Shuhōken Schools

Basic Schools

Hirin Swordsman

Bonus Attribute: Stamina
School Skills: Athletics, Defense, Etiquette, Kenjutsu, Lore: Theology, Meditation, any two courtly or military skills.
Emphasis: Katana (Kenjutsu), Wakizashi (Kenjutsu)
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Daishō, Medium Armor, Traveling Clothes, Any One Weapon, Personal Effects, 5 Ryō.

Rank 1 - Soul and Honor
While you have both a Katana and Wakizashi ready, when attacking with either a Katana or Wakizashi, you suffer no penalty for having two weapons ready. While you have a Sword ready, gain +X to your Armor Target Number, where X is your School Rank. When you are the target of a spell, you may increase or decrease the Target Number of the Spellcasting test by 5. Naginata are not [Samurai] weapons for you. When you ready a Katana, you may ready a Wakizashi as a Free Action.
A Swordsman's hands are never empty.

Rank 2 - A Constellation of Steel
During the Readying Phase, if an attack or spell targeting you this round called at least one maneuver, gain +X to your Initiative until the end of the encounter, where X is your Kenjutsu skill rank.

Whenever an attack or spell targeting you misses or fails, if at least one maneuver was called on it, the attacker or spellcaster suffers a malus of -X to their Initiative until the end of the encounter, where X is your Kenjutsu skill rank
Assault upon a Swordsman merely emboldens, for it reveals the measure of the attacker.

Rank 3 - Falling Star
You may attack as a simple action when attacking with a [Samurai] weapon.
To travel from the Heavens to the Earth in an instant is to know the speed of a veteran Swordsman.

Rank 4 - Steel Rebuke
At the start of the Readying Phase, you may activate this technique. When you activate this technique, choose one character that attacked you this round. You gain +3k0 to attacks against that character during the next round.
As the Wheel turns, so too the tide of battle.

Rank 5 - The Comet's Tail
While you have both a Katana and Wakizashi ready, if you spent two Simple Actions this turn attacking, you may attack with your Wakizashi as a Free Action. (Each Free Action can only be used once per round.)
What follows is no less forceful than what has gone before.

Hirin Weaponmaster

[Bushi]
Bonus Ring: Void
School Skills: Athletics, Defense, Hunting, Jujutsu, Lore: Theology, Meditation, Any one weapon skill, Any one courtly or military skill.
Emphasis: Any one weapon
Honor: 5.5
Outfit: Aiguchi, Daishō, Traveling Clothes, Any One Weapon, Personal Effects, 1 Ryō.
Special: You gain the Ascetic Disadvantage but gain no XP bonus.

Rank 1 - One Weapon, One Soul
When you learn this technique, choose one [Medium] or [Small] Melee weapon. The chosen weapon is a [Samurai] weapon for you. All other weapons are not [Samurai] weapons for you. When dealing damage with your chosen weapon, if it is [Medium] you gain +1k0 to the damage roll, if it is [Small] you gain +1k1 to the damage roll. When you have your chosen weapon ready and are wearing no armor, you gain X Reduction, where X is your School Rank plus 2.
The soul lies in purpose joined with steel. For the Weaponmaster it can take many forms.

Rank 2 - One Weapon Wields Another
When attacking with your chosen weapon, if it would give you at least one Free Raise you may only use toward a specific maneuver, you gain one additional Free Raise you may only use toward that maneuver (for example, a Jitte gives you a free raise to disarm so you may use this technique towards disarming with a Jitte). When you choose to Hit in a grapple, instead of dealing damage as an unarmed strike, you may instead deal damage as if you hit with your chosen weapon.
Few understand a weapon better than the Hirin who has made it their soul.

Rank 3 - Two Weapons are One
You may attack as a simple action when attacking with a [Samurai] weapon.
When the weapon is one with the body, each strike flows from the last.

Rank 4 - The Roads Merge
When dealing damage with a [Samurai] weapon, you may spend a Void Point and activate this technique. If you do, gain +1k1 to the damage roll. This technique can only be activated once per damage roll.
A veteran Weaponmaster knows that to touch upon the Void for a perfect strike is possible no matter what weapon fills your hand.

Rank 5 - Our Paths Diverge
When dealing damage with a [Samurai] weapon, you may spend any number of Void Points and activate this technique. If you do, gain +XkX to the damage roll, where X is the number of Void Points spent. This technique can only be activated once per encounter.
Float upon the Void, and transcend flesh and steel.

