There are four main stats.
Physical: how strong and healthy you are
Mental: how smart and determined you are
Combat: how well you fight
Move: how far you move
You start with 3 points in each of the four main stats.
You then get 4 points to distribute how you like.
You have the following starting skills.
Climbing 2
Evade 2
Folklore 2
Perception 2
Persuasion 2
Stealth 2
Throw 2
Species- Choose your species. Each has their own attribute modifiers and special ability.
Bat: Generally impulsive and quick to change their minds. They do what they feel like at the moment, regardless of what they said before or what might happen afterwards. Along with a lack in foresight, they have an ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
Bear (including pandas): Generally easygoing and confident, willing to forgive, forget, and go along to get along. Few become bullies, since their great size and strength gives them the knowledge that they have nothing to prove. Generally law abiding and peaceful. Often retainers, messengers, and town guards.
Boar: Like pigs, boars are very stubborn, but they are also aggressive. They tend to be very self-confident, but those that challenge or irritate them can expect trouble. They are fierce warriors under a capable ruler, but stubborn and argumentative without strong leadership. As rulers, they have trouble seeing through their own biases or taking advice from others.
Bull: Their courage is legendary, as are their fierce tempers. It doesn't take much to start a fight with a bull, but it takes a lot to end one. While fierce in their rages, they can be equally intense when showing generosity and friendship.
Cat: Tend to be calm and aloof. Some would say `snooty', but cats say `dignified'. Tend to think before they speak or act. They usually dislike anything that makes them look foolish or clumsy.
Dog: Tend to be idealistic, believing in decency and goodness. Those who see evidence of this become even more friendly and generous. Those whose beliefs are betrayed become vicious, cruel and bullying. Tend to be followers more than leaders. Many dogs are blindly loyal to their leaders.
Ferret: Tend to be hyperactive, both in body and mind. They find it hard to perform tasks that require them to be stationary or that are repetitive. They prefer action to inaction, stopping only to feed their seemingly bottomless stomachs. They are remarkably fast, making them great fighters where speed counts. They enjoy secrets (learning them more than keeping them).
Fox: Many people think they're just good looking dogs, but this isn't true. They aren't blind about anything. They like to think things through, but have little interest in appearing to know valuable secrets even when they do know these secrets. They are charming, clever, and sometimes downright sneaky.
Goat: They are hardy individuals and able to endure difficult situations. They are self-assured and do not suffer fools gladly. They make better leaders than followers. They tend to maintain serious demeanors and are not frivolous. They are good fighters because they do not worry about their own weakness nor the consequences of their actions.
Lion: They are proud and fierce beings. Their fighting ability is exceptional. Their combination of pride and ferocity make them excellent followers of Bushido (The Way of the Warrior). At the same time, they tend to be poor followers and prone to ignoring good advice. Those that can temper their pride can achieve greatness, but many do not and are known for their arrogance and cruelty.
Mole: Tend to be careful, methodical types. They are great builders and miners, but they are sometimes at a disadvantage in situations requiring snap decisions. They are not stubborn like pigs, but they do possess a single-minded determination that they are known for.
Otter: Tend to be carefree individuals who prefer the countryside. Known for suppleness, agility, and speed. They have a reputation for laziness, except when it comes to jobs involving the water.
Pig: Tend to be very stubborn. Once set in their ways, it takes great effort to change their mind. This makes them deeply loyal friends or implacable enemies. Have little use for a life of ideas, are practical and emotional. They are exceptionally tough.
Rabbit: Tend to be upright, idealistic folks. They make up their minds to live their lives a certain way, and they base their actions on that decision. Tend to be quicker than most people.
Rat: Their idea of the good life is being able to gamble, barter, and drink sake all day. Many people think they are lazy and unambitious, preferring to live off handouts or stealing what they need from others. They are generally mistrusted, but not as much as bats or moles. While many rats are trustworthy, those many honest rats must work harder to overcome the stereotype others have of their species. Those unusual rats that turn away from their carousing lifestyle tend to follow high ideals, and are often noted for having achieved great things.
Rhino: Generally big, strong, and commanding individuals. Have the self-confidence that comes from being bigger than most people, and can come across as arrogant or superior. It can be hard to get a rhino started on anything, but once they start something, they are even harder to stop.
Serpent: Are known for smooth talking and guile. Are calm, methodical thinkers who pride themselves on their cold-blooded assessment of every situation. It is almost impossible for a snake to show anger or fear.
