Within are the names of the lesser families and the schools that they have created in the service of their Clans.

Transcription

1 The Red Dojo Schools of the Vassal Houses Introduction Within are the names of the lesser families and the schools that they have created in the service of their Clans. The basic premise and requirements for creating characters from these families or schools are located in the Meditation Room under "Vassal Houses". Crab Clan Aiburo Family (Hida Vassals) This family was born of the courage of Hida Aiburo, a general in the armies of the Crab. Aiburo's skill at single combat played a critical part in the Crab's expansion northwards after the loss of the Hiruma castle. Unlike many Crabs he disdained the use of the tetsubo, focusing exclusively on the sword. Benefit: +1 Stamina Wadori Family (Yasuki Vassals) The Yasuki have long needed strong backs in their shops and caravans. The Wadori, once only peasants, stepped forward. They have proven discrete and loyal, becoming trusted servants. A Wadori never flinches, serving the Yasuki in both legal and criminal capacities. Benefit +1 Strength Aiburo Kenshi School Benefit: +1 Willpower

2 Penalty: Learning rank one of any weapon skill not included as part of the 7 school skills costs an additional character point or experience point. Skills: Archery, Defense, Iaijutsu, Intimidation, Kenjutsu, Shadowlands Lore, Weaponsmith Rank 1: Path of the Sword It is said that an Aiburo sword-master will practice until his hands bleed and then practice with a slippery grip. When ever the bushi uses his Kenjutsu skill he may keep a number of dice equal to his Kenjutsu instead of the attribute. Void points still add +1k1 to these rolls. Rank 2: Armored in Spirit The kenshi's dedication allows him to ignore lesser blows. The character is considered to have monster type armor equal to his Earth Ring plus school rank (damage dice less than the armor are reduced to 1's). Rank 3: Inner Fire The Kenshi's powerful spirit may wring extra effort from an exhausted body. If the kenshi is reduced to down or out in combat, he may spend all of his void points (minimum of three) to temporarily recover wounds equal to 6 x his Earth Ring (three full wound ranks). At the end of the skirmish or after the next battle turn, the kenshi has his current wounds or his previous total, which ever is worse. Wadori Hitoden School This school is best describe as a finishing school for thugs and gangsters. Those Wadori who work with more respectable Yasuki act as bodyguards and crew bosses. Benefit: +1 Strength

3 Beginning Honor: 1, plus 1 box Penalty: Must buy the Noble Birth advantage or be part of the merchant class. Skills: Commerce, Intimidation 2, Jiujutsu, Streetwise, pick one bugei skill and one low skill Rank 1: Look at Me The character oozes menace. The hitoden may cause one person who meets her gaze to face a fear check with a fear rating equal to his Intimidation skill. Those who fail are visibly shaken. This may be done a number of times per day equal to his Intimidation + Void. This does not require an action. Rank 2: Friends in Low Places The thug is connected to the flow of goods and favors that takes place out of sight of the samurai class. Use the first two levels of the Doji courtier favor tables for ideas on what he can acquire, but give everything a darker, seedier aspect (introduction to a gambling den, a fine but stolen item, minor blackmail, etc.). The character may call upon such favors once per adventure, but will always be called upon to scratch someone else's back later. Rank 3: Within an Inch of Your Life Sometimes a sound beating is required when communicating with others. The hitoden may make two attacks per round so long as one of them is made using jiujutsu. He is also able to pull his attacks so that a killing blow instead leaves a human target with exactly one wound if he wishes. Your Outfit Aiburo Kenshi Advanced Outfit (pg. 62). Wadori Hitoden (One item of poor quality, one item of fine quality, the rest are of average quality) Wakizashi (if samurai), distinctive tattoo, kimono, pick one weapon, 3 koku.

