Ashigaru

    Ashigaru, meaning "nimble legs," are bushi (warriors) of heimin origin. Peasant clans frequently serve as warriors in service of a Daimyo or Ji-zamurai, supplementing the Buke bushi.
    Ashigaru were not accorded the same rights as warriors that the Buke were. They had no immunity against charges for slaying others of a lesser class or in a duel. They could be disarmed or discharged at any time by their lord. Thus, Ashigaru strived to remain in the good graces of their lord. Many fight fiercely and nobly in battle so that they can possibly be elevated to Buke status.
    Ashigaru usually wielded yari (spears) as weapons, or occasionally a sword. They were never allowed to wield or carry the paired Katana and Wakazashi; that was a trademeark unique to the Buke bushi.
 

Ashigaru Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
WF: Common Melee Weapons  Combat levels (choice)  Choose 2 skills from the following list:  Climbing, KS at 12-: Assess value, Popular Dance, or Gardening;  Paramedic, PS at 12-: Craftsman (specify), Farmer, Fisherman, Hunter, or Woodsman; Survival, Tracking, or Trading.  Perk: Ashigaru	2 5 6     1
Disadvantages
Package Bonus	-3
Package Cost	11
Optional Skills:  Sojutsu Maneuvers  KS: Sojustu  Optional Disadvantages:  Style Disadvantage: Sojutsu  Code of the Bushi (Common, total)  Strives to become Buke (Common, strong)	var. 1+     -10 -20 -15

 

    The budoka is a martial arts warrior based on the heroes of martial arts films. Such a character is a master at unarmed styles or exotic weapons such as sai, tonfa, or nunchaku.
    A Budoka can have a variety of backgrounds, but is usually a member of the lower classes, such as a street fighting Yakuza or a champion of the common people. However humble their beginnings, they often have exotic tales of how they came about their martial training.
    The Budoka is an excellent choice is you want to make a martial character but to not wish the rigid lifestyle of codes of conduct that are experienced by Ashigaru or Samurai.
 

Budoka Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
Martial Arts (usually maneuvers and elements from Bojutsu /  Jojutsu, Jujutse, Karate, Kobo-Jutsu, or Kempo or some other variety of Kung Fu)  WF: Common Martial Arts Melee Weapons  KS: Style knowledge, 11-  +2 Levels with martial arts or weapons  Choose 2 from the following list:  Acrobatics, Breakfall, Climbing, Combat Sense, Gambling,  Stealth, Streetwise.	15   2 2 6 6
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Style Disadvantage  Psych lim: choose from: gunslinger mentality, protective of commoners, foolishly showy, or code of the Chinese  knight.	-3 -10 -15
Package Cost	3

 

    Gakusho are the clergy of Mythic Nippon. Though a singular package deal is presented here, two different religious traditions are covered by this package: Buddhism and Shinto.
    Buddhist teachings are widespread in Mythic Nippon, and there are many divisions and subsects. It is a structured religion with a formal hierarchy. The goal of Buddhists is to seek ethical values which will lead them to Nirvana, a state of enlightenment in which the illusory nature of the world is revealed.
    Shinto is the native religion of Mythic Nippon. Meaning "the Way of the Gods," it is concerned with the 8 million gods or spirits of Mythic Nippon known as Kami.
    There is a third major division: Ryobu-Shinto. This literally means "Equal Way of Buddhism and Shinto." The principles of this religion propose that the Shinto and Buddhist pantheons are identical: the great Kami are in in fact manifestations of the Buddhas.
    A wandering Gakusho in Buddhism is called a Bonze or monk. Female Gakusho of this type are called Ama, nuns. They wear saffron orange robes and shaven heads. They live by begging from the common folk, and it is considered praiseworthy to give alms to such a holy person.
    Most Shinto Gakusho live among their neighbors as laymen. Such Shinto priests are called Shinsoku. They are called upon to perform priestly services during festivals and when they are otherwise needed.
    The following package deal represents such a priest. Priests that belong to martial monasteries are covered by the Sohei ("warrior-monk") package deal.
 

