's more a case that it was the only Movement plus Attack Kata I can see. I wouldn't be surprised to see a cavalry-charge kata come out with whatever unicorn-centric sourcebook we eventually get. And the knife i okay, I, guess, but ptly enough the scimitar is better...
Mobility is basically the core of Unicorn tactics. Hit and run is a key pillar of Utaku tactics - pile in, fight, fall back, calming breath, rinse and repeat.
It doesn't double mechanical fatigue recovery so much as narrative stuff - but with a high water ring you already regain 6 fatigue with a good night's sleep.
Don't fixate on those techniques. Yes, you get them early, but they're nice-to-haves. Lady Shinjo's speed doubles up your movement speed in narrative scenes, for example, but not in combat. And it only works if you're mounted. Which you will be but many of your compatriots may not be.
There is no real 'wrong' configuration of rings. The one thing which is generally a mistake is to sink too much into void early on, because it's more relevant when you either have lots of talents powered by void points or void-ring kata and shuji, which are largely high-rank stuff.
 
Equally, in any non-conflict scene, you will always wish you had a better balance of rings than you do.. Water, for example, is your awareness check and your ability to be charming.
 
 

I don’t love the armor/wound system in 5R5.  This rule is intended to accomplish 2 things. 
1. Make a shower of low deadliness critical strikes worthwhile. 
2. Reduce the number of shirtless samurai on the battlefield. 
The rule is simple: each scene, you can take only 1 critical strike at any given wound tier. So 1 “close call,” 1 “flesh wound,” 1 “permanent injury,” etc. if a wound hits that tier again, you step it up to the next tier. 
Thoughts? 

I agree that the vast swaths of tables are a problem. I feel like they REDUCE creativity, since people spend all their brain power sorting through tables. I actually proposed a similar option-reduction to my players, and they said “no thanks.”
that might be because my idea was more drastic though. I reduced opportunity options to about a half dozen. The idea being to encourage them to be used narratively. 

Sorry, actually no. I have only ever managed to play with 3 players and although this is still one of my favorite games, because of life it's been awhile since I have played this. I've gotten distracted by traveling abroad, L5R LCG, L5R RPG, Journeys in Middle-earth, and the Transformers TCG... among other things! My sons and I have had this on the mind lately though, so if we decide to play a variant we'll try out using allied clans. 

Did you ever try this out? How’d it go? 

It's probably not a bad idea to have an index of NPCs somewhere (accepting there will be spoilers), just so people know what's available where, even if they don't have the full stats.
Using the sorting method in the Core Rulebook, a list of all the 'official' NPCs I can see (I ought to go back and gather up stuff like challenge ratings, but will do that later)
Note that duplicates of the generic NPC are usually but not always duplicates. The Loyal Bushi in the Core rulebook carries a sword and bow, for example, whilst their beginner book counterpart is armed with a Naginata. Equally, the Bandits in In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion are armed with Slings, a weapon which (currently) appears nowhere else in the game.
 
SPOILERS.
(OBVIOUSLY)
Numbers (e.g. 4/2) are Martial and Intrigue conflict ranks
Strange Creatures of Rokugan is a fan-created supplement written by @Harzerkatze, and can be found here
 