Reitakibi Investigator

[Miyabito]
Bonus Attribute: Perception
School Skills: Courtier, Etiquette, Investigation, Kenjutsu, Meditation, Sincerity, any one Lore skill.
Emphasis: Courtesy (Etiquette), Interrogation (Investigation)
Honor: 5.5
Outfit: Aiguchi, Calligraphy set, Daishō, Fine Clothes, Personal Effects, 5 Ryō.

Rank 1 - Keen Senses
When testing Investigation, gain a Free Raise. You gain X to your Armor Target Number, where X is your Perception Attribute.
Reitakibi are famed for their far-reaching sight, but the eyes are but the most obvious of the senses. There is more to true awareness of the world.

Rank 2 - The Eyes Reveal Intent
Increase your Vigilance by X, where X is your School Rank times five. While you are the target of an attack that uses the Feint or Disarm maneuver, gain X to your Armor Target Number, where X is your School Rank times five.
To know a man's gaze is to know his mind.

Rank 3 - The Mind's Tell
At any time while speaking with someone, you may test Investigation(Notice)/Perception against Target Number X, where X is the target's Intelligence times five. If you are successful, you discern a loose understanding with the target's habits and goals.
The force of habit reveals itself to the skilled observer.

Rank 4 - The Spider's Example
At any time while speaking with someone, you may activate this technique. If you do, test Investigation(Interrogation)/Intelligence contested by their Etiquette(Courtesy)/Intelligence. If you win the contest, you learn the identity and type (ally or enemy) of one of target's allies or enemies. You may call raises on your Investigation test to learn an additional identity per raise if you are successful. The GM chooses in what order you learn identities. You may activate this technique only once per person per day.
Pluck one thread, and understand the whole.

Rank 5 - The Immutable Truth
When another character would attempt to test against your Vigilance, they must also make the same test contested by your Investigation(Interrogation or Notice)/Perception (it is encouraged the GM handle these rolls). You may not spend Void Points to Boost rolls in this contest. If you already know the character is lying (subject to GM approval), you gain +5k0 to this contest. For two raises, if you win the contest, the character divulges information they do not want you to know so long as that information is related to their deception (the GM chooses what they give away).
Falsehood is as the morning dew beneath the light of the truth: transparent and fleeting.

Midokaji Smith

[Onmyōji]
Bonus Attribute: Stamina
School Skills: Athletics, Calligraphy, Defense, Divination, Lore: Theology, Medicine, Spellcraft
Emphasis: Cipher (Calligraphy)
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Calligraphy Set, Daishō, Robes, Scroll Satchel, Any one weapon, Personal Effects, 5 Ryō.
Elemental Affinity: Earth or Fire

Reforge the Self
When you learn this technique, choose one spell. You learn that spell.

After you learn your spell gained from Rank 1, note its element and the element of the spell learned from this technique. Those elements are your "Linked Elements". Before you would make any test or contest, or as a Free Action, you may spend a Void Point. If you do, you may temporarily rearrange the Values of Traits belonging to the rings corresponding to your Linked Elements. This may increase or decrease your Ring Values for the duration of this effect for all mechanical effects except for spell slots and Void Points. This effect lasts for X minutes, or may be dismissed as a Free Action, where X is 15 * The sum of your Linked Elements' Ring Value (after the swap modifies ring values).

(Example: A Smith with Earth and Air linked and Stamina 5, Awareness 4, Willpower 4, and Reflexes 3 may assign a 5, two 4s, and a 3 between those Traits. All traits must be assigned a value from this pool, and each value can only be assigned once.)

The Midokaji study intently the interaction of the Elements in the world. With sufficient wisdom, they may even manipluate those forces within themselves.

Kakusei Tattooist

[Sohei]
Bonus Attribute: Void
School Skills: Athletics, Defense, Craft: Tattooing, Jujutsu, Meditation, Any one Lore skill, Any one skill.
Emphasis: None
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Bō, Daishō, Monk's Robes, Traveling Clothes, Personal Effects, 5 Ryō.

Rank 1 - Ink Upon Flesh
When you learn this technique, choose two Magic Tattoos and gain them.
Tattooists bear upon their skin an indelible link to the World Beyond the World, granting them great spiritual power.

