A topic from AEG's L5R CCG Rules forum, copied for Oracle of the Void from a copy of the forum saved in October 2015, so pages it didn't save are missing. Players' names are left out; the rules officials are named. Rulings are as they stood on these dates; later rulings, the rulebooks and the Rules Archive may differ.
So, was looking to find a way to make her actually playable when I read her ability,
Does her trait give her an exception to be able to be assigned even while bowed if you are the Defender?
Nonhuman • Naga • Greensnake • Mountaineer • Scout Masserah's unit may be assigned during Cavalry Maneuvers if you are the Defender. Battle/Open: Give Masserah a keyword on a target Samurai.
I'm sure there's a clear rule for it, I just couldn't find it.
So, was looking to find a way to make her actually playable when I read her ability,
Does her trait give her an exception to be able to be assigned even while bowed if you are the Defender?
Nonhuman • Naga • Greensnake • Mountaineer • Scout Masserah's unit may be assigned during Cavalry Maneuvers if you are the Defender. Battle/Open: Give Masserah a keyword on a target Samurai.
I'm sure there's a clear rule for it, I just couldn't find it.
No.
See Permissions: Some text permits things to happen in violation of the rules, using terms such as “can” or “may.” Such permissions override specific restrictions and prevention effects in the rules; for example, “He may assign even if bowed.” A permission does not break rules that it doesn't specifically refer to. Example: “Your target Infantry Personality may assign in Cavalry Maneuvers” does not allow a bowed unit to assign.