BENTEN, FORTUNE OF ROMANTIC LOVE
Benten is the lone female entity among the Seven Fortunes. These deities do not have ranks among their own number, but on the rare occasions when they appear together, Benten often speaks for the group—presumably because of her greater gift for oratory and diplomacy. Benten can only be described as beautiful beyond imagining, although her rarely seen wrathful aspect is as terrifying as it is glorious. She always takes the aspect of a beautiful woman and is frequently depicted as wearing finery of the grandest sort, her clothing arrayed with patterns taken from the ocean waves. She is not a cruel or spiteful entity, and it is rare for her anger to be fully roused by any mortal being. Benten is particularly beloved by the Crane Clan, and returns their adoration with frequent blessings among their ranks as well as on marriages between the Crane and those of other clans. The Scorpion also maintain a regular following devoted to her, but the evidence of that adoration is less obvious.
BISHAMON, FORTUNE OF STRENGTH
Great Bishamon is the mighty warrior of the Seven Fortunes, as well as the one with the shortest temper. Although he is not particularly cruel or wrathful, his anger is more easily aroused and he is far more likely than the other Seven Fortunes to levy a punishment against those in the mortal realm he perceives as having failed their duties to the Celestial Heavens. Despite his relatively tempestuous nature, however, Bishamon is a patron of philosophers and idealists as well as bushi, and barring an eruption of anger he will turn to war only if there is no other solution. Bishamon is always depicted as a huge man in full armor, armed with at least one massive weapon worthy of his size. He is particularly venerated by the Crab and Lion clans, although bushi of all clans pay him homage.
DAIKOKU, FORTUNE OF WEALTH
The Fortune of Wealth is extremely popular among the lower classes of Rokugan; not only is he the patron of farmers and merchants, but there are countless numbers of peasants who crave more wealth so their lot in life will be easier to bear. Daikoku is generally regarded as the most approachable of the Seven Fortunes, and is known for his good sense of humor. He appears as a pleasantly fat man in fine clothing, carrying a large bag of rice which constantly trickles away as he walks—though he never seems to run out. Daikoku is accompanied by a large rat that consumes the rice he leaves behind; he and the rat are great friends and the Fortune sometimes sends the rat to watch over those he favors greatly. The Fortune of Wealth is quite mischievous and often travels the Empire in disguise to sate his curiosity regarding the oddities of mortals. He favors the Unicorn Clan above all others, but also frequently bestows his blessings upon the Crane and Mantis as well. Ironically, outside of the shrine dedicated to him in Unicorn lands, one of his greatest temples is found in the Scorpion city of Ryoko Owari, a place where wealth and crime often go hand-in-hand.
EBISU, FORTUNE OF HONEST WORK
The Fortune of Honest Work is a being of unassuming appearance and distant temperament. His most favored subjects are the peasants of the Empire, if for no other reason than that they work harder than any other mortals and receive virtually no reward. In Ebisu’s mind this is just, for the fruits of hard work are their own reward, and the disappointment of failure is punishment enough for those who do not achieve their goals. Ebisu traditionally appears as a man in rough garb more befitting a common laborer than a divine entity, but his otherworldly aura ensures no one but the most obtuse buffoon would ever mistake him for a mortal commoner. Ebisu favors the Mantis heavily (although this may seem contradictory given their sometimes illicit activities).
FUKUROKUJIN, FORTUNE OF WISDOM
To the Rokugani, the Fortune of Wisdom is the entity most closely associated with the concept of enlightenment, and many pray to him in hopes of achieving that elusive state. Many scholars in the Empire’s theological circles equate the Fortune with Shinsei in some way, with some insisting Fukurokujin is somehow an aspect of Shinsei, while others respond to this suggestion with accusations of blasphemy. He is less well known than many of the other Seven Fortunes, and has far fewer documented appearances in the mortal realm. He is normally depicted as an older man with long, sharp features but bright and alert eyes. Fukurokujin has a history of favoring the Dragon and Phoenix clans, as there are more theologians and scholars among them than in most other parts of the Empire, and far more who seek wisdom for its own sake rather than as an means to an end. The few times the Fortune has appeared or intervened in mortal affairs have often coincided with some form of conflict between his two favored clans, an event which appears to upset him considerably.
HOTEI, FORTUNE OF CONTENTMENT
Hotei is the Fortune of Contentment and Serenity, and blesses those who have accepted their place in the universe. Those who seek his blessings must first accept that their life can be endured and enjoyed; only then will his gift of genuine serenity be bestowed upon them. Those who constantly seek something else or something more will be forever denied his favor. Hotei abhors violence and is unique among the Seven Fortunes in that his wrath is virtually non-existent. He genuinely likes all mortals and has no animosity toward any particular group. Those rare individuals who incur his disfavor find themselves constantly out of place and never fitting in no matter where they go—a mild form of disfavor compared to his brethren among the Seven Fortunes. Hotei universally appears as a heavyset monk-like figure with a perpetual smile and a warm greeting for all he encounters.
JUROJIN, FORTUNE OF LONGEVITY
The Fortune of Longevity represents health and vitality as well as long life, but is also known as a keeper of sacred wisdom. Depending on the Fortunist sect one consults, this makes him either a rival of Fukurokujin or the closest ally of the Fortune of Wisdom. Some believe Jurojin can speak to the animals of Rokugan and knows all they see. Whether this is true or not is a much-debated topic, with some holding it is an exaggeration of his existing portfolio of divine abilities while others insist all of the Seven Fortunes possess such abilities. Regardless, the Scorpion generally believe all that is said of Jurojin and revere him for the secrets he possesses. For whatever reason, Jurojin seems to return their favor.