4 Crane Clan Iwase Family (Daidoji Vassals) The Iwase serve as the scouts and spearmen within the Crane armies. Benefit: +1 Perception Tsume Family (Doji Vassals) Perhaps the most aggressive of the Doji vassals, the Tsume are more noted as warriors than poets. Benefit: +1 Agility Iwase Scout School These spearmen of the Crane have a great rivalry with the Shimada-ryu, the Lion's school of the spear. The Iwase hold the spear overhead, thrusting downward like the sharp beak of the crane, and balance on one foot when striking. Benefit: +1 Reflexes Skills: Athletics, Defense, Horsemanship, Hunting, Kenjutsu, Yari, and Stealth Rank 1: Stance of the Crane At this rank the bushi learns to emulate the motions of the crane: wings that batter and a beak that strikes instantly. Instead of a normal attack the bushi may sweep an opponent (as the Kaze-do maneuver) using the butt end of a yari, naginata, or bo-staff. Use the appropriate weapon skill in place

5 of Kaze-do. Also, if the bushi gets an extra initiative die for using a pole-arm, he keeps an extra die as well. Rank 2: Wading in the Reeds From observing the crane, the bushi learns to watch for opportunities before committing to battle. The scout may declare the degree to which he is engaged in a battle after advantage has been determined and after he has rolled to determine which row of the battle table he will read from this turn. Rank 3: Fishing for Men As the crane hunts fish, so the bushi learns to hunt men: killing with a single stroke. The bushi may use raises to strike a fatal blow. Each raise allows the bushi to keep one extra die of damage. If the damage does not kill the target it instead does exactly one wound. This is not considered a reduction of damage. Tsume Kenshi School Benefit: +1 Reflexes Skills: Battle, Defense, Etiquette, Iaijutsu, Intimidation, Kenjutsu, and pick one high skill Rank 1: Talons of the Crane Like the Kakita, the Tsume also fight returning the sword to the sheath after every stroke, striking with blinding speed. The kenshi may substitute his iaijutsu skill for Kenjutsu when attacking with a katana. The kenshi also adds his reflexes to the total of his rolls to hit. Rank 2: Know Your Place! The Tsume are masters of intimidation through swordplay. They receive a number of free raises to called shots that do no damage (disarms, trimming

6 mustaches, cropping topknots) equal to their school rank. Normal intimidation rolls should be suitably modified after a successful maneuver (GMs discretion, but commonly a number of free raises). Rank 3: Strike Without Striking The kenshi is so swift in his motions that he can strike, return his blade to the sheath, and still have time to dodge. The character can make a roll for a normal attack (never a full attack) but his TN to be hit this round is as if using full defense. The character may not combine this technique with any technique that gives two attacks in one round. Your Outfit Iwase Scout (Three items are of fine quality): Katana, Wakizashi, Yari, Traveling Pack, Dried Food, Drab-colored Kimono, 1 Koku, Mount. Tsume Kenshi (All items are of fine quality): Katana, Wakizashi, Traveling Pack, 3 Kimono, 6 Koku. May choose light armor or mount. Dragon Clan Hayato Family (Mirumoto Vassals) The Hayato are a small family within the Dragon Clan, and the keepers of a sad, but sacred trust. Mirumoto Hayato was the Dragon's emissary to the Snake Clan, a minor Clan that split from the Dragon generations before. When the much respected Snake Clan was obliterated, Hayato was the only man left alive who had been declared a master in their school. Mirumoto Raizo, daimyo of the Mirumoto (with the Champion's approval) gave Hayato permission to found his own Family within the Dragon. Hayato was charged with keeping the teachings of the Snake alive, that the memory of such honored cousins should not pass away completely. It is a task to which they have dedicated themselves to. (Characters from this family MUST attend the Hayato school if they arebushi.) Benefit: +1 Awareness Itou Family (Agasha Vassals)