Gakusho Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
Martial Arts (Bojutsu or Jujutsu. Bozu / Ama may select  Kung Fu as well)  WF: Staff (or other weapon)  KS: Style knowledge, 8-  KS: Classical Literature (Chinese for Bozu / Ama,  Japanese for Shinsoku)  KS: Doctor 12- or Chinese Healing 11-  KS: Theology (Shinto or Buddhist)  Choose 3 from the following list:  KS at 12-: Calligraphy, Sacred Dance, Gardening, Music,  or Poetry; Oratory, Paramedic, or Survival.  Perk: Gakusho	10 2 1 2 3 2 9   2
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Style Disadvantage  Psych lim: Shinto or Buddhist vows  (Common, strong)	-3 -10 -15
Package Cost	3
Optional Disadvantages:  Distinctive Appearance: Shaven head and saffron orange robes  (concealable, recognized) (Buddhist only)	-10

    Shinto vows include no contact with dead bodies, the sick, or wounded, avoidance of homes in mourning or where childbirth is occurring , no meat or liquor on holy days. Murder, defiling holy ground, rape, and violence to Kami are all considered great sins and are to be avoided at all costs.
    Buddhist vows include no eating of meat (fish allowed), avoidance of needless violence, killing for any reason, and gluttony or drunkeness. Rape, defiling of holy places, and murder are considered great sins. Temple priests are also required to be celibate.
    Gakusho may have magical abilities according to their religion. See the section on Gakusho powers.

    The kensai, "sword saint," is a masterful swordsman. The kensai's mastery of the sword has led him to a position of respect and admiration due to their mastery. A kensai usually acts as an instructor in the arts of swordsmanship.
    The following package assumes that the kensai will also take the Samurai / Ronin kit. If not, the Kensai should take the 3 point Buke perk, or be assumed to be something of a hermit who does not have the proper right to wield swords.
    The Kensai is assumed to be a master of Kenjutsu. At the GM's option, the package may be a master of another weapon art, such as a female Buke master of the Naginata.
 

Kensai Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
Kenjutsu maneuvers  KS: Style knowledge, 11-  PS: Sensei (Teacher), 11-  KS: Analyze style (int-based)  2D6 Aid to DEX, up to +48 cps (+16 DEX), fade at 5 cps /  5 min (+½), self only (-½), requires analyze style skill roll (-½),  extra time, full phase (-½), must watch target fighting someone  else for 1 phase per roll (-½), failed roll or interruption prevents  further rolls (-½), concentrate ½ DCV (-¼), DEX only for CV  (-¼), only vs. one foe (-1).	10 2 2 3 8
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Style Disadvantage	-3 -10
Package Cost	12
Optional Skills / Perks:  WF: Common Melee Weapons (required if the character does not take the Samurai / Ronin package)  Perk: Buke	2 3

 

    The ninja are notorious spies and assassins in Mythic Nippon, also called shinobi ("stealer-in"). Ninja belong to extended clans, the home bases of which exist in mountainous areas of Mythic Nippon. They usually operate on behalf of certain Buke noble clans on a near-exclusive basis.
    Ninja are divided into 3 main rank divisions: genin, chunin, and jonin. Genin were the lower order ninja who performed the dangerous missions of the ninja. The chunin are middlemen, managers, and supervisors of the ninja. The jonin were the highest rank of ninja, and were the headmen, advisors, and elders of ninja clans.
    There were female ninja called kunoichi. They were proficient in traditional ninja talents but were especially well known for they expertise and seduction and infiltration.
    Ninja's fighting art, often called ninjutsu, is more properly called taijutsu. The term ninjutsu actually referred to all of the espionage arts of the ninja.
 

