Character Creation

So here are the barebones Character Creation rules, the idea being to give the quick rundown, then there follows detailed explanations and rules for Skills, Qualities, and Equipment afterward.

The uji, shinden, and Disciplines all get covered in individual chapters that give both rule and setting information. That way you have the most defining characteristics of the setting paired with its mechanics and context in depth. I will be attaching a short list (a page each) of uji-meibutsu and Discipline data for quick reference.

Character Creation

At the very beginning, choose among three character types: Uji Samurai, Ronin, or Gakusho. This will affect how your character is generated.

Uji Samurai: You belong to the samurai caste that rules Hachigoku: “Those who make war.” Further, you have sworn fealty to a specific  daimyo, the leader of an uji (“clan”). The daimyo in turn may have sworn fealty to the daimyo of another uji, and so on, or his uji exists independently. You are classified as a ji-samurai, one of the millions of samurai serving uji throughout Hachigoku but not kin to the kuge and buke dynasties of the daimyo. Your basic needs are taken care of by your daimyo, and in return you owe him your utmost service and devotion.

Ronin: You are a member of the samurai caste, but have no ties to an uji. The Ronin (“wave-men”) are tides that move across Hachigoku with no permanence. You may have been born into an uji and cast out, or simply born to Ronin parents. You must make your way in life alone and demand payment for your service, hoping that someday an uji will find you worthy, that an otokodate (ronin “brotherhood”) will take you in, or that pride in your own skills will fill your belly.

Gakusho: You may have been born of the lowest caste, or born a samurai, or even left on the doorstep of a shinden (“temple”) as an orphan. Whatever your origin, you have embraced the life of the Gakusho (“monk”), dedicating yourself to unraveling the mysteries of the Tao of Shinsei and seeking enlightenment under the guidance of one of the religious sects that dominate the Shinsei no Shinden. You exist outside the Celestial Order, but are considered a necessary element.

Step 1: Faction & Meibutsu
There are numerous uji, shinden, otokodate, and other factions scattered throughout Hachigoku. If you are an Uji Samurai or Gakusho, choose an uji or shinden that your character belongs to. Each uji and shinden bestows a meibutsu (“a little thing”), some particular practice or knowledge they are popularly noted for. The meibutsu translates into a bonus Skill at Rank 2 with a free Emphasis, a combination unique to the uji or shinden. If you wish to create a new uji or shinden not otherwise described, their meibutsu must not be identical to one pre-existing. So, as the Akodo uji has Battle (Warfare), no other uji could have that meibutsu, although it could have Battle and some other Emphasis. Uji and shinden meibutsu, however, do not conflict; there could also be a shinden with Battle (Warfare) as a meibutsu.

Ronin do not have a meibutsu, although there are ronin factions throughout Hachigoku. Each such faction has requirements the ronin must meet before membership is granted. If the ronin can meet these requirements once character creation is complete, only then may the ronin begin play as a member of an otokodate or similar group.

Step 2: Rings & Traits
As a character, your basic physical and mental abilities are broken down into Rings, which symbolize the application of a metaphysical relation between the five elements (or “rings”) of Hachigoku philosophy: Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Void. These Rings each have Ranks, ratings that measure your strength in each element. Each Ring is also divided into two Traits (except for Void), with each Trait reflecting a mental or physical aspect of the element, which also have Ranks of their own. A Ring's Rank is normally equal to the lowest Rank of the two Traits assigned.

Assign 2 Ranks to your Void Ring. You now must prioritize your remaining Rings, with the following distribution: 3, 3, 2, 2. So, now you will have a Void Ring of 2, two Rings at 3, and the last two Rings at 2. At this point, all associated Traits are equal to their Ring.

If you are a Ronin, you add +1 Rank to your Air, Earth, Fire, or Water Rings.

If you are a Gakusho, you add +1 Rank to your Void Ring.

Step 3: On (Glory & Honor)
Now you calculate your on (“face”), a measure of respect, renown, and adherence to Bushido. On is divided between two aspects: Glory and Honor.

Glory reflects the public fame and respect you garner, and is measured in Ranks subdivided into ten points each; thus, a character with a Glory Rank of 3 and 5 Glory points would be said to have Glory 3.5. The only limit on Glory Ranks are your own: you cannot have a Glory Rank higher than your highest Ring Rank. How many Ranks you begin with depends on your type:

• Uji Samurai begin with Glory 1.0.
• Ronin begin with Glory 0.
• Gakusho begin with Glory 2.0.