7 Once, when the magics of an Agasha shugenja saved the life of her only child, Itou Saemi swore that, "so long as one Itou draws breath there will be a samurai to stand guard before the Agasha." Her children have served the Dragon ever since. Benefit: +1 Perception Usami Family (Mirumoto Vassals) The Usami are battle-philosophers who aid in the planing of the Dragons defenses. Benefit: +1 Perception Hayato Kenshi School From the Blood of the Dragon it arose, and to the Dragon it has returned. The Snake Clan, born of the Mirumoto, fought with two swords as well. The Hayato preserve their ways exactly, as a living tribute to memory of their extinct kin. All of these techniques may only be performed with swords, and the second and third require the student to have two swords in hand to perform them. Benefit: +1 Reflexes Skills: Archery, Defense, Etiquette, History, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Meditation Rank 1: Way of the Snake The snake strikes with such speed and precision that only the sharpest eye may observe the stroke. A student of the Snake school learns to strike with the same abruptness. When attacking with a sword (or any Kenjutsu-based weapon) the bushi rolls Reflexes + Kenjutsu instead of using Agility. When attacking an opponent with a lower initiative roll the kenshi adds the difference between their initiatives to his attack roll. Rank 2: Sun and Moon Cut The fangs of a serpent strike together, as do the blades of the snake school. During a full attack, if the bushi is armed with two sword, he strikes with both. The combined damage is equal to the more damaging weapon +1k1.

8 Rank 3: The Coils of Enticement By luring an opponent off guard with one blade, the bushi may set him up for a devastating riposte with the other. The bushi must select one opponent who has already declared an attack against him (and therefore must have a lower initiative this round). Instead of attacking, the Hayato then rolls his Reflexes + Kenjutsu. This result becomes the targeted opponent's TN to hit the bushi(others use the TN for a normal attack). If the opponent misses, the Hayato -automatically- hits the targeted opponent with one sword. The target then loses any other attack(s) he was entitled to this round. The Hayato may not raise while attempting this maneuver. If the opponent does hit, the Hayato makes no attacks this round. Itou Yojimbo School Those who carry out the eternal oath of the Itou learn the ways of the yojimbo, ready to give their lives to preserve those of Agasha blood. Benefit: +1 Reflexes Skills: Defense 2, Etiquette, Iaijutsu, Kenjutsu, Shugenja lore, and pick one bugei skill Rank 1: Guiding the Blow At this rank the yojimbo has learned to fight using the sword-and-saya techniques of the Itou style. If the bushi has his saya in his off-hand he keeps two dice when declaring full defense. Thebushi is also trained to strike in any direction. He may attack overhead, at his feet, or even directly behind himself at no penalty. Rank 2: Bearing the Blow At this rank the bushi learns to place himself between danger and that which he guards. He may redirect a number of attacks aimed at one other person to

9 himself equal to his school rank each round. This does not take an action on the part of the bodyguard, and must be declared before the attack is rolled. Rank 3: Breaking the Blow Instead of using her saya to defend, the bodyguard may now use it to foul other's attacks. The yojimbo may choose one opponent within melee range who must drop his highest die to hit and damage that round. The opponent does not have to be attacking the bodyguard. If the yojimbo has declared full defense that round she only keeps one die. Usami Bushi School Like the Mirumoto-ryu, this school is based upon the words of Mirumoto Hojatsu. While the students of the Usami-ryu fight with katana and wakizashi drawn, they gain no benefit from it until the third rank. Benefit: +1 Strength Skills: Archery, Battle, Defense, Engineering, Kenjutsu, Nazodo, and Shintao Rank 1: Let Him Go By Studying the words of Hojatsu, students of the Usami-ryu learn to meet aggression with [emptiness]. Opponents making full attacks do not receive two extra dice when attacking this character. The maximum number of raises (not including free raises) an opponent may declare against the bushi is reduced to the opponent's Void Ring minus the (Usami) bushi's School Rank. Rank 2: Strike from the Spirit At this rank the bushi learns to "leave the mind behind" and to act only from the spirit. Unencumbered by thought and artifice the blade strikes swiftly and freely. The bushi may choose to roll (School Rank)k1 + Reflexes as his base