Ninja Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
Martial Arts Maneuvers (Taijutsu or Karate)  WF: common melee weapons, common missile weapons,  common martial arts melee weapons, blowgun, fukami-bari,  and garotte.  KS: Style knowledge, 8-  Language: Ninja clan codes and symbols  Acrobatics  Breakfall  Climbing  Concealment  Stealth  Perk: Contact, ninja clan, 8-  Choose 3 from the following list:  Contortionist, Conversation, Disguise, Fast-Draw, KS:  Cartography 12-, High Society, Lockpicking, Riding, Security  Systems, Seduction, Sleight of Hand, Survival, Tracking,  Weaponsmith.	10 9   1 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 9
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Style Disadvantage  Hunted, ninja family, more powerful,  NCI, severe punish, watching*, 11-  Distinctive Feature: Ninja nightsuit, Easily concealable, severe  reaction.	-3 -10 -13 -15
Package Cost	6
Optional Disadvantages::  Secret Identity  Rogue ninja (the ninja is hunted instead of just watched [25 total  points], and loses the contact with the clan [1 point])  Psych Lim: code of the Bushi	-15 -13 -20

 

    Samurai are the noble warriors of Nippon. The term samurai literally means "retainer." They were highly trained and disciplined warriors who were expected to lay down their lives for their lords and their honor.
    Warrior members of the Buke exist that do not have masters, called ronin. Ronin come about this status if they are discharged by their lord or their clan is destroyed. Alternately, a character may be born to a ronin family and inherit this status.
    Some ronin enter other pursuits and assume the position of their new calling. Those that retain the warrior tradition and heritage are also covered by this package deal. Ronin typically wander the land, seeking a new master, acting as mercenaries, or (occasionally) turning to less noble pursuits such as banditry.
    Note that the following kit represent a more typical rabble ronin or samurai. More talented warriors will likely have a number of kenjutsu maneuvers. Note that many of the selectable skills of this kit include fine arts that were also the bread & butter of the Buke.
 

Samurai / Ronin Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
WF: Common Melee Weapons, Bows  Riding  Combat Skill Levels (choice)  Choose 3 from the following list:  Acting, Breakfall, Fast Draw, KS at 12- (Calligraphy,   Classical Literature, Formal Dance, Divination, Gardening,  Go, Hawking, Mon, Healing, Music, Painting, Poetry, Siege  Warfare, Tea Ceremony, Woodcut Art), PS: Teacher At 12-,  Tactics, or Weaponsmith.  Perk: Buke	3 3 8 9         3
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Code of Vengeance (Common, Total)	-3 -20
Package Cost	8
Optional Skills and Perks:  Kenjutsu maneuvers  KS: Kenjutsu  Perk: Lower nobility  Perk: Upper nobility  Optional Disadvantages:  Distinctive Appearance: Swaggering  Samurai (concealable, recognized)  Code of the Bushi (Common, Total)  Reputaion: Ronin (for ronin only), 8-  Style Disadvantage: Kenjutsu	var. 1 2 5       -10 -20 -5 -10

 

    The shukenja is a practitioner of the sino-Buddhist mystical art of Kenja. Though people of many heritages may practice or study the ways of Kenja, attaining mastery in it takes much devout study that was not typically pursued by gentle folk.
    The shugenja package represents a hermit or other serious student of the shugenja ways. This is close to the hermit or adept package from Fantasy Hero, but some other packages from FH may be suitable as well.
 

Shugenja Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
Magic Skill at +2  Scholar  Inventor (Spell Research)  KS: Sino-Buddhism or Taoism, 12-  KS: Divination, 12-  KS: Specific Magic Knowlege  KS: Chinese Classics  KS: Calligraphy  Cramming  Language: Chinese, fluent, literate	7 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 5 3
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Age: 40+  Obsessed with study of nature & magic  (Common, strong)	-3 -5 -15
Package Cost	5
Optional Skills and Perks:  The Shugenja should take spells from one or more of the colleges of: Fire, Earth, Water, Plant and Wood, or Metal.