Rank 2 - Perfect the Body
You gain +1k1 to attack and damage when testing an Unarmed attack.
Enlightenment is not reached by contemplation alone. An imperfect vessel cannot hold a perfect spirit.

Rank 3 - Ink Upon Soul
You may attack as a Simple Action when attacking with Unarmed. When you learn this technique, choose two Magic Tattoos and gain them.
A true Tattooist does not so much act, as float in the currents that flow from the World Beyond the World, his every action in harmony with the universe around him.

Rank 4 - Perfect the Mind
When testing Meditation, gain +1k1.
Enlightenment is not reached by physical cultivation alone. An imperfect spirit cannot guide a perfect form.

Rank 5 - Transcend the World
When you learn this technique, choose two Magic Tattoos and gain them.
Veteran Tattooists spend so much time in the World Beyond the World, they become almost as spirits themselves, and carry always a piece of that realm within themselves.

Kakusei Pugilist

[Sohei]
Bonus Attribute: Reflexes
School Skills: Athletics, Defense, Jujutsu, Meditation, Any one Lore skill, Any two non-illicit skills.
Emphasis:
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Daishō, Monk's Robes, Traveling Clothes, Personal Effects, 4 Ryō.

Rank 1 - Sutra of the Mountain Wind
When you learn this technique, choose one Magic Tattoo and gain it. You gain X to your Armor Target Number where X is your Reflexes Attribute. When testing Jujutsu in a Grapple Contest, you may use your Reflexes Attribute in place of your Strength Attribute.
Become as the howling wind, untouchable and all-present.

Rank 2 - Break the Meridian
When dealing damage with Unarmed, you may spend a Void Point and activate this technique. If you do, gain +1k1 to the damage roll. This technique can only be activated once per damage roll.
A Pugilist knows how and where to strike to disrupt the body with greater force than a mere fist should impart.

Rank 3 - Sutra of the Glacial Torrent
When you learn this technique, choose one Magic Tattoo and gain it. You may attack as a Simple Action when attacking with Unarmed.
Become as the rushing stream, unstoppable in your speed.

Rank 4 - Break the Root
When calling raises for an Unarmed attack, gain 1 Free Raise you may only use towards the Knockdown maneuver. You gain +1k1 to damage when striking with Unarmed.
A Pugilist becomes adept at shattering an opponent's stance and then punishing their weakness with mighty blows.

Rank 5 - Sutra of the Avalanche
When you learn this technique, choose one Magic Tattoo and gain it. When calling raises, if you spent raises on the Knockdown Maneuver, you may call two raises. If you do, and the Knockdown was successful, the victim becomes Incapacitated. When choosing to Throw when in a Grapple, the victim must test Earth against Target Number 20. If they fail, they become Incapacitated.
Become as the thunderous avalanche, overpowering all in your path.

Kakusei Wanderer

[Sohei]
Bonus Attribute: Void
School Skills: Athletics, Defense, Etiquette, Jujutsu, Meditation, Any two skills.
Emphasis: Void Recovery (Meditation)
Honor: 4.5
Outfit: Bō, Daishō, Monk's Robes, Traveling Clothes, Personal Effects, 2 Ryō.
Special: Kakusei Wanderer is considered a Non-Clan Monk School when determining qualification for Soul Techniques. It is still a Shuhōken School otherwise.

Rank 1 - The Field Between Roads
When you learn this technique and when you advance to School Rank 4, choose one Magic Tattoo and gain it. When you learn this technique, choose two Soul Technique you qualify for and gain them. As a Free Action, you may activate this technique and spend a Void Point. If you do, this technique is active for X rounds, where X is your School Rank. While this technique is active, at the start of your turn, choose to either gain +1k1 to Attack tests using Unarmed, or +1k0 to Damage using Unarmed. This bonus is lost as you end your turn.
For some among the Kakusei, there are too many marvels in the world to choose but one path to enlightenment.


Dojo

Hirin Swordsman

West Star Dojo

Requirements: Defense 4, Reflexes 4

Rank 2 - Earth's Teeth
Whenever a melee attack or spell targeting you misses or fails, the attacker or spellcaster suffers a malus of -X to their Armor Target Number until the start of their next turn, where X is your Kenjutsu skill rank.
A Swordsman need not always fight aggressively to seize victory. Some prefer to wait, and exploit their foe's mistakes before striking.

