Right now, I'm revising what's been up here into a couple of coherent chapters, revising rules to put them in synch with each other. There are restructurings, including the "examples" being moved to sidebars (I finally learned what frames are!).
Along the way I cleaned up some rules, like ditching a few extraneous Skirmish maneuvers and streamlining others, while adding some rules to Battle about naval Battles and the Shadowlands. Still working through the character creation bits now.
I'll put a link up to the revisions for review when they're done.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Mosenshi Advantage, and swapping Matsu for Hiruma.
So, here's a new Advantage to fix a problem I was encountering. It's a biggie.
***
Mosenshi (Major, Minor for Hida, Matsu, and Moto) (Trained)
Mosenshi is an ancient martial discipline that embraces the fury of a samurai and elevates his yu (courage) above all other considerations. Those who train in this method can focus their minds into a pure killing spirit. There is no fear, no mercy, and little calculation in a mosenshi in full rage. The risk, however, is tremendous as a mosenshi's other senses and instincts become dulled, and the fury eats away at their stamina quickly. Such bushi burn like wildfires, then abruptly flicker and die, trusting to their comrades to carry them through.
When in combat, you can spend a Void Point as an Action and enter the mosenshi rage. For a number of rounds equal to your Earth, you gain an XkX bonus to all Damage rolls, where X is your Earth, and you reduce all Wound Penalties by your Earth. You are immune to Fear effects. However, during this time you can take no Actions other than movement and attacks, and all attacks must be made as Full Attacks. At the end of this time, you fall down exhausted (considered to be at the Down Wound Level) for the rest of the Scene.
This is considered a Minor Advantage for Hida, Matsu, and Moto samurai.
***
The purpose here is I wanted to keep that old Berserker tradition, but I also wanted to tamp down on the explosion of Schools (Disciplines) that has erupted over the years in L5R. Since Disciplines are not strictly limited to Clans (Uji) in this revision, multiplication of theme is to be frowned upon.
Want an aggressive bushi known for brash honor and military knowledge? Say, a Matsu Bushi? Just be an Akodo Bushi with Mosenshi.
Want an aggressive bushi known for big strength, bigger weapons, and bad attitude? Say, a Hida Berserker? Just be a Hida Bushi with Mosenshi.
Want an aggressive cavalry raider considered a bit uncouth? Say, a Moto Bushi? Just be a Shinjo Bushi with Mosenshi.
Works out pretty well, I think.
Now, that means my previous post about Disciplines has a flaw, because Matsu Bushi is redundant. No problem. Replace it with:
Discipline: Hiruma Bushi
Skills: Athletics, Hunting, Kenjutsu, Kyujutsu, Shadowlands Lore, Stealth
Honor: Hmm... I don't know here, either 1 or 2. What do you think, and why?
Happy to get a scout back in the basics.
***
Mosenshi (Major, Minor for Hida, Matsu, and Moto) (Trained)
Mosenshi is an ancient martial discipline that embraces the fury of a samurai and elevates his yu (courage) above all other considerations. Those who train in this method can focus their minds into a pure killing spirit. There is no fear, no mercy, and little calculation in a mosenshi in full rage. The risk, however, is tremendous as a mosenshi's other senses and instincts become dulled, and the fury eats away at their stamina quickly. Such bushi burn like wildfires, then abruptly flicker and die, trusting to their comrades to carry them through.
When in combat, you can spend a Void Point as an Action and enter the mosenshi rage. For a number of rounds equal to your Earth, you gain an XkX bonus to all Damage rolls, where X is your Earth, and you reduce all Wound Penalties by your Earth. You are immune to Fear effects. However, during this time you can take no Actions other than movement and attacks, and all attacks must be made as Full Attacks. At the end of this time, you fall down exhausted (considered to be at the Down Wound Level) for the rest of the Scene.
This is considered a Minor Advantage for Hida, Matsu, and Moto samurai.