Subjects Of Rokugan Ashigaru Ashigaru (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                 2/1 Ashigaru (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                2/1 Trained Ashigaru (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                 2/1 Bandits & Criminals Bandit (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                     1/1 Bandit (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                       1/1 Bandit (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 12) Bandits (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Page 16)                                                                                                                                            1/1 Bandit Leader  (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Page 17)                                                                                                                                3/2 Bandit Lord (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                            4/3 Bandit Lord (Path of Waves, Page 230)                                                                                                                                                     4/3 Boss Kizo, Gang Leader (Dark Tides, Page 18)                                                                                                                                          3/2 Boss Yagoro, Gang Leader (Dark Tides, Page 21)                                                                                                                                    3/4 Desperate Bandit (Core Rulebook, NPCs) -                                                                                                                                               1/1 Experienced Bandit (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                 2/1 Experienced Bandit (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                               2/1 Experienced Bandit (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                               3/2 Goro the Bandit Leader (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 12) Ichiro, Bandit Leader (Sins of Regret)                                                                                                                                                           2/1 Bushi Annoyed Tax Collector (Path of Waves, Page 229)                                                                                                                                   2/3 Bayushi Sugai (Beginner Box, Adventure Page 31) Byakko, Captain of the Takarabako (Emerald Empire, Page 87)                                                                                                            3/2 Daidoji Aki, Agile Crane Yojimbo (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 21)                                                                                                     7/5 Damasu no Akodo Maeda (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                       6/3 Hida Door Guard (Courts of Stone, Page 30)                                                                                                                                             2/1 Hida Etsuji, Watchtower Commander (Shadowlands, Page 73)                                                                                                            8/4 Hida Kotoe, Stout Warrior (Shadowlands, Page 53)                                                                                                                                3/2 Hida Masuo, Wall Gunso (Shadowlands, Page 74)                                                                                                                                   4/3 Hida Nanako, Garrison Taisa (Shadowlands, Page 74)                                                                                                                            3/3 Hida Tonomatsu (Beta Rulebook, A Ronin's Path NPCs)                                                                                                                         3/1 Hiruma Mokoto, Patrol Leader (Shadowlands, Page 78)                                                                                                                        7/3 Hiruma Izumi, Cautious Scout  (Shadowlands, Page 55)                                                                                                                         2/2 Kakita Sukenobu, Steward of Toshi Ranbo (Emerald Empire, Page 41)                                                                                                2/4 Koharu, Mantis mercenary (Emerald Empire, Page 49)                                                                                                                           3/2 Kaiu Suzue, Clever Engineer (Shadowlands, Page 58)                                                                                                                             2/3 Kitsuki Ma'Aya, Castellan of Shiro Kitsuki (Courts of Stone, Page 37)                                                                                                  4/5 Kitsuki Tomoyo, Regimented Dragon Warrior (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 20)                                                                              7/5 Kuni Haruna, Sinister Witch Hunter (Emerald Empire, Page 206)                                                                                                          4/1 Kuni Hatsu, Legendary Witch Hunter (Shadowlands, Page 62)                                                                                                              4/4 Loyal Bushi (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                              4/2 Mirumoto Kazuya, Brash Dragon Captain (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 21)                                                                                      6/4 Moto Rurame, Restless Commander (Emerald Empire, Page 79)                                                                                                           7/3 Nasu no Shiba Shizuma (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                            7/6 Otomo Kazumi, Commander (Sins of Regret, Page 28)                                                                                                                              7/5 Reju Ume, Duellist and Heir (Sins of Regret, Page 18)                                                                                                                                 3/2 Seppun Azusa, Lady of the Castle (Sins of Regret, Page 21)                                                                                                                     6/4 Seppun Ishikawa, Captain of the Seppun Honor Guard  (Emerald Empire, Page 48)                                                                        5/4 Shiba Itsuyo (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                                4/4 Shika Katsukeru, Castellan of Kyuden Shika (Courts of Stone, Page 47)                                                                                              2/5 Shika Tsuneko, First Spear (Courts of Stone, Page 88)                                                                                                                             6/3 Susano-O no Izen (Winter's Embrace, Page 29)                                                                                                                                        6/4 Tsume Kotonoha (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                       4/2 Uranaishi no Manami, Ambitious Pirate (Emerald Empire, Page 227)                                                                                                  4/2 Utaku Sabuteki, Outpost Commander (Emerald Empire, Page 133)                                                                                                     5/4 Utaku Takeko, Wistful Pilgrim (Emerald Empire, Page 158)                                                                                                                    3/2 Veteran Bushi (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                           4/2 Veteran Bushi (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                         4/2 Courtiers    Asako Maezawa (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                         5/5 Asako Haruki, Secretive Phoenix Diplomat (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 19)                                                                                   4/8 Doji Hatsuhina (Winter's Embrace, Page 24)                                                                                                                                                2/5 Kaito Tsunade, Apprehensive Courtier (Celestial Realms, Page 68)                                                                                                     3/5 Kakita Mototada, Gardener (Courts of Stone, Page 40)                                                                                                                           