Honor reflects your internal adherence to the tenets of Bushido, your own measure of worth. Like Glory, it is measured in Ranks subdivided into ten points each, but is neither limited by your Rings nor open-ended. You cannot have more than 5 Ranks of Honor. How many Ranks you begin with depends on your type:
Uji Samurai and Gakusho have Honor determined by their Discipline.
Ronin begin with Honor 1.5.

Step 4: Discipline
If you are an Uji Samurai, choose a Discipline. A Discipline is a tradition codified into a set of skills and techniques (known as Okuden) taught through the generations. During creation you can only choose a Basic Discipline; what Discipline you choose determines your profession: Bushi, Teishin, or Shugenja. Additionally, each Discipline gives a single Trait +1 Rank. These Disciplines are described in detail in the Bushi, Teishin, or Shugenja chapters.

If you are a Gakusho, choose a Discipline. These function identically to uji Disciplines, with a few minor differences, and are described in detail in the Gakusho chapter.

If you are a Ronin, you don't choose a Discipline. Certain otokodate and sensei teach Okuden unique to the wandering samurai, but you must qualify for their instruction. These are detailed in the Ronin chapter. You must, however, choose a profession: Bushi, Teishin, or Shugenja.

• Bushi are by far the most common, roaming Hachigoku and selling their warrior skills.
• Teishin are those who lack military bearing, and often find themselves surviving by cunning and intelligence as gamblers, merchants, and advisors.
• Shugenja are those favored by the Fortunes, blessed with a bloodline able to speak with the kami. Although they may be born among the lower castes, any who can command kami must have true samurai blood somewhere in their lineage. The kami wouldn't sully themselves with just anyone, right?

Step 5: Skills & Emphases
Skills represent the myriad learned abilities of your character, distinct from the raw application of your Rings and Traits, yet are measured in Ranks like Rings and Traits, with a range of 1 to 10.

If you are an Uji Samurai or Gakusho, your chosen Discipline assigns you six Skills. You need to prioritize these Discipline Skills in the same manner you did Rings, with the following distribution: 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2. So, one Skill at 4 Ranks, two Skills at 3, three Skills at 2. If your Meibutsu is identical to a Discipline Skill, add the Ranks together (making it possible to have a Skill at 6).

If you are a Ronin, choose any 6 Skills and prioritize them in the same manner: 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2.

Now you gain 2 additional Skills that reflect your own individualization and interests. These Skills must be different from any Skills previously gained, either from your Meibutsu, Discipline, or a Ronin's initial six. The Ranks of these Skills is determined by your Ring, with each Skill category corresponding to a Ring:

• Bugei Skills: Fire Ring.
• High Skills: Air Ring.
• Merchant Skills: Water Ring.
• Low Skills: Earth Ring.

Finally, you have three Emphases to spend on your Skills. These Emphases can be spread out among your Skills however you choose, whether they are all chosen in a single Skill or in three different Skills.

Step 6: Starting Equipment
If you are an Uji Samurai or Gakusho, your Discipline determines your starting equipment.

If you are a Ronin, your starting equipment depends on your profession, all of standard Quality:

• Bushi: Katana, wakizashi, any 2 weapons, armor, well-worn traveling clothes and sandals, traveling pack, 1 koku.
• Teishin: Wakizashi, tanto, kimono, well-worn traveling clothes and sandals, traveling pack, 1 koku.
• Shugenja: Tanto, kimono, sandals, traveling pack, scroll satchel (with 6 spells of any Ring they can cast), 1 koku.

Advantages and Disadvantages chosen during character creation may change the Quality of your equipment, replace it with other items, or remove items altogether. 

Step 7: Qualities
Qualities are aspects, events, or situations peculiar to your character that represent benefits life has granted him before play, or obstacles he must work to overcome. Qualities are considered either Minor or Major (worth 2 Minor ones), and divided into Advantages and Disadvantages. Each character gains 2 Minor Advantages for free; further Advantages are offset with Disadvantages, but you cannot have more Disadvantages than your highest Ring. 

Step 8: Okuden, Kiho, and Spells
Depending on the Discipline, you can now record what Okuden, Kiho, or Spells you know.

If you are a Ronin and qualify for any of the otokodate, you can now assume membership and choose an Okuden.