***
The purpose here is I wanted to keep that old Berserker tradition, but I also wanted to tamp down on the explosion of Schools (Disciplines) that has erupted over the years in L5R. Since Disciplines are not strictly limited to Clans (Uji) in this revision, multiplication of theme is to be frowned upon.
Want an aggressive bushi known for brash honor and military knowledge? Say, a Matsu Bushi? Just be an Akodo Bushi with Mosenshi.
Want an aggressive bushi known for big strength, bigger weapons, and bad attitude? Say, a Hida Berserker? Just be a Hida Bushi with Mosenshi.
Want an aggressive cavalry raider considered a bit uncouth? Say, a Moto Bushi? Just be a Shinjo Bushi with Mosenshi.
Works out pretty well, I think.
Now, that means my previous post about Disciplines has a flaw, because Matsu Bushi is redundant. No problem. Replace it with:
Discipline: Hiruma Bushi
Skills: Athletics, Hunting, Kenjutsu, Kyujutsu, Shadowlands Lore, Stealth
Honor: Hmm... I don't know here, either 1 or 2. What do you think, and why?
Happy to get a scout back in the basics.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Disciplines: Preview
And a little more for tonight before declaring an end for the evening. And gives you an idea of where I go from here.
Disciplines: The Quick & Dirty List
Below are the various Disciplines that can be chosen at character creation. Each list is broken up by profession (Bushi, Shugenja, or Teishin), and contains the Discipline, its Skills, and its beginning Honor Rank.
Bushi Disciplines
| Discipline | Skills | Honor |
|---|---|---|
| Akodo Bushi | Bajutsu Battle Defense Etiquette Kenjutsu Kyujutsu | 3 |
| Bayushi Bushi | Defense Iaijutsu Investigation Kenjutsu Kyujutsu Sincerity | 1 |
| Hida Bushi | Defense Kenjutsu Kyujutsu Shadowlands Lore Subojutsu Sumai | 2 |
| Kakita Bushi | Bajutsu Defense Etiquette Iaijutsu Kyujutsu Oratory | 3 |
| Matsu Bushi | Battle Hunting Jiujutsu Kenjutsu Kyujutsu Yarijutsu | 2 |
| Mirumoto Bushi | Athletics Jiujutsu Kenjutsu Kyujutsu Meditation Theology | 2 |
| Shiba Bushi | Defense Kenjutsu Kyujutsu Meditation Theology Yarijutsu | 3 |
| Shinjo Bushi | Athletics Bajutsu Defense Kenjutsu Yarijutsu Yomanri | 1 |
| Tsuruchi Bushi | Athletics Defense Hunting Investigation Kyujutsu Nofujutsu | 2 |
| Yoritomo Bushi | Athletics Kenjutsu Kyujutsu Nofujutsu Sailing Sincerity | 1 |
Shugenja Disciplines
| Discipline | Skills | Honor |
|---|---|---|
| Agasha Shugenja | Athletics Defense Jiujutsu Meditation Spellcraft Theology | 2 |
| Asahina Shugenja | Artisan Divination Etiquette Meditation Spellcraft Theology | 3 |
| Isawa Shugenja | Etiquette Divination Oratory Politics Spellcraft Theology | 3 |
| Iuchi Shugenja | Athletics Bajutsu Divination Hunting Medicine Spellcraft | 2 |
| Kitsu Shugenja | Athletics Etiquette Jiujutsu Lore Spellcraft Theology | 3 |
| Kitsune Shugenja | Bojutsu Divination Hunting Medicine Spellcraft Theology | 2 |
| Kuni Shugenja | Defense Hunting Kenjutsu Shadowlands Lore Spellcraft Theology | 1 |
| Soshi Shugenja | Investigation Law Sincerity Spellcraft Stealth Tantojutsu | 1 |