1/5 Kakita Shijin, Famed Poet (Emerald Empire, Page 45)                                                                                                                             2/4 Kakita Ryoku, Elder Crane (Courts of Stone, Page 51/Winter's Embrace, Page 25)                                                                      3/9 Kyuden Doji Courtier (Courts of Stone, Page 51)                                                                                                                                      3/9 Otomo Kazuko, Scheming Chancellor (Path of Waves, Page 162)                                                                                                     2/7 Otomo Nobu, Castle Steward (Sins of Regret, Page 24)                                                                                                                        1/5 Seasoned Courtier  (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                 1/5 Seasoned Courtier (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                1/5 Seasoned Courtier (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                1/5 Shika Yuki, Deer Clan Matchmaker (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 20)                                                                                                 3/7 Soshi Ozuru (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                                2/7 Shosuro Sanae, Go Master (Emerald Empire, Page 43)                                                                                                                           2/4 Suzume Hinagiku, Wayward Heart (Emerald Empire, Page 160)                                                                                                           1/3 Daimyo Provincial Daimyo (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                    7/6 Provincial Daimyo (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                  7/6 Miya Satoshi, Imperial Herald (Winter's Embrace, Page 27)                                                                                                                   5/8 Miya Tetsua, Imperial Governor (Emerald Empire, Page 90)                                                                                                                  2/5 Moshi Chiasa, Centipede Clan Champion (Celestial Realms, Page 78)                                                                                               8/5 Otomo Kuryusai (Winter's Embrace, Page 28)                                                                                                                                           3/6 Reju Jikai (Sins of Regret, Page 16)                                                                                                                                                                  3/5 Shiba Katsuda (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                           7/6 Seppun Sora, Amitious Governor (Path of Waves, Page 161)                                                                                                                3/6 Shosuro Hametsu, Family Daimyō (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 29) Shosuro Hyobu, Corrupt Governor (Emerald Empire, Page 77)                                                                                                          5/12 Toritaka Hatsuo, The Yotogi (Shadowlands, Page 84)                                                                                                                               7/7 Tsume no Doji Takashi (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                            3/6 Venerable Provincial Daimyo (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                7/6 Magistrates Agasha Sumiko, Ruby Champion and Acting Emerald Champion (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 22) Asahina Shinako, Magistrate (Courts of Stone, Page 33),                                                                                                                         2/4 Jealous Emerald Magistrates (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 30) Kitsuki Kagi, Chief Yoriki to the Emerald Magistrate (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 19)  Reju Tsugumasa (Path of Waves, Page 10)                                                                                                                                                     2/3 Seppun Ishima, Conflicted Magistrate (Path of Waves, Page 163)                                                                                                         7/3 Merchants Azif the Smooth, Gaijin Smuggler (Dark Tides, Page 22) Clever Innkeeper (Path of Waves, Page 230)                                                                                                                                                1/2 Discerning Merchant (Path of Waves, Page 231)                                                                                                                                         1/2 Sayaka, Curious Trader (The Highwayman, Page 6)                                                                                                                                    2/3 Terrified Merchants (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 16) Travelling Tradesperson (Path of Waves, Page 233)                                                                                                                                   1/3 Yasuki Nobuko, Merchant (Emerald Empire, Page 130)                                                                                                                            3/6 Yasuki Narumi, Observant Merchant (Shadowlands, Page 65)                                                                                                               1/3 Monks & Priests Asako Raiku, Castellan of Shiro Asako (Courts of Stone, Page 44)                                                                                                           1/4 Akodo Tadeo, Inspired Zealot (Celestial Realms, Page 40)                                                                                                                         6/6 Chikako, Initiate Monk (Emerald Empire, Page 193)                                                                                                                                   1/3 Dai, Fortunist Monk (Emerald Empire, Page 196)                                                                                                                                        2/4 Hinata, Enigmatic Abbot (Path of Waves, Page 164)                                                                                                                                     2/5 Jun, Shinseist Monk (Emerald Empire, Page 187)                                                                                                                                        4/2 Kuni Kayo, the Willow Gardener, (Emerald Empire, Page 162)                                                                                                                 5/3 Michi, Monk (Path of Waves, Page 137)                                                                                                                                                          4/2 Michi, Monk (Sins of Regret, Page 11)                                                                                                                                                             4/2 Ryuhei, Monk (Courts of Stone, Page 25)                                                                                                                                                      2/3 Shu, Possessed Monk (Emerald Empire, Page 186)                                                                                                                                    5/2 Takeshi, Sōhei (Emerald Empire, Page 183)                                                                                                                                                  4/2 Togashi Monk Duellist (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 26)                                                                                                         4/4  Tsume Yemon (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                             4/3 Warrior Monk (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                              4/3 Warrior Monk (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                           4/3 Peasants Banji, Murderous Villager (Cresting Waves, Page 8 )                                                                                                                             2/2 Haru, Thief (Path of Waves, Page 136)                                                                                                                                                          2/3 Humble Peasant (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                      1/1 Hidetaka Sasuke (The Highwayman, Page 