10 for initiative (pole arms and quick would further modify the roll), but if he does so he may make no raises of any sort that round. Rank 3: The River Sword At this rank the bushi learns to be flowing in his attacks. If the bushi is armed with katana and wakizashi, and hits with the katana, he automatically hits the same opponent with the wakizashi as well. This does a flat 4k2, dropping the highest die (do not add strength dice to this roll). Raises cannot effect this second roll. This technique may not be combined with any other that gives multiple attacks per round. Your outfit Hayato Kenshi Basic Bushi Outfit (pg. 62). Itou Yojimbo Basic Bushi Outfit (pg. 62). Usami Bushi Same as Mirumoto bushi (pg. 83). Lion Clan Goseki Family (Matsu Vassals) Those of the loyal Goseki family are often the yojimbo of important Lion clansmen. Benefit: +1 Strength Shimada Family (Ikoma Vassals)

11 The warriors of the Shimada family will press an attack long after any other samurai would have paused for rest. They are often involved in the sieges fought by the Lion. Benefit: +1 Stamina Goseki Bushi School Often called the Lion berserkers, a student of the Goseki-ryu's eyes frequently burn with the inner fire of bushido. Benefit: +1 Willpower Skills: Archery, Battle, Bushido Lore, History, Jiujutsu, Kenjutsu, and Yadomejutsu Rank 1: The Way of Anger The attacks of the Goseki-ryu are based on crushing power more than graceful swordplay. While making an attack the bushi may substitute his Strength for Agility, rolling Strength + Weapon Skill keeping Strength. Rank 2: Three-Cuts Kata At this rank the Bushi begins to learn the Goseki's most powerful technique: the Three-Cuts Kata. If the character succeeds in hitting with a normal attack, he may immediately make another (normal) attack on the same opponent using the previous TN +10. The maximum, total number of attacks the character can make in a round is equal to his school rank. This may not be combined with the effects of ANY other technique (including the Goseki rank 1). Rank 3: Blade of Rage The bushi's physical strength and robust, aggressive chi are overwhelming. If the bushi succeeds in hitting with a full attack, the opponent must make a

12 simple Water + Athletics roll with a TN equal to the damage or be knocked from his feet. If the target has not taken an action this round he may switch his action to standing up. The TN to hit a prone character is 5. Shimada Bushi School The Shimada have a saying: "War is Run!", and they are tireless runners. They fight holding the spear to the hip, and their charges only end when the point is seen coming out the other side of a foe. They despise the effete spearwork of their rival school, the Iwase-ryu. Benefit: +1 Agility Skills: Athletics 2, Battle, Defense, Kenjutsu, Siege, and Yari Rank 1: Onslaught of the Lion The persistence of the Shimada-ryu is tested from the very first day. If the bushi misses with a normal attack he may try again, targeting the same opponent and rolling at -2k-1. The maximum number of extra attempts equals the bushi's school rank. The die penalties from multiple attempts are cumulative (-2k-1, then -4k-2, finally -6k-3). Each attack is separate (dice from void points do not roll over to the next try), and once an attack succeeds no further attempts are allowed. This technique may not be combined with any technique that gives multiple attacks per round. Rank 2: Charge!!! The bushi may employ a tactic similar to that used by mounted lancers. For each full round the bushi has run towards his enemy before striking, he may roll an additional die for damage (maximum extra dice equal to his school rank). Rank 3: Roar of 10,000 Lions

13 At this rank the bushi learns the tremendous battle cry of a Lion samurai. The bushi spends a void point as she unleashes a great snarl. All enemies that can both see and hear the Lion are subject to a fear effect equal to half the Lion's glory rank (round up). Your Outfit Goseki Bushi Advanced Outfit (pg. 62) Shimada Bushi Advanced Outfit (pg. 62) Phoenix Clan Koike Family (Shiba Vassals) The Koike learn to observe their surroundings, their enemies, and themselves. They are wary, cautious warriors. Less contemplative than the Shiba, they spend much time patrolling the lands of the Phoenix. Benefit: +1 Perception Yumeno Family (Asako Vassals) The Yumeno are poets, artists, and musicians. They are welcome guests at the long winter courts of the Phoenix lands. Benefit: +1 Awareness Koike Bushi School