| Tamori Shugenja | Athletics Defense Jiujutsu Kenjutsu Meditation Spellcraft | 2 |
| Yogo Shugenja | Divination Investigation Lore Shadowlands Lore Spellcraft Theology | 2 |
Teishin Disciplines
| Discipline | Skills | Honor |
|---|---|---|
| Bayushi Teishin | Etiquette Investigation Oratory Politics Sincerity Tantojutsu | 1 |
| Chukan Teishin | Calligraphy Etiquette Law Lore Medicine Theology | 3 |
| Doji Teishin | Calligraphy Etiquette Law Oratory Politics Sincerity | 3 |
| Ide Teishin | Bajutsu Commerce Etiquette Hunting Oratory Politics | 2 |
| Ikoma Teishin | Athletics Battle Etiquette Kenjutsu Oratory Politics | 2 |
| Kakita Teishin | Artisan Athletics Calligraphy Etiquette Oratory Performance | 2 |
| Kitsuki Teishin | Etiquette Games Investigation Law Meditation Underworld | 2 |
| Miya Teishin | Athletics Bajutsu Defense Etiquette Law Oratory | 3 |
| Otomo Teishin | Commerce Games Investigation Law Politics Sincerity | 2 |
| Yasuki Teishin | Commerce Etiquette Law Nofujutsu Politics Sincerity | 1 |
Meibutsu: The Quick and Dirty List
Here's the quick & dirty of what Meibutsu go with what uji during character creation. This does not yet include the shinden Meibutsu for gakusho.
Meibutsu: The Quick & Dirty List
The Dainagon
The ruling uji of Hachigoku are the Dainagon, those uji directly descended from the children of Sun and Moon (Akodo, Bayushi, Doji, Hida, Shiba, Shinjo, and Togashi), as well as those who descended from Hantei's three most devoted followers (Miya, Otomo, and Seppun).
These uji owe fealty to none, except the absent Emperor. The chart below lists their associated Meibutsu.
| Uji | Meibutsu |
| Akodo | Battle (Strategy) |
| Bayushi | Sincerity (Misdirection) |
| Doji | Etiquette (Diplomacy) |
| Hida | Subojutsu (Tetsubo) |
| Miya | Politics (Mon Heraldry) |
| Otomo | Politics (Manipulation) |
| Seppun | Investigation (Notice) |
| Shiba | Yarijutsu (Naginata) |
| Shinjo | Yomanri (Yabusame) |
| Togashi | Ise Zumi Tattoo |
The Shonagon
The Shonagon are the lesser uji of Hachigoku. They do not stand as high as the Dainagon, but even they have a hierarchy of their own between uji known as the Fudai (“Inside”) and the Tozama (“Outside”).
The Fudai are those uji founded during the dawn of the Empire and on until the end of the Shadowlands War; most owe fealty to Dainagon uji, but several are powerful and independent. The Tozama are all uji founded after the Shadowlands War and the disappearance of the Hantei Dynasty.
The charts below are divided between the Fudai and Tozama, listing each uji, its associated Meibutsu, and which (if any) uji to whom it owes fealty.
The Fudai
| Uji | Meibutsu | Fealty |
| Agasha | Explosives (Kagaku) | None |
| Asako | Theology (Shintao) | Isawa |
| Daidoji | Yarijutsu (Yari) | None |
| Hiruma | Shadowlands Lore (Geography) | Hida |
| Ikoma | Oratory (Boasting) | None |
| Isawa | Lore (Shugenja) | None |
| Iuchi | Medicine (Treatment) | Shinjo |
| Kaiu | Engineering (Architecture) | Hida |
| Kakita | Iaijutsu (Katana) | Doji |
| Kitsu | Theology (Spirit Realms) | None |
| Kitsune | Hunting (Tracking) | None |