5)                                                                                                                                              2/2 Hired Enforcer (Path of Waves, Page 231)                                                                                                                                                    2/1 Hirota, Sake Brewer (Path of Waves, Page 128)                                                                                                                                         3/2 Indiscriminate Cutpurse (Path of Waves, Page 232)                                                                                                                                 2/2 Osamu, Malicious Peddler (Path of Waves, Page 141)                                                                                                                               2/3 Otaha, Waystop Proprietor (Path of Waves, Page 135)                                                                                                                          1/8 Peasant (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                         1/1 Peasant (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                       1/1 Reo, The Doshin (Path of Waves, Page 131)                                                                                                                                                3/1 Ryu, Peasant Servant (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 10) Setsuo, Village Leader (Path of Waves, Page 127)                                                                                                                                      3/3 Yuuto, Commoner Leader (Path of Waves, Page 166)                                                                                                                               2/4 Ronin Itto (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                                                   4/2 Keinosuke the Ronin (Beta Rulebook, A Ronin's Path NPCs)                                                                                                                     3/2 Novice Ronin (Path of Waves, Page 232)                                                                                                                                                          2/1 Ronin (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                                3/2 Ronin (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                              3/2 Ronin Duellist (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 25)                                                                                                                           4/4  Ruffian (Beginner Box, Adventure Page 22 & 31) Skillful Ronin (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                4/2 Wandering Duellist (Path of Waves, Page 233)                                                                                                                                              6/3 Shujenga & Scholars Agasha Susumu, Scholar and Guide (Emerald Empire, Page 209)                                                                                                            1/2 Agasha Duellist (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 24)                                                                                                                        4/4  Akodo Hinata, Headstrong Adept (Celestial Realms, Page 79)                                                                                                                 4/5 Asako Hikaru, Conflicted Scholar (Celestial Realms, Page 65)                                                                                                                    2/7 Asako Hisa, Inquisitor (Celestial Realms, Page 42)                                                                                                                                         5/5 Asako Taishi, Itinerant Scholar (Emerald Empire, Page 131)                                                                                                                      2/5 Asako Takahiro, Insightful Inquisitor (Emerald Empire, Page 207)                                                                                                           3/4 Asahina Duellist (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 24)                                                                                                                        4/4  Hida Chobo, Storemaster (Courts of Stone, Page 30)                                                                                                                                  2/3 Isawa Manami, Destined Shujenga (Celestial Realms, Page 58)                                                                                                                4/7 Isawa Yoshiko, Cunning Phoenix Shujenga (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 21)                                                                                    3/7 Kaiu “Shibito” Tsuneko (Emerald Empire, Page 220)                                                                                                                                    2/3 Masayo, Orphaned Child (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 18)                                                                                                                      1/2 Miya Bunji (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 18)                                                                                                                                                 5/7 Reju Toshio (Sins of Regret, Page 16)                                                                                                                                                               4/4 Scholarly Shujenga (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                      4/3 Scholarly Shujenga (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                    4/3 Scholarly Shujenga (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                   4/3 Soshi Duellist (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 25)                                                                                                                            4/4  Lady Shiba Chisei (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                          1/5 Toritaka Dairoku, Council of Twilight Member (Shadowlands, Page 86)                                                                                                 2/7 Shinobi Aotora Akira, "Pilgrim" (Emerald Empire, Page 195)                                                                                                                                    2/3 "Ide Torao" aka Shosuro Yu  (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                     1/5 Ikoma Rumiko (Winter's Embrace, Page 26)                                                                                                                                                 5/5 Mercenary Shinobi (The Scroll or the Blade, Page 14)                                                                                                                                 3/3 Vigilante Shinobi (Path of Waves, Page 234)                                                                                                                                                  4/2 Cultists Shun, Inspired Moon Cultist (Celestial Realms, Page 49)                                                                                                                                      3/4 Bloodspeakers Akiara, Chilling Bloodspeaker (Celestial Realms, Page 53),                                                                                                                       5/6 Deadly Bloodspeaker (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                              9/9 Maho-Tsukai Jya-Aku (Deathly Turns, Page 7)                                                                                                                                                                         8/6 Kitsu Sokori (Mask of the Oni, Page 28)                                                                                                                                                        8/6 Maho-Tsukai (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                              4/3 Wicked Maho-Tsukai (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                               4/3 Kolat Chinoko, Deceitful Geisha  (Emerald Empire, Page 77)                                                                                                                              6/6 Kitsuki Tomo, Kolat Assassin (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 34) White-Haired Witch (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 22)                                                                                                                           5/4  Shadowlands Horrors Bog Hag (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                               8/5 Fudoshi (Shadowlands, Page 22)                                                                                                                                                                              3/0 Goblins Goblin (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                          1/1 Goblins (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 15) Goblin Accursed Priest (Shadowlands, Page 31)                                                                                                                                         2/3 Shadowlands Goblin (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                1/1 Shadowlands Goblin (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                1/1 Shadowlands Goblin Chieftain (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                               3/2 Shadowlands Goblin Shaman (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                 4/2 Harionago (Shadowlands, Page 16)                                                                                                                                                                           4/3 Kyorinin  (Shadowlands, Page 16)                                                                                                                                                                              3/2 Lost Dark Moto (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                  4/2 Dark Moto Bushi (Shadowlands, Page 22)                                                                                                                                                     8/4 Fallen Scholar (Shadowlands, Page 34)                                                                                                                                                          2/6 Lost Samurai (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                              4/2 Moto Tsume (Shadowlands, Page 23)                                                                                                                                                          12/8 The Obsidian Flower (Shadowlands, Page 31)                                                                                                                                           10/14 Oni Atsumari no Oni (Mask of the Oni, Page 29) Hideous Oni (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                             12/5 Hellish Sorceror - Powerful Oni (Shadowlands, Page 135)                                                                                                                         8/10 Kazanagan no Oni (Beta Rulebook, A Ronin's Path NPCs)                                                                                                                         5/3 Lady Atsuko, Jealous Centipede (The Highwayman, Page 15)                                                                                                               7/8 Lord Kenta, Wolf-Headed Oni (The Highwayman, Page 17)                                                                                                                   7/4 Monstrous Warrior - Powerful Oni (Shadowlands, Page 136)                                                                                                                12/4 Obsidian Bone Oni (Shadowlands, Page 28)                                                                                                                                               11/3 Oni Fragment (Shadowlands, Page 138)                                                                                                                                                       3/3 Savage Brute - Lesser Oni (Shadowlands, Page 135)                                                                                                                                 10/3 Sinister Oni (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                              12/5 Skull-Cleaving Oni (Shadowlands, Page 26)                                                                                                                                                  9/7 The Brute (Deathly Turns, Page 5)                                                                                                                                                                 12/5 The Watcher (Shadowlands, Page 39)                                                                                                                                                          10/4 The Wounded Bushi (Shadowlands, Page 40)                                                                                                                                            14/4 Trio of Vicious Oni (Deathly Turns, Page 4)                                                                                                                                                     4/3 Vile Trickster - Lesser Oni (Shadowlands, Page 134)                                                                                                                                   4/8 Warlord of Jigoku - Powerful Oni (Shadowlands, Page 136)                                                                                                                    14/10 Penanggalan (Shadowlands, Page 17)                                                                                                                                                                    6/3 The Siren (Shadowlands, Page 39)                                                                                                                                                                           7/8 Tsumunagi (Shadowlands, Page 18)                                                                                                                                                                       2/0 Undead Akikage (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 3)                                                                                                                                     4/0 Bushi Skeleton (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                       3/1 Gashadokuro (Shadowlands, Page 15)                                                                                                                                                     14/0 Head Hunter (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 7)                                                                                                                            6/4 Hopping Vampire (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 8)                                                                                                                   3/0 Kyokotsu, Remains of Nahoko (Sins of Regret, Page 19)                                                                                                                       5/1 Onikage Steed (Shadowlands, Page 23)                                                                                                                                                     2/0 Revenant (Shadowlands, Page 18)                                                                                                                                                              6/2 Skeletal Bushi (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                         3/1 Ubume (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 21)                                                                                                                                    4/3  Undead Horror (Shadowlands, Page 19)                                                                                                                                                    5/0 Zombie Peasant (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                     2/0 Zombie Peasant (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                     2/0 Wanyudo (Shadowlands, Page 19)                                                                                                                                                                         4/2 Spirits & Monsters Akkorokamui (Path of Waves, Page 244)                                                                                                                                                              7/3 Amikiri (Path of Waves, Page 244)                                                                                                                                                                           4/2 Basan (Path of Waves, Page 245)                                                                                                                                                                              3/1 Ghosts & Spirits Baku (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 4)                                                                                                                                         9/6 Baku (Celestial Realms, Page 