 

    The Gakusho package deal above describes a fairly peaceful or itinerant monk or priest. This package describes Sohei (warrior-monk) or Yamabushi ("mountain warriors") members of militant monastery of temple. It is the approximate equivalent of the "Warrior Monk" package deal.
    Such militant orders at various times were allies of foes of provincial lords. What they were depended on the attitude of the temple towards the existing order as well as the attitude of the Shogun and local Buke towards the monastery.
    Some Sohei had legendary abilities with their arts, such as Zen Archery (see the UMA description of kyujutsu.) Note that the codes against killing of these sects are less strict than those of Gakusho.
 

Sohei / Yamabushi Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
Martial Arts (Kenjutsu, Kyujutsu, Karate, or Kung Fu)  WF: 2 of: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile  Weapon, Common Martial Arts Melee weapons  Combat levels (choice)  KS: Style knowledge, 8-  KS: Classical Literature (Chinese for Buddhist, Japanese for  Shinto)  KS: Theology (Shinto or Buddhist)  Choose 1 from the following list:  KS: Chinese Healing, KS at 12-: Calligraphy, Sacred Dance,  Gardening,Music, or Poetry; Oratory, Paramedic, or Survival.  Perk: Gakusho	10 6 9 1 2 2 3   2
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Style Disadvantage  Psych lim: Shinto or Buddhist vows  (Common, moderate)  Distinctive appearance: shaven head  (Buddhist), or Unkept (Shinto), recognized	-3 -10 -10 -10
Package Cost	2

 

    The Yakuza's nature depended on their personal ethics - an individual Yakuza could be a hero of the downtrodden, a labor leader, a vigilante or a despicable gangster. The typical image of a Yakuza is a professional criminal.
    Yakuza means "gambler." Indeed, many Yakuza made their living that way. On the whole, Yakuza are professional thieves. They were not typically armed robbers - such techniques usually fell to out of work Ronin and Ashigaru. More often, Yakuza are stealthy burglars and racketeers.
    Members of Yakuza gangs cover their upper bodies in garish tatoos. Usually, one's rank in a Yakuza gang can be determined by the amount of tatoos that they possess. An insulted Yakuza would usually flip down the corner of his garment to reveal his brilliant tatoo to serve as a warning. Incedentally, this action frees the swordarm if the expected apology does not arrive.
    Yakuza make much of their money off of legitimate enterprises: sedan chair franchises, tea-houses, inns, and so forth. However, their illegal activities include burglary, extortion, protection rackets, and fencing. Yakuza ensured compliance and protected their gang territory through fear and force.
    Though Yakuza are normally considered malignant and dishonorable, in some ways they are benign. They sometimes serve as informal police forces in inner city areas that they control, living up to the promises they make of "protection." Yakuza enforcers usually keep the peace in the face of unruly swordmen and bona-fide armed robbers using jo sticks, sai, and kiseru. Many Yakuza used tantos and were proficient sumotori. They are often supported by Daimyos because they can, at times, help control civil unrest.
 

Yakuza Package Deal
Skills and Talents	Cost
WF: common melee weapons.  WF: karate weapons.  Language: Yakuza Dialect  Lockpicking  Gambling  Stealth  Streetwise  Choose 2 from the following list:  Climbing, Concealment, Forgery,   KS Massage 12-, Sleight of Hand,  Trading.	2 1 1 3 3 3 3 6
Disadvantages
Package Bonus  Distinctive Features: Tatoos (concealable, causes reaction)	-3 -15
Package Cost	4
Optional Skills:  Martial Arts Maneuvers (Sumo or Saijutsu)  KS: Style  Contact with gang  Optional Disadvantages:  Watched by gang, more powerful, NCI, limited geography  Style disadvantage	var. 1 1+     -8+ -10