Rank 4 - Sight Unobstructed
At the start of the Readying Phase, you may activate this technique. When you activate this technique, gain +X to your Armor Target Number until the next readying phase, where X is 5 * the number of enemies that targeted you with an attack or spell this round.
Such a patient style demands a strong defense— and the defense of its practitioners only becomes stronger the greater the assault upon them.

Blue Fangs Dojo

Requirements: Athletics 3, Kenjutsu 4, Strength 3

Rank 2 - Lesser Cobalt Fang of the Mountain Flame
When attacking with a Katana or Wakizashi while wielding both a Katana and a Wakizashi, you gain access to the following maneuver:

Blue Ember Strike - 3 Raises. If this maneuver is called, after damage is dealt, contest Strength with your target. If you win, choose any one weapon your target has readied and place it X ft away, where X is 5 * your Strength.
The two-sword style of the Hirin affords its practitioners incredible leverage— sufficient to send the weapons of their foes hurtling out of their grasp.

Rank 4 - Greater Azure Fang of the Waterfall
As two Simple Actions, you may make one attack with a Katana, and then one attack with a Wakizashi. If both of these attacks hit the same target, contest Strength with your target. If you win, your target is knocked down.
Veteran students of the technique may even bring their leverage to bear against their foe's own stability, taking their feet out from under them.

Hirin Weaponmaster

Heaven's Sea Dojo

Requirements: Any one weapon skill 6, two weapon emphases

Rank 2 - The Common Thread
When you learn this technique, choose a non-Katana weapon you have emphasis in. Your [Samurai] weapons that belong to the same weapon group or have the same size have the chosen weapon's masteries if they do not already posses them. Treat any instances of the chosen weapon's name in its masteries as "[Samurai] weapon" instead. (You still need to possess the appropriate weapon rank)
Though weapons differ, the body is unchanged, and moves how it moves. Wielding armaments must always flow from wielding the body, and can only vary so much.

Rank 4 - A Kimono of 1,000 Forms
When you learn this technique, choose a non-Katana weapon you have emphasis in. Your [Samurai] weapons that belong to the same weapon group or have the same size have the chosen weapon's masteries if they do not already posses them. Treat any instances of the chosen weapon's name in its masteries as "[Samurai] weapon" instead. (You still need to possess the appropriate weapon rank)
A broad mastery of weapons and styles teaches the veteran Weaponmaster all arts of fighting are in truth one.

Rank 5 - All Silk is Silk
When attacking with a [Samurai] weapon, gain +X where X is the number of weapons you have emphasis in. When dealing damage with a [Samurai] weapon, gain +X, where X is half the number of weapons you have emphasis in, rounded down.
True mastery shows itself regardless of the tool that fills the master's hand.

Empty Soul Dojo

Requirements: Weapon: Samurai 3
Oath: "I will never wield the same weapon twice"

Rank 1 - Live in the Now
You lose all ranks and emphases in all [Weapon] skills other than Weapon: Samurai. Your XP is refunded an amount equal to the total cost of these skills (in the case of skills obtained at no cost, refund what they would cost normally). You can not gain ranks in any [Weapon] skill other than Weapon: Samurai. You can not gain or buy permanant weapon emphases.

Weapons you are wielding, and Jujutsu Weapons are [Samurai] weapons for you. When attacking with any Weapon or Unarmed, you have emphasis in the relevant weapon profile. When dealing damage with a [Small] weapon, gain +1k1. When dealing damage with a [Medium] weapon, gain +1k0. While you are wearing no armor and have one or fewer weapons readied, gain X reduction, where X is 2 + your School Rank.
The truth of the present moment is the only truth that matters.

Rank 2 - The Bodhisattva's Hand
When contesting Strength, gain +1k0.

When attacking with no weapons readied, you gain access to the following maneuver:

Fortune Turns - 3 Raises. After damage is dealt, contest Strength with your target. If you win, take and ready one of your target's readied weapons.
The enlightened have no need for material possessions, for if they but reach out, the universe will provide.

Midokaji Smith

Transmutationist

Requirements: Five skills* at rank 3 or higher,
*Special: Each of the five skills must use a trait from a different ring. Skills that use multiple traits may be counted as one or the other.

Rank 2 - Separation is an Illusion
You may only learn spells of an element that you know the fewest spells from (including ties).

All five elements are your "Linked Elements"
Then truly, our arts are the same.

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