142)                                                                                                                                                                 7/5 Con-Tinh (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 5)                                                                                                                                  4/4 Crab Scout Gaki (Shadowlands, Page 32)                                                                                                                                                   7/2 Dokkaebi (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 6)                                                                                                                                  5/5 Furibi (Path of Waves, Page 247)                                                                                                                                                                    1/2 Hinotama (Path of Waves, Page 247)                                                                                                                                                            6/1 "Hagane" (Deathly Turns, Page 20)                                                                                                                                                               8/5 Kijimuna (Path of Waves, Page 140)                                                                                                                                                              1/1 Kase-Obake (Strange Creatures of Rokugan)                                                                                                                                            1/1 Kyorinrin of the Library (Celestial Realms, Page 62)                                                                                                                               8/10 Lady Mazoku (Deathly Turns, Page 16)                                                                                                                                                       8/10 Living Blade (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 14)                                                                                                                           4/0  Mazoku (Shadowlands, Page 85)                                                                                                                                                                   7/9 Nekomata (Path of Waves, Page 142)                                                                                                                                                           3/1 Okori Inu (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 16)                                                                                                                                2/0 Oniki (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 17)                                                                                                                                        2/2 Onryo, Vengeful Ghost (Cresting Waves, Page 5)                                                                                                                                    10/2 The Forgotten Spirit (Celestial Realms, Page 44)                                                                                                                                      10/4 Isonade (Path of Waves, Page 248)                                                                                                                                                                            6/1 Jinmenju (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 9)                                                                                                                                              12/5 Jorogumo (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 10)                                                                                                                                          10/8 Kappa Mischevous Kappa (Path of Waves, Page 248)                                                                                                                                            2/3 Kappa (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 11)                                                                                                                                       6/3 Kami Kami of the Hot Spring (Path of Waves, Page 130)                                                                                                                                   8/2 Manifest Air Kami (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                  7/5 Manifest Air Kami (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                   7/5 Manifest Earth Kami (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                              8/2 Manifest Earth Kami (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                              8/2 Manifest Fire Kami (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                 9/2 Manifest Fire Kami (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                 9/2 Manifest Water Kami (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                             7/4 Manifest Water Kami (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                             7/4 Tiny Manifest Air Kami (Path of Waves, Page 250)                                                                                                                                   5/3 Tiny Manifest Earth Kami (Path of Waves, Page 251)                                                                                                                              5/1 Tiny Manifest Fire Kami (Path of Waves, Page 251)                                                                                                                                 6/1 Tiny Manifest Water Kami (Path of Waves, Page 250)                                                                                                                            5/4 Terracotta Soldier (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 20)                                                                                                               2/0 Ki-Rin (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                                     7/7 Kitsune Doji Kuzunobu (Wedding At Kyotei Castle, Dramatis Personae)                                                                                                       4/3 Ha Iwa, Kitsune Spirit (Emerald Empire, Page 212)                                                                                                                                 4/5 Kitsune  (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                      1/2 Kitsune (Path of Waves, Page 129)                                                                                                                                                               2/2 Komori Assassin (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 13)                                                                                                                             6/4 Komainu (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 12)                                                                                                                                            6/0 Komainu (Celestial Realms, Page 130)                                                                                                                                                                      8/1  Long Dragon (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 15)                                                                                                                                  12/10  Ningyo (Mantis Clan PDF, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                                4/5 Nezumi Burnt Paws Rememberer (Shadowlands, Page 46)                                                                                                                                   1/4 Cracked Bone Warrior (Shadowlands, Page 45)                                                                                                                                        4/1 Frayed Whisper (The Knotted Tails, Page 20)                                                                                                                                            3/2 Iht-zyk, Nezumi Forager                                                                                                                                                                                 1/2 Knotted Tails Warrior (The Knotted Tails, Page 6)                                                                                                                                     3/1 Lucky Silver, Leader of the Knotted Tails (The Knotted Tails, Page 10)                                                                                                  4/2 Nezumi Pup (The