Wolf: They keep to themselves, but are very devoted and loyal to immediate family members. Many are wanderers, taking jobs that provide independence and freedom. They make good (if conniving) leaders, due to their strength of character. Those that do pledge their allegiance are extremely loyal, their oath binding them for the rest of their life. They don�t give their allegiance lightly though, and anyone to whom they swear fealty must demonstrate courage and honor. They usually stay away from large towns and cities, having a natural sensitivity to the wild.
Jobs: each grants it's own skills and special ability.
Bonze/Ama (priest/nun): Outgoing Buddhists dedicated to spreading the Way of Buddhism
Bodyguard
Bounty Hunter
Courtier
Gambler
Messenger
Monk: Zen Buddhists
Ninja
Retainer: Includes samurai in service to a lord.
Shugosha (student warrior): includes ronin, the masterless samurai
Sohei: Militant Buddhist priests
Free Stuff: you now get an extra 10 points to spend on skills, either increasing the ones you already have up to a max of +8, or choosing new ones. Skills include these...
Acrobatics- jump, tumble, survive long falls, etc.
Archery- one of the primary samurai skills
Artistry- you must choose a particular art form (not a martial art), such as shamisen (a stringed instrument), shakuhachi (a flute), bonsai (miniature tree cultivation), sho-do (calligraphy), pottery, cha-no-yo (tea ceremony), or sumi-e (painting)
Buddhism- knowledge of the teachings of Buddha.
Climbing- climb stuff.
Etiquette- your knowledge of manners and proper way of doing things- very important in status-conscious Japan.
Evade- catchall skill to defend against attacks, whether they are hand-to-hand, melee, or missile attacks.
Feat of Strength- break chains or ropes, lift heavy things, etc.
Folklore- knowledge of the myths, stories, and rumours concerning the supernatural
Games- essential for the gambler
Jittejutsu- the skill of using jitte and sai in combat. The jitte is the symbol of authority for doshin (police) in the game.
Jujutsu- an unarmed martial art that uses the enemy's own strength against him
Kenjutsu- the martial art of swordsmanship. Covers all swords, from tanto (small dagger) up to the immense no-daichi sword.
Ninjutsu- the catch-all ninja skill, covers everything not included under Stealth, Climb, or Perception
Other Weapon Skills- other Japanese weapons like the Teppo (a rifle). Choose one.
Peasant Weapons- includes nunchaku, kama (sickle), kusarigama (chain and sickle), and tonfa. Samurai may use the kusarigama or kama, but would never use the nunchaku or tonfa because they are associated with farmers.
Perception- notice stuff
Persuasion- convince others of stuff
Physician- the skill used by doctors (called isha). Diagnose illnesses, offer treatment and cures, heal wounds, and create antidotes to poisons.
Polearms- includes the use of the bo (6' long wooden staff), jo (4' long version of the bo), yari (spear, used to thrust and slash, not thrown), yari-nage (shorter version of yari, used one handed), and naginata (considered an appropriate weapon for noble women to study)
Riding- one of the samurai traditional skills
Stealth- essential for ninja
Tetsubojutsu- this is a large wooden club with metal studs, or a large iron bo.
Throw- anything from shuriken, to small rocks, to vases. Large rocks use Feat of Strength skill. If you want to throw people, take jujutsu.
Tracking- essential for bounty hunters
Social Status- depends on the job you took, for the most part.
Samurai class: include these...
Shogun
Daimyo- in charge of samurai clans, and govern large tracts of land
Courtier
Retainers of a lord (bodyguards, messengers, village magistrates, common soldiers)
Priests and Monks: these are generally outside the usual social ladder. While not OWED respect for title or position, they are often given it for being teachers and keepers of wisdom.
On the other hand, there are some monks who are little better than beggars and are treated as such.
Ronin: pretty low on the social scale because it is expected for a samurai to follow his master even into death. One who doesn't is considered to have failed in his duties.
They are technically above peasants in terms of social status, but are often treated with suspicion- by samurai and peasant alike.
Peasants: The foundation of society, and thus at the bottom of the social ladder.
They have no legal recourse against those of the samurai class or higher, although ronin can still be held responsible for crimes against peasants.
Outlaws and Ninja: The only thing lower than a peasant is an outlaw, and ninjas qualify.
Anyone caught engaging in ninjutsu can be executed without trial, so ninja try very hard not to get caught. Since the ninja come from peasant backgrounds, they usually maintain a `secret identity' of a peasant. This usually works; peasants all look the same to samurai.
Other outlaws include petty thieves, bandits, and some gamblers.
Updated 15 AUG 02