14 Koike trained bushi roam the back-county of the Phoenix provinces hunting bakemono and bandit alike. They sometimes spend weeks isolated and alone in the wilderness. Benefit: +1 Stamina Skills: Archery, Defense, Hunting, Kenjutsu, Mountaineering, Naginata, and Shintao Rank 1: Those Who Stand Alone The Koike bushi must remain supremely alert, for no one else guards their backs. For purposes of determining surprise add the bushi's school rank to his Air Ring. The bushi is equally alert to sudden danger awake or asleep. Rank 2: Unfettered Attack The bushi's has learned to face those that rely on numbers to succeed. If the bushi has attacks declared on her by two or more opponents, she may make a number of attacks per round equal to her school rank, with the following restrictions: she may not attack the same opponent twice (in one round) and all the attacks must be directed against opponents who are attacking her. Rank 3: One with the World The bushi's spirit blends seamlessly into the chi of the world. She no longer leaves tracks of any kind and is rarely recalled by anyone who has not directly interacted with or deliberately watched her. Yumeno Kodo (Drummer) School This school is an artisan school. Because of it's usefulness, drummers are often found on the battlefield. The maya of this school are very fast. Once the drummer has begun the effects occur in nine rounds minus the drummer's school rank. None of these maya may be held. Drumming is a demanding art.

15 A drummer may only perform for a number of minutes equal to his stamina x school rank, before resting for a third of that time. Benefit: +1 Stamina Skills: Athletics, Defense, Music (Drums) 2, Shintao, Tessen and pick one high skill Rank 1: Lure of the Heart The music of the heartbeat commands the attention of the spirits. This can make it very difficult for shugenja to call upon the kami. By making a Void + Music roll with a TN of 20, the drummer may increase the TN of all spellcasting in his area by 5. For every two raises the drummer makes the TN is increased by an additional 5. Rank 2: Filling the Heart The sound of the drums can fill a warrior's spirit with steel. While drumming, all friendly samurai who can hear the sound automatically succeed on any fear check and may keep one extra die on one roll per round. Rank 3: Beating the Heart The Drummer may use the sounds of his drums to drive evil spirits away. Once the drumming takes effect, any creature with the Shadowlands taint, and any malevolent spirits are driven from the area until the drumming stops. The radius of this effect is 10 yards per point of void the drummer has. Your Outfit Koike Bushi School (All items of average quality except the traveling pack) Katana, Wakizashi, Naginata, Bow, 20 Arrows of any type(s), Light Armor, Fine traveling pack, Heavy Kimono, and 1 Koku

16 Yumeno Artisan (all items are of average quality) Wakizashi, Tessen, 2 Drums, Drumsticks, Kimono, Traveling pack, 4 koku. Scorpion Clan Iioka Family (Bayushi Vassals) Within the Scorpion Clan, there are those study Kyudo, the way of the bow. One of these, Bayushi Nogoten, saved the life of the Emperor by killing a crazed tiger that had escaped the Imperial Menagerie. It died instantly after being struck with a single arrow. When it was discovered that poison had saved the life of Hantei the 31st, no public recognition was possible. The Scorpion Champion commanded Nogoten to change his name... before forming a new family. There are those who say more than a little Iioka blood flows in the veins of the Wasp daimyo Tsuruchi... Benefit: +1 Perception Kochako Family (Shosuro Vassals) The slim and frail looking members of this minor Scorpion family rely more on words than blows. Those that do take up the sword must respect their own weaknesses before mastering the weaknesses of others. Benefit: +1 Agility Iioka Bushi School The Iioka are one of the many tools in the Scorpion arsenal. When an opponent must simply be removed, the Iioka stand ready to send the unworthy on to the Void. Benefit: +1 Reflexes