Knotted Tails, Page 8 )                                                                                                                                                    1/1 Nezumi Pup (Shadowlands, Page 47)                                                                                                                                                           1/1 One Eye, Dreamer of the Knotted Tails (The Knotted Tails, Page17)                                                                                                     2/2 Outcast Nezumi (The Knotted Tails, Page 20)                                                                                                                                            2/1 Outcast Nezumi (Shadowlands, Page 48)                                                                                                                                                    3/1 Third Whisker Dreamer  (Shadowlands, Page 44)                                                                                                                                     3/3 Three Tooth, Knotted Tails Infiltrator (The Knotted Tails, Page 21) Ogres Ogre (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                            3/1 Ravenous Shadowlands Ogre (Shadowlands, Page 17)                                                                                                                        7/1 Teru The Ogre (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 15) Rakshasa Captivating Rakshasa (Path of Waves, Page 249)                                                                                                                                9/10 Lady Yukiko, Cunning Rakshasa (/the Highwayman, Page 14)                                                                                                         8/8 Rakshasa (Path of Waves, Page 249)                                                                                                                                                          5/6 Shachihoko (Sins of Regret, Page 20)                                                                                                                                                                      3/1 Shikigami Shikigama (Shadowlands, Page 115)                                                                                                                                                           1/1 Shikigami Assassin (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 18)                                                                                                             3/1  Yamuba Aguri, Yamuba (Creating Waves, Page 11)                                                                                                                                                  4/6 Tengu Airi the Tengu (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 13) Tengu (Beginner Box, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                          2/2 Tengu Swordmaster (Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 19)                                                                                                              6/4  Trolls Forest Troll (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                              7/4 Kasai, Mournful Troll (Emerald Empire, Page 222)                                                                                                                                    8/4 Sea Troll (Mantis Clan PDF, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                7/4 Twisted Troll (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                           7/1 The Willow Kodama (Emerald Empire, Page 162)                                                                                                                                                7/4 Young Bulgasari(Strange Creatures of Rokugan, Page 23)                                                                                                                         2/0  Animals Apes Macaque (Path of Waves, Page 240)                                                                                                                                                         2/1 Bear (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                                    7/1 Birds Hawk (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                        1/0 Hawk (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                        2/1 Night Heron (Path of Waves, Page 242)                                                                                                                                                  2/1 Red-Crowned Heron (Path of Waves, Page 243)                                                                                                                                      1/1 Boar Boar (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                          5/1 Boar (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                          5/0 Rampaging Boar (In The Palace Of The Emerald Champion, Page 17) Canines Dog (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                            1/0 Dog (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                            1/1 Mamoru Manama, Wolf Guardian (Cresting Waves, Page 16)                                                                                                               9/6 Wolf (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                           2/0 Wolf (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                           1/1 Deer Emperor Serow (Path of Waves, Page 240)                                                                                                                                                2/1 Serow (Path of Waves, Page 239)                                                                                                                                                                   1/1 Felines Cat (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                              1/0 Cat (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                              1/1 Hunting Cat (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                               6/1 Fox (Path of Waves, Page 237)                                                                                                                                                                                   1/1 Insects Giant Hornet Swarm (Path of Waves, Page 238)                                                                                                                                      2/0 Large Mammals Elephant (Path of Waves, Page 236)                                                                                                                                                               8/1 Rhinoceros (Path of Waves, Page 244)                                                                                                                                                           9/1 Reptiles Elegant Pit Viper (Path of Waves, Page 236)                                                                                                                                                 2/1 Saltwater Crocodile (Path of Waves, Page 238)                                                                                                                                            5/1 Salamanders Giant Salamander (Path of Waves, Page 237)                                                                                                                                                3/1 Steeds Camel (Path of Waves, Page 235)                                                                                                                                                                     2/1 Horse (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                          2/1 Rokugani Pony (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                          1/0 Utaku Steed (Core Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                               4/2 Unicorn Warhorse (Beta Rulebook, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                     3/0 Sea Creatures Blue Shark (Path of Waves, Page 235)                                                                                                                                                          6/0 Eel (Mantis Clan PDF, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                              1/0 Monstrous Octopus (Path of Waves, Page 241)                                                                                                                                           4/1 Octopus (Mantis Clan PDF, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                     3/1 Shark (Mantis Clan PDF, NPCs)                                                                                                                                                                         7/0  
 