| Kuni | Shadowlands Lore (Oni Lore) | Hida |
| Matsu | Battle (Skirmish) | None |
| Mirumoto | Kenjutsu (Katana) | None |
| Shosuro | Stealth (Ambush) | Bayushi |
| Soshi | Investigation (Interrogation) | Bayushi |
| Utaku | Yarijutsu (Nagamaki) | Shinjo |
| Yasuki | Commerce (Merchant) | None |
| Yogo | Spellcraft (Maho) | Bayushi |
The Tozama
| Uji | Meibutsu | Fealty |
|---|---|---|
| Asahina | Theology (Fortunism) | Doji |
| Ashidaka | Craft (Weaponsmith) | Kakita |
| Atsumaru | Medicine (Herbalism) | Agasha |
| Chukan | Lore (History) | Asako |
| Fundai | Craft (Shipwright) | Kaiu |
| Goraiku | Kyujutsu (Yumi) | Moshi |
| Hiramichi | Commerce (Mathematics) | Daidoji |
| Hiramori | Battle (Forest) | Daidoji |
| Hogosha | Sincerity (Intimidation) | Yoritomo |
| Horiuchi | Divination (Astrology) | Shinjo |
| Hosokawa | Calligraphy (Ikoma Cipher) | Ikoma |
| Hotaru | Performance (Noh) | Otomo |
| Hyuga | Animal Handling (Horse) | Utaku |
| Ichiro | Sumai (Dance) | None |
| Ide | Politics (Maneuvering) | Shinjo |
| Ikeda | Bajutsu (Gallop) | Matsu |
| Ise | Shadowlands Lore (Tsuno Lore) | Kitsu |
| Iwasaki | Performance (Music) | Kakita |
| Izaku | Calligraphy (Keigo) | Agasha |
| Kagehisa | Kenjutsu (Yadomejutsu) | Tsuruchi |
| Kakeguchi | Subojutsu (Ono) | Hida |
| Kano | Artisan (Sculpture) | Yasuki |
| Kasuga | Underworld (Smuggling) | None |
| Katai | Craft (Carpentry) | Akodo |
| Kenshin | Iaijutsu (Focus) | Iuchi |
| Kitsuki | Investigation (Nazado) | Agasha |
| Kochako | Stealth (Shadowing) | Shosuro |
| Koritome | Kyujutsu (Daikyu) | Matsu |
| Kotagama | Law (Imperial Law) | Doji |
| Maisuna | Engineering (Traps) | Kaiu |
| Maruta | Oratory (Storytelling) | Shinjo |
| Meishozo | Artisan (Painting) | Kuni |
| Morito | Underworld (Kolat) | None |
| Moshi | Divination (Omens) | None |
| Moshibaru | Lore (Ronin) | Hida |
| Moto | Hunting (Survival) | Shinjo |
| Nanbu | Kenjutsu (No-dachi) | Soshi |
| Nani | Meditation (Trance) | Asako |
| Naoko | Kenjutsu (Gaijin Blades) | Moto |
| Nasu | Law (Bureaucracy) | Shiba |
| Noroko | Meditation (Fasting) | Kitsu |
| Onshigawa | Athletics (Acrobatics) | Moto |
| Raikuto | Etiquette (Conversation) | Hiruma |
| Rokugo | Games (Gambling) | Bayushi |
| Sakura | Underworld (Ninja Lore) | Kitsuki |
| Seizuka | Craft (Cartography) | Akodo |
| Shingon | Spellcraft (Nemuranai) | Isawa |
| Shudo | Hunting (Trailblazing) | Kitsune |
| Suio | Lore (Burning Sands) | Ide |
| Suzume | Nofujutsu (Tonfa) | None |
| Tamori | Athletics (Climbing) | None |
| Tansuko | Lore (Curses) | Yogo |
| Tokagure | Poison (Antidotes) | Shosuro |
| Tonbo | Etiquette (Tea Ceremony) | None |
| Toritaka | Theology (Ancestors) | None |
| Tsume | Resplendent Crane Yarijutsu (Yari) | Doji |
| Tsuruchi | Kyujutsu (Fletcher) | None |
| Ugawari | Yarijutsu (Sasumata) | Kuni |
| Ujina | Tantojutsu (Tanto) | Usagi |
| Usagi | Athletics (Leaping) | None |
| Watanabe | Sailing (Shipwright) | Yoritomo |
| Yoritomo | Sailing (Navigation) | None |
| Zurui | Investigation (Ichi-miru) | Mirumoto |
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