17 Skills: Archery, Defense, Fletchery, Hunting, Kenjutsu, Poison, and Stealth Rank 1: Strike from the Heavens The Scorpion has learned to sting swiftly and from a great distance. While shooting a bow he may roll but not keep an extra die for initiative and is unaffected by range penalties. Rank 2: Seize the Moment The bushi may take two actions per round (including attacks) on any round where he himself is not being attacked. Rank 3: The Hand of Fate The Iioka have always focused on the idea of the single attack that fulfills destiny. They strive for the perfect killing blow: where it is destiny, not the hand of man, that lays the target low. By spending a void point the bushi may keep two extra dice for one damage roll. This technique will not effect any character with the Great Destiny advantage. Kochako Bushi School Benefit: +1 Intelligence Beginning Honor: 1, plus 5 boxes Penalty: Students of this school may not use any of their techniques while wearing armor Skills: Archery, Dance, Defense, Kenjutsu, Lore (bushi schools), Oration, and pick one low skill

18 Rank 1: The Way of Grace The bushi learns to control his body and weapons with subtlety rather than muscle. When rolling damage for any weapon he has a skill of 3 or better with the character may roll Agility + Damage Rating instead of Strength + DR. While so armed, the Scorpion also adds his Fire Ring to initiative rolls. Rank 2: Learning to Learn At this rank the Bushi is expected to begin mastering a variety of weapons. This constant training teaches the bushi the most important lesson: how to learn. The experience point cost to improve any bugei skill the character has (already at rank 1 or better) is reduced by one point. Rank 3: My Enemy's Weakness At this rank the bushi has learned to counter or evade the multiple-attacks-perround techniques of other schools. Opponents must spend a void point to make more than one attack per round on the bushi. If an opponent directs a second attack against the bushi without doing so it is lost without effect. This technique may never be used in combination with a technique that grants multiple attacks. Your Outfit Iioka Bushi Same as Bayushi Bushi (pg. 89) Kochako Bushi Same as Bayushi Bushi (pg. 89) Unicorn Clan Horiuchi Family (Iuchi Vassals) While the lady Horiuchi Shoan has yet to have children of her own, their are many stalwart souls who have asked to join her family and honor her name. While not the largest of the vassal families by any stretch, it is the fastest growing. Benefit: +1 Awareness

19 Tanji Family (Ide Vassals) The Tanji make up the groups of mounted infantry and scouts who support the more showy cavalry tactics of the Shinjo and Otaku. The Tanji are a very carefree and easy going bunch, but they can become as grim as a Moto when the Unicorn ways area slighted. Benefit: +1 Stamina Horiuchi Shugenja School The followers of Horiuchi have committed themselves to the mastery of the meishodo form of magic. They have at long last made a breakthrough in shaping the energies released be speaking the words of creation. They have discovered a secret way of singing the words that modulates the effect. Benefit: +1 Perception Penalty: The Horiuchi school only has three ranks. The student may not advance beyond this limit. As practitioners of meishodo, they may not learn Sense, Commune, or Summon spells, and all normal spells have their TN increased by 5. Skills: Horiuchi shugenja may make exactly one normal raise while using meishodo. Calligraphy, Craft (jewelry), Herbalism, Horsemanship, Meditation, Singing, and pick one high skill Beginning Spells 3 Water meishodo, 2 Fire meishodo, 1 Earth meishodo, and 2 Water spells. Tanji Scout School Tanji "Striders" are a familiar sight on the battlefields of Rokugan where Unicorn force is hampered by uneven terrain. Benefit: +1 Agility

20 Skills: Athletics, Battle, Defense, Horsemanship, Hunting, Kenjutsu, and pick one bugei skill Rank 1: Race the Winds The striders are a powerful runners. Add the character's school rank to his initiative rolls and to Agility for the purpose of determining foot speed. Rank 2: Glimpse the Unicorn To see the Unicorn is said to be a sign of great fortune. But to see one you must be very alert, or very lucky. The Tanji might be both. The scout may reroll perception rolls a number of times per day equal to his school rank. Rank 3: Dance of the Unicorn The scout learns to apply the grace of the Unicorn to the deeds of a warrior. The character gets an extra non-attack action each round. Your Outfit Horiuchi Shugenja Same as Iuchi Shugenja (pg. 91) Tanji Scout (Two items are considered fine, the rest are of average quality): Katana, Wakizashi, Light Armor, Traveling Pack, Kimono, Steed, one weapon, 6 koku.