There is a high resolution map available on DTRPG. 
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/172962
the resolution is so high I cannot DL it on my phone and it lags horribly on my computer. Ergo it is only a mediocre product  
 

My Moto family meishodo wielder with high Water and Earth was fun.  He doesn't carry a sword, but can cast Staff of the Sorcerer (Bo of Water) when needed and if he gets an opportunity he can summon up a scimitar on the spot.  That and his high endurance make him a decent melee fighter.  It was fun playing up some of his foreign habits too.  Unfortunately, I've only been able to play him when one of my players takes a shot at running the game.

I had a monk that just made up sayings, and always concluded with "Shinsei said that."
My favorite one was: "Sorry is the man who cannot laugh; sorrier is the man who cannot laugh at himself."

I have those, I use those. They work.

Big problem with them is, that they are 4th edition. So they show places and routes that may not exist in 5th or do not exist yet.
And they are not the art style that ffg is going with L5R. I love the rokugan map from FFG, but it is not large enough and does not have a high enough resolution to be useful other than for show.
Same with the other maps, they are pretty, but they are not functional. For example the Mask of the Oni Daylight Castle Map. It is pretty, but there is only one version that has labels on it. One without would be cool, and one without the hidden caves and tunnels (Same with Emerald Champion Castle Map) and so on. Not to mention the same problem with resolution and size.
I can work with them, but they could be more functional. I play exclusively via online platforms, as mentioned in above post, so those things are key and necessary for smooth play.

It resolves like an army token, but it is placed in the middle of the province. This is in the rules and is also right on the player screen.
Hope that helps. Welcome to a fun game!

A thought I had Was this:
 
sensei advises his student and gains 1d10 strife. If he is not compromised, the student regains a void point as the secrets of the training become manifest in his mind. 
Another idea: 
As a downtime action you can train another character. You and he may immediately spend any accrued experience to improve stats and skills. 
This option might also be interesting if it allowed a character to go into “XP debt” and gain an ability be couldn’t afford. Of course, you cannot benefit from additional training until you’